The New Moon of the Holy Month of Muharram ul Haram has been sighted in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman and other Arab states.
Accordingly, the New Islamic Year 1448H begins in Saudi Arabia,UAE, Qatar, Oman and other Arab countries on Tuesday June 16, 2026, and Youm e Ashura in these countries will be observed on Thursday June 25, 2026.
“Tuesday, June 16, 2026, marks the first day of Muharram1448 AH and the beginning of the Islamic New Year
The Islamic New Year 1448 in Pakistan will begin on Wednesday June 17, 2026. Indonesia has also announced
Wednesday June 17, 2026 as the the first day of Muharram ul Haram 1448.
India, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries will confirm late Tuesday June 16, 2026 the 1st day of Muharram.
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, Pakistan said it has not received the report of Moon sighting from any part of the country. Accordingly, 1st Muharram will be on Wednesday June 17, 2026.
“The New Moon has not sighted in any part of the country on Tuesday. Hence, Tuesday June 16 will be 30th Dhul Hijjah 1447H, and the New Islamic Year 1448H will begin on Wednesday June 17, 2026 – the 1st of Muharram ul Haram 1448 AH”, . Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee (Pakistan) Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad said in a statement released to media. He further said that Friday June 26, 2026 will mark Youm e Ashura.
Hence it is now confirmed that Wednesday June 17, 2026, 1st Muharram 1448 H, June 25 and 26, 2026 – 9th and 10th Muharram 1448 H, will also be public holiday on account of Ashura.
In Pakistan the Islamic New Year 1448 AH, will start from Wednesday June 17, 2026.
This is because the Islamic Calendar Also known as the Hijri Calendar is based on lunar system.
New month under this system starts with sighting of the moon on 29th of the ongoing month. If moon, crescent, is sighted on 29th day, new month begins from the next day, else the next day is counted as the 30th day and the new month begins a day later.
Accordingly, Youm e Ashura, whic is observed on 10th of Muharram, will be on Friday June 26th , 2026.
Like all Islamic calendars, the Hijri calendar is fundamentally lunar. Its year consists of 12 lunar months, totaling 354 or 355 days—about 11 days shorter than the solar year. As the Islamic Calendar is known as Hijri Calendar, which started from the Migration of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, from Mecca to Medina , and which was Calculated by Hazrat Ali a.s , the 1st Cousin of The Prophet , and also the Son in Law of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, And Also the 1st Imam of the Chain of 12 Imams , who are known to be Custodian of Islam.
Historians and scholars maintain that the Hijri calendar was established by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) himself, immediately upon his migration (Hijrah) from Mecca to Medina.
According to traditions, the Prophet used the year of the migration as the definitive baseline for dating treaties, letters, and state documents from the very first year. For example, treaties signed by the Prophet with local tribes in Medina were dated as “written in the second year of the Hijrah.”
The calendar is called the “Hijri” calendar because its epoch (the starting point, Year 1) is marked by the Hijrah—the migration of the Prophet from Mecca to Medina.
In Islamic history, this event is not just a strategic move, but a pivotal divine turning point. It marks the transition of Islam from a persecuted community in Mecca to an established, sovereign society in Medina.
The Night of Mubahila & Laylat al-Mabit Crucial to the Muslim perspective of this specific starting point is the event of Laylat al-Mabit (the night of the migration). When the elites of Mecca plotted to assassinate the Prophet in his bed, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (the first Imam) volunteered to sleep in the Prophet’s bed to deceive the assassins, risking his life so the Prophet could safely exit from Mecca. Scholars emphasize that the very genesis of the Hijri era is deeply intertwined with this supreme act of sacrifice and protection by Imam Ali, an event commemorated in Quranic exegesis (Tafsir) regarding verse 2:207. “Moreover, Moharram al-Haram was also associated with many historical events and the month has always been considered as one among the four most respected and sacred months since centuries. These features only added strength to the selection of Moharram al-Haram as the first month of the Islamic calendar”,.
Youm e Ahsura coincides with 10th of Muharram
The day is remembered for the Martyrdom of Hadhrat Imam Hussain (A.S) – the Grandson of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). Who was forced to take the allegiance of the Yazid , who was made Caliph against the agreement between his father and Imam Hassan a.s , as it was agreed that he could not become the Caliph of the state , as by the virtue of Inheritance. And who by using force of his army , tried to Pressurize the Imam to take the Oath of allegiance , for his wrongful Succession , which Imam Hussain a.s flatly denied, due to his Sinful Character and Bad Practices, and finally Imam Hussain a.s , with his 72 Campanions & family members were Martyred in the Deserts of Karbala , and thus to condemn the act of Aggression By the Oppressive Sinful Dictator Yazid , And since then All the Muslims around the World Commemorate the Mourning of Martydom of Imam Hussain whole of the month of Muharram ul Haram, and especially on the 10th of Muharram each year, which is the date of his Martyrdom.
The Islamic Calendar thus introduced and adopted 1447 years ago, soon became popular, and also became part and parcel of the calendars in every Muslim household.