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ISLAMIC NEW YEAR INFORMATION SHEET December 7th, 2010 will mark a new year in the Islamic calendar, which commences the year 1432 A.H. The Islamic calendar dates back to the migration of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in the year 622 C.E. (Common Era), which is known as the Hijra. The Hijra marks a turning point in the history of Islam; the importance of this event is reflected in the fact that it marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar, rather than the birth of the Prophet Muhammad or the first Qur’anic revelation in 610 C.E. Prior to the Hijra, the Muslims in Mecca were a small group of people, opposed and often persecuted by the dominant powers in the city that rejected the belief in one God. An earlier migration to Christian Abyssinia had provided temporary refuge for a few Muslims. In 622 C.E., Muhammad and about two hundred followers migrated to nearby Yathrib, which later became known as Medinat an-Nabi, the "City of the Prophet", or simply Medina. It was in Medina that the first Islamic community was established. Muhammad laid out the rights and duties of all citizens of Medina in a charter, which became known as the "Constitution of Medina". This charter addressed Muslims as well as non-Muslims, and delineated the relationship between Muslims and other communities. The Islamic calendar therefore begins in the year 622 C.E., and is known as the Hijri calendar. It is a lunar rather than a solar calendar, and therefore depends on the sighting of the new moon or crescent to determine the start of each month. It is for this reason that such events as Ramadan or the two festivals, Eid ul-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast) and Eid ul-Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice) move eleven days earlier each year. As such, Islamic observances are not tied to any season or time of the year, but rather to the event itself. This also assures that with the variations in temperature and length of the day, such observances as Ramadan are shared in an equal manner by different locations around the world. Previous Level Links . . .  Request an Islamic Speakers Bureau presentation  Educational Seminars on American Muslims and Their Faith Editorial Policy Guidelines for Media Agencies Ideas and Themes for Human Interest Stories Relating to American Muslims Calendar of Important Islamic Dates Ramadan Information Sheet Hajj Information Sheet Interfaith Speakers Bureau |
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