Islamic New Year 2014

Islamic New Year 2014

Date: The Islamic New Year starts with the first month of the Islamic calendar known as ‘Muharram’. The New Year is the first day of the month of Muharram and it is welcomed at the sighting of the moon. When plotted against the Gregorian calendar, the date would be October 25, 2014 (Saturday). According to the Muslim calendar it would commence the Islamic year of 1436.

Calendar System: The Muslim calendar is known as Hijri (AH). The Hijri calendar consists of twelve months but of a total 354 days. This is a lunar calendar. As such when coordinated with the modern day calendar, the date of the Islamic New Year changes from year to year. The first month of the Islamic calendar is known as Muharram, and this month is considered to be one of the holiest months of the year. The first day of the month of Muharram is observed as the Islamic or Muslim New Year.

Observances: New Year celebration for the Muslim people is not a very joyous one – on the contrary it is observed in a somber manner. It is the time of the year when the pious people reflect on their life and also resolve to stick to the moral principles and path of virtue. People generally gather at the mosques and throng the dargas for special prayers. They also pay tribute to Prophet Muhammad. Another tradition is to narrate Hijra which depicts the way Muhammad fled from Medina to Mecca. Shias enact the scenes from Battle of Karbala in processions held for the occasion. Donating to charity is considered auspicious at this time.

Mourning of Muharram: Muharram is also the time of mourning for people of the Islamic faith for it commemorates the martyrdom of Hussein-Ibn-Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad in the Battle of Karbala that is considered a fight to protect the Islamic identity. The tenth day of the month of Muharram is known as Ashura and it is this day that marks the martyrdom of Hussein-Ibn-Ali. However, the mourning begins from the first day of the month of Muharram (New Year) and continues till Ashura. Prayers for Hussein are held till magrib (the period of dusk just after the sun sets), for he is believed to have been martyred at that time. People dress in black clothes and visit the mosque to pay homage and condolences.

Procession of Muharram: The New Year observances that begin on the first day of Muharram come to an end on the tenth day. On the tenth day, a procession hits the roads where people carry replicas of Hussein’s tomb. Some people also mourn the loss of life by hitting themselves publicly. Some people also enact the scenes from the Battle of Karbala, while others commemorate the event with dance or plays which remind people of the sufferings and sacrifice made by Hussein and his followers.