2025 Afghanistan Calendar - Full List of Public Holidays, Observances: Dates and Celebrations

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Overview Public Holidays And Observances in Afghanitan 2025

Officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Afghanistan is a nation in South-Central Asia. China, Pakistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan round the nation. Comprising an area of 652,230 square kilometers, Kabul is the capital and biggest city in Afghanistan.

Mostly Islamic celebrations including Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and others, the most significant holidays in Afghanistan are Knowing the dates of the Afghanistan public holidays will help you to plan your trip to that country.

Afghanistan has national and religious holidays among public holidays. Most companies close for public holidays, and staff members value paid time off.

Afghanistan today honors eleven national holidays. Four of these holidays have set dates every year; all of the other holidays observed in Afghanistan are observed on lunar cycle based dates.

Article 18 Chapter 1 of the 2005 Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan controls public holidays. The constitution grants every employee a non-working day on any day the government declares a public holiday. The legislation also gives the government power to designate public holidays or one-time memorial days.

This Chapter of the Constitution also specifies which calendar the nation uses formally and bases holiday celebration dates on it. The Hejrah-e shamshi calendar is the official one (very much like the Persian calendar used in Iran).

Many of Afghanistan's public holidays are multiple day events. The government has decided that companies have to acknowledge every one of these days and offer a day off.

Public Holidays and Observances in Afghanistan 2025: Dates and Celebrations

Night of Redemption, Feb 13

Night of Redemption

On February 13, Night of Redemption takes place. This event always takes place in the second half of February.

Muslims celebrate the Night of Redemption (Baraat) two weeks before the start of Ramadan. This is the night when, according to tradition, God blesses those who pray.

Baraat in Arabic means "not being attached," "complete separation," or "purification."

Muslims usually stay awake, read the Koran, and pray on the night of Baraat.

Liberation Day, Feb 15

In Afghanistan, February 15 is Afghan Liberation Day, which is a public holiday.

Today is a celebration of the day that the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan, on February 15, 1989.

It is thought that up to two million Afghans died in the fighting, and another six million fled the country, mostly to Pakistan and Iran.

The Soviets signed a peace agreement and started pulling out of Afghanistan in 1998 because of mounting pressure from other countries, a lack of military success, and a lot of deaths.

They left the country for good on February 15, 1989.

Public Holidays and Observances in Afghanistan in 2025

Nowrooz, Mar 20

Today is also known as Farmer's Day. There is a party for two weeks. This celebration was not allowed in Afghanistan when the Taliban were in charge because they saw it as a pagan practice.

Ramadan, March 23

Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan, which is also called Ramazan in Afghanistan. In the Islamic calendar, it is the ninth month, which is a time for prayer, being sorry, and devotion.

It is called Ramadan in Arabic. It is the ninth month on the Islamic calendar. Because Islamic and Gregorian years are not the same length, the Gregorian calendar moves the start of Ramadan forward by about 11 days every year.

It is one of the most important months in Islam. It's also one of Islam's Five Pillars. These are the five rules that Muslims believe must be followed because God told them to. Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan.

Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad received some of the first verses of the Qu'ran during the month of Ramadan. There are many people who follow Islam. At this time, reading the Qu'ran is given extra importance.

Eid al-Fitr, Apr 21 – 23

For Muslims, Eid al-Fitr is a holiday that is all about breaking the fast. Today is the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal, and for Muslims, it is the end of their one-month fast during Ramadan.

Mujahideen Victory Day, April 28

In Afghanistan, April 28 is Mujahideen Victory Day, which is a political holiday. It was the day in 1992 when the Mujahideen rebels drove out the Communist government.

Labor Day, May 1st

On May 1, people around the world remember the work of the International Labour Movement on Labor Day. It honors workers and people who do work.

Holidays and Observances in Afghanistan

Day of Arafat, June 27

Afghanistan also has a public holiday called the Day of Arafat, which is a day to remember all of its people. Most businesses and schools are closed on this day. If you're going on the Hajj, today is Arafat Day. The next day is Eid al-Adha, which is a very important Islamic holiday.

