Islamic religious festivals in 2012
Milad un Nabi
• 4th February 2012 / 12th Rabi’
• The day is celebrated with storytelling and remembrance of the prophet. The anniversary of the prophet’s birth, which falls on this day, marks his birth as a great blessing for humanity. This is another relatively quiet festival and is a time to reflect upon the prophet’s teachings, forgiveness and sufferings. Shia Muslims celebrate this day five days later, 9th April 2012. Some Muslims however do not celebrate this day at all, as they do not approve of celebrating birthdays.
Lailat al Miraj
• 16th June 2012
• This day celebrates the prophet’s journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and ascension into heaven. When the Prophet reached heaven Muslims believe that he met God and was told of the duty to recite the Salat, a prayer Muslims recite five times a day.
Lailat al Bara'ah
• 4th July 2012
• The date when Imam Al- Mahdi was born
Ramadan
• 20th July 2012
• This day represents the beginning of Ramadan.
Lailat al-Kadr
• 14th August 2012
• ‘The Night of Power’, marks the night when the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by Allah.
Eid-Ul-Fitr
• 19th August 2012
• On the day Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan and fasting. They are also thanking Allah for giving them the strength during the past month to complete the fast and have self control. The celebrations for this festival is widespread and Muslims will wear there best or new clothes and decorate their homes. The celebrations commence when the moon is first seen. They are many special services in mosques, processions and a celebratory meal during the day. This is the first meal Muslims will have eaten during the daytime for a month.
Hajj
• 25th October 2012
• This is the start of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
Eid-Ul-Adha
• 26th October 2012
• The festival of sacrifice is a four day holiday in Muslim countries, it remembers and marks the prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to follow Gods orders and sacrifice his son. As Ibrahim is about to carry out his task Allah gives him a sheep to sacrifice instead. It is a time for Muslims to be reminded of their obedience to God. The day also marks the end of the Hajj or holy pilgrimage.
Al-Hijira
• 15th November 2012 / 1st Muharram
• The Islamic calendar New Year marks the Hijra, when the prophet Muhammad moved from Mecca to Medina and founded the first Islamic state. It is relatively low key ceremony in terms of festivity, but is a time for Muslims to reflect and be with their family.
Ashura
• 24th November 2012 / 10th Muharram
• This is a day of fasting for Sunni Muslims since the early days of the Muslim community. The day that Nuh (Noah) left the Ark and the day that Musa (Moses) was saved from the Egyptians by Allah. Shi’ite Muslims mark the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the prophet, on this day and see it as a great festival. The day also marks two historical events. Annually, in London, there is a procession to celebrate that attracts over 3000 spectators.
