Islamic New Year

Awal Muharram marks the first day of the Hijri, or Islamic, year. The calendar begins with the Hijrah—the migration of Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE—which serves as a reference point for Muslim historical time. Brunei recognises the date as a nationwide public holiday, distinct from the Gregorian New Year in January.

The day is usually contemplative rather than a large festival. Religious talks, recitation and family reflection may focus on the Hijrah's themes of faith, perseverance and renewal. Because the Hijri calendar is lunar, Awal Muharram travels through the Gregorian year; the official annual notice should be checked for the date that applies to practical closures.

Islamic New Year is governed in practice by Brunei Darussalam’s gazetted annual holiday circular, not by an unsourced repeating calendar. Awal Muharram public holiday marking the first day of the Hijri year with reflection on migration, renewal and faith. The circular controls the 2026 civil date and any expressly stated replacement day, while the Employment Act governs covered private-sector employees and essential services may remain rostered. Religious programmes, state ceremonies and commercial opening hours should therefore be checked separately rather than treated as identical consequences of public-holiday status.