Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has rescheduled the public holiday for Muharram from Thursday (June 25) to Friday (June 26) following confirmation of the observance date based on moon sighting.

The decision was announced through an order issued by the General Administration Department. The holiday had originally been listed for Thursday in the State government's official calendar.

With the revision, Thursday will now be a working day across the State, while the public holiday will be observed on Friday.

The government said the change was made after Muharram 10, or Ashura, was determined to fall on Friday. The revision was also made after considering requests from various Muslim organisations.

Muharram and Ashura

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year. It is regarded as one of the holiest months in Islam and is considered the second most sacred month after Ramadan.

The 10th day of Muharram, known as Ashura, is observed by Muslims across the world and holds religious significance in Islamic tradition.

Ashura commemorates the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, who was killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. Islamic tradition also associates the day with the deliverance of Prophet Musa (Moses) and the Children of Israel from Pharaoh and his army.

The day is marked through prayers, religious gatherings and other observances. Shia Muslims commemorate Imam Hussain's sacrifice through mourning ceremonies and processions, while many Sunni Muslims observe fasting, prayers and charitable activities.

Impact on offices and educational institutions

The tentative date for Muharram this year had been Thursday, and the State government had declared it a public holiday accordingly.

However, the date was revised after moon sighting confirmed that the observance would fall on Friday.

As Muharram is a gazetted holiday, government offices, educational institutions and banks covered by the holiday notification will remain closed on Friday. Thursday, meanwhile, will function as a normal working day following the government's revised order.