Hijri New Year

Hijri New Year begins on 1 Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The calendar counts from the Hijra, the migration of Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. The date therefore offers a reflective beginning rather than the celebratory character of Eid, connecting the passage of a year to a foundational moment of community, faith and ethical responsibility.

The General Personnel Council lists Hijri New Year as an official government holiday. Families may exchange good wishes, attend a religious lesson or use the break for visits and rest. Because the Hijri year is shorter than the Gregorian year, the observance moves earlier each civil year. The Hijri calendar is lunar, so the Gregorian date is a planning estimate. The annual Council of Ministers’ decision and local religious announcements determine the operative date and public-service closure.

The Cabinet separately confirmed Tuesday, June 16, as the Palestinian Authority holiday for 1 Muharram 1448 in 2026. That dated decision is stronger evidence than projecting an astronomical calendar or another country's announcement. The observance is not an Islamic equivalent of a midnight countdown: Muharram begins a sacred month and, for many Muslims, invites restrained reflection. PA administrative closure guidance is most directly relevant to its institutions; private employers, essential services, crossings and organisations operating in Gaza or East Jerusalem require their own current schedules.