Muharram 2025 Holiday Update: Will Schools Be Closed on July 7 in India?
Muharram Holiday 2025: What Parents and Schools Need to Know
As the sacred month of Muharram approaches, schools, offices, and parents across India are on alert for the final announcement regarding a potential public holiday on Monday, July 7, 2025. Muharram, which marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year, is one of the most significant observances in the Muslim calendar and is commemorated on the 1st day of the Hijri month of Muharram.
When Is Muharram 2025 in India?
According to the Islamic lunar calendar, the date of Muharram shifts every year and is determined based on the sighting of the moon. This year, the expected date for Muharram in India is July 6, 2025 (Sunday). However, if the moon is not sighted on the preceding evening, the observance may shift to July 7, 2025 (Monday).
This uncertainty has led to many schools and government institutions holding off on confirming any closures.
Will July 7, 2025 Be a Holiday?
As of now, July 6 is listed as the tentative date for Muharram on most Indian government holiday calendars. Yet, since the Islamic calendar is lunar, the exact date may be adjusted at the last minute depending on moon visibility.
If the moon is not sighted on Saturday, July 5, Muharram could be observed on Monday, July 7, which would likely lead to official government holiday declarations across various Indian states.
Impact on Schools and Government Offices
In India, Muharram is recognized as a gazetted holiday, meaning that:
- Government offices,
- Public banks, and
- Educational institutions
are typically closed in states where the day is officially declared a holiday.
However, many schools have not yet confirmed closures for July 7 and are waiting for updates from district authorities or state-level education departments.
States Likely to Declare Holiday on July 7, 2025
States with large Muslim populations generally observe Muharram with official closures. These include:
- Uttar Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Telangana
- West Bengal
- Bihar
- Kerala
- Karnataka
Local school boards and private institutions in these regions are expected to issue circulars confirming the holiday once the moon sighting is officially announced.
Parents and Students: What Should You Do?
Stay Informed Through:
- School WhatsApp groups
- Official school websites and apps
- Local newspapers or digital news portals
- District education department circulars
Since Muharram observance can vary by region and moon sighting, some districts might declare July 6, others July 7, and some might even vary within the same state. This has been a recurring trend in past years, often causing confusion.
Final Holiday Declaration: Awaiting Moon Sighting
As with every Islamic festival, the final confirmation for Muharram 2025 will depend entirely on the sighting of the new moon, which is expected to occur on Saturday evening, July 5, 2025. If the moon is sighted, Muharram will fall on July 6 (Sunday); otherwise, the date shifts to Monday, July 7.
Conclusion
As India prepares to observe Muharram 2025, both schools and parents are urged to stay alert for last-minute announcements. Whether July 6 or July 7 becomes the official holiday will only be confirmed after the moon sighting on July 5. Until then, families, school administrators, and offices are keeping a close watch.
