Sahel EDU

Running an Islamic school with two calendars: Gregorian and Hijri

An Islamic school lives on two calendars: the Gregorian calendar of the administration and the terms, and the lunar Hijri calendar, which sets the rhythm of holidays and Ramadan. The simple rule is to keep the Gregorian calendar for everything administrative and to add the Hijri date where the school wishes. This guide explains why, gives the landmarks worth knowing and shows how to set up documents.

Two calendars, two logics

The Hijri calendar is lunar: it has twelve months, each starting with the new moon, for a year of 354 or 355 days. The Gregorian year has 365 or 366. The Hijri year is therefore shorter by about ten to eleven days, and its holidays move back by as much each year in the Gregorian calendar.

The start of a month depends on sighting the moon or on an astronomical calculation, according to the authority making the announcement. A holiday date worked out long in advance therefore remains a forecast, which can vary by a day.

Hijri year: twelve lunar months, 354 or 355 days.
Gregorian year: 365 or 366 days.
A shift of about ten to eleven days a year.
Holiday dates confirmed by the official announcement of the year.

The months and holidays worth knowing

The Hijri months are, in order: Muharram, Safar, Rabi’ al-awwal, Rabi’ al-thani, Jumada al-ula, Jumada al-thaniya, Rajab, Sha’ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhu al-Qi’da and Dhu al-Hijja.

In Cameroon, according to the public holiday lists we consulted, the two legal Muslim holidays are Eid al-Fitr (Djouldé Soumaé) and Eid al-Adha (Tabaski). Mawlid and the Hijri New Year are not public holidays there, but an Islamic school may mark them. Exact dates are read each year in the official announcement.

1 Muharram: Hijri New Year.
12 Rabi’ al-awwal: Mawlid, the birth of the Prophet.
Ramadan: the month of fasting, with a school rhythm to adapt.
1 Shawwal: Eid al-Fitr, at the end of Ramadan.
10 Dhu al-Hijja: Eid al-Adha, or Tabaski.

The rule to follow: Gregorian administers, Hijri accompanies

Terms, the ministries’ official calendar, fee due dates and exam registrations are counted in Gregorian dates. Making them depend on a lunar date would expose the school to a one-day uncertainty on legal deadlines.

The Hijri date is a religious and cultural landmark: it is added to the Gregorian date, it does not replace it. If your weekly day of rest is not Sunday (Friday, for example), set it in your calendar rather than working around it.

Administrative dates: Gregorian.
Moving holidays: marked “to be confirmed” until announced.
The school’s day of rest: set in the calendar.
No legal deadline defined by a lunar date.

Ramadan and the rhythm of the school

We found no national text that sets a school timetable for Ramadan in Cameroon: each Islamic school decides. One possible approach is to shorten lessons and to group the most demanding subjects in the morning.

The best course is to tell families in advance about the period concerned, the length of lessons and the return to the normal timetable after Eid.

Start and end dates of Ramadan, announced in advance.
Shortened lessons and adapted breaks.
The heaviest subjects placed early in the day.
Return to the normal timetable after Eid, communicated to families.

The Hijri date and the basmala on documents

In an Islamic school, it is common to write the basmala at the head of a document and to add the Hijri date beside the Gregorian date on the report card, certificate or attestation. It is a choice of the school, never an obligation, and it has no place in a secular school.

Always write both dates: the Gregorian date remains the one that binds the administration.

Basmala at the head, only if the school wishes.
Hijri date beside the Gregorian date.
The same layout on all documents of a given type.
Documents meant for the authorities: Gregorian first.

With Sahel EDU: two dates, one reference

In Sahel EDU, the Gregorian date is the reference: the Hijri date is calculated when displayed (following the Umm al-Qura calendar) and is never stored. It can therefore differ by a day from the local announcement of a holiday. The basmala and the Hijri date are offered only to Islamic schools, and they are optional. A fully Arabic report card can carry them if the school wishes.

Cameroon’s official calendar is set for the 2026-2027 school year only, and the school can add its own dates, set its day of rest and keep its own calendar. Moving holidays are entered with a “to be confirmed” date. A day without lessons expects no register and no staff clock-in, and a Ramadan mode shortens lessons.

Sahel EDU shows Arabic from right to left, with Arabic numerals, and Arabic documents follow the same principle.

Gregorian date kept, Hijri date calculated when displayed.
Basmala and Hijri date optional, reserved for Islamic schools.
The school’s own calendar, with its day of rest.
Moving holidays marked “to be confirmed”.
Ramadan mode: shortened lessons.

Frequently asked questions

Why do Muslim holidays change date every year?

Because the lunar Hijri year is about ten to eleven days shorter than the Gregorian year. Holidays therefore move back by as much each year.

Can payment deadlines be based on the Hijri date?

That is not recommended: a deadline should be a known, fixed date. Keep the Gregorian calendar for due dates and add the Hijri date as a landmark.

Is the Hijri date always exact?

A calculated date can differ by a day from the local announcement, which depends on sighting the moon. Holiday dates are confirmed at the official announcement.

Is the basmala compulsory on documents?

No. It is a choice of the school, reserved for Islamic schools. In Sahel EDU, both it and the Hijri date are optional.

Can I try this setup?

Yes. The free trial lasts 30 days, with no commitment. The price is then negotiated with each school and can be read on the Pricing page.

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