We are now in the year 1444 of the Islamic calendar and that means events such as Ramadan, Eid, and the Hajj pilgrimage will be coming round once again. So when are they? And how are they worked out?

The Islamic calendar - also called the Hijri calendar - is based on the cycle of the moon and consists of 12 months in a year of 354 days. This lunar calendar is shorter than the 365 (and sometimes 366) days in the solar-based year of the Gregorian calendar followed by much of the western world.

It means that Islamic dates fall 10 or 11 days earlier in each regular western year.

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Dates in the calendar can be predicted in advance but in practice, a sighting of the first crescent of the new moon is confirmed before the start of each month is known. All other dates within that month can then be determined.

The calendar was established in 622AD when Muhammad and his followers migrated from Mecca to Medina - after being warned of an assassination plot - and established the first Muslim community (ummah), an event commemorated as the Hijra. Years older than that date are denoted as BH (Before Hijra).

What's the Islamic calendar for 2023?

The Islamic year of 1444 runs from July 30, 2022, to July 19, 2023. Dates can vary by a day or two on either side, depending on which reports of moon sightings are followed.

Most Islamic nations have national moon-sighting committees that decide when the key dates are for the whole country to follow. Elsewhere, Muslim congregations and communities in other countries have their own rules - some announce dates based on astronomical data, some follow declarations from Saudi Arabia, and others base dates on local moon-sightings at home or in a nearby Islamic nation such as Morocco.

So when are the key events for Muslims in the Islamic calendar? The main dates are given below. All of these dates are subject to confirmation following an official sighting of the first crescent of the new moon. And as already mentioned, there can also be local variations of a day or so.

But the calendar below will give you a very good idea of when all the key dates are happening in the new Islamic year that spans the second half of 2022 and the first half of 2023.

Islamic months and expected dates in year 1444

According to predictions and astronomical charts, the months of the Islamic year during year 1444 - covering 2022/2023 - are expected to start as listed below. But remember that dates are subject to an official sighting of the first crescent of the new moon and can also vary by a day or so in different locations.

Confirmation using the new moon is seen as particularly significant for the months of Muharram (new year), Ramadan, Shawwal (whose first day is Eid ul Fitr) and Dhul Hijjah (during which Eid ul Adha and the Hajj take place).

Muharram (1st month) - starts July 30, 2022 - start of new year 1444

Safar (2nd month) - starts August 29, 2022

Rabi al-Awwal (3rd month) - starts September 27, 2022

Rabi al-Akhar or Rabi al-Thani (4th month) - starts October 27, 2022

Jumada al-Awwal or Jumada al-Ula (5th month) - starts November 25, 2022

Jumada Al-Thani or Jumada al-Akhirah (6th month) - starts December 25, 2022

Rajab (7th month) - starts January 23, 2023

Shaban (8th month) - starts February 21, 2023

Ramadan (9th month) - starts March 23, 2023

Shawwal (10th month) - starts April 21, 2023

Dhul Qadah (11th month) - starts May 21, 2023

Dhul Hijjah (12th month) - starts June 19, 2023

Key dates in Islamic calendar 1444

Islamic New Year (1st of Muharram) - Saturday, July 30, 2022

Day of Ashura - Monday, August 8, 2022

Mawlid (Birth) of the Prophet - Saturday, October 8, 2022

Laylat al-Miraj or Shab e Miraj- Saturday, February 18, 2023

Shab e Barat or Lailat al Bara'a - Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Ramadan - Thursday, March 23, to Thursday, April 20, 2023

Laylat al-Qadr - Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Chaand Raat -Thursday, April 20, 2023

Eid al-Fitr - Friday, April 21, 2023

Hajj - Monday, June 26, 2023, to Saturday, July 1, 2023

Day of Arafah - Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Eid al-Adha - Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Eid al-Ghadir - Thursday, July 6, 2023

Islamic New Year (1st of Muharram, start of year 1445) - Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Dates are all subject to confirmation by a sighting of the moon and may vary by a day or so.

Laylat al Miraj

Laylat (or Lailat) al-Miraj marks the night-time journey of the prophet Muhammad from Mecca to what the Qur'an describes as the 'farthest mosque in Jerusalem.' Masjid Al Aqsa is regarded as the location of the 'farthest mosque' - this traditionally describes the large sacred site that is sometimes called Haram Al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary).

Lailat al Miraj is observed on the 27th day of Rajab, the seventh month in the Islamic calendar. Some Muslims gather at their local mosque for prayers, while others celebrate at home by telling the story of Muhammad's journey to children and reciting prayers at night. After prayers, food is served.

In some countries, cities are illuminated with candles and lights. Some worshippers take part in fasting.

Shab e Barat

Also called Laylat al-Bara'at, Bara'a Night or Mid-Sha'ban, this is a holiday observed on the night between the 14th and 15th day of the month of Sha'ban.

