UAE: Likely dates for Hijri New Year, next Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha

Dubai: With the Eid Al Adha break now concluded, UAE residents can look ahead to the next official holiday, the Islamic New Year, expected to fall on Thursday, June 26.

Based on astronomical calculations, this date is likely to mark 1 Muharram 1447 AH, pending official confirmation by moon-sighting authorities.

According to astronomical calculations released by the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, the current Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah will last 29 days, placing the start of the new Hijri year on June 26.

While the official date remains subject to moon sighting confirmation by UAE moon-sighting committee, the projected timing offers residents another potential one-day midweek break, which could extend into a long weekend depending on government announcements.

The Islamic New Year, also known as Hijri New Year, commemorates the migration (Hijrah) of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, an event that marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar. Though the occasion is not typically celebrated with the same scale as Eid Al Fitr or Eid Al Adha, it remains an important date in the Islamic world and is recognized as a public holiday in the UAE.

In addition to the Islamic New Year, the next religious holiday on the horizon will be Mawlid Al Nabawi, the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, expected to be observed on Thursday, September 4, 2025. As with all Islamic holidays, the exact date will depend on the official moon-sighting and confirmation by relevant religious authorities in the UAE.

Looking ahead to 2026, the Islamic calendar is set to align key observances with the cooler winter and spring months. Ramadan, the sacred month of fasting, prayer, and reflection, is expected to begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, although this too will depend on the sighting of the crescent moon.

Eid Al Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, is likely to fall on Friday, March 20, 2026, providing what could be a three-day weekend for UAE residents. Meanwhile, Eid Al Adha, the most significant of the Islamic festivals, is expected around Tuesday, May 26, 2026, based on the anticipated sighting of the Dhul Hijjah moon on May 17.

It’s worth noting that these dates are based on astronomical forecasts and may vary depending on actual moon sightings across different regions. The UAE government typically confirms public holidays closer to the date through official announcements.