Daijiworld Media Network- Dubai

Dubai, Jun 26: A spiritually significant moment for the global Muslim community was marked on Wednesday evening as the crescent moon heralding the Islamic New Year was sighted in Saudi Arabia, officially marking the beginning of Muharram 1447.

The moon was sighted shortly after Maghrib prayers on June 25, bringing Dhul Hijjah to a close after 29 days. With this, the sacred month of Muharram has commenced, signalling the start of the new Hijri year in the Islamic lunar calendar.

In line with this religious observance, the United Arab Emirates announced a public holiday for both public and private sector employees on Friday, June 27, to honour the occasion. Several other Muslim-majority nations, including Morocco and Syria, are also commemorating the Hijri New Year with national holidays.

The Islamic New Year traces its roots to the year 622 CE, when Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) undertook the Hijrah – the momentous migration from Mecca to Medina. This defining event not only marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar but also represents the rise of a cohesive Muslim community and the foundation of Islamic governance and societal values.

Though the New Year is not celebrated with grand festivities like Eid, it remains a solemn and spiritually rich occasion. It offers Muslims a moment for personal reflection, renewal of faith, prayer, and introspection – especially as it arrives shortly after the Hajj pilgrimage in the previous month of Dhul Hijjah.

Muharram holds a revered place among the four sacred months in Islam where all forms of conflict and warfare are forbidden, as prescribed in the Quran. Muslims are encouraged to engage in acts of devotion, charity, and spiritual discipline during this time. The 10th day of Muharram, known as Ashura, is especially significant for both Sunni and Shia Muslims, observed through fasting, prayer, and religious remembrance.

Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Islamic Hijri calendar is lunar, with each month beginning after the sighting of the crescent moon. This causes key Islamic dates such as Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and the New Year to shift approximately 10–12 days earlier each year in the solar calendar. Hence, in 2025, the Islamic New Year fell on June 25.

More than 20 countries officially mark the Islamic New Year with public holidays, highlighting its significance across various Islamic cultures. From the Arabian Gulf to North Africa, the occasion fosters a sense of unity and renewal, inviting believers to reflect on the moral and spiritual journey that began over 14 centuries ago.

As Muslims across the globe welcome the year 1447 AH, the month of Muharram sets a peaceful tone for introspection and renewed purpose – a timely reminder of faith, history, and the timeless values of compassion and perseverance.