The Hijri New 1436th Year began with sunset at 17.55 hours according to the lunar calendar.
The Islamic calendar is based on the motions of the Moon and in this way, years are counted by Hijri from the year when Prophet Muhammad emigrated from Mecca to Medina, known as the Hijra on September 20th 622 according to the Milad calendar.
It marks the establishment of the Islamic calendar and this historical event Muslims took as the beginning of their era.
“Hijri symbolizes the path to freedom, love, humanity. The Prophet Muhammad and his sahabas did not go to Medina to enjoy luxury but they left their homes so they could spread the word of God Almighty,” dr. Ferid effendi Dautović, main imam of the majilis of the Islamic community in Sarajevo, told FENA.
He reminds that by coming to Medina, Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h. made a significant step in the stabilization of the society in Medina by reconciling muhajiruns (refugees, immigrants) and ansars (helpers) and because of that friendship, those who left their homes did not feel lost because they found refuge in their friends.
“In that way, the humane idea of helping the needy, those who were left without money or property and who had to move out because of their creed, was emphasized,” Dautović said.
According to the opinion of hafiz Sulejman Bugari, hijri, the emigration of sahabas from Mecca to Medina, is a lesson for eternity and it teaches us how to model our lives, in what to invest our energy and efforts, how to have a secure home, community and society in both worlds.
He emphasized that hijri is an event connected to every person so they could understand their position on earth and understand the past, present and future, that is why hijri is a reflection of human behavior which reflects both positive and negative sides and values.
Since the Islamic lunar year is eleven to twelve days shorter than the solar Gregorian year, the Islamic New Year does not come on the same day of the Gregorian calendar every year.
The Islamic lunar calendar is the official calendar in many Islamic countries, especially in Saudi Arabia. Other Islamic countries use the Gregorian calendar but also the Islamic calendar for religious purposes only.
The Hijri New Year is a state holiday in countries such as Bangladesh, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Senegal, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
Muslims in both Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Balkans celebrate the Hijri New Year with listening to lectures, reciting the Quran, Mawlid, anasheeds and qasidas.
(Source: Fena)
