When is the Islamic New Year 1 Muharram 2026? Is it a Public Holiday?
Following the celebrations of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, Muslims are now preparing to welcome the Islamic New Year 1448 H/2026. The question arises: has 1 Muharram been established as a public holiday?
This moment is more than just a change of numbers in the Hijri calendar; it serves as a new chapter for reflecting on the spiritual journey of the past year while strengthening faith and devotion to Allah SWT.
As the Islamic New Year approaches, many people are searching for information regarding its timing, as the Hijri calendar utilises a different dating system from the Gregorian calendar.
Establishment of 1 Muharram 1448 H/202lam
The government establishes 1 Muharram 1448 H based on the results of the ‘sidang isbat’ (verdict session). This determination is based on the sighting of the hilal (new moon) at the end of the month of Dzulhijjah 1447 H, specifically on Monday, 15 June 2026.
Referring to the Hijri calendar published by the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) of the Republic of Indonesia, the Islamic New Year marking 1 Muharram 1448 H is estimated to fall on Tuesday, 16 June 2026. The public is advised to continue monitoring official information from the Ministry of Religious Affairs regarding the official start of Muharram 1448 H.
Is 1 Muharram 2026 a Holiday?
Based on the Joint Ministerial Decree (SKB 3 Menteri) concerning National Holidays and Collective Leave for 2026, the Islamic New Year 1448 H has been designated as a national public holiday.
The public may utilise this momentum to increase acts of worship, engage in self-reflection, gather with family and relatives, or take a short break to unwind from daily routines.
However, unlike some other major religious holidays, the commemoration of the 2026 Islamic New Year is not accompanied by additional collective leave that would officially extend the holiday period.
History of the Islamic New Year
According to NU Online, the Hijri calendar has a long history beginning during the reign of Caliph Umar bin Khattab RA (634-644 AD). At that time, the Muslim community required a clear dating system to facilitate government administration and official correspondence.
To organise this calendar, Umar bin Khattab gathered his companions for consultation. After considering various proposals, they agreed to use the Hijrah (migration) of Prophet Muhammad SAW from Makkah to Madinah as the basis for the Islamic calendar.
In addition to establishing the Hijrah as the starting point, the companions also chose Muharram as the first month of the Hijri calendar. Muharram was selected because it is one of the honoured months in Islam. Since then, the Hijri calendar has been officially used and serves as the marker for the Islamic New Year celebrated by Muslims to this day.