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The Islamic New Year

Syed Hamdani

October 2020

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AD/AH

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF) was born in the year 571 AD

After 53 years in Mecca, he migrated to Madinah in the year 623 AD which became the first Islamic Year - 1AH.

AH is short for After Hijrah (Hijrah translates to migration in English).
PBUH&HF – Peace be upon him and his family

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Islamic Calendar

The Islamic Year is based on the Lunar calendar and consists of 12 months.

Each month consists of 29 or 30 days, depending on moon sightings.

The Prophet of Islam migrated in the year 1AH and passed away in year 11AH.

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Celebrations or Commemorations?

While other New Years are celebrated, the Islamic New Year is commemorated instead.

This is due to an incident that took place on Ashura in the year 61AH.

This incident took place in Karbala, Iraq.

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Ashura?

Ashura is an Arabic word which means 10^th.

It’s now used to refer to an incident on the 10^th of Muharram, the first Islamic calendar month.

The incident involved Hussain, younger grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF), from his daughter Fatima (AS).

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The Incident

Hussain was considered an Imam, a leader in wider than a religious perspective by then Muslims.

The new tyrant ruler called Yazid, asked Hussain for fealty. Hussain refused and instead opted to stand for Social Justice.

The possible life threat and an invite from his followers caused Hussain to leave his home town Madinah and go to Iraq along with family.

On the way he was surrounded and massacred in Karbala along with 72 male friends, family members. Women and children taken captive.

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Karbala

Karbala is one of the major cities in Iraq & destination for 20-30 million visitors annually to pay homage to Hussain.

The most visit during Arba’een and walk 80km from Najaf to Karbala.

Arba’een means 40^th, refers to 40th day from massacre & return of Hussain’s family to Karbala after imprisonment in Damascus.

Najaf is another major city where Ali, Hussain’s father, is buried. He was the first nominated successor of the Prophet (PBUH&HF)

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Pictorial Views

Hussain’s Mausoleum

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Pictorial Views

Walk from Najaf to Karbala

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Pictorial Views

An outside view of Hussain’s Mausoleum

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Pictorial Views

Mausoleum of Ali, Father of Hussain in Najaf, Iraq

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Suggested Resources

Let’s watch a short video

https://youtu.be/cqvs5M3Te0g

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Quiz

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF) spent 53 years in Mecca and passed away in 11AH, what was his age at the time he passed away?

If Islamic (Lunar) months can be 29 or 30 days, how would a Muslim colleague book day off for Eid after Ramadan?

What does Ashura refer to?

Why do 20-30 million people visit Karbala, Iraq?

What does Arba’een mean and what does it refer to?

What was the home town of Hussain?

Who is Hussain?

Why the Islamic New Year is not celebrated?

NOTE: ALL PARTICIPANTS GET PRIZE AND WILL NEED TO SHARE POSTAL ADDRESS FOR DELIVERY.