Public Holiday announced for Islamic New Year on June 15; full details here

Islamic New Year 1448 A.H is around the corner, and UAE has already confirmed a public holiday on 15 June 2026. United Arab Emirates confirmed 15 June 2026 as a public holiday for both government and private sector employees in observance of the Islamic New Year. Normal operations across the country are expected to resume on 16 June. Meanwhile, attention is building across the region as Pakistan prepares for the arrival of the new Hijri year 1448 AH, with astronomical forecasts pointing to a likely start in mid-June 2026. According to projections from the Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council, 1st Muharram is expected to fall on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, based on detailed lunar calculations. The new moon will be born on 15 June 2026 at 7:54 AM. However, despite the birth of the moon on that date, conditions for sighting in Pakistan appear extremely challenging. By sunset, the moon will be less than 12 hours old—well below the commonly required visibility threshold of around 18 hours. Astronomers further suggest that under such parameters, the Muharram crescent will almost certainly remain unseen in Pakistan, making a naked-eye sighting virtually impossible. Based on these projections, it is expected that Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH will complete a full 30-day cycle, paving the way for Muharram to begin on 17 June 2026. Still, experts emphasize that these figures remain astronomical forecasts rather than official declarations. The final decision will rest with Pakistan’s Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which will announce the start of the Islamic New Year only after reviewing verified moon sighting reports from across the country.