Islamic Hijri Calendar

The Hijri calendar is a lunar calendar of 12 months in a year of 354 or 355 days, used for Islamic holidays, fasting and religious observances. It begins from the migration (Hijra) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Makkah to Madinah.

Each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon. Some regions use astronomical calculation while others rely on physical sighting by local authorities, so dates can differ by a day or two between countries.

Key dates include 1 Muharram (Islamic New Year), 10 Muharram (Ashura), 12 Rabi al-Awwal (Mawlid), 27 Rajab (Isra and Miraj), 1 Ramadan, 1 Shawwal (Eid al-Fitr), 9 Dhul Hijjah (Arafah) and 10 Dhul Hijjah (Eid al-Adha).

Some countries rely on physical moon sighting by local committees while others use astronomical calculation. Weather, location and the authority followed (Umm al-Qura, local hilal committees) all affect when a new month is declared.