The Islamic year, Muharram 2021, is set to begin on August 10th. Authorities in various West Asian countries will announce the start of the new year based on the sighting of the Moon.

Muharram, also known as Muharram-ul-Haram, is the first month of the Islamic Year, or Hijri calendar, and is regarded the second holiest month after Ramzan. Muslims believe that Prophet Mohammad, God’s messenger and the last prophet sent to mankind, called the month of Muharram “the Sacred Month of Allah” and thus a highly blessed month.

The new Muslim lunar calendar spans 12 months and begins with the sighting of the moon. The number of days, however, is either 354 or 355, which is 11 days less than the Gregorian calendar. The month of Dhul al-Hijjah marks the end of the Hijri calendar.

Date

On August 10, the Islamic year is expected to begin. Authorities in various West Asian countries will announce the start of the new year, once again based on the sighting of the moon.

It will be known as Hijri 1443 AH (Anno Hegirae in Latin, or the Year of the Hijra), indicating that it has been 1,443 years since Prophet Mohammad was compelled to leave Mecca for Medina.

History

When Prophet Mohammad and his followers were compelled to leave Mecca and relocate to Medina in 622 AD, the Islamic new year, or Hijri calendar, began.

Prophet Mohammad and his followers were likewise stopped from propagating the Islamic message in Mecca and experienced persecution before being expelled. That event occurred 1,443 years ago. Following the capture of Mecca in 629 AD, he returned to the city.

The month of mourning and prayers

Despite the fact that many countries announce a public holiday to commemorate the start of the Islamic calendar, there are no celebrations everywhere. The most common misperception about Muharram is that it is a month of celebration, when in fact it is the polar opposite.

The month is of particular importance to the Shia Muslims, a sect of Islam other than Sunnis.

On the 10th of Muharram in 680 AD, Imam Hussain, the son of Hazrat Ali and the grandson of Prophet Mohammad was martyred in the Battle of Karbala. Ashura is the day on which Shia Muslims commemorate Imam Hussain’s martyrdom for the first ten days of the holy month.