Islamic (Hijri) New Year: Date, time, and important details to know

The Islamic New Year, also known as the Hijri New Year or Arabic New Year, marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar and falls on the first day of Muharram, one of the four sacred months in Islam.

The year count in the Islamic calendar began with a pivotal moment in history — the Hijra, the migration of Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, a turning point that laid the foundation of the first Muslim community (ummah).

When is the Islamic New Year in 2025?

The Islamic New Year for 1447 AH (Anno Hegirae) is expected to begin on the evening of June 25, 2025, and will continue into June 26, 2025, on the Gregorian calendar, as per reports .The Islamic day begins at sunset, so the New Year officially starts with the sighting of the new moon on the evening of June 25.

However, the final date depends on local moon sightings, which could lead to a one-day variation, meaning it may fall on June 26 or 27 in some regions. In countries such as the UAE, the date may vary slightly depending on whether the previous month (Dhul-Hijjah) ends after 29 or 30 days.

Significance of the Islamic New Year

Historical ImportanceThe Islamic New Year commemorates the Hijra, the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions to Medina, where he established a model community and a Constitution of Medina.

This event marks the beginning of the Islamic era, making 622 CE the first year of the Hijri calendar.Spiritual and cultural observanceUnlike other major Islamic holidays like Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha, the Islamic New Year is a quiet and reflective occasion. It is a time for Muslims to engage in prayer, recite the Quran, practice introspection, and perform acts of charity. The month of Muharram is particularly sacred and carries special spiritual weight.

Muharram and Ashura

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and is one of the four months considered sacred in Islam. The 10th day of Muharram, known as Ashura, falls on July 5, 2025, and holds major significance for both Sunni and Shia Muslims. Sunni Muslims often fast on this day, commemorating the events of Noah’s Ark and Moses’ crossing of the Red Sea.On the other hand, Shia Muslims observe Ashura as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), at the Battle of Karbala.

Rituals include majlis, matam (chest beating), and processions, particularly in countries like India, Iraq, Lebanon, and Iran.

Key calendar information

The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, consisting of 12 months and either 354 or 355 days — about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. As a result, the Islamic New Year moves backward by about 11 days each year in the Gregorian calendar, creating a cycle that allows observance across all seasons over time.

Public holiday and global observance

The Islamic New Year is recognized as a public holiday in more than 24 countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Turkey.Kuwait has declared a public holiday on June 26, while the UAE has stated it on June 27. Because the Islamic calendar depends on actual moon sightings, dates may vary slightly across countries. Countries like Saudi Arabia follow astronomical calculations (e.g., Umm al-Qura calendar), many others rely on local crescent sightings, which is why the Islamic New Year may be observed on different dates worldwide.