Muslims around the world will next week celebrate the first month of the Islamic New Year, known as Muharram.
"The Muslim New Year is really celebrated as a cultural holiday, not a particularly religious one," Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, from the Dar al-Hijrah Islamic Centre in Washington DC, tells the Washington Times.
When is it?
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
As with other Islamic holidays, the dates differ each year as the religion's calendar is based on the phases of the moon, with the start of each month marking a new lunar cycle.
In the vast majority of Muslim countries, Muharram will take place on Monday 3 October this year.
What is its significance?
Before the advent of the Prophet Muhammad, who founded Islam, the start of the New Year marked a month of non-violence in the Arab world, where tribesmen would lay down their weapons.
"In the Islamic calendar, it is also what began hijra, the migration of the Prophet and his companions to establish a place where they were free to practice their religion," says Abdul-Malik. Hijra is the name for Muhammad's journey from Mecca to the city of Medina.
"[At the time] this lunar calendar is significant for them because it's the beginning of a new era they recognised in that time," Abdul-Malik adds.
How is it celebrated?
"It's a low-key event in the Muslim world, celebrated less than the two major festivals of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha," says the BBC. These festivals, which mark the end of hajj and Ramadan, are viewed as the most significant events in the Islamic calendar.
Traditions and customs for Muharram vary for Shia and Sunni Muslims, but the date is a public holiday in most Islamic countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia.
The majority will celebrate the holiday by attending prayer sessions in their mosque and spending time with family. The main emphasis is on reflection, remembrance and gratitude, say religious scholars.
-
Pakistan: Trump’s ‘favourite field marshal’ takes chargeIn the Spotlight Asim Munir’s control over all three branches of Pakistan’s military gives him ‘sweeping powers’ – and almost unlimited freedom to use them
-
Codeword: December 6, 2025The daily codeword puzzle from The Week
-
Crossword: December 6, 2025The daily crossword from The Week
-
Femicide: Italy’s newest crimeThe Explainer Landmark law to criminalise murder of a woman as an ‘act of hatred’ or ‘subjugation’ but critics say Italy is still deeply patriarchal
-
Brazil’s Bolsonaro behind bars after appeals run outSpeed Read He will serve 27 years in prison
-
Americans traveling abroad face renewed criticism in the Trump eraThe Explainer Some of Trump’s behavior has Americans being questioned
-
Nigeria confused by Trump invasion threatSpeed Read Trump has claimed the country is persecuting Christians
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
