Muharram/New Year

In Malaysia, the first day of the Islamic lunar calendar, known as Awal Muharram or Maal Hijrah, will be observed on June 17, 2026. This occasion honors the historic migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina, a foundational event for the global Muslim community.

The date is a gazetted public holiday across all Malaysian states and territories. Consequently, government departments, banking institutions, and most educational facilities remain closed for the day, though retail and hospitality businesses often continue their operations.

Maal Hijrah provides an annual opportunity for personal reassessment and the setting of spiritual goals within the Islamic framework. It reinforces the cultural identity of the nation while highlighting the values of resilience and unity that the historical Hijrah represents in modern society.

The day is characterized by spiritual solemnity and communal prayer rather than elaborate celebrations. Many Malaysians visit local mosques to participate in religious lectures and collective recitations of the year-end and year-beginning prayers.

Many families choose to engage in charitable acts or share simple meals at home, reflecting on the migration's lessons of perseverance. Unlike other festive holidays, the atmosphere is generally quiet, focused on religious devotion and peaceful assembly within neighborhoods.