Muharram 2021 is likely to be observed on August 10, Tuesday, in India. However, the exact day is dependent on the visibility of Muharram’s special moon. Muharram marks the beginning of the new year according to the Islamic calendar and is considered the second holiest month after Ramadan. 

Also called the Muharram-ul-Haram, Muharram is the first month of the Islamic Year or the Hijri calendar. The month has been termed as “the sacred month to Allah (God) by Prophet Mohammad, who is considered God’s messenger and the last prophet sent to Earth by Allah. Muharram is the highly blessed month for Muslims across the world.

The Muharram begins with the sighting of the moon and the Islamic Hijr has 12 months. However, the number of days is either 354 or 355, 11 days less than those in the Gregorian calendar. The Hijri calendar concludes with the month of Dhul al-Hijjah.

This Islamic year is going to be called Hijri 1443 AH — Anno Hegirae in Latin or the year of the Hijra — which means it has been 1,443 years since Prophet Mohammad was forced to migrate from Mecca to Medina.

History of Muharram

The Islamic new year or the Hijri calendar started being observed in 622 AD when Prophet Mohammad, the last Islamic Prophet, and his companions were forced to leave Mecca and migrate to Medina. Before he was forced out, Prophet Mohammad and his companions were also stopped from spreading the message of Islam in Mecca and faced persecution.

It’s been 1,443 years since that event. He returned to the city following the conquest of Mecca in 629 AD.