The Islamic new year, known as Al-Hijra, begins on Friday and marks the beginning of Muharram, the first month of the Muslim lunar calendar.
The lunar calendar, or Hijri, has been used for more than 1,440 years and helps to fix the date of annual celebrations and events such as Eid al-Fitr and the Hajj.
Muharram is one of four sacred months in the lunar calendar—the second most important after Ramadan. The first 10 days of Muharram are particularly significant in the Muslim religion.
Similar to the new year in the Gregorian calendar, Muslims make resolutions on Al-Hijra, but the Islamic New Year and the wider sacred month are celebrated differently by Shiite, Sunni and Sufi Muslims.
What is Al-Hijra?
Sahirah Javaid, senior press officer at the U.K.-based charity Muslim Hands, described Al-Hijra as the "beginning of the new Islamic year, which will mark 1,444 lunar years since the Hijrah"—the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina.
Javaid told Newsweek that people celebrating the Islamic new year often exchange greetings such as "Kulla 'Aamin wa antum bi khair," which translates to "May every year pass and you are all well."
This infographic, provided by Statista, shows the major new year's celebrations around the world.
Other typical greetings include "here's wishing everyone a very blissful and peaceful Islamic Hijri New Year" and "extending my warm greetings to you and your loved ones on the auspicious occasion of Hijri New Year."
The Prophet fled to Medina to escape persecution in Mecca, his birthplace. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, when he arrived "Muhammad negotiated the Constitution of Medina with the local clans, thereby establishing the Muslim community as a sociopolitical entity for the first time."
"The date represents the starting point of the Muslim era. Muhammad himself dated his correspondence, treaties and proclamations after other events of his life. It was Umar I, the second caliph, who in the year 639 CE introduced the Hijrah era."
How Do You Celebrate Al-Hijra?
Traditions and customs vary between Shiite, Sunni and Sufi Muslim communities and there are many ways that Al-Hijra can be celebrated. These include:
- Exchanging cards and gifts
- Reflecting on Muhammad's journey
- Spending quality time with family
- Fasting during the daylight hours of Al-Hijra
- Practicing gratitude
Similar to Eid al-Adha, the new year is an important date in the Islamic calendar. In some Islamic countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Tunisia, Al-Hijra is a public holiday.
This year the Islamic new year starts at sunset on July 29.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
