Islamic New Year 2026

When Is Islamic New Year in 2026?

In 2026, Islamic New Year falls on June 16. The observance lasts 1 day. Because Islamic New Year follows a 1 Muharram, the first day of the Hijri lunar calendar year, the exact Gregorian date shifts each year. The start of Muharram is set by the sighting of the new moon; Saudi Arabia uses the Umm al-Qura calendar, while other countries follow local sightings, leading to ±1 day differences. The Hijri year is ~11 days shorter than the Gregorian year, so the New Year drifts backward through the seasons. Since Islamic New Year's date changes from year to year, here are the dates for the next five years so you can plan ahead: Year Date 2026 June 16 2027 June 6 2028 May 25 2029 May 14 2030 May 3

What Time Does Islamic New Year Start in Your Time Zone?

Islamic New Year falls on the 1st day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. In 2026, Islamic New Year falls on June 17 (Saudi Umm al-Qura calendar). Communities that follow local moon sightings may observe it a day later. As with all Islamic days, the day begins at sunset the evening before, so the observance begins on the evening of June 16 and continues through the day of June 17. Because the Islamic calendar drifts backward through the Gregorian calendar by about 11 days each year, Islamic New Year falls in different seasons in different years. In 2026, it falls in mid-June (early summer in the Northern Hemisphere); in 2027, it will fall in early June; in 2028, in late May. The drift means that the experience of the holiday changes over time — a winter Islamic New Year feels different from a summer one. Communities in different time zones observe the festival on the same Gregorian date (or the day after, for moon-sighting communities). The table below shows the observance date for Islamic New Year in major time zones around the world: Location Observance Date Time Zone New York, USA June 16 EST/EDT (UTC-5/-4) London, UK June 16 GMT/BST (UTC+0/+1) New Delhi, India June 16 IST (UTC+5:30) Sydney, Australia June 16 AEST/AEDT (UTC+10/+11) Dubai, UAE June 16 GST (UTC+4)

The Story Behind Islamic New Year

Islamic New Year — also called Hijri New Year or Ra's as-Sanah al-Hijriyah — marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar year. The first day of the year is the first day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, and the date commemorates the Hijra — the migration of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, an event that marks the beginning of the Islamic era and the establishment of the first Muslim community. The Hijri calendar was established by Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab (the second caliph, ruling 634-644 CE), who chose the year of the Hijra as the starting point of the Islamic era. The first year of the Hijri calendar (1 AH) corresponds to 622 CE in the Gregorian calendar. The calendar is strictly lunar — each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon, and the year is about 354 days long, 11 days shorter than the solar year. This means Islamic New Year drifts backward through the Gregorian calendar by about 11 days each year, completing a full cycle through the seasons every 33 years. Unlike the major Islamic festivals (Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha), Islamic New Year is a relatively subdued observance. It is a public holiday in most Muslim-majority countries, but the celebrations are quieter than the Eids. The day is marked by religious services, prayers, and reflections on the Hijra and its significance — the Prophet's migration from persecution in Mecca to freedom in Medina, which allowed Islam to flourish and become a major world religion. For Shia Muslims, the start of Muharram also marks the beginning of the mourning period for Imam Husayn, culminating on Ashura (the 10th of Muharram).

How Islamic New Year Is Celebrated

Islamic New Year is observed with prayers at mosques, where the imam may give a sermon (khutbah) on the significance of the Hijra and the lessons to be learned from the Prophet's migration. Some Muslims fast on this day, following the tradition that the Prophet himself fasted on the first day of Muharram. The fast is optional, not obligatory — only the fast of Ashura (the 10th of Muharram) is widely observed, particularly by Sunni Muslims. In some Muslim-majority countries, Islamic New Year is a public holiday with government offices, schools, and many businesses closed. In the Gulf states, the holiday is sometimes combined with the observance of Ashura to create a longer break. Some cities hold public events, including lectures, processions, and community meals. In Iran, the start of Muharram begins a 10-day mourning period that culminates on Ashura, with mourning assemblies (majalis) at mosques and imambargas. The Iranian Islamic New Year is thus a somber occasion, not a celebratory one. Cultural traditions vary. In Morocco and other North African countries, Islamic New Year is associated with special foods — particularly dishes made with new grain, since the start of Muharram historically coincided with the harvest. In Turkey, the day was historically marked by the preparation of asure (Noah's pudding), a sweet dish made of grains, fruits, and nuts that commemorates the end of Noah's flood. The dish is shared with neighbors, friends, and the poor. In South Asia, some Muslims send greeting cards or messages on Islamic New Year, though the practice is less elaborate than the Eid greetings. The 1st of Muharram is also the day when many Muslim families begin the new year by reading the first juz' (section) of the Qur'an, with the intention of reading the entire Qur'an over the coming month. Why Does Islamic New Year Move Every Year? Islamic New Year is fixed on the 1st of Muharram in the Islamic lunar calendar. The Islamic calendar is strictly lunar, with months of 29 or 30 days based on the sighting of the new moon. Because the lunar year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, Islamic New Year drifts backward through the Gregorian calendar by about 11 days each year, completing a full cycle through the seasons every 33 years. The Hijri year 1447 begins on June 17, 2026 (Saudi calendar), and the year 1448 begins on June 6, 2027.

Calendar Calculation

1 Muharram, the first day of the Hijri lunar calendar year

Did You Know? Islamic New Year Facts & Trivia

Islamic New Year — also called Hijri New Year — marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar year. The first day of the year is the first day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. The date commemorates the Hijra — the migration of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. The Hijri calendar was established by Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab (the second caliph, ruling 634-644 CE), who chose the year of the Hijra as the starting point of the Islamic era. The first year of the Hijri calendar (1 AH) corresponds to 622 CE in the Gregorian calendar. Unlike the major Islamic festivals (Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha), Islamic New Year is a relatively subdued observance. The day is marked by religious services, prayers, and reflections on the Hijra and its significance — the Prophet's migration from persecution in Mecca to freedom in Medina, which allowed Islam to flourish. For Shia Muslims, the start of Muharram also marks the beginning of the mourning period for Imam Husayn, culminating on Ashura (the 10th of Muharram). The Iranian Islamic New Year is thus a somber occasion, not a celebratory one. In some Muslim-majority countries, Islamic New Year is a public holiday with government offices and schools closed.