Muslim nation celebrates Hijra new year [Archives:2006/917/Local News]
Yemen Times Staff
Muslims throughout the world celebrated Tues., Jan. 31, the first day of the Islamic calendar's New Year 1427 based on the Prophet Mohammed's migration from Mecca to Medina toward the end of the sixth century.
In Yemen, celebrations took place at mosques with people reciting verses from the Qur'an and chanting religious hymns. Clerics and scholars spoke on the meaning of the occasion, which represents the starting point for Islam's spread from Mecca and carrying its message to other parts of the world. Speeches also underscored the profound implications of the prophet's migration.
Some preachers seized the opportunity to lash out, referring to recent outrage caused by Danish and Norwegian newspapers, which published slanderous cartoons against the Prophet Mohammed.
“That disgraceful act is a violation of all moral and human values and an outright breach of international conventions, which prohibit any insult against religions, faiths or prophets,” the speakers said.
In other parts of the world, Muslims marked Islam's New Year with thanksgiving, food offerings and giving zakat (alms) to the poor. Some Muslims sent SMS text messages to each other with New Year's wishes. As a non-working holiday, people celebrate and spend it fasting.
The lunar Hijra calendar turned to the year 1427 when the new moon appeared. The first day of the new year also marks the first day of Muharram, the Islamic year's first month.
This year, East Asian Muslims will welcome two new years back-to-back – Chinese lunar New Year and Islamic New Year. However, both are of different significance. Chinese New Year is not a religious festival but rather a tradition, whereas for Muharram, it is of religious significance where Muslims fast. Muharram is important because God distinguished it by many significant events, such as pardoning Adam on that day.
The Islamic calendar is a purely lunar calendar, based on the motion of the moon. Its months have no permanent connection to seasons, thus Muslim religious celebrations may occur at any date on the Gregorian calendar.
——
[archive-e:917-v:14-y:2006-d:2006-01-02-p:ln]
