The Islamic Calendar starts from the Hijra, which is when Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him (pbuh) migrated from Makkah to Madinah. This is why Islamic dates have the suffix AH (After Hijra). The Calendar is based on a lunar cycle and has twelve months. These months begin at sunset, when the new moon is sighted. The lunar year is approximately 354 days long. The names of Islamic months are as follows:
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1 Muharram
2 Safar
3 Rabi ul Awwal
4 Rabi ul Akher
5 Jamadi ul Awwal
6 Jamadi ul Akher
7 Rajab
8 Sha'ban
9 Ramadhan
10 Shawwal
11 Zil Qa'da
12 Zil Hijja
Islamic holidays
Al Hijra (1 Muharram): Islamic New Year marks the Hijra when Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) migrated from Makkah to Madinah. On this day Muslims will think about the general meaning of migration, moving from a difficult situation to a more desirable one, and regard it as an opportunity for "New Year Resolutions".
Ashura (10 Muharram): A day of fasting ever since the days of early Muslims. It marks significant events such as the day Prophet Musa (Moses) was saved from Pharaoh by God.
Milad un Nabi (12 Rabi ul Awwal): Celebrates the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). At this time Muslims think about the Prophet (pbuh), his noble character and the events of his life. Muslim parents tell stories of the Prophet's (pbuh) life to their children.
Lailat ul Me'raaj (27 Rajab): In this night Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) ascended to Heaven and the revelation of Salat, the five daily prayers, was received. Some Muslims will spend the whole night in prayer and reflection.
Lailat ul Bara'at (15 Sha'ban): The 15th night of Sha'ban is regarded as the Night of Forgiveness. Some Muslims will spend the whole night in prayer, reciting the Holy Qur'an and seeking God's forgiveness. They may also keep a Fast the following day.
Ramadhan is the month of Fasting. This means that Muslims abstain totally from food and drink from dawn until sunset. It was during this month that the first chapters of the Holy Qur'an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Although Ramadan is not a holiday, work schedules may be disrupted or altered.
Eid ul Fitr (1 Shawwal): This marks the end of the Fasting month of Ramadan and is a festival of great celebration. It is customary to visit relatives and friends, and to make the occasion special for children. It is also a day of charity and forgiveness.
Eid ul Adha (10 Zil Hijja): This festival celebrates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Prophet Ismail (Ishmael) for the sake of God. It also marks the end of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Makkah.
2008
English Date |
Significant Days and Nights |
Islamic Date |
10 January, 2008 |
Muharram (Islamic New Year) |
1 Muharram , 1429 |
19 January, 2008 |
Day of Ashura |
10 Muharram, 1429 |
20 March, 2008 |
Birth of Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) |
12 Rabi ul Awwal, 1429 |
30 July, 2008 |
Lailat ul Me'raaj (Ascension to Heaven) |
27 Rajab, 1429 |
16 August, 2008 |
Lailat ul Bara'at (Night of Emancipation) |
15 Sha'ban, 1429 |
1 September, 2008 |
Commencement of Ramadan (Fasting) |
1 Ramadan, 1429 |
1 October, 2008 |
Eid ul Fitr (Completion of Fasting) |
1 Shawwal, 1429 |
7 December, 2008 |
Day of Hajj (Pilgrimage) |
9 Zil Hijja, 1429 |
8 December, 2008 |
Eid ul Adha (Day of Sacrifice) |
10 Zil Hijja, 1429 |
29 December, 2008 |
Muharram (Islamic New Year) |
1 Muharram, 1430 |
2009
English Date |
Significant Days and Nights |
Islamic Date |
7 January, 2009 |
Day of Ashura |
10 Muharram, 1430 |
9 March, 2009 |
Birth of Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) |
12 Rabi ul Awwal, 1430 |
20 July, 2009 |
Lailat ul Me'raaj (Ascension to Heaven) |
27 Rajab, 1430 |
6 August, 2009 |
Lailat ul Bara'at (Night of Emancipation) |
15 Sha'ban, 1430 |
22 August, 2009 |
Commencement of Ramadan (Fasting) |
1 Ramadan, 1430 |
20 September, 2009 |
Eid ul Fitr (Completion of Fasting) |
1 Shawwal, 1430 |
26 November, 2009 |
Day of Hajj (Pilgrimage) |
9 Zil Hijja, 1430 |
27 November, 2009 |
Eid ul Adha (Day of Sacrifice) |
10 Zil Hijja, 1430 |
18 December, 2009 |
Muharram (Islamic New Year) |
1 Muharram, 1431 |
27 December, 2009 |
Day of Ashura |
10 Muharram, 1431 |
2010
English Date |
Significant Days and Nights |
Islamic Date |
26 February, 2010 |
Birth of Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) |
12 Rabi ul Awwal, 1431 |
9 July, 2010 |
Lailat ul Me'raaj (Ascension to Heaven) |
27 Rajab, 1431 |
27 July, 2010 |
Lailat ul Bara'at (Night of Emancipation) |
15 Sha'ban, 1431 |
11 August, 2010 |
Commencement of Ramadan (Fasting) |
1 Ramadan, 1431 |
10 September, 2010 |
Eid ul Fitr (Completion of Fasting) |
1 Shawwal, 1431 |
15 November, 2010 |
Day of Hajj (Pilgrimage) |
9 Zil Hijja, 1431 |
16 November, 2010 |
Eid ul Adha (Day of Sacrifice) |
10 Zil Hijja, 1431 |
7 December, 2010 |
Muharram (Islamic New Year) |
1 Muharram, 1432 |
16 December, 2010 |
Day of Ashura |
10 Muharram, 1432 |
Please note: All dates are computed on the basis of 'expected visibility' of the new moon and are therefore subject to change depending on actual sighting.
Shakeel Hafez - Supplementary Schools Coordinator
Children & Young People Service
Direct tel: 01484 222878/01924 482166
Internal: 803 2878/861 2166
Email address: shakeel.hafez@kirklees.gov.uk