Islamic New Year 2026 Countdown

The Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year) in 2026 is expected on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, marking the 1st of Muharram 1447 AH. This date is based on astronomical calculations and may shift by 1 to 2 days depending on the official moon sighting in each country.

The Islamic New Year, also called Hijri New Year, Al-Hijra, or Muslim New Year, marks the beginning of a new year in the Islamic lunar calendar. It falls on 1 Muharram, the first month of the Hijri calendar. Unlike the Gregorian New Year, the Islamic New Year is typically observed with quiet reflection, prayer, and remembrance rather than festive celebrations.

The Hijri calendar (Islamic calendar) is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months in a year of 354 or 355 days. It was established by Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab and begins from the year of the Hijra (Prophet Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE). The months alternate between 29 and 30 days based on the lunar cycle.

The first month of the Islamic year is Muharram. It is one of the four sacred months (Ashur al-Hurum) in Islam during which fighting is prohibited. The Prophet (PBUH) said: 'The best fasting after Ramadan is in the month of Allah, Muharram.' The 12 Islamic months in order are: Muharram, Safar, Rabi al-Awwal, Rabi al-Thani, Jumada al-Ula, Jumada al-Thani, Rajab, Sha'ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul Qi'dah, and Dhul Hijjah.

The Islamic Hijri calendar is based on lunar months, with each year lasting approximately 354 days (about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian solar year of 365 days). This causes Islamic dates to shift backward by roughly 10 to 11 days each Gregorian year, cycling through all seasons over a period of about 33 years.

The Hijra (Arabic: migration) refers to Prophet Muhammad's journey from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. This event is so significant that it marks the starting point of the Islamic calendar (1 AH = After Hijra). The Hijra represents the establishment of the first Muslim community and state in Medina, marking the transition from persecution to the building of an organized society.

Muslims typically observe the Islamic New Year through: 1) Reflecting on the Hijra and its lessons. 2) Fasting in Muharram, especially the 9th and 10th (Ashura). 3) Attending lectures about Islamic history. 4) Making dua for the new year. 5) Reciting Quran. In some countries, it is a public holiday. Unlike Gregorian New Year, there are no fireworks or parties.

The Hijri year starting in 2026 is approximately 1447 AH (After Hijra). The exact Hijri year depends on the precise date of moon sighting. Each Hijri year is about 354 days long, so Hijri years accumulate faster than Gregorian years.

Yes, Islamic New Year (1 Muharram) is an official public holiday in many Muslim-majority countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, and many others. In non-Muslim countries with significant Muslim populations (like India), it may be a restricted or optional holiday.

Use the live countdown timer at the top of this page for the exact number of days, hours, minutes, and seconds until 1 Muharram 1447 AH on June 16, 2026. The counter updates in real time.

On 1 Muharram, Muslims are encouraged to: 1) Make dua for a blessed new year. 2) Begin or renew fasting in Muharram. 3) Reflect on the Prophet's Hijra and its lessons of patience and trust in Allah. 4) Set spiritual goals for the new Islamic year. 5) Increase acts of worship and charity. 6) Study the Seerah (Prophet's biography).

The Gregorian calendar is solar (based on Earth's orbit around the Sun, 365.25 days/year), while the Hijri calendar is lunar (based on the Moon's phases, about 354 days/year). This makes the Hijri year about 11 days shorter, causing Islamic dates to shift earlier each Gregorian year. The Gregorian calendar starts from the birth of Jesus, while the Hijri calendar starts from the Prophet's Hijra in 622 CE.

Yes. While astronomical calculations provide an approximate date, the official start of 1 Muharram depends on local moon-sighting committees in each country. This means the Islamic New Year may be celebrated on different days in different countries, typically varying by 1 to 2 days. Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Turkey, and Indonesia may declare different dates.

Yes, fasting in Muharram is highly recommended. The Prophet (PBUH) said: 'The best fasting after Ramadan is fasting in the month of Allah, Muharram' (Sahih Muslim). The most emphasized fast is on the 10th of Muharram (Ashura), paired with the 9th. Fasting throughout Muharram is considered the best voluntary fast after Ramadan.