Islamic New Year: welcome to 1440 AH
Islamic New Year
Welcome to 1440 AH
There are many calendars in use around the world, with different dates marking the start of a new year. 10 September 2018 is Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year), commencing the year 1440 AH.
Hijri comes from the word Hijrah in Arabic, meaning migration, and refers to when the Prophet Mohammed journeyed from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD. This migration saw the establishment of the first Muslim community based on Islamic teachings, and the year 1 AH (Anno Hegirae or ‘in the year of Hijra’).
The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, depending on the sighting of the new moon or crescent to determine the start of each month, which is why holy events have no fixed date. Ramadan, Eid ul-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast), Eid ul-Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice) and the New Year are approximately eleven days earlier each year.
Hijri New Year is the first day of the first month of the Islamic calendar, Muharram. Although Ramadan is the most famous month, Muharram is more holy and marks two anniversaries; Shia Muslims remember the battle of Karbala in which Imam Hussein ibn Ali, grandson of Mohammed, was killed. Sunni Muslims commemorate when Allah saved the Children of Israel from Pharoah—the Day of Ashura. For all, it is a time to reflect on the sacrifices that began the faith, and as Muharram means ‘forbidden’, many Muslims fast during this time, as Moses did to give thanks to Allah. Any acts of violence and war are also forbidden.
For many Muslims, Islamic New year is celebrated quietly and is a time for introspection. Contrary to the raucous celebrations seen on 31 December, time is usually spent with family or in contemplation and prayer. Interestingly, people are increasingly using the day to make resolutions for the year ahead.
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