We, the undersigned scholars, imams, and organizations, are pleased to announce to the Muslim
community in New Zealand the following:
Muharram 1448H will begin on Wednesday, 17 June 2026
How was this determined?
This declaration is based on our collective adoption of the Imkan al-Ru’yah (moon sightability)
methodology. This is a Shariah-compliant approach to determining the beginning of Hijri months,
based on the guidance of the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
This methodology is also adopted by major international bodies, including: The International Congress
of Hijri Calendar Unification (Istanbul 1978 & 2016), The European Council for Fatwa and Research
(ECFR), The Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA)
What does this methodology require?
For a new Islamic month to begin, the following conditions must be met within our regional zone (New
Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Fiji, and Pacific Islands):
- The moon must be born before sunset (astronomical conjunction)
- The moon will set after the sun, with at least 5⁰ altitude and 8⁰ elongation (distance from the sun).
What happens this month?
The new moon (conjunction) will occur on Monday, 15 June 2026 at 02:53:46 pm (NZ time)
At sunset on Monday, 15 June 2026 (29 Dzul-Hijjah 1447H), the required criteria are not met
anywhere within our regional zone.
Therefore, 16 June 2026 is 30 Dzul-hijjah, and 17 June 2026 is 1 Muharram 1448H.
A Note for the Community
May Allah accepts our efforts and good deeds and we also remind ourselves to keep in our du‘a our
brothers and sisters around the world who are facing hardship and oppression, and to support them in
every way possible.