Shab e Barat is when Muslims believe the fortunes of men are decided for the year ahead and when Allah descends to earth and offers mercy and forgiveness to sinners.

Prayers are held through the night so that worshippers can ask for forgiveness for themselves and for their dead ancestors. Lamps are lit outside mosques.

Halal food near you - best supermarkets for halal meat and groceries

Looking to buy halal food? Whether it's your regular family groceries, a special occasion or a religious celebration, supermarkets have a wide range of products that are labelled as halal, meaning they have been prepared according to Islamic laws.

Tesco has a dedicated section for halal food - shop at Tesco's online halal food department here

Morrisons also has a dedicated section for halal food - shop at Morrisons' online halal food department here

Iceland also sells some products that are listed as halal - shop at Iceland's halal food section here

Asda has a section of halal food items - shop at Asda's online halal food department here

Sainsbury's - shop for halal foods at the Sainsbury's website here

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Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. During this month, Muslims fast from early morning (before dawn) through to sunset. Fasting means no food or drink and also refraining from smoking, sex and 'sinful behaviour' such as swearing, lying and gossiping.

When this month falls during the time of longer days and warmer weather, fasting can be quite a challenge

Muslims believe Ramadan is the month in which the first verses of Islam’s holy book, the Qur’an, were revealed to Muhammad.

Within the last 10 days of Ramadan is the celebration called Laylat al-Qadr , meaning Night of Power or Destiny. This is when the first verses of the Qu'ran were revealed and it is said to be the night when sins are forgiven and the blessings and mercy of Allah are abundant. Many traditions observe it on the 27th night of Ramadan.

On the last day of Ramadan, Muslims gather to celebrate and look for the first crescent of the new moon. This event is called Chaand Raat, meaning 'night of the moon'.

Eid al-Fitr

Also written as Eid ul Fitr, this means Festival of the Breaking of the Fast. It marks the end of Ramadan and the first day of the next month, Shawwal.

Eid al-Adha

This is the second Eid celebration in the Muslim year. The name means Festival of the Sacrifice. The holiday lasts from three to 16 days, depending on the country.

It commemorates Ibraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son. He was about to go ahead when he was shown a ram to slaughter instead.

Muslims mark the occasion by sacrificing a lamb, goat, cow or other animal and sharing the meat with friends and neighbours, and with the poor and needy.

Hajj

This is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, a journey that is required at least once in a Muslim worshipper's lifetime if they are financially and physically able to do it. Up to three million Muslims perform the pilgrimage every year.

The second day of the Hajj is called the Day of Arafah , commemorating Muhammad's final sermon, which was delivered from Mount Arafah. Pilgrims hold a vigil at Arafah, where they pray, repent for their sins and ask for mercy from Allah.

Muslims who did not go to Hajj fast to repent for their sins.

Worshippers at Birmingham's Eid celebrations in 2017

Islamic New Year

The first day of the month of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar, is Islamic New Year.

The Islamic calendar began with the migration of the prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina, to escape persecution.

Day of Ashura

Ashura falls on the 10th day of Muharram.

For Sunni Muslims, Ashura marks the exodus of Moses from Egypt, and is usually observed by completing an optional fast that was undertaken by Muhammad.

For Shia Muslims, it marks the anniversary of the tragic death of the prophet’s grandson, Husain. They mark the day with mourning and sometimes by re-enacting the tragic event.

An annual Matami Juloos (Urdu for mourning procession) takes place in Balsall Heath, Birmingham, every year.

Arba'een

This means 'forty' and is a Shia Muslim religious observance that takes place 40 days after Ashura. It commemorates the martyrdom of the grandson of Muhammad in the Battle of Karbala.

Arba'een sees one of the largest pilgrimage gatherings in the world, with millions of Muslims marching on foot to Karbala in Iraq. Sunni Muslims also undertake the pilgrimage.

Milad/Mawlid

Mawlid (or Milad) un-Nabi means 'birth of the prophet' and refers to observance of the birthday of Muhammad, which is commemorated in Rabi' al-awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar.

The exact date of Muhammad's birth is not known but it's often regarded as the 12th day of the month. This is the usual custom for Sunni Muslims, although Shia Muslims believe the prophet's birthday was on the 17th day.

This date - sometimes just referred to as Mawlid or Milad, and also as Eid al-Mawlid and Eid-e-Milad - is observed by praising Allah, fasting, public processions, poetry, family gatherings and the decoration of streets and homes.

A procession of thousands of Muslims takes place in Birmingham each year.

Up to 30,000 Muslims from across the country usually gather in Aston Park to celebrate the birthday of the prophet Muhammad. The 2021 event was scaled down and took part in Victoria Road, Aston, instead

Birmingham's event is the largest Milad celebration in Europe. The parade includes a horse-drawn carriage and the waving of bright banners and flags. It used to be held on the Gregorian calendar equivalent of the Islamic date, sometime in April.

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