The Islamic New Year 1447 AH officially begins on Thursday, June 26, 2025, following the sighting of the new crescent moon on the evening of Wednesday, Dhul Hijjah 29, according to announcements by both the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia and His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto.
The confirmation came after credible testimonies were verified by the Crescent Sighting Committee, leading the Saudi Supreme Court to declare Thursday as the 1st of Muharram, marking the start of the Hijri year 1447. The announcement was shared via the Saudi Press Agency and posted on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Two Holy Mosques, @HaramainInfo.
Similarly, in Nigeria, the National Moon Sighting Committee, under the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), also confirmed the sighting. A statement on X read: “His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, has declared Thursday, 26/6/2025 as 1st Muharram 1447 AH. The crescent for the new Islamic year was SEEN today.”
The Day of Ashura, which falls on the 10th of Muharram, will be observed on Saturday, July 5, 2025. Ashura is a day of great spiritual significance for Muslims around the world, marked by fasting, worship, and remembrance. It commemorates the deliverance of Prophet Musa (Moses) and his followers from Pharaoh, and for many, the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), at the Battle of Karbala.
Fasting on Ashura is a recommended Sunnah, with scholars encouraging Muslims to fast on the 9th and 10th, or the 10th and 11th of Muharram for greater spiritual merit.
The Islamic or Hijri calendar, based on lunar cycles, began in 622 CE with the Hijrah, which is the migration of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Makkah to Madinah. It comprises 12 lunar months, making it about 10 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar.
The months in the Islamic calendar are: Muharram, Safar, Rabi’ al-Awwal, Rabi’ al-Thani, Jumada al-Awwal, Jumada al-Thani, Rajab, Sha’ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul Qa’dah, and Dhul Hijjah.
Muharram, the first month, is one of Islam’s four sacred months in which warfare is traditionally prohibited and worship is especially encouraged.
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