Eid Al Adha, Jun 28 – 30

In Afghanistan, people also celebrate the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha. It's the bigger "Eid," and Muslims celebrate it by going to prayers and seeing family.

Ashura, July 28

When you look at the Islamic calendar, the first month is marked on Yom Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram. People remember Husayn ibn Ali, who was killed in the Battle of Karbala. He was the grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

Independence Day, August 19

Independence Day in Afghanistan

Independence Day is celebrated every year on August 19, which is also a national holiday in Afghanistan.

Today is Afghanistan's National Day, and it marks the day that the country got rid of British rule in 1919.

On the day of independence, there were speeches and military displays in Kabul, the capital city. Due to the holiday, the colors of the Afghan flag can be seen all over the capital.

Baloch-Pakhtun Unity Day, August 31

On August 31, there is Baloch-Pakhtun Unity Day. Balochs and Pashtuns, celebration around the world. This event always takes place in the third decade of August.

Baloch-Pashtun Unity Day is an international holiday that Baloch and Pashtun people celebrate to show their brotherhood and unity with each other. It has been a holiday since 1949. On August 31, 2015, most of the celebrations took place in Kabul, Afghanistan. Baloch leaders who want Balochistan to be separated from Pakistan were also invited.

Public Holiday in Afghanistan, August 31

In the Islamic emirate of Afghanistan, August 31 is a public holiday every year.

At midnight on August 31, 2022, the last American troops were pulled out of the longest war in U.S. history. The war began after the September 11 attacks in New York.

More than half of the people who died in the conflict were civilians or Afghan soldiers. But it was the deaths of 2,461 US service members that the American people could not stand.

There were also deaths of more than 3,500 soldiers from other NATO countries.

Martyrs' Day and Ahmad Shah Masoud Day, September 9

On September 9, Afghanistan celebrates Martyrs' Day and Ahmad Shah Masoud Day. This event always takes place in the first ten days of September.

Afghanistan's National Assembly made Martyrs' Day, also known as Masood Day, a national holiday in 2012. Its purpose is to honor the country's national hero Ahmad Shah Masood and those who died fighting for the country. He was a warlord from the Panjshir Valley in Afghanistan named Ahmad Shah Masood. He was in charge of the Taliban and the fight against the Soviet invasion. He died on September 9, 2001, in a terrorist attack. This holiday is also called Masood Day and Haftai Shahid, which means "Week of the Martyrs."

People in Afghanistan tend to put the needs of their family ahead of their own because the culture is very group-oriented. Being responsible for your family is usually more important than your own needs. Most of the time, family loyalty is stronger than loyalty to one's tribe or ethnicity.

Birthday of Prophet Muhammad, September 27

The birth of Prophet Muhammed is observed by Muslims on the 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabi’ al-awwal.'

Yalda Night, December 21

Yalda Night

A Persian holiday called Yalda Night (ظب ولدا Shab-e Yalda, Shab-e Chelle) is held on the longest and darkest night of the year. Held in Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Iran.

On December 21, there is Yalda Night. A Persian holiday called Shab-e Yalda or Shab-e Chelle is held on the longest and darkest night of the year. Had a party in Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. This event always takes place in the third decade of December.

People in Iran and other places with a Persian history, like Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, celebrate the festival.

In ancient Iran, "Yalda Night" was one of the holy nights. It was written into the official calendar starting with Darius I's reign in 502 BC. This night's celebrations have been going on for a very long time.

In Iran, Yaldā Night is a celebration of the winter solstice that takes place on the "longest and darkest night of the year." A Gregorian calendar says this is the night of December 20/21 (±1), and an Iranian solar calendar says it is the night between the last day of the ninth month (Azar) and the first day of the tenth month (Dey).

Full List of the Public Holidays and Observances in Afghanistan 2025

2025 Afghanistan Calendar with the Holidays/Fetivals

In Conclusion

Afghans are very excited about their national holidays. In Afghanistan, people really look forward to holidays and religious events. Most people in the country know and love Nau Roz, or the New Year. It is the most famous and happy time of the year.

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