Islamic New Year

Islamic New Year in Tunisia marks 1 Muharram, the opening of the Hijri lunar year. The calendar's era counts from the Prophet Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, although the migration itself occurred later than Muharram 1. The occasion is generally quieter than either Eid and has no single mandatory festive meal or ceremony.

Tunisia combines advance astronomical calendars with an official lunar decision. The Presidency initially announced that 1 Muharram 1448 would be either June 16 or 17, 2026; after observation, the Mufti confirmed Tuesday, June 16. This sequence is why a projected date should never replace the final Tunisian announcement.

The decree grants public employees one day for the Hijri New Year, fixed for 2026 by the Mufti's final confirmation as June 16. Presidential Decree No. 2021-223 grants holiday leave to personnel of the State, local authorities and administrative public institutions; its wording is not a blanket rule for every private workplace. Labour Code articles 107-110 provide that paid non-working holidays in private employment are fixed by decree or collective agreements, protect covered pay and add an equal indemnity where an employee in a non-stoppable activity works the holiday. Employees must therefore check the rule or collective agreement governing their sector. Neither cited text creates a general next-working-day substitute when a holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday.