Bank Holiday: Is there confusion over the Muharram holiday? Will the stock market and banks be open or closed on July 7?

Every year, there is a holiday on Muharram in India, but this time in 2025, a special confusion has arisen. It is being claimed on social media and some reports that banks and stock markets will be closed on 7 July (Monday) due to the Muharram holiday. So is it so? At this time, a question is confusing people across the country. Will the Muharram holiday be on 6 July or 7 July? The reason for this is that the Islamic calendar is dependent on the moon, due to which it has not been decided yet on which day Muharram will be celebrated.

Why is there confusion about the date of the holiday?

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic New Year, and its 10th date, called 'Ashura', is celebrated in memory of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. On this day, government offices, banks, schools, and markets remain closed in many places. In 2025, Muharram may fall on 6 July (Sunday) or 7 July (Monday), the final confirmation will be made only after the moon is sighted. If Muharram occurs on 6 July, then there will be no separate holiday because that day is Sunday, that is, there will already be a holiday. But if Muharram is celebrated on 7 July, then a holiday can be declared on Monday.

Banks and government offices
If Muharram falls on 7 July, then banks and government institutions will remain closed in many parts of the country. Especially in states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Telangana, holiday notifications are likely to come.

Will the stock markets remain closed?

6 July is a Sunday, when the markets remain closed. If Muharram occurs on 7 July and a holiday is declared, then trading will remain suspended in all major stock markets of India, including BSE and NSE. In such a situation, equity and derivatives trading, currency and interest rates, derivatives and securities lending and borrowing (SLB) services may remain closed.

At present, no holiday has been shown on 7 July in the official trading calendar of the stock market, but the situation will depend on the sighting of the moon and the government announcement.

Religious significance
Muharram is one of the four holy months of Islam. The 10th day of this month is called 'Ashura'. On this day in 680 AD, Imam Hussain was martyred in the battle of Karbala. The Shia community mourns and takes out processions on this day. It is celebrated with reverence and grief across the country.

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