Egypt announces Thursday, June 18, 2026, an official paid holiday for Islamic New Year

CAIRO — 8 June 2026: Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced today that Thursday, June 18, 2026, will be an official paid holiday in observance of the Islamic New Year (1448 AH).

Egypt's Dar Al-Iftaa is scheduled to sight the crescent moon for the first Islamic month of Muharram on June 15—which corresponds to the 29th of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar—to officially mark the beginning of the new lunar year.

The official day off applies to employees in ministries, public government entities, municipalities, and the public business sector.