Muharram (Islamic New Year) 2026 Holiday in Qatar

Last updated: Jun 10, 2026

The Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year) marking the start of 1448 AH and the month of Muharram is expected to fall on Tuesday, 16 June 2026 in Qatar.

The date is based on the Umm al-Qura astronomical calendar and may shift by a day depending on the official moon sighting announced by Qatar’s Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf).

Here’s what the Islamic New Year means for your days off, your travel plans, and a possible long weekend through Doha.

Table of Contents

When is Muharram in Qatar in 2026?

1 Muharram 1448 AH is expected on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, based on the Saudi Umm al-Qura calendar that Qatar broadly follows.

The new crescent moon is calculated to be born on the evening of 15 June 2026, so the date could move to Monday 15 June or Wednesday 17 June once the moon is actually sighted.

Key dates for Muharram 1448 in Qatar:

Islamic New Year (1 Muharram 1448): Expected Tuesday, 16 June 2026, subject to moon sighting.
Day of Ashura (10 Muharram): Expected Thursday, 25 June 2026.
Confirmation: The final date is announced by the Awqaf moon-sighting committee a day or two before.

Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, Muharram moves roughly 10 to 11 days earlier each Gregorian year.

If you are booking flights or leave around this period, treat mid-June as the likely window but wait for the official decree before committing to a fixed date.

Is Muharram a public holiday in Qatar?

The Islamic New Year is not one of Qatar’s statutory public holidays under the Labour Law (Law No. 14 of 2004).

In practice, the Hijri New Year is widely observed and many employers grant the day off, but it is not a guaranteed paid holiday in the way the two Eids are.

What this means for you:

Government sector: Closures are confirmed by an Amiri Diwan or Council of Ministers decree shortly before the date.
Private sector: A day off depends on your employer’s policy, since the day is not mandated by the Labour Law.
Banks and schools: Many close on the Islamic New Year, but hours can vary, so confirm directly.

If you need certainty, check the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers holiday announcement for the official government schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Islamic New Year 2026 in Qatar?

The Islamic New Year (1 Muharram 1448 AH) is expected on Tuesday, 16 June 2026. The exact date depends on the official moon sighting and may shift by a day.

Is the Islamic New Year a day off in Qatar?

It is not a statutory holiday under Qatar’s Labour Law, which guarantees only the two Eids and National Day. Many employers and government bodies still grant the day off, confirmed by decree shortly before the date.

When is the Day of Ashura in 2026?

Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, is expected on Thursday, 25 June 2026. It is observed with voluntary fasting and remembrance, again subject to moon-sighting confirmation.