Why does Hari Raya keep moving?
Every year someone asks, "When's Raya this year again?" It always sounds like a different date. That's because Islamic holidays in Malaysia follow the Hijri calendar, which runs on the moon, not the sun. Over time, Hijri dates drift backwards across the Gregorian year by about 10 or 11 days.
Once you understand how the Hijri calendar works, the rhythm of Malaysian public holidays starts to make a lot more sense. Let's break it down.
What is the Hijri calendar?
The Hijri calendar is a lunar calendar with 12 months. Each month starts when a new crescent moon is sighted. A full Hijri year is roughly 354 or 355 days, about 10 or 11 days shorter than a Gregorian year.
The starting point is the year of the Prophet Muhammad's migration (hijrah) from Mecca to Medina, which corresponds to AD 622. So Hijri year 1 = 622 CE. Right now, we're moving through Hijri year 1447, which crosses parts of Gregorian 2025 and 2026.
The twelve Hijri months, in order:
- Muharram
- Safar
- Rabi' al-Awwal
- Rabi' al-Thani
- Jumada al-Awwal
- Jumada al-Thani
- Rejab
- Sha'ban
- Ramadan
- Shawwal
- Dzulkaedah
- Dzulhijjah
Because the months depend on lunar sighting, the exact start date can vary by a day across different countries. In Malaysia, JAKIM (Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia) confirms month starts based on rukyah (moon sighting) combined with astronomical calculation.
Islamic holidays observed in Malaysia
Malaysian gazetted public holidays include six main Islamic observances. Some are federal, some are state-specific.
| Holiday | Hijri date | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Awal Muharram | 1 Muharram | Federal |
| Maulidur Rasul | 12 Rabi' al-Awwal | Federal |
| Isra Mikraj | 27 Rejab | State (Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, Perlis, Terengganu) |
| Nuzul Al-Quran | 17 Ramadan | Most states, not all |
| Hari Raya Aidilfitri | 1-2 Shawwal | Federal (2 days) |
| Hari Raya Aidiladha | 10 Dzulhijjah | Federal |
Some states also observe additional days tied to Raya, such as the third day of Aidilfitri in Kelantan. Filter by your state on any state calendar to see the full list for your location.
Why the date can change at the last minute
This is the part that catches everyone off guard. A gazette can list an expected date for Hari Raya Aidilfitri months in advance, then JAKIM confirms or adjusts it based on the rukyah announcement the night before.
The announcement process:
- Astronomers calculate the expected new moon position
- On the 29th of the Hijri month, observation teams across Malaysia attempt to sight the moon at maghrib
- The Keeper of the Rulers' Seal (Penyimpan Mohor Besar Raja-Raja) announces the result
- If confirmed, the next day is the 1st of the new month
If the moon isn't sighted, the current month completes 30 days and the new month starts the day after. This is why Raya can shift by a day from what was originally expected.
Other Islamic holidays like Awal Muharram and Maulidur Rasul are also subject to this but tend to be more predictable because they don't hinge on Ramadan's boundaries.
How Kalendarnegeri.my handles Hijri dates
Every day on the calendar displays both the Gregorian and Hijri date side by side. The data comes from JAKIM's e-Solat Takwim, the official Malaysian Hijri calendar, which we refresh when JAKIM updates their takwim.
Our coverage currently runs 1445 to 1449 Hijri, which maps roughly to Gregorian 2023 through 2027. If you look up a date outside that table, the app falls back to astronomical projection, which can be off by a day near month boundaries.
For historical context or to cross-reference, check the about page.
Planning around Ramadan and Raya
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Hijri calendar. It's the fasting month, culminating in Hari Raya Aidilfitri on 1 Shawwal. In Malaysia, the last ten days of Ramadan are particularly busy with balik kampung travel, bazaar shopping, and preparations.
For Ramadan 2026 (approximately 17 February to 17 March 2026, subject to sighting), expect traffic to ramp up in the second week. Raya 2026 is expected to fall around 18-19 March, though the final gazette will confirm closer to the date.
Families often plan leave around the two Raya days. Because Aidilfitri is federal, every state observes it. If you're trying to stretch it into a longer break, check your state's weekend rules and any adjacent state holidays. States like Kelantan and Terengganu may declare extra Raya days locally.
A few small notes
- "Hijri" and "Hijrah" both refer to the same calendar. Malaysia generally uses "Hijrah" in formal gazettes and "Hijri" more informally.
- Always double-check the day before a major holiday for any last-minute gazette change, especially for Raya.
- The Hijri new year (Awal Muharram) is quieter than the Gregorian one but still a public holiday nationwide.
Understanding the Hijri calendar makes the Malaysian year feel a little more layered. Every date has two faces, and both matter. Check the current month on the 2026 calendar to see how today's date sits in both systems.