LATEST ISSUE
click to enlarge picture
Article:
ISSUE No.2 January-February 2007
Islamic Holidays
Modern Meets Tradition
Anyone who lives in an Islamic country and comes into contact with its culture and tradition should also find out about the holidays, how they are celebrated and what they mean. You should know that Islam, like Christianity, is split into several subgroups. In this article, DiscoverME gives an overview of the most important Islamic holidays. However, we would like to point out that different countries and religious communities have different rituals and practices, which we cannot go into here.
The fact that the exact dates for the beginning and end of Ramadan are not known is particularly difficult for the well-organised Germans to swallow. The beginning of the holy month varies by about 10 days every year and the exact date is only set the night before. To understand this, you have to realise that the Islamic calendar is organised according to the moon. The moon calendar also has 12 months, which are either 29 or 30 days long. The beginning of each month, and therefore also its end, depends upon the sighting of the new moon. Naturally, all Islamic holidays are linked to this. The sighting of the new moon and various other geographic elements thus govern the beginning of religious festivals.
Like Christianity, Islam has a series of different holidays. However, the end of fasting and the sacrificial festival are amongst the most important. Like Ramadan, they are also organised according to the moon calendar and are binding for all Muslim people. In contrast, other holidays are not binding in nature and are celebrated differently in different countries.
Some very religious Muslims fast Mondays and Thursdays during the whole year, thus copying the prophet Mohammed; others restrict fasting to Ramadan and some do not fast at all.
Islamic Holidays 2007 (with reservations)
21 January: Islamic New Year (holiday a day off)
29 January: Ashura (optional fasting, Shiite festival)
01 April: Mauled (birthday of the Prophet Mohammed)
11 August: Leilat al miradsch (the Ascension of Mohammed)
28 August: Leilat al nissf min shaban (night of remission)
13 September: 1st Ramadan
09 October: Leilat al Kadr (night of destination)
13 October: Eid-ul-fitr (end of Ramadan)
20 December: Eid-ul-adha (the festival of sacrifice)
Islamic New Year
In contrast to the fantastic New Year’s Eve parties we know so well, the Islamic New Year is not celebrated, although the day is recognised by most Muslims.
Ashura
This festival has different meanings for Sunnis and Shiites and is celebrated in the first month of the Islamic moon calendar, the 10th Muharam. For example, during the festival, Sunnis remember the construction of Noah’s Arc. The day also commemorates the parting of the water by Moses and the forgiveness of Adam after he has sinned. In contrast, the Shiites commemorate Hussein’s martyrdom, the Prophet Mohammed’s grandson. The day is spent in intensive prayer. It can also be declared an optional day of fasting.
Mauled – the birth of the Prophet Mohammed
To understand Islamic traditions better, we should mention that birthdays do not play a big role in Islamic culture. Big presents are not given or parties thrown. However, the birth of the Prophet Mohammed is a different story. The day is celebrated in prayer.
The four holy months
The holy months are Muharram, Rajab, Dhu al-Qidah and Dhu al-Hijjah. These months are especially devoted to religious contemplation. For example, pious activities and fasting are particularly rewarded on holidays. The aim is to follow the commandments of the religion with a pure heart to find peace with yourself and your fellow man.
Leilat al miradsch – the Ascension of Mohammed
On this night, the Ascension of Mohammed is celebrated in intensive prayer.
Leilat al nissf min shaban – the night of remission
On this night, Muslims pray to Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins. Furthermore, the direction of prayer was set in the direction of Mecca, whereas people previously prayed in the direction of the grand mosque in Jerusalem.
Ramadan – the month of fasting
As the month of fasting is arranged according to the moon calendar, it does not always take place on the same day every year, coming ten days later the previous year. This means that Ramadan moves through the whole year in the course of time.
During the fasting month, eating and drinking is not permitted from dawn till dusk. Furthermore, religious Muslims refuse all worldly pleasures during this period. Non-Muslims should refrain from eating and drinking in public out of respect for the religion and even chewing-gum should be avoided. Neither is trying food at the meat or cheese counters allowed.
All religious Muslims take part in the ritual fasting from puberty. However, the old, sick, weak, pregnant or menstruating women are exempt from the obligation to fast.
Anyone who is lucky enough to experience this magical month in an Islamic country will feel the spiritual atmosphere in the towns. During the day, it is so quiet, only the calls of the Muezzins to prayer breaking the silence. During Ramadan, the complete Koran is worshipped. After dusk, the fasting is broken with the Iftar feast. During this period, the emphasis is placed upon the family. In the evening, the whole family gathers for a communal meal at home and, later, you meet friends in Ramadan tents to eat, talk and smoke shisha. Wealthy families cook for the needy during these four weeks and make the so-called Iftar meal.
Leilat al Kadr – the night of destination
Leilat al Kadr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan, when parts of the Koran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the Archangel Gabriel. The destination and fate of humanity was set by Allah.
Eid-ul-fitr
After Ramadan, the “little Eid” takes place, the three-day feast of Ramadan, also commonly known the sugar feast. Delicious dishes are cooked at big family celebrations and children are given sweets, little presents and new clothes. People can choose to fast for a further six days after a day’s break at the end of this festival.
The festival of sacrifice “also known as Hadsch”
This is one of the Islam’s most religious festivals. During the sacrifice, all Muslims who are in a position to do so financially slaughter a lamb and give a third each to their relatives, friends and the poor. The festival commemorates the story of Abraham, who obeyed God and was prepared to sacrifice his own son Ismail. Abraham and his son passed the test God had set them and God spared Ismail. As a sacrifice, God sent Abraham a ram to be slaughtered in his son’s place and he shared the meat with his friends and relatives. Muslims celebrate the festival of sacrifice every year to commemorate Abraham’s loyalty to God.
Hadsch – Pilgrimage to Mecca
Every Muslim should make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his life, providing he is capable financially and his health permits it, to profess his faith and deliver himself from his sins. The pilgrimage is carried out by everyone according to the same ritual and begins on the 9th Dhu al-Hidscha in Mecca by putting on the ihram, a simple pilgrim robe. Afterwards, the pilgrims go to Arafat Mountain, which lies about 25 km east of Mecca. On the mountain, God is asked for forgiveness and the pilgrims remain there the whole day before setting off for Muzdalafa in the evening to pray. The following day, the pilgrims make their way to Mina, where the symbolic stoning of the devil takes place. They do all of this to worship the prophets Abraham and Mohammed. On the 10th Dhul al-Hidscha, the festival of sacrifice takes place before the pilgrims return to Mecca. There, they circle the black house Kaaba seven times and, if possible, touch it. During their sojourn in Mecca, they also walk the path between the Safa and Marwa hills seven times on a symbolic quest for water.
The explanation: according to the Islamic faith, Abraham lived in Mecca with his two wives and sons. Whenever he prayed or asked God for help, he followed the same ritual. He walked around his house, the Kaaba, seven times and spoke to God. Furthermore, it is also written that Abraham built a meteorite into the walls of his house, which the pilgrims still touch today.