Why do Muslims celebrate the Islamic New Year

As with every other calendar, Muslims celebrate their New Year to mark the end of an Islamic Calendar year. However, the Islamic New Year 2021 will begin on August 10, 2021.

The Islamic year begins with Muharram, the second holiest month for Muslims after Ramadan. Muslims don’t tend to celebrate with elaborate fireworks displays as we see on 1 January, although the first day of the year is a public holiday in countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Tunisia.

Some Muslims mourn the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Husayn Ibn Ali al-Hussein, who died at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD, in the first 10 days of Muharram, with some choosing to fast on the 10th day.

This is known as the Day of Ashura.

More so, the Islamic New Year is also known as Hijri New Year. The Islamic calendar year starts with Muharram and ends with Dhul al-Hijjah, which is the month when devotees undertake the holy Hajj pilgrimage.

When is Muharram 2021?

The date is determined using either astronomical calculations or official moon sightings, with different countries preferring different methods.

This implies that the first day of Muharram will be on 10 August.

However, if the new moon is not spotted in the sky tonight, Muharram will be delayed by a day.

There is some debate as to whether the idea of a moon sighting should refer to you physically witnessing the moon in your region, which could be hampered by factors such as weather conditions, or whether to defer to sightings in Saudi Arabia or other regions.

Muharram 2021 Significance

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. Muharram is one of the four sacred months overall that are mentioned in the Quran. The other three sacred months include the seventh month of Rajab, the eleventh month of Dhul-Qadah and the twelfth month of Dhul-Hijjah.

Significance of Islamic New Year

• The New Year is based on the lunar system, while the Gregorian New Year is based on the solar system. The Islamic Hijri months have either 29 or 30 days.
• The Islamic New Year began in 622 AD with the migration of Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina, as per Islamic Mythology.
• This is why Islamic Year 2021 will be considered as Hijri 1443 AH.
• Many countries including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia declare a public holiday to mark the beginning of the Islamic Year.