On June 17, Morocco will officially welcome the commencement of the year 1448 in the Islamic calendar, marking the beginning of the month of Muharram. This significant month commemorates the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina, both of which are located in present-day Saudi Arabia. While countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Turkey are set to celebrate the start of the new Muslim year on June 16, Morocco has announced that the festivities will begin the following day, making it a public holiday. This decision was confirmed by the Moroccan Ministry of Islamic Affairs after local moon sighting observers reported no sighting of the crescent moon.
The Islamic era began in 622 AD when the Prophet Muhammad fled his birthplace, Mecca, where he had preached his new faith for thirteen years, seeking refuge in Medina, which was then known as Yathrib. While the Islamic calendar holds significant religious importance in predominantly Muslim countries, the majority of administrative, economic, and commercial activities are conducted according to the Gregorian calendar.
Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is primarily based on mathematical calculations, the Islamic calendar relies on the observation of the lunar crescent, supported in many countries by telescopes and astronomical calculations. As a result, months in the Islamic calendar may have either 29 or 30 days, leading to discrepancies regarding the beginning and end of months among different Muslim countries and even between Sunni and Shia communities.
In Morocco, the strictest method is employed for lunar observation: the naked eye, without any optical aids, unlike in other countries. The year of the Hijra, which translates to 'migration,' consists of twelve months, and Muharram holds particular significance for Shia Muslims. Each year, tens of thousands of faithful take to the streets in cities such as Iran and Iraq for several days to express their grief over the death of Imam Hussein, the third Shia Imam.
As reported by swissinfo.ch.
