Baku: The Muharram month has begun in Azerbaijan, APA reports. The Fatwa of the Caucasus Muslims Office indicates that, based on official calculations by the Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory, the 1447th year of the Hijri lunar calendar is ending. The beginning of the new 1448th year, Muharram 1, corresponds to June 16, 2026, in the Gregorian calendar. According to Azeri-Press news agency, the transition from one lunar year to the next is marked by the sighting of the new moon, a practice that dictates the Islamic calendar. The observatory's calculations ensure that the dates align with the lunar phases, which is crucial for religious observances in the country.