Islamic Holidays, A.H. 1430–1431 (2010–2011)

Hegira	Ashura	Mawlid al-Nabi	Ramadan	Eid ul-Fitr	Eid ul-Adha
A.H. 1431 (2010)	---------	26 February	11 August	10 September	17 November
A.H. 1432 (2011)	---------	5 February	01 August	30 August	06 November

Note :Islamic months start when a crescent moon is actually sighted by the appropriate religious authorities, not when the calendar predicts the moon should be seen, festivals and holy days might fall a day before or after the predicted dates, perhaps due to cloud or heavy rain.

Bahrain Specific Public Holidays 2010:-

1 Jan New Year's Day.

1 May Labour Day

16 Dec (two days) National Day.

New Year ( Muharram )

Muharram is the first of twelve months in the Islamic lunar calendar. The Arabic names for the months were known in pre-Islamic times, but the calendar itself was instituted by the second successor (khalifah) to the Prophet Muhammad, Umar ibn al-Khattab. The hijrah, or migration of Muhammad from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE, is the significant event which marks the zero point for the calendar. The lunar year is approximately 354 days in length, about 11 days shorter than the solar year, resulting in the Hijri calendar shifting earlier by about 11 days each year with respect to the commonly used Gregorian calendar.

Ashura

The 10th of Muharram has several important connotations for Muslims. When the Prophet Muhammad settled in Madinah, he encountered Jewish tribes there who fasted on the tenth (ashr) of the month to commemorate the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt under Moses' leadