So we just rang in the new year last week, and now we’re about to do it again. Of course, that’s not a big deal in Malaysia, where the existence of several rich cultures means there are several different kinds of new year celebrated every year (Chinese New Year is coming up next month, for example).
This year, however, is a bit special. Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new year in the Islamic calendar. The date is known as Maal Hijrah or, in Malaysia, Awal Muharam (the first month in the Islamic calendar is called Muharam). The Islamic calendar (which is based on the moon) is roughly 10-12days shorter than the more widely-used Gregorian calendar (which is based on the sun). This year, because the beginning of the year 1429 falls near the beginning of January, the beginning of the year 1430 will fall at the end of December in the same year. It’s not too often that a year in the Islamic calendar fits neatly into a year on the Gregorian calendar. On New Year’s Day 2008 it was 1428; tomorrow it will be 1429; and by New Year’s Eve 2008 it will be 1430. Very interesting! If, that is, you find such things interesting.
The date is referred to as Maal Hijrah because the calendar is dated from the migration of the Prophet Muhammad and several of his companions and followers from Mecca to Medina. They left Mecca because the Meccans were openly and increasingly hostile to the new religion that had been taking hold in their territory, whereas the people of Medina were more willing to accomodate the Muslims. The calendar is dated from this event (known as the Hijrah) because it was a big deal for Muhammad and the other Muslims to break with long-established Arab traditions (and blood ties) and strike off on their own. Muslims today who allow racial and cultural factors cloud their understanding of Islam would do well to reflect on the significance of the Hijrah, which served notice to all that Islam was not merely the faith of a certain group of people who lived in a certain place at a certain time. Instead it was about moving forward, even if that meant radical change. This should also be a lesson for those who dismiss the very idea of progressive reforms of any kind within modern Islam.
So happy New Year…again. See you next year…and the year after that, God willing.