When is Hijri New Year?
In 2026, Hijri New Year falls on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. It is classified here as a Yemeni public holiday.
History of Hijri New Year
Hijri New Year marks the first day of Muharram, the opening month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The calendar counts from the Hijra, the Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, an event that became the starting point for Islamic chronology.
Yemen’s holiday law lists the date as an official day off. It moves roughly eleven days earlier in the Gregorian calendar each year, so official lunar confirmation matters for planning. The tone is often reflective rather than highly festive, with religious programmes, visits and quiet family time varying by community and household.
The Aden-based Civil Service Ministry announced 1 Muharram 1448 as a one-day holiday for employees of central and local public-service units, with work resuming the following day; the corresponding 2026 date was Tuesday, June 16. Law No. 2 also reaches private-sector workers as a matter of national legislation. In practice, users should still confirm the circular applied by their employer or controlling authority, especially where public administrations, payroll systems and weekly-rest arrangements operate separately.
How Hijri New Year is observed
A statutory one-day paid holiday on 1 Muharram, Tuesday, June 16 in 2026; employees should follow the locally applicable authority or employer notice.
Traditions of Hijri New Year
Remembering the Hijra
Mosque talks and religious broadcasts explain the Prophet Muhammad’s migration to Medina and its adoption as the starting point of Islamic chronology.
Quiet family reflection
Many households mark the day quietly through prayer, reading, visiting or a shared meal rather than a large public festival.
Confirming local schedules
Public employees and businesses check the notice issued by the authority or employer governing their locality before assuming a closure.
Dates and observance rules are checked against the official Yemeni official and legal guidance. Lunar dates, current government notices and local-service schedules should be confirmed against official notices.
History sources: Yemen National Information Center: Law No. 2 of 2000 on official holidays, United Nations in Yemen: internationally recognised government and Sana’a de facto authorities, Sana’a Center: public memory and competing narratives around Yemen’s national dates, Yemen Civil Service Ministry: 1 Muharram 1448 public-service holiday.
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