The death of al-Hussein took place on the 10th day of Muharram, known widely as Ashoura. The first 10 days of Muharram hold considerable significance for Muslims – especially Shia Muslims – who mourn the death of Husayn Ibn Ali al-Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad who died at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. Muharram is the second most holy month of the Islamic year, after Ramadan. The New Year itself is known to Muslims as Maal Hijra. To mark Muharram, Muslims will recite Koranic verses and hold special prayers and sermons at public halls and mosques. It is a time for Muslims to reflect on the passing of time and their own mortality. The traditions and customs for Muharram also vary between Shia and Sunni Muslims.įor both, the marking of the beginning of the new year is usually quiet, unlike New Year's celebrations associated with other calendars. The customs of Awal Muharram vary from country to country, though they generally involve attending various religious activities, spiritual singing and religious meetings. Umar ibn Al-Khattab, a close companion of Prophet Muhammad and the second caliph, subsequently adopted Hijrah as the reference point for the Islamic calendar, either in 638 CE or 639 CE. When the Prophet emigrated to Medina, Muslims there were indirectly saved from further persecution by the Meccan pagans.Īfter the Hijrah, it was then declared by the Prophet in the Constitution of Medina that Muslims are a universal brotherhood with a unique identity in faith and ideology. Hijrah gave freedom from suffering for the Muslims in Mecca. Yathrib is known today as Medina, in modern-day Saudi Arabia, which translates to 'the city'. Consequently, the Prophet chose to go to a town known as Yathrib, some 320 km north of Mecca. Prophet Mohammed needed to relocate because somebody had intentions to execute him. Islamic New Year represents the starting point of the Muslim era as it coincides with the Hijrah, the Prophet's journey from Mecca to Medina on the first of Muharram in 622 CE. This day is a public holiday in most Islamic countries and this year's date for New Year in each country along with the name of the day in that country is shown in the table of countries to the right. Because of this, the official dates may not be announced until close to the actual day. The date in some countries may vary by up to two days, as some countries use a lunar sighting basis to determine the date. The date shown on this page is the date that most countries will observe. Islamic New Year is celebrated on the first day of Muharram, the first Islamic month.Ĭompared to Western calendars, the Islamic year goes backwards by about 11 days every year. Islam has a calendar based on the revolutions of the Moon rather than the sun. The first day of Muharram is therefore the Islamic New Year's Day and on this date the Hijra, the historic journey from Mecca to Medina began. Awal Muharram or Hijri New Year is celebrated by Muslims as the day symbolises two important events in the Islamic year.Īwal means beginning in English and Muharram is the name of the first month in the Muslim calendar.
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