Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and the first date of the month holds great significance for Muslims worldwide since it is celebrated as Islamic New Year, also known as Al Hijri or Arabic New Yea. It was in this holy month that Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina however, the 10th day of the month, known as Ashura, is mourned by Muslims in the remembrance of the matryrdom of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussain Ibn Ali

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The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, so the dates of Muharram vary each year in the Gregorian calendar. The crescent moon for Muharram was not sighted in Saudi Arabia on Friday evening i.e. July 05, 2024 which corresponded to the 29th day of Dhul Hijjah month. Hence, the authorities in Saudi Arabia announced that the 1st of Muharram 1446 will commence after maghrib or evening prayers on Saturday July 06, 2024 and according to Gregorian calendar, July 07, 2024 will be the first day of Muharram in Saudi Arabia, marking the start of the Islamic new year 1446.

The same goes for UAE, USA, United Kingdom (UK), Oman and other Gulf nations or countries in the West that follow KSA’s moon sighting. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and other South Asian countries usually gear up to sight the crescent moon of the holy month of Muharram a day later.

However, the crescent moon was not sighted after Maghrib on July 06, 2024, that corresponded to 29th Dhul Hijjah in the country hence, July 07 will be the last day of Dhul Hijjah 1445 while the Islamic New Year 1446 will be celebrated by the Muslims in our country on July 08, 2024, which will be the first day of Muharram 1446/2024.