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Join on Telegram Rabat- As the month of Dhu al-Hijjah draws to a close, anticipation builds for the precise start of the new Hijri year, 1446. According to astronomical calculations, the new year is expected to commence on Monday, July 7, 2024, in Saudi Arabia.
Other Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, are also anticipating the new year to begin on July 7.
In Morocco, the first day of Muharram is projected to fall on Tuesday, July 8, 2024, as indicated by Islamic Finder. However, this date is yet to be confirmed by the sighting of the moon.
The Hijri calendar is a lunar calendar, meaning its months are determined by the cycles of the moon.
Consequently, the beginning of each Hijri year shifts forward by approximately 10-11 days compared to the Gregorian calendar used in most parts of the world.
The Hijri calendar originated in 622 CE when the Prophet Muhammad and his followers migrated from Mecca to Medina, an event known as the Hijrah. This migration is considered a pivotal moment in the founding of the first Muslim community, or ummah.
Around 17 years after the Hijrah, the second caliph, Umar ibn Al-Khattab, established the Hijri calendar as the official Islamic calendar. He chose the year of the Hijrah as the starting point, or epoch, for the new calendar.
The Hijri calendar consists of 12 lunar months, each beginning with the sighting of the new crescent moon. As a result, a Hijri year has only 354 or 355 days, compared to the 365 days in the Gregorian calendar.
The Hijri New Year holds great significance for Muslims worldwide. It marks the beginning of a new year and is a time for reflection, spiritual renewal, and celebration. Many Muslims use this occasion to make resolutions, seek forgiveness, and strengthen their faith.
