Islamic New Year

Today, January 10, is the first day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. Unlike the Gregorian calendar (the one most widely used in western countries), the Islamic calendar is lunar-based and the dates change each year.

Islamic New Year, called al-hijra, is a quietly observed occasion, a time for reflection, for setting goals, and for evaluating one’s life. It is also the beginning of the observance of the anniversary of Mohammad’s move from Mecca to Medina to set up the first Islamic state.

^{(photo credit: istockphoto)}