When is Islamic New Year?
In 2026, Islamic New Year falls on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. It is classified here as a paid public holiday.
History of Islamic New Year
The Islamic New Year begins on 1 Muharram, the first day of the Hijri calendar. Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta announced that Tuesday, June 16, 2026 was 1 Muharram 1448 AH after its crescent determination. The calendar’s epoch refers to the Prophet Muhammad’s Hijra from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, but the migration unfolded over time; 1 Muharram is the calendrical new year, not a claim that the journey occurred on that exact day.
In Egypt the occasion is generally quieter than the two Eids. Mosques and media may discuss the Hijra’s themes of faith, community, patience and moral renewal, while families exchange greetings or continue ordinary social routines. Some traditions include sweets or charitable acts, but there is no single prescribed national celebration. Respectful coverage distinguishes historical teaching from ritual obligation and recognises different Muslim approaches to marking the date.
Article 129 of Labour Law 14 of 2025 entitles private-sector workers to fully paid leave on official holidays designated by the competent minister. If work is necessary, the worker receives the ordinary wage for the day plus twice that wage, or—on a written request—a substitute day off. Ministry of Labour Decree 294 of 2025 lists the recurring paid holidays and permits the minister to move one to the beginning or end of the working week. Public employees are covered through the Prime Minister’s dated decisions. There is therefore no automatic weekend-substitution formula: the announced date for the year controls, while examinations and essential services may follow separately published schedules. The recurring legal holiday is 1 Muharram, but the 2026 administrative decision placed paid leave on Thursday, June 18 while leaving the Hijri date on Tuesday.
How Islamic New Year is observed
The religious date was Tuesday, June 16, 2026. The Prime Minister moved the paid public holiday to Thursday, June 18; the closure date appears below as a linked entry.
Traditions of Islamic New Year
Family and community
People may exchange new-year greetings, read or hear accounts of the Hijra, pray, give charity or reflect privately rather than hold a large feast. Practice differs by faith, locality, household means and personal conviction, so no single Cairo programme represents all Egyptians.
Public observance
Mosques, religious institutions and broadcasters may offer lessons and sermons on migration, community and ethical renewal. Organisers publish the actual venue, timing, access and traffic arrangements for each year.
Planning the holiday
Use Dar al-Ifta’s moon decision for the religious date and the Cabinet notice for the work-free date; do not interchange June 16 and June 18. Banks, schools, markets, transport, hospitals and private employers may operate under different notices even on a paid official holiday.
Dates and observance rules are checked against the official Egypt official holiday calendar or legislation. Government, regional, school and employer schedules in Egypt may differ; check the linked official source and current local notices before making time-sensitive plans.
History sources: Egyptian Presidency: official holidays for 2026, Egyptian Official Press: Labour Law 14 of 2025, Ministry of Labour: Decree 294 of 2025 on fully paid holidays, State Information Service: Christmas in Egypt, State Information Service: Police Day and the 1952 Ismailia battle, State Information Service: January 25 Revolution, Cabinet: 2026 Eid al-Fitr holiday period, Ministry of Labour: private-sector Eid al-Fitr circular for 2026, State Information Service: Eid al-Fitr practices, State Information Service: Sham El-Nessim, Cairo Governorate: 2026 Sham El-Nessim labour rules, State Information Service: Sinai and the return of Taba, Cabinet: 2026 Eid al-Adha holiday period, Ministry of Labour announcement: private-sector Eid al-Adha leave for 2026, Dar al-Ifta: Muharram crescent decision for 1448 AH, Cabinet: 2026 Hijri New Year holiday, Presidency: official account of the June 30 anniversary, UN Human Rights Committee: findings on the 2013 aftermath, State Information Service: July 23 Revolution, Dar al-Ifta: Rabi al-Awwal crescent decision for 1448 AH, Cabinet: 2026 Mawlid holiday moved to August 27, State Information Service: October 1973 war.
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