Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has officially announced Thursday, June 18, 2026, as a public holiday in celebration of the Islamic Hijri New Year (1448 AH).
According to Egypt’s State Information Service (SIS), the country’s official government media body, Dar Al-Iftaa is expected to observe the crescent moon marking the beginning of Muharram on June 15.
That date is significant as it aligns with the 29th of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic lunar calendar, signaling the transition into a new Hijri year.
Egypt Announces Hijri Holiday
The first day of Muharram, which ushers in 1448 AH, commemorates approximately 1,448 lunar years since the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in Saudi Arabia, an event widely known as the Hijra. The decision designating a day off was also highlighted on Monday, June 8, 2026, by Lovin Cairo.
The public holiday will cover workers across government ministries, public agencies, local councils, and the public business sector.
Authorities noted that the day off will correspond to the first day of Muharram 1448 AH, with the final confirmation dependent on the official sighting of the new lunar crescent.
Officials further clarified that any previously scheduled examinations will remain unchanged and are expected to proceed according to the timelines set by the relevant education authorities, as reported by Ahram Online.
Hijri Calendar Converter
The Hijri calendar can be converted into the Gregorian system and vice versa, allowing users to compare dates across both calendars with ease and clarity.
Since the Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles, it shifts backward by roughly 10 to 11 days each year relative to the Gregorian calendar.
For accurate conversions, users typically rely on digital tools built on the official Umm al-Qura calendar, which is widely used in Saudi Arabia.
