By; Sulyman abdulafeez
The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has officially declared Thursday, June 26, 2025, as the first day of Muharram, marking the start of the Islamic New Year 1447 AH, after the crescent moon was sighted on the evening of Wednesday, Dhul Hijjah 29.
The Supreme Court announced the decision after the Crescent Sighting Committee verified credible testimonies confirming the moon’s sighting.
The Saudi Press Agency quoted the court’s statement, which included prayers for King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and a call for Muslim unity in the year ahead.
The confirmation was also shared on social media by @HaramainInfo, the official X (formerly Twitter) account for the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah, which posted on Wednesday:
“1st Muharram 1447 – Thursday, 26 June 2025. Crescent for the new Islamic year was sighted this evening. The new Hijri year begins tomorrow.”
In Nigeria, the National Moonsighting Committee, the official account of the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), also confirmed the date in a post on X on Thursday midnight, stating:
“His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto has declared Thursday, 26/6/2025 as 1st Muharram 1447 AH. The crescent for the new Islamic year and the month of Muharram was SEEN today.”
The Islamic (Hijri) calendar is composed of twelve lunar months, beginning with Muharram and ending with Dhul Hijjah.
The months are: Muharram, Safar, Rabi’ al-Awwal, Rabi’ al-Thani, Jumada al-Awwal, Jumada al-Thani, Rajab, Sha’ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul Qa’dah, and Dhul Hijjah.
Each month begins with the sighting of the new moon, making the calendar shorter than the Gregorian solar calendar by about 10–12 days annually.
This year, the new Hijri year 1447 AH begins on Thursday, June 26, 2025, corresponding to 1st Muharram.
