Islamic New Year

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The Islamic New Year falls on the 1st day of Muharram, which coincides with the 10th January 2008 in the standard calendar. Unlike New Year in the West, and the Chinese New Year, the Islamic New Year is not a time for celebration. However, recently Western culture has begun to influence some Islamic circles, and people have begun to exchange cards and presents at the time of the New Year.

New Year has no strong religious significance in Islam, although many Muslims use the day to remember the life of the Prophet Muhammad and the Hijra (the flight he made to the city of Medina).

Shia Muslims observe the month of Muharram as one of mourning in honour of Imam Husayn (or Hussain), a grandson of Muhammad, who was killed at the Battle of Karbala on 10th Muharram, when the period of mourning reaches its climax. In various Islamic communities the mourning is associated with Matham (chest beating) and self-mutilation using knives and razors, but this is not universal.

Sunni Muslims believe that 1st Muharram is the day that the first Caliph, Abu Bakr died.