Islamic New Year 2021: Date, Significance And What Remains Open During Muharram

Islamic New Year: This year, the Islamic New Year will begin on August 10 and it will be called Hijri 1443.

The month of Muharram, which marks the beginning of the new Islamic Year, is the second holiest month for the Muslim community. Mohammad, considered to be the last Prophet sent to mankind, called Muharram the "the sacred month of Allah". The Islamic Lunar calendar, also called the Hijri calendar, starts after the sighting of the moon. The year, like the Gregorian calendar, has 12 months but either 354 or 355 days, 11 less than those in the former. This year, the Islamic New Year will begin on August 10 and it will be called Hijri 1443. Significance of the month for Muslims The month of Muharram or Muharram-al-haram is important for Muslims for a number of reasons. In the same month of 622 AD, Prophet Mohammad and his associates, referred to as Sahabas, were forced to leave the city of Mecca, the birthplace of Prophet and Islam. Not only were they persecuted but also stopped from spreading the message of Islam. Prophet Mohammad and his companions returned to the city after the conquest of Mecca in 629 AD. Muharram is of special significance to the Shia Muslims, one of the two major sects in Islam. In 680 AD, on the 10th day of Muharram, Imam Hussain, the Prophet's grandson, along with at least 70 of his companions, including several family members, was martyred in the battle of Karbala. Some records show that 72 associates of Imam Hussain were killed in the battle. And therefore, Shia Muslims mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussain for the first 10 days of Muharram.