The Hijri calendar 2026 shapes religious life, public holidays, and the rhythm of the year across the Gulf. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, it does not line up neatly with the Gregorian year — in fact, 2026 spans two Hijri years, 1447 AH and 1448 AH. This guide explains how the lunar calendar works, the major Islamic dates expected in 2026, and how Gulf countries announce them through moon sighting.
How the Hijri Calendar Works
The Islamic calendar is purely lunar, made up of 12 months that follow the cycle of the moon. Each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon and lasts either 29 or 30 days, giving a year of roughly 354 days — about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year. That is why Islamic dates move earlier each year relative to the Western calendar.
The abbreviation “AH” stands for Anno Hegirae — “in the year of the Hijrah” — counting from the Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Makkah to Madinah. The twelve months are Muharram, Safar, Rabi al-Awwal, Rabi al-Thani, Jumada al-Awwal, Jumada al-Thani, Rajab, Sha’ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhu al-Qa’dah, and Dhu al-Hijjah.
Key Hijri Dates in 2026
Because each month depends on the crescent moon, the following dates are expected and remain subject to official sighting. The first part of 2026 falls in 1447 AH, with the Islamic New Year of 1448 AH arriving mid-year.
- Ramadan 1447 — expected to begin around 18 February 2026, the month of fasting from dawn to sunset.
- Eid al-Fitr — expected around 20 March 2026 (1 Shawwal), marking the end of Ramadan.
- Hajj season — expected around 25–30 May 2026 (8–13 Dhu al-Hijjah), the annual pilgrimage to Makkah.
- Day of Arafah — expected around 26 May 2026 (9 Dhu al-Hijjah), the spiritual climax of Hajj.
- Eid al-Adha — expected around 27 May 2026 (10 Dhu al-Hijjah), the festival of sacrifice.
- Islamic New Year 1448 — expected around 16 June 2026 (1 Muharram), the start of the new Hijri year.
- Mawlid al-Nabi — expected in late August 2026 (12 Rabi al-Awwal 1448), marking the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.
These observances drive the Gulf’s public holiday calendar, and many residents plan travel and family time around them — context that pairs well with our UAE cost of living 2026 breakdown for anyone budgeting the year ahead.
The Two Eids and Their Meaning
The two great festivals of the Islamic year both feature prominently in the Hijri calendar 2026:
- Eid al-Fitr — the “festival of breaking the fast” follows Ramadan. It is a joyful time of community prayers, family gatherings, gift-giving, and charity (Zakat al-Fitr).
- Eid al-Adha — the “festival of sacrifice” coincides with Hajj and honours the devotion of Prophet Ibrahim. It is marked by prayers, the sharing of meat with family and those in need, and several days of public holiday across the GCC.
How Gulf Countries Announce Moon Sightings
Because each month begins with the new crescent, Gulf governments rely on official moon-sighting committees to confirm the start of Ramadan, the Eids, and other key dates. In Saudi Arabia, the Supreme Court calls on citizens to report sightings and then announces the official start of the month. The UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman each have their own moon-sighting committees, typically under their Ministries of Justice or Islamic Affairs, which convene on the relevant evening to confirm whether the crescent has been seen.
This is why printed and app-based calendars label dates as “expected” — a date can shift by a day depending on visibility and the committee’s decision. Modern committees increasingly combine traditional naked-eye observation with astronomical calculations and telescopes to confirm whether the crescent is visible. The GCC states coordinate closely, and their announcements are often aligned, though occasional one-day differences occur between countries. The lunar nature of the calendar is also why Ramadan and the two Eids gradually move earlier through the seasons over a roughly 33-year cycle.
Planning Around the Calendar in the Gulf
For residents and businesses, the Hijri calendar 2026 is more than a list of holidays — it sets the pace of working hours during Ramadan, shapes the busy travel and shopping seasons around the Eids, and influences everything from retail promotions to hospitality bookings. The Gulf’s vibrant tourism sector, highlighted in Dubai’s record visitor figures, plans heavily around these peaks, and long-term residents on schemes like the UAE Golden Visa quickly learn to map their year around the lunar dates. Keeping an eye on official announcements ensures you never miss a date that matters.
