The announcement was jointly made by the Higher Council of Imams, Mosques and Islamic Affairs (COSIM) and the Supreme Council of Imams, Sunni Organizations and Structures (CODISS), who stated that the moonless sky on the 29th of Dhul-Hijjah (1446H) signaled the end of the Islamic lunar year.
The 1st of Muharram, which signifies the beginning of the new Hijri year, will therefore be observed a day later.
An official New Year gathering is scheduled for Saturday, June 28 at 8:30 a.m., where New Year wishes will be presented to Cheickoul Aïma Ousmane Diakité, President of COSIM.
The ceremony will be held at the Grande Mosque in Riviera Golfe, located in Abidjan’s Cocody district, and is open to the entire Muslim community, according to a statement from COSIM.
The Islamic New Year, also known as Al-Hijri, commemorates the historic migration (Hijra) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Mecca to Medina in the year 622 CE—an event that marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar.
The calendar consists of 12 months, totaling 354 or 355 days.
Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is one of Islam’s four sacred months.
During this period, Muslims are encouraged to deepen their spirituality through increased prayer, charity, and personal reflection.
Unlike the celebratory traditions associated with other New Year observances, the Islamic New Year is marked by solemnity and spiritual devotion.
Mosques and homes become spaces for sermons, collective prayers, and charitable acts, underscoring themes of unity, inner renewal, and moral consciousness.
A significant highlight of the month is the 10th day of Muharram—Ashura—which holds historical and religious importance.
It commemorates key events such as the deliverance of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) and the Battle of Karbala, a pivotal moment in Islamic history.
As the Muslim community steps into 1447H, religious leaders in Côte d’Ivoire are calling on worshippers to uphold values of social cohesion, peace, and deepened faith. Prayers are also being offered for national prosperity and the stability of the global Muslim community.
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