Saudi Arabia has confirmed the start of the new Islamic year, with Tuesday, June 16, 2026, marking the first day of Muharram 1448 AH. The announcement followed the sighting of the Muharram crescent on Monday evening, June 15, which the Kingdom's Supreme Court verified before declaring the new year.

The Hijri New Year carries deep meaning for Muslims worldwide. It commemorates the Hijra, the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Makkah to Madinah, an event that reshaped the early Muslim community and now anchors the entire Islamic lunar calendar.

A New Year Tied to the Pilgrimage Calendar

The arrival of Muharram 1448 closes the chapter on the 1447 Hajj season and opens the new ritual year. According to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Kingdom began receiving Umrah pilgrims for the 1448 season as the new year arrived. Umrah visa issuance reopened on May 31, 2026, and pilgrims have been able to enter Makkah and obtain permits through the official Nusuk application since June 1.

For pilgrims, the calendar shift is more than symbolic. Every Umrah and Hajj deadline, from visa windows to final departure dates, is fixed to the Hijri months. Understanding when Muharram begins helps travellers plan arrivals, count the months until the next Hajj, and track the periods when Umrah capacity is at its highest.

Ashura and the Days That Follow

The tenth day of Muharram, known as Ashura, falls on June 25, 2026. It is among the most significant days in the Islamic year. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) fasted on Ashura and encouraged his companions to do the same.

Authentic narrations record that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) arrived in Madinah, he found the Jewish community fasting on this day in remembrance of Allah saving Musa (Moses) and his people. He said, "We have more right to Musa than you," and fasted it and ordered its observance (Sahih al-Bukhari 2004, Sahih Muslim 1130).

Later guidance encouraged fasting an additional day, either the ninth or the eleventh of Muharram, to distinguish the practice. Many scholars across the four Sunni schools recommend fasting the ninth and tenth together where possible. Fasting Ashura is voluntary, not obligatory, and carries a great reward.

A Moment for Reflection

Scholars across the Sunni tradition note that the Hijra was chosen by the second caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), as the starting point of the Islamic calendar. He and the companions saw the migration, rather than the Prophet's birth or the first revelation, as the turning point that established the Muslim community as a nation with its own direction and laws.

That history gives the new year a quiet weight. It is not marked with celebration so much as remembrance and renewed resolve. Many believers use the occasion to reflect on the year that has passed, to renew their intentions, and to set spiritual goals for the months ahead, mirroring the courage and trust in Allah shown by those who undertook the migration.

A Public Holiday Across the Kingdom

The Islamic New Year is observed as a public holiday in Saudi Arabia. Government offices, schools, and many public services operate on reduced schedules or close for the occasion. Visitors performing Umrah during this period should expect adjusted opening hours for some offices and plan accordingly.

Traffic and crowd management measures are common in Makkah and Madinah around the start of the new year, as worshippers gather at the two holy mosques. Pilgrims are advised to allow extra time for travel between sites and to follow the directions of stewards and the Nusuk app for permit scheduling.

Practical Tips for Pilgrims

For those beginning the new year with an Umrah journey, a few simple steps make the experience smoother. Confirm your Nusuk permit before heading to Makkah, as entry to the Grand Mosque now depends on it. Keep your travel documents and Nusuk card with you throughout the rituals.

If you intend to observe the fast of Ashura, mark June 25 in your plans and consider fasting the ninth as well. Stay hydrated during the long summer daylight hours, rest between acts of worship, and use the new year as a moment of reflection and renewed intention, in keeping with the spirit of the Hijra it commemorates.