Muslims Prepare for New Hijri Year Starting This Week

As the Gregorian calendar governs most of the Western world, Muslim life in Jerusalem, especially in the Old City and on the Temple Mount, follows the lunar Hijri calendar. With the Muslim New Year approaching, the article explains how a calendar used by hundreds of millions is set by the moon rather than the sun.

The Hijri calendar has 12 months based solely on the lunar cycle, making the Islamic year about 11 days shorter than the solar year. As a result, holidays and observances shift through the seasons. The key rule is actual moon sighting, not fixed astronomical calculation: after sunset on the 29th day of a month, observers look for the new crescent. If it is seen, the next day becomes the first of the new month. If not, the current month lasts 30 days.

In the Hijri calendar, the day begins at sunset, so observances start the evening before. The months are Muharram, Safar, Rabi al-Awal, Rabi al-Thani, Jumada al-Ula, Jumada al-Akhirah, Rajab, Sha'ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhu al-Qadah, and Dhu al-Hijjah. Their lengths alternate between 29 and 30 days, with Dhu al-Hijjah varying between 29 and 30 days.

The current year 1448 AH is about to begin. The Hebrew date of June 16, 2026, 21 Sivan 5786, is expected to fall very close to the start of Muharram, the first month of the new year. In recent days, Jerusalem has seen a sharp rise in Muslim traffic toward Al-Aqsa Mosque, as the New Year and other sacred months bring intensive prayer and stricter observance, often with large congregations from night until the next day.