Cultural calendar
Islamic Calendar 2026 (AH 1447–1448)
The Islamic (Hijri) calendar is a 12-month lunar calendar of about 354 days. In 2026, parts of AH 1447 and AH 1448 fall within the Gregorian year.
2026 Islamic month starts (estimated)
Month starts depend on moon sighting and vary by region by ±1 day. The dates below are based on standard astronomical calculations.
| Hijri month | Gregorian start (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Rajab 1447 | Dec 27, 2025 |
| Sha'ban 1447 | Jan 25, 2026 |
| Ramadan 1447 | Feb 23, 2026 |
| Shawwal 1447 (Eid al-Fitr) | Mar 25, 2026 |
| Dhu al-Qa'dah 1447 | Apr 23, 2026 |
| Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 | May 22, 2026 |
| Muharram 1448 (Islamic New Year) | Jun 21, 2026 |
| Safar 1448 | Jul 20, 2026 |
| Rabi' al-Awwal 1448 | Aug 19, 2026 |
| Rabi' al-Thani 1448 | Sep 18, 2026 |
| Jumada al-Awwal 1448 | Oct 17, 2026 |
| Jumada al-Thani 1448 | Nov 16, 2026 |
Key dates in 2026
- Ramadan begins — around February 23, 2026.
- Laylat al-Qadr — last 10 days of Ramadan (around March 17, 2026).
- Eid al-Fitr — around March 25, 2026.
- Eid al-Adha — around May 31, 2026.
- Islamic New Year (1 Muharram 1448) — around June 21, 2026.
- Mawlid al-Nabi — around September 8, 2026.
All dates listed are tentative until confirmed by local moon sighting authorities. Saudi Arabia (Umm al-Qura calendar), Turkey, Egypt, and Indonesia may publish slightly different official dates.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Ramadan move 10–11 days each year?
The Hijri year is about 354 days — 10–11 days shorter than the Gregorian year — so Islamic months drift relative to the seasons.
How is the start of Ramadan determined?
Traditionally by physical sighting of the new crescent moon. Many countries also use the astronomical Umm al-Qura calendar for advance planning.