The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has officially declared a public holiday on 1st Muharram to mark the beginning of the new Islamic year. However, no such announcement has been made yet by the federal government or other provinces.
According to a notification issued by the provincial Department of Administration, the holiday is conditional on the sighting of the Muharram moon, as announced by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
All government offices, educational institutions, and commercial centers across the province will remain closed on that day.
Muharram is one of the four sacred months in Islamic teachings and marks the start of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.
The 1st of Muharram is also observed by many Muslims as “Youm-e-Umar,” in remembrance of the martyrdom of the second Caliph of Islam, Hazrat Umar ibn Khattab (RA), who was martyred on this day in the year 23 Hijri (644 AD).
The most significant day of the month is the 10th of Muharram, known as Youm-e-Ashura — a day of mourning and deep sorrow in Islamic history. On this day, the Prophet’s grandson, Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), along with his family and loyal companions, was martyred in the battle of Karbala.
