Islamic Holidays (Ramadan, Muharram, Mawlid al-Nabi, and more)
Celebrations for Muslims around the world
 This U.S. postage stamp commemorates the two major Islamic festivals, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.Eidmeans festival. Related Links |
Muharram (1 Muharram): The Islamic New Year
The month of Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic liturgical year. TheIslamic yearbegins on the first day of Muharram, and is counted from the year of theHegira(anno Hegirae) the year in which Muhammad emigrated fromMeccatoMedina(A.D. July 16, 622).
The Islamic new year is celebrated relatively quietly, with prayers and readings and reflection upon the hegira.
Mawlid al-Nabi (12 Rabi 1): Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
This holiday celebrates the birthday ofMuhammadthe founder ofIslam. It is fixed as the 12th day of the month of Rabi I in the Islamic calendar.Mawlidmeans birthday of a holy figure andal-Nabimeans prophet.
The day is commemorated with recollections of Muhammad's life and significance. Fundamentalist Muslims, such as theWahhabisect, do not celebrate it.
Eid al-Fitr (1 Shawwal): The Celebration concluding Ramadan
Ramadanthe month of fasting, ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr. Literally the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations (Eid al-Adha is the other). At Eid al-Fitr people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations, give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family.
一个sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities. Although charity and good deeds are always important in Islam, they have special significance at the end of Ramadan. As the month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to mosques.
Eid al-Adha (10 Dhu'l-Hijjah): The celebration concluding the Hajj
Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, commemorates the prophet一个braham'swillingness to obey一个llahby sacrificing his son Ishmael. According to theQu'ran, just before Abraham sacrificed his son,一个llahreplaced Ishmael with a ram, thus sparing his life.
One of the two most important Islamic festivals, Eid al-Adha begins on the 10 day of Dhu'l-Hijja, the last month of theIslamic calendar. Lasting for three days, it occurs at the conclusion of the annualHajj或朝圣Mecca. Muslims all over the world celebrate, not simply those undertaking the hajj, which for most Muslims is a once-a-lifetime occurrence.
The festival is celebrated by sacrificing a lamb or other animal and distributing the meat to relatives, friends, and the poor. The sacrifice symbolizes obedience to Allah and its distribution to others is an expression of generosity, one of thefive pillars of Islam.
—By Borgna Brunner
| In the Year of the Hegira | |||
| 一个.H. 1434 | 一个.H. 1435 | 一个.H. 1436 | 一个.H. 1437 |
| Muharram (Islamic New Year) |
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| Nov. 15, 2012 | Nov. 5, 2013 | Oct. 25, 2014 | Oct. 15, 2015 |
| Mawlid al-Nabi (Muhammad's Birthday) |
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| Jan. 24, 2013 | Jan. 13, 2014 | Jan. 3, 2015 | Dec. 23, 2015 |
| Ramadan begins | |||
| July 9, 2013 | June 28, 2014 | June 18, 2015 | June 6, 2016 |
| Eid al-Fitr (Ramadan ends) |
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| 一个ug. 8, 2013 | July 28, 2014 | July 17, 2015 | July 5, 2016 |
| Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) |
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| Oct. 15, 2013 | Oct. 4, 2014 | Sept. 23, 2015 | Sept. 11, 2016 |
NOTE:The Islamic calendar is based on lunar observation; thus, the above dates may vary by one or two days. Dates apply to North America. |
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- More from theIslam Primer
