Islamic Events
Key dates in the Islamic calendar. We don't issue religious rulings — where a date or its observance varies, we say so.
1 Muharram
Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year)
Marks the start of the Islamic calendar year, commemorating the Hijrah — the migration of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE.
⚠ The date is fixed in the Hijri calendar, but its Gregorian equivalent shifts each year and can vary by a day depending on moon sighting.
10 Muharram
Ashura
The 10th day of Muharram, observed with fasting by many Muslims and marked with particular significance by Shia Muslims in commemoration of the Battle of Karbala.
⚠ Observance and significance vary between Sunni and Shia traditions; consult a local religious authority for specific guidance.
12 Rabi' al-Awwal
Mawlid al-Nabi
Commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Observance varies widely — some communities mark it with gatherings and recitations, others do not observe it at all.
⚠ Whether and how Mawlid is observed differs by school of thought and region.
Ramadan
Ramadan
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by fasting from dawn to sunset. See our dedicated Ramadan pages for city-by-city fasting schedules.
⚠ Start and end dates depend on moon sighting and can differ by a day between countries.
Ramadan
Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Decree)
Widely regarded as the holiest night of the Islamic calendar, believed to fall on one of the odd-numbered nights in the last ten days of Ramadan.
⚠ The exact night is not fixed by consensus; many Muslims observe all of the last ten odd nights.
1 Shawwal
Eid al-Fitr
Marks the end of Ramadan and the month of fasting, celebrated with communal prayer, family gatherings and charity (Zakat al-Fitr).
⚠ The date depends on the sighting of the new moon marking the end of Ramadan, and can vary by a day between countries.
9 Dhu al-Hijjah
Day of Arafah
The second day of Hajj, when pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat. Widely observed with fasting by Muslims not performing Hajj that year.
⚠ Date depends on the Hijri calendar and Hajj scheduling, confirmed by Saudi authorities.
10 Dhu al-Hijjah
Eid al-Adha
The 'Festival of Sacrifice', commemorating Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God, and marking the culmination of Hajj.
⚠ Date follows the Hijri calendar and moon sighting; may vary by a day between countries.
Dhu al-Hijjah
Hajj
The annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, obligatory once in a lifetime for Muslims who are able, taking place over several days in Dhu al-Hijjah.
⚠ Exact scheduling is confirmed annually by Saudi authorities.