Saudi Arabia Sights Muharram Crescent Moon

Many countries, including the UAE, are expected to announce Thursday as the first day of Muharram, while Morocco is likely to mark the occasion on Friday.

Rabat – Saudi Arabia is sighting the crescent moon for the new Hijri year 1447, or Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar.

If the moon is confirmed, it means Saudi Arabia will celebrate the first day of Hijri year tomorrow.

If not confirmed, the Hijri year will start on Friday.

Astronomers believe the beginning of the new year in the Gulf country will start on Thursday.

Unlike Saudi Arabia, analysts believe Morocco will celebrate the first day of Muharram on Friday.

UAE and many other countries are expected to announce Thursday as the first day of Muharram.

The Islamic New Year, known as Hijri, is named after the Arabic word for migration. The occasion refers to the Prophet Mohammed’s migration from Mecca to Medina, two holy Muslim cities in what is now Saudi Arabia.

The milestone event took place in 622 AD and marked the beginning of the Hijri or Islamic New Year as 1 AH (After Hijra).