As the sun sets on another Gregorian year, the Islamic world gets ready to embrace a different kind of new beginning. This one is not celebrated with fireworks, countdowns, or global parties. Instead, the Islamic New Year emphasizes reflection, respect, and a renewed spiritual perspective.
The Islamic New Year 2025, or Hijri New Year, is an important date in the Muslim calendar. It marks the start of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar year. This period encourages reflection, personal growth, and a link to history.
In the UAE's fast-paced lifestyle, this holiday offers a welcome respite. A period when many residents ask: "Which is the new year of Islam?" and "Do Muslims celebrate January 1st?" The answer lies in the Islamic New Year's deep spiritual and historical roots in the UAE. It is a time to choose peace over celebration, prayer over pop culture, and meaning over enjoyment.
When is the Islamic New Year 2025?
The Islamic New Year 2025 will begin on the evening of Thursday, June 26, 2025, with the UAE public holiday Islamic New Year on Friday, June 27. As is customary, the date will be finalized with moon-sighting announcements by UAE authorities, following Islamic tradition.
For residents and tourists, that translates to a potential long weekend—a good opportunity to unwind and refresh, both spiritually and psychologically.
What Is the Islamic New Year? Understanding the Hijri Calendar
Unlike the globally renowned January 1st, the Islamic new year is determined using the Hijri calendar, which is lunar and between 10 to 12 days shorter than the solar Gregorian calendar.
It starts from the year Prophet Muhammad PBUH migrated—Hijrah—from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE. The occasion was so monumental that it marked the beginning of the Islamic era and thus, the Islamic New Year.
So the response to the question, "Do Muslims celebrate January 1st?" is generally no, not religiously. While some will celebrate for social or business purposes, the Hijri New Year is of far more religious significance in the Muslim world.
UAE Public Holiday - New Islamic Year Holiday in UAE
The UAE Islamic New Year is a public holiday, and both private and public sector employees receive a day off. In 2025, if the holiday falls on a Friday, it could extend to a well-deserved long weekend, giving families time to relax, reflect, and even travel.
The UAE's new Islamic year holiday is not a festival or a big gathering. Instead, it's a more contemplative holiday, one that's typically commemorated with prayers, family time, or simply a quiet day of relaxation. Some Muslims go to mosques to listen to sermons that discuss patience, sacrifice, and faith—virtues that are extremely applicable to the Hijrah itself.
How UAE Celebrates the Occasion
In Abu Dhabi and Dubai cities, the atmosphere on the Hijri New Year UAE is especially low-key. Some organizations and cultural centers hold Islamic history exhibitions where public lectures or Qur'an recitals are conducted to educate and remind citizens of the importance of this day.
Families might gather for a special dinner, visit relatives, or take advantage of the peaceful atmosphere to tune out from the digital noise and reconnect with faith.
For others, especially expatriates, it's an opportunity to learn more about Islamic culture and the values that direct daily life in the Emirates. It's also a time to reflect on your intention and purpose.
A Time for Reflection, Not Celebration
There are no fireworks or grand festivities that accompany the Islamic New Year in the UAE. Instead, it's a low-key and solemn event, especially in the first ten days of Muharram, which are sacred. The 10th day, Ashura, holds particular importance to most Muslims due to historical and religious events.
If you're in the UAE during this time, use the day to reflect, renew, and make spiritual resolutions for the year ahead. Whether you go to a mosque, have quiet time with your family, or read up on the Prophet's journey, the essence of Islamic New Year 2025 is mindfulness and meaning.
The Islamic New Year 2025 is a call to pause in a world that very rarely does. When January 1st focuses on celebration, the new Islamic year holiday offers a chance for humility, hope, and healing. As the UAE begins a new chapter in the Hijri calendar, may this special occasion inspire us to reflect, express gratitude, and pursue positive change.
Whether you are planning a relaxing getaway or a day of prayer, let the Hijri New Year in the UAE be your opportunity for a fresh start from within.
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