RIYADH – Muharram crescent moon has been sighted in Saudi Arabia today, and New Islamic Year starts on June 26 Thursday.
Saudi Arabia officially announced that Muharram will start from tomorrow after sighting of the crescent moon that signals the start of first Islamic month.
The Islamic, or Hijri, New Year marks historic migration of the Prophet Muhammad SAW from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD, and journey, which established the foundations of the first Muslim community, marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
New Islamic Year Holiday
United Arab Emirates declared three-day weekend, allowing masses to have time off from Friday through Sunday.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s top moon sighting body Ruet e Hilal will conduct moon sighting on Thursday to determine the start of Muharram locally, following the traditional lunar observation method used in many Muslim-majority countries.
Islamic New Year is a time of reflection and spiritual renewal for Muslims around the world. While it is not typically marked by large-scale celebrations, it holds deep historical and religious significance within the Islamic tradition.
Muharram 2025 Moon Sighting: Ruet body convenes meeting on June 26
