Because the Muslim calender is lunar the year is 354 Days long. Days begin at sunset .
As a particular holiday approaches, you can find out its precise date from the :
American Muslim Council
1212 New York Ave., Suite 525
Washington, DC 20005.
Phone: (202) 789 - 2262
counted from the date of Muhammad's hijra.
The First of Muharram marks the new year. The date fluctuates (in the Gregorian calendar) from year to year as it is based on the Islamic lunar calendar.
Ashura is celebrated on the ninth and tenth month of Muharram. The word ashura means "ten" and is a time of fasting, reflection and meditation. Jews of the city of Medina fasted on the tenth day in remembrance of their salvation from the Pharaoh, and the Prophet Muhammad pledged he would
fast for two days instead of one in this same remembrance, but he died the following year and so never fasted as he had hoped.
For many Muslims there is joy in commemorating all of the wonderful events traditions say occurred on this day, including: Noah's ark came to rest, the Prophet Abraham was born, the Kaaba was built. Among Shiite Muslims, it is a day of special sorrow commemorating the martyrdom of the Prophet's grandson Hussain and his followers at the battle of Kerbala in Islam's first century. It is commemorated in Shiite communities with reenactment of these events and is a time of mourning.
Mawlud Al-Nabi is the Prophet Muhammad's birthday. It occurs on the twelfth of Rabi Al-Awal of the Islamic calendar.
Speeches are given about the life of the Prophet in gatherings, and dinners are held. This occasion was not celebrated in the early times of Islam and is therefore unevenly celebrated today, with great and festive celebrations in many Muslim countries (i.e. Egypt and Turkey) and none in others (i.e. Saudi Arabia).
Laylat Al-Isra wa Al-Miraj("the night journey and ascension") commemorates the journey of the Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Jerusalem, his ascension into the seven heavens, and his return in the same night. These events acknowledge that all the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity and Islam)
have one and the same God as their source.
In this night, Muslims believe, the Prophet was instructed to establish the five daily prayers in their
current form. On this night, Muslims believe, Muhammad prayed together with Abraham, Moses and Jesus in the
area of the Al-Aqsa mosque.
The rock from which he is believed to have ascended to heaven to speak with God is the one seen inside the Dome of the Rock. Isra wa Al-Miraj as it is sometimes called is celebrated on the twenty-seventh of Rajab of the Islamic calendar.
Laylat Al-Qadr ("the night of power.") falls on one of the last ten days of Ramadan on an odd numbered day (such as the twenty-third, twenty-fifth or twenty-seventh), In the Qur'an this night is said to be equal to one thousand months and on this night the prayers of the sincere Muslim are certain to be answered.
Eid Al-Fitr: The Feast of the Breaking of the Fast Just as festivity becomes the atmosphere when the fast is broken each day at sunset, happiness becomes doublefold when the month of fasting is finally completed and the Eid Al-Fitr is celebrated.
The most elaborate dishes are served at large banquets to which relatives and friends are invited. These
colorful celebrations are the climax of the sense of fullfiliment characterizing,a month of fasting and hardships, increasing the bonds of connectedness among humankind and between humankind and God.
Eid Al-Adha ("The Feast of the Sacrifice") commemorates Abraham's willingness and obedience to sacrifice his son Ishmael to God (and God's mercy in substituting a lamb for Ishmael). This feast is part of the Haj, and takes place on the tenth of Dhu Al-Hijja of the Islamic calendar. For those on the Hajj and for many others the day begins with the sacrifice of an animal in commemoration of the Angel Gabriel's substitution of a lamb as Abraliam's sacrificial obligation. One-third of the meat is given to the poor, with the remainder shared with neighbors and family members.
This holiday is then celebrated in much the same way as Eid Al-Fitr - with good food, gifts for children and
general merrymaking.
Rabi Al-Awwal commemorates the Hijrah ("migration") of the Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Medina, and marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar in history (622 A.D.).
Yom Arafat falls on the ninth of Dhu Al-Hijja, when people on the Hajj are assembled for the "standing" at the plain of Arafat (in Mina near Makkah) during the Haj. Muslims around the world gather at the local mosque (masjid) for prayer in spiritual solidarity with those at Arafat.
Laylat Al-Baraa has been translated as "the night of repentence." (Laylat means night). It is the night when forgiveness is granted to those who repent. Muslims believe it is a night when God is setting the coming year's course for each person. It is therefore a time when one asks for God's blessings as well as for any specific request.
New Year
April 27, 1998
Ashura
May 6, 1998
Mawlid Al-Nabi
July 6, 1998
Isra wa Al - Miraj
November 16, 1998
Ramadan
December 20, 1998
Laylat Al - Qadr
January 16, 1999
Eid al - Fitr
January 19, 1999
Eid al - Adha
March 28, 1999
New Year
April 17, 1999
Ashura
April 26, 1999
Mawlid Al-Nabi
June 26, 1999
Isra wa Al - Miraj
November 5, 1999
Ramadan
December 9, 1999
Laylat Al - Qadr
January 5, 2000
Eid al - Fitr
January 8, 2000
Eid al - Adha
March 16, 2000
New Year
April 7, 2000
Ashura
April 16, 2000
Mawlid Al-Nabi
June 16, 2000
Isra wa Al - Miraj
October 25, 2000
Ramadan
November 28, 2000
Laylat Al - Qadr
December 25, 2000
Eid al - Fitr
December 28, 2000
Eid al - Adha
| UP | INDEX | HOME |