Islam
The monotheistic religion teaching the worship of Allah alone.
The holy book of Islam, the Quran, was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed.
The two greatest events in the Islamic calendar are the Eid al-Fitr coming after the
month long fast of Ramadan, and the Eid al-Adha at the end of the pilgrimage season.
Also celebrated are birthdays and anniversaries.
The Islamic sabbath is Friday, the day of El-Gumah (the assembly), and is a day of
public worship.
Because the Islamic calendar is strictly lunar, festivals may occur at any time of the year.
Friday is always an auspicious day, and to a lesser degree so are Monday, Thursday,
and the "white nights" before and after a full moon.
In the Persian language, substitute "Shab" for "Laylat".
Islamic Calendar
1.
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Muharram
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30 days
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| 2.
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Safar
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29 days
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| 3.
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Rabi I
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30 days
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| 4.
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Rabi II
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29 days
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| 5.
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Jumada I
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30 days
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| 6.
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Jumada II
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29 days
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| 7.
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Rajab
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30 days
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| 8.
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Sha'ban
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29 days
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| 9.
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Ramadan
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30 days
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| 10.
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Shawwal
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29 days
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| 11.
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Dhu al-Qada
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30 days
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| 12.
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Dhu al-Hijjah
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29 or 30 days
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It is a purely lunar calendar, with 12 months of 29 or 30 days each.
Rabi I and Rabi II are also called Rabi al-Awwal and Rabi al-Thani.
The years of the Hegira era occur in 30 year cycles, of which nineteen are 354 day
common years, and eleven are intercalary years with an additional day.
The intercalary years are the 2nd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 13th, 16th, 18th, 21st, 24th, 26th,
and 29th years of the cycle.
Muharram
The first month of the Islamic calendar is Muharram.
The first ten days celebrate the Moslem New Year.
 Yom Ashura, Muharram 10 (Mar 2, 2004). Celebrates Noah leaving the ark on Mount Ararat.
It was originally suggested as a fast day by Mohammed, but later became associated with the
death of his grandson, Husayn ibn Ali, who was killed on this day in the Battle of Karbala
(October 10, 680).
Ramadan
The ninth month of the Moslem calendar.
Commemorates the month in which the Koran was revealed to Mohammed.
Observance involves prayer and abstention from food, drink, smoking, and sex, from sunrise
to sundown.
After sundown brings party time.
The first day of Ramadan is a holiday in many Islamic countries.
Laylat al-Qadr, Ramadan 27 (Nov 10, 2004). Night of Power.
The night when the Koran was first revealed to the Prophet.
Hari Raya Puasa. Observed in Uganda and Brunei.
End of Ramadan.
Eid al-Fitr, Shawwal 1 (Nov 14, 2004). Feast of Fast Breaking.
The three days immediately following the month of Ramadan.
It begins on Shawwal 1.
The name means "minor festival".
Also known as
Eid al-Sagheer or
Grand Bairam. In some African nations it is called
Kortité.
Dhu al-Hijjah
The first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah is known as
Hajj.
This is the season for Moslem to make the pilgrimage to Mecca, which is required once in a
lifetime.
Eid al-Kebir, Dhu al-Hijjah 10. It begins on the Dhu al-Hijjah 10 and lasts for three or four days.
The custom is to slaughter a sheep or larger animal and distribute the meat to the poor.
According to legend, the slaughtered animal will carry one across the Sirat Bridge to
Paradise.
The name means "great festival".
Also known as
Eid al-Kurban [or Kurban Bairam?]
. Also known as
Eid Al-Zuha and as
Bakr-id (Cow Feast), by Muslims in India.
Eid al-Adha, Dhu al-Hijjah 12. Feast of the Sacrifice.
A three day festival (10-12).
Commemorates Abraham sending his son Ishmael, the forefather of the Arabs, into the
desert at God's command.
Also known as
Tabaski in some African nations.
Eid al-Ghadir, Dhu al-Hijjah 18. Feast of the Pond.
The day the Prophet made Ali his successor near the pond Khumm.
Other Days
Imamat Day, Muharram 16 (Mar 8, 2004). Observed by Ismaili (Shiite) Moslems.
Mouloud, Rabi I 12. The birthday of the prophet Mohammed.
This is actually the anniversary of his death, and is also oberserved in that sense.
Also
Mawlid al-Nabi.
Mulid El-Hoseyn, occurs in Rabi II. Birthday of El-Hoseyn.
[In Egypt this coincides with Mawlid Es-Salih Eiyoob, the last king.]
Taking of Constantinople, JumadaI 20 (Jul 8, 2004).
Ali's Birthday, Rajab 13 (Aug 29, 2004). Observed by Shi'i communities.
Day of Victory, Rajab 15 (Aug 31, 2004).
Exaltation of Mahomet, Rajab 20 (Sep 5, 2004).
Lailat al-Miraj, Rajab 27 (Sep 12, 2004). Commemoration of Muhammed's ascent into Heaven.
Lailat al-Bara'ah, Shaban 15 (Sep 30, 2004). The night of the full moon, when the Prophet entered Mecca.
It is believed to be the night on which the destinies for the coming year are written.
Also known as
Borak's Night, or in Persian,
Shab-i-Barat.
Imam Mahdi's Birthday, Shaban 15 (Sep 30, 2004). The birthday of the last of the twelve imams.
Observed by the Shi'i community.
Jamat al-Vida, Shawwal 4 (Nov 17, 2004).
Basanth. [on a new moon in January or February].
Celebration of the beginning of spring.
Especially popular in Pakistan.
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