Islamic New Year in Tunisia
Tunisia’s calendar lists the Islamic New Year as a public holiday on 1 Muharram. A presidential decree grants one day of leave to state employees, local-authority staff and employees of administrative public establishments; the date is set with reference to lunar observation.[1][2]
The holiday and its legal status
The 2021 presidential decree includes the Hijri New Year among the holidays that give time off to employees of the state, local authorities and administrative public establishments. It specifies one day. The decree does not set out a substitute-day rule for when the holiday falls on a weekend.[1]
That decree defines the leave entitlement for the public employees and institutions it names. It does not establish closure rules for every bank, shop, school, transport service or private employer. Check with a particular service or workplace before making plans, especially when the holiday date is announced.[1][2]
When the date is determined
The holiday marks the start of the Hijri year, which begins on 1 Muharram. In Tunisia, the Presidency of the Government has described the day off as depending on lunar observation and a notice from the Republic’s Mufti. The corresponding date in the Gregorian calendar therefore changes from year to year.[1][2]
The Hijri calendar is lunar: its months begin approximately around the new moon, and the year has 354 or 355 days. The calendar era counts from the Hijrah, Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE; the first Hijri year was reckoned from 1 Muharram.[3]
Meaning and observance
In Tunisia, Islamic New Year is included in the country’s official leave rules, and lunar observation determines its date.[1][2]
Islamic New Year begins a new Hijri year and has religious and calendar significance beyond Tunisia. Practices can differ among communities.[3]
Planning around the day
For administrative errands, allow for the possibility that the state, local authorities and administrative public establishments named in the decree will observe a day off. The government announcement confirms that the date is tied to lunar observation, so look for the official notice before relying on a Gregorian date.[1][2]
The decree does not describe arrangements for banks, shops, schools or public transport. Their opening hours and schedules cannot be inferred from this law alone; check directly with the service you plan to use.[1]
Frequently asked questions
Is the Islamic New Year a public holiday in Tunisia?
Tunisia’s calendar lists it as a public holiday. The decree grants one day of leave to state employees, local-authority staff and employees of administrative public establishments.[1]
When does it fall?
Are banks, shops and transport closed?
The decree covers specified public employees and administrative public establishments. It does not specify bank, shop or transport schedules; check with the provider directly.[1]
Sources and references
Sources used for Islamic New Year in Tunisia:
- Décret Présidentiel n° 2021-223 du 7 décembre 2021, fixant les jours fériés donnant lieu à congé au profit des personnels de l’Etat, des collectivités locales et des établissements publics à caractère administratif- DCAF Legal Databases – Tunisia
- Un jour de congé à l’occasion du Nouvel An de l’Hégire- Presidency of the Government of Tunisia
- Islamic calendar | Months, Definition, & Facts- Encyclopaedia Britannica