Muharram 2025 begins: Hijri New Year confirmed after moon sighting in Saudi Arabia

The Islamic New Year , also known as Hijri New Year , has officially begun as the crescent moon marking the start of Muharram 1447 was sighted in Saudi Arabia on the evening of Wednesday, June 25, 2025, after Maghrib prayers. This signifies that the previous month, Dhul Hijjah, (May 28, 2025 to June 25, 2025 in the Gregorian calendar) concluded with 29 days this year.

Following the moon sighting, the UAE has announced a one-day public holiday on Friday, June 27, for both the public and private sectors, allowing residents to observe the sacred occasion. The announcement aligns with Islamic traditions and is consistent with regional lunar calendar observances.

Understanding Hijri New Year: A Spiritual Milestone

The Islamic or Hijri New Year commemorates a foundational moment in Islamic history, the Hijrah (migration) of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in the year 622 CE. This event not only marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar, but also symbolizes the emergence of a united Muslim community and the early formation of Islamic society and law.

While the occasion does not involve festive celebrations on the scale of Eid Al Fitr or Eid Al Adha, it remains a significant spiritual and cultural event. The day encourages personal reflection, increased prayer, and religious contemplation, especially in the wake of the annual Hajj pilgrimage that concludes days prior, in Dhul Hijjah.

Muharram : A Sacred Month of Peace and Reflection

The month of Muharram is among the four sacred months in Islam during which warfare is forbidden, a directive rooted in Islamic scripture and tradition. This restriction elevates the month’s spiritual status, making it a time for heightened devotion, charitable acts, and inner reflection.

The 1st of Muharram heralds not just a new calendar year, but also an invitation for Muslims worldwide to renew their spiritual goals and intentions. As such, many believers use this time to revisit their faith practices, set moral resolutions, and seek forgiveness.

More than 20 countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and Syria, officially recognize the Hijri New Year as a national holiday. This global observance reinforces the cultural and religious relevance of the occasion across diverse Muslim-majority nations.

Why the Date Changes Every Year

The Islamic calendar , known as the Hijri calendar, is lunar-based, meaning it follows the phases of the moon rather than the solar cycle. Each lunar month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon, which causes Islamic dates, including Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr, and Eid Al Adha, to shift approximately 10 to 12 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar.

As a result, the Islamic New Year does not fall on a fixed Gregorian date annually. For 2025, the crescent moon was sighted in Saudi Arabia on June 25, marking the start of Muharram 1447.

In Summary

• The Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year) began on June 25, 2025, as the crescent moon of Muharram 1447 was sighted in Saudi Arabia.
  
  
• The UAE will observe a public holiday on Friday, June 27, for both public and private sectors.
  
  
• The Hijri calendar starts from 622 CE, the year of Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina, known as the Hijrah.
  
  
• Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is one of the four sacred months during which warfare is prohibited, emphasizing peace, prayer, and reflection.
  
  
• Over 20 nations, including the UAE, recognize this day as a national holiday.