Islamic Religious Holidays and Observances

Muslims have two major religious observances each year, Ramadan and Hajj, and corresponding holidays connected with each one. All Islamic holidays are observed according to the lunar-based Islamic calendar.

Ramadan

Each year, Muslims spend a month in daytime fasting, during the 9th month of the Islamic calendar called Ramadan.

• Laylat al-Qadr - Towards the end of Ramadan, Muslims observe the "Night of Power," which is when the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to Muhammad.
• Eid al-Fitr - At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate "The Festival of Fast-Breaking."

Hajj

Each year during the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, millions of Muslims make an annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia called Hajj.

• Day of Arafat - During one day of the Hajj, pilgrims gather at the Plain of Arafat to seek God's mercy, and Muslims elsewhere fast for the day.
• Eid al-Adha - At the end of the annual pilgrimage, Muslims celebrate "The Festival of Sacrifice."

Other than these two major observances and their corresponding celebrations, there are no other universally-observed Islamic holidays. Some Muslims acknowledge other events from Islamic history, which are considered holidays by some but not all Muslims:

• Islamic New Year: 1 Muharram
• Ashura: 10 Muharram
• Mawlid an-Nabi: 12 Rabia' Awal
• Isra' & Mi'raj: 27 Rajab

Last Updated Sunday, October 25 2009 @ 12:39 PM EDT|3,598 Hits