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ARIslamic New Year 2026 — Morocco
رأس السنة الهجرية — 1 محرم 1448هـ
The date of the Islamic New Year depends on the official crescent moon sighting in Morocco. June 16, 2026 is an astronomical estimate. The official announcement is made by the Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs.
Islamic New Year: history and significance
The Islamic New Year (رأس السنة الهجرية) marks the first day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. In 2026, it corresponds to the year 1448 of the Hijra.
The Hijra: a founding event of Islam
The word "Hijri" comes from Hijra (هجرة, migration), referring to the Prophet Mohammed's ﷺ migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. This event marks the starting point of the Islamic calendar, established under Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab around year 17H.
A purely lunar calendar
Unlike the Gregorian calendar (solar), the Hijri calendar is purely lunar: each month begins with the new crescent moon and lasts 29 or 30 days. The Hijri year has 354 or 355 days — about 11 days shorter than the solar year — which is why Islamic holidays advance each Gregorian year.
Islamic New Year dates
- 1448H — 2026: ~June 16, 2026 (Tuesday)
- 1449H — 2027: ~June 6, 2027 (Sunday)
- 1450H — 2028: ~May 25, 2028 (Thursday)