July 7th: Islamic New Year (Hijri)

The Islamic New Year, also called the Hijri New Year, is the day that marks the beginning of a new lunar Hijri year whose months begin and end depending on the movements of the moon. The moon’s disappearance signals the sign of the end of the month. The first day of the Islamic year is observed by most Muslims on the first day of the month of Muharram.

Awal Muharram or Hijri New Year is celebrated by Muslims as the day symbolizes two important events in the Islamic year. Awal means beginning in English and Muharram is the name of the first month in the Muslim calendar. The first day of Muharram is therefore the Islamic New Year's Day and, on this date, Islam’s Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon to him) made the historic journey from Mecca to Medina to escape religious persecution. Muslims celebrate the Hijri New Year (considered an official holiday in some Islamic countries) on the first of the Islamic calendar’s month of Muharram every year.

Each Hijri month starts at the beginning of the new moon cycle. The number of days in each Hijri calendar month varies according to the moon’s progress around the earth. The length of each month is 29 to 30 days, except for the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. The number of days in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah varies based on a 30-year cycle, meaning that the Hijri calendar fluctuates according to the moon’s long-term movements around the earth. Dates of annual religious practices required by Allah of Muslims, such as Hajj and fasting are marked in the Hijri calendar.

Celebrations and customs vary in different sects and cultures of the Islamic religion, but most often, it includes prayers and religious acts of worship. Unlike the New Year celebrations of other communities, the Hijri New Year is usually a reflective time, with Muslims spending the day in silence and prayer.

Additional educational resources include: 
Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding
The Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs 
United Religions Initiative 

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