Hijri new year: public holiday details for the UAE

What is hijri new year? The hijri new year is the beginning of the new Islamic year. The date is not affixed to a Gregorian calendar day as it all depends on the moon sighting. The day is approximately 11 days earlier each year.

When it will be confirmed The moon-sighting committee has confirmed the date.

Public holiday In 2015, Thursday, October 15 is to be the day of hijri, and a public holiday. This means an extended weekend for UAE residents. For the full list of public holidays read our UAE Public Holiday Guide 2015

What year is it? Next week the Islamic year will be 1437 AH.

What are the months on the hijri calendar?

What is the story behind hijri new year? The first Islamic year was marked in the Gregorian year 622 AD. It was then when Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) migrated from Makkah to Medina. This journey is known as “hijira”.