Islamic New Year: When is Muharram in India? Saudi Arabia announces the first day of Muharram

Updated on: Jul 20, 2023, 07:54:48 IST

By Krishna Priya Pallavi, Delhi

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Islamic New Year: When is Muharram in India? (Raj K Raj / HT)

Islamic New Year falls on the first day of Muharram. Find when Muharram begins in India, as Saudi Arabia announces the first day of Muharram on July 19.

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic Calendar. Meanwhile, the first day of this holy month is known as the Islamic New Year, Al Hijri or Arabic New Year. The month holds great significance for Muslims around the globe as Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina during this time. It also has historical importance for both Sunni and Shia Muslims. The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, so the dates of Muharram vary each year in the Gregorian calendar. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Morocco usually sight the crescent moon a day later than Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman and other Gulf countries.

(Also Read | Muharram 2023: Significance of fasting on Ashura for Shia and Sunni Muslims)

Saudi Arabia announces the first day of Muharram

The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia announced the first day of Muharram for the Islamic year 1445 on Tuesday, following the sighting of the crescent moon. According to the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA), there was no sufficient evidence that the crescent was spotted on the evening of Dhul Hijjah 29 (Monday, July 17). Based on this, July 18 is the last day of the month of Dhul Hijjah. This means the first day of Muharram will be Wednesday, July 19, marking the start of the Islamic new year 1445.

When is Muharram in India?

Since Saudi Arabia will mark the first day of the Islamic New Year on July 19, India will gear up to sight the crescent moon of the Holy Month of Muharram a day later. Therefore, the first day of Muharram is expected to fall on Thursday, July 20.

Meanwhile, Muharram is observed differently by Sunni and Shia Muslims. Mourning and remembrance are common aspects of this holy day. While Shia Muslims engage in mourning processions, self-flagellation or chest-beating as expressions of grief, and mourning rituals, processions and gatherings in mosques, Sunnis observe a fast 'sunnah' since Prophet Muhammad kept a roza on this day after Prophet Musa or Moses.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Krishna Pallavi Priya
Krishna Priya Pallavi is a journalist with over 9 years of experience, covering health, fashion, pop culture, travel, wellness, entertainment, festivals, mental health, art, decor, fitness, and sex and relationships. She is an alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, and holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi. Her strong academic foundation informs her analytical and detail-oriented approach to storytelling, helping her uncover stories where none seem to exist. Before joining Hindustan Times, Pallavi worked with some of India’s leading media organisations. She spent close to three years at India Today, where she honed her newsroom skills and developed a sharp editorial sensibility. She also worked for over a year and a half at Vagabomb, ScoopWhoop’s feminist digital platform, where she explored stories through a gender-sensitive, socially aware lens. Pallavi has a deep interest in global fashion trends and international fashion seasons, and enjoys interviewing celebrities and tracking pop culture movements—interests that frequently translate into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Alongside lifestyle and entertainment, she has a keen eye for impactful health and wellness journalism, regularly interacting with doctors, designers, and digital content creators to bring nuance and credibility to her work. Born and raised in Haryana, Pallavi remains deeply connected to her ancestral roots in Odisha. Her ability to spot fresh angles brings curiosity and depth to stories she pursues. When not chasing deadlines, she enjoys spending time with her dog, planning her next vacation, reading, running new trails, and discovering new destinations.Read More

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