Al Hijri, the Islamic New Year, will be celebrated next week

The Islamic New Year, or Al Hijri, is expected to fall on July 19, 2023. It is the first day of the month of Muharram on the Islamic calendar and the first day of the new lunar year. This holiday commemorates Muhammed and his followers’ migration from Mecca to Medina. Al Hijri will mark the beginning of the 1445th year for Muslims, as all observed religious holidays and duties throughout the year are calculated based on the Islamic calendar, not the Gregorian.

In most islamic countries Al Hijri is traditionally a public holiday and an official day of rest for employees. However, different Islamic countries and organizations determine the lunar calendar either by moon sightings or by astronomical calculations. This can result in important holidays falling on different days in different countries.

In the UAE, July 19, 2023, will be celebrated as the Islamic New Year, also known as Al Hijri, though the official day off will fall on July 21, 2023. This will result in a three-day weekend. Al Hijri is not a major celebration like Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha, so it is typically spent in prayer with family or at a mosque.

Stay tuned for more information about upcoming events and celebrations planned for the Islamic New Year in Dubai.