April officially means that we are already in the second quarter of 2024, and it is undoubtedly a busy month of religious festivities and awareness for many. We even identified that last month featured an opportunity for you to have fantastic conversations about a topic worth discussing in preparation for this month.
Peering into your nearest calendar or handheld planner, you have:
Easter Monday occurring on the 1st of April, a particular Monday of importance according to Christian traditions as it marks the second day of Eastertide.
World Autism Acceptance Week starts on the 2nd of April (Tuesday) and ends on the 8th (the following Monday), as we discussed last month.
Earth Day on the 22nd of April, a day for demonstrating support for environmental protection, with this year's theme around "Planet Vs Plastics". This date is also the start of Pesach, or the Jewish week of Passover.
We also shared some interesting trivia about calendars back in January. If you looked out of curiosity, you most likely glanced at the Gregorian calendar based on the solar years. Carefully toss that aside; as for the main focus of this month's Hot Topic, we will delve into the Islamic lunar calendar instead.
According to the 2021 census, a national survey is conducted every ten years to gather demographic and social data about the population of the United Kingdom.
It is important to note that the proportion of the overall population who identified as “Muslim” increased from 4.9% (2.7 million) in 2011 to 6.5% (3.9 million) in 2021.
Since there are approximately over one million new Muslims than there were ten years ago, we want to take the time to share some knowledge about one of the critical Islamic dates that fall upon a new day every year in a way that both Muslims and Non-Muslims alike can understand.
What is so different about the Islamic calendar?
Just as the Gregorian calendar derives from twelve solar years, the Islamic calendar relies on twelve lunar months based on the moon's phases in the sky that are visible to the average eye. In this system, a new month corresponds to the sighting of a new crescent moon, making the months seem up to two days longer or shorter than average based on astrology.
An interesting fact about the Islamic calendar is that its inception signifies the historic journey of Prophet Muhammad and his companions from the city of Mecca, where they faced persecution, to Medina. As such, the current year is not 2024, as you might not expect.
Following the Islamic calendar, the new year, which started in July 2023, is 1445 as of the time of writing. The 12 months of the calendar are as follows:
English / Gregorian (Solar) | Hijiri / Islamic / Muslim Calendar (Lunar) |
January | Muharram |
February | Safar |
March | Rabi' al-Awwal |
April | Rabi' al-Thani (also known as Rabi' al-Akhir) |
May | Jumada al-Awwal |
June | Jumada al-Thani (also known as Jumada al-Akhirah) |
July | Rajab |
August | Sha'ban |
September | Ramadan |
October | Shawwal |
November | Dhu al-Qi'dah |
December | Dhu al-Hijjah |
Pay attention to the two months underlined: The (current) Gregorian month of April and the (synchronised) Islamic month of Shawwal. This year, the 10th of April in the UK (2024), or the Islamic equivalent of the 1st Shawwal (1445), concludes the month of Ramadan.
Reasons of Ramadan
Ramadan is an essential celebration for Muslims for many reasons. During this celebration, "Ramadan Kareem" is often said as a greeting.
It is the only month canonically mentioned within the Quran
It closely aligns with The Five Pillars of Islam
It is a challenging month of self-restraint
However, the end of Ramadan is just as pivotal as the first crescent moon, as this is when the early of two instances of Eid is celebrated worldwide: Eid Al-Fitr.
Eid Al-Fitr Explained
Eid al-Fitr is one of the most significant Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide by Muslims. It marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic calendar's holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. But what are the origins and significance behind this celebration?
Often referred to as the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," Eid al-Fitr is an event to show gratitude to Allah for the strength and blessings throughout Ramadan. There is just one simple rule to follow during Eid al-Fitr: fasting is forbidden.
In the morning, when the crescent-shaped finish line appears on the horizon, houses are adorned with decorations, and mouthwatering meals featuring traditional dishes and sweets are prepared for later in the day. Muslims adorn their best attire and gather for a special prayer known as Salat al-Eid in mosques or extensive prayer grounds.
During Salat al-Eid, the prayer consists of two units (rak'ahs) and is performed in a congregation led by an imam. Following the prayer, the imam delivers a sermon (khutbah), emphasising the importance of gratitude, forgiveness, and compassion. Additional Takbirs, sermons, supplications, and communal gatherings follow this.
A customary greeting for both Eid celebrations is "Eid Mubarak", which means "Blessed Eid" in Arabic.
Discussion Points for Tolerance
How can communities promote inclusivity and diversity during Eid al-Fitr celebrations?
In what aspects do the Five Pillars of Islam align with traditional British Values?
Does Eid al-Fitar warrant a dedicated bank holiday? If so, what ramifications could this have?