First day of Islamic New Year may be Tuesday

The Islamic New Year - the first day of Hijri year 1432 - is expected to begin on Tuesday.

The Islamic holiday is not usually marked with public celebrations or traditional events. The new year is instead considered to be a day dedicated to faith, in which Muslims honour the beginning of Islam and reflect on the passage of time, experts say.

The new year marks the arrival of the Prophet Mohammed in Medina after emigrating from Mecca, an occasion that led to the establishment of the first Muslim community based on Islamic teachings. Known as the Hijra, the migration from Mecca to Medina marks the beginning of the Islamic era, or 1AH, and occurred in 622AD.

The Islamic calendar is made up of 12 lunar months in a year and is 10 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian year.

In a sermon released by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments on Friday, Muslims are encouraged to remember the lessons of the Prophet Mohammed and take time during the new year to reflect.

"In the spirit of the Hijra, we should perform our own spiritual migration toward the better, leaving laziness and sin behind," the sermon read.

jthomas@thenational.ae