Muharram/Islamic New Year in United States

Many Muslims in countries such as the United States observe the start of the Islamic New Year on the first day of Muharram, which is the first month in the Islamic calendar.

Many Muslims spend time in prayer during Muharram. ©iStockphoto.com/Rachel Donahue

What do people do?

Some Islamic organizations in the United States post announcements reminding people of the first day of Muharram prior to the event. Muharram is one of the four sanctified months in the Islamic calendar. Some Muslim Americans choose to fast during this month, although fasting is not obligatory. Many Muslims engage in voluntary prayer, including evening prayer, during Muharram.

The Day of Ashura (or Ashurah) is known as the most sacred day in the month of Muharram. It is the 10th day of Muharram and is a day of fasting for many Sunni Muslims. Many Shi’a Muslims use the day to commemorate the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali in 680 CE. Some Muslims give to charity on this day.

Public life

The first day of Muharram is an Islamic observance and is not a federal public holiday in the United States.

Background

Muharram is the first month in the Islamic year and a time of mourning and peace. It is forbidden for Muslims to fight during this month. A number of important events in Islamic history have occurred during this month. These include:

• The Battle of Karbala (currently in Iraq) in the year 680 CE, which enabled Husayn ibn Ali, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammed, and his army to enter the city on the first day of the month.
• The restriction of Husayn ibn Ali's access to water on the seventh day.
• The death of Husayn ibn Ali and the defeat of his army on the 10th day of the month.

The Shi'a and Sunni denominations of Islam attach different weights to these events and mark them in different ways.

About Muharram/Islamic New Year in other countries

Muharram/Islamic New Year Observances

Other holidays in November 2012 in United States

• All Saints' Day ―Thursday, November 1, 2012
• All Souls' Day ―Friday, November 2, 2012
• Daylight Saving Time ends ―Sunday, November 4, 2012
• Election Day ―Tuesday, November 6, 2012
• International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict ―Tuesday, November 6, 2012
• Election Day ―Tuesday, November 6, 2012
• Return Day Delaware ―Thursday, November 8, 2012
• World Science Day for Peace and Development ―Saturday, November 10, 2012
• Veterans Day ―Sunday, November 11, 2012
• Veterans Day ―Monday, November 12, 2012
• Diwali/Deepavali ―Tuesday, November 13, 2012
• World Diabetes Day ―Wednesday, November 14, 2012
• World Philosophy Day ―Thursday, November 15, 2012
• International Day for Tolerance ―Friday, November 16, 2012
• World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims ―Sunday, November 18, 2012
• International Men's Day ―Monday, November 19, 2012
• Africa Industrialization Day ―Tuesday, November 20, 2012
• Universal Children's Day ―Tuesday, November 20, 2012
• World Television Day ―Wednesday, November 21, 2012
• Thanksgiving Day ―Thursday, November 22, 2012
• Black Friday ―Friday, November 23, 2012
• American Indian Heritage Day ―Friday, November 23, 2012
• Lincoln's Birthday ―Friday, November 23, 2012
• Robert E Lee's Birthday ―Sunday, November 25, 2012
• International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women ―Sunday, November 25, 2012
• Cyber Monday ―Monday, November 26, 2012
• International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People ―Thursday, November 29, 2012