The History of the Islamic Calendar Called Hijri Calendar
The Islamic year 1443 will begin on August 10, 2021. The Hijri calendar is based on lunar observation. Hijra literally means Migration in Arabic. The calendar marks the day Prophet Muhammad was forced to leave his city Makkah to Yathrib in 622 CE. Peace be upon him. Yathrib is now called Madinah, the city of the Prophet. Hijri Calendar consists of 12 lunar months in a year of 354 or 355 days. It is used to determine the proper days of Islamic holidays and rituals. For example Ramadan, the month of fasting, the proper time for the Hajj and when to celebrate Eids. It was the second CaliphʿUmar who in the year 639 CE introduced the Hijrah Calendar. Muslims don’t celebrate the beginning of the new Hijrah year. However, the first day of the Islamic year is a public holiday in some countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Tunisia. Muslims mourn the martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Husain on the 10th of Muharram. May God be pleased with him. He died standing against tyranny and oppression of the king. Muslims also choose to fast on the 9th and 10th day following Prophet Muhammad. The fasting is in commemoration of Moses, Aron and Bani Israel liberation from the pharoes of Egypt.
