Telangana Govt Declares Holidays for 9th Muharram and Ashura

The Telangana government has officially notified holidays on July 5 and 6 to mark the observance of 9th Muharram and Ashura, significant days of mourning for the Shia Muslim community. As per the 2025 Telangana calendar, July 5 (Saturday) will be observed as an optional holiday, while July 6 (Sunday) has been marked as a general holiday.

However, since Ashura falls on a Sunday, it effectively results in no additional day off for most schools and institutions. Despite the government’s announcement, schools in Telangana have yet to formally declare their holiday schedules for these days.

Muharram Calendar Finalized After Moon Sighting

Initially, the Telangana government had tentatively listed June 5 and 6 as potential dates for Muharram holidays, pending the sighting of the crescent moon. Following the moon sighting on June 26, it was confirmed that the 9th and 10th of Muharram will fall on July 5 and 6, respectively.

School Holiday Uncertainty

Due to the overlap with the weekend, there’s limited impact on academic schedules. While the 9th of Muharram falls on a Saturday and is an optional holiday, it remains at the discretion of educational institutions whether to remain open or closed.

Significance of Muharram and Ashura

Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is a time of mourning for Shia Muslims. The 10th day, Ashura, marks the martyrdom of Imam Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, in the Battle of Karbala. This event holds deep religious and historical importance.

In light of the solemn observances, the Telangana government’s move to declare holidays reflects respect for religious sentiments and traditions observed by the community.