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The Muslim Calendar

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  • The Muslim calendar is also called the Islamic calendar and the Hijri Calendar
  • It is still used today in many Muslim countries to determine the correct dates for religious holidays.
  • Based around the year Muhammad and his followers migrated from Mecca to Medina (in what is now Saudi Arabia)

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  • Years are counted just like the Gregorian calendar, BUT they begin in the year of Muhammad's pilgrimage from Mecca to Medina = the Hijri.
  • The Hijri occurred in the year 622 AD
  • Years are labeled with AH = anno hijri = the year of the hijri.
  • Current year: 1441 AH

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  • The Islamic calendar is lunisolar, meaning it is based off Earth’s relationship with the moon. Every revolution of the moon around Earth results in a calendar month.
  • Each year has 354 days and 12 months.

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  • The Muslim calendar is still used today.
  • Mostly for religious purposes, though it is used in some Muslim countries as the main calendar.