Islamic religious festivals
Remaining Islamic religious festivals in 2006 (current on 04/09/06)
Lailat al Miraj
• 22nd August 2006 / 27th Rajab
Lailat-ul-Bara’h
• 9th September 2006 / 15th Shabaan
• This takes place 2 weeks before Ramadan, and is a time for prayers and reflection. Muslims will spend the night on prayer asking god for guidance and forgiveness for their sins to prepare them for the weeks of Ramadan. It is a time to wash away the past and start a fresh.
Ramadan
• 24th September 2006
Lailat al-Quadr
• 20th October 2006
Eid ul Fitr
• 24th October 2006 / 1st Shawwal
Hajj
• 20th December 2006
Eid ul Adha
• 31st December 2006 / 10th Dhul-Hijja
Islamic religious festivals in 2007
Al-Hijira
• 20th January 2007 / 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
• 29th January 2007 / 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.
Milad un Nabi
• 31st March 2007 / 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, 5th April 2007. Some Muslims however do not celebrate this day at all, as they do not approve of celebrating birthdays.
Lailat al Miraj
• 11th August 2007
• 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.
Ramadan
• 13th September 2007
• This day represents the beginning of Ramadan.
Lailat al-Quadr
• 9th October 2007
• ‘The Night of Power’, marks the night when the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by Allah.
Eid-Ul-Fitr
• 13th October 2007
• 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
• 19th December 2007
• This is the start of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
Eid-Ul-Adha
• 20th December 2007
• 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.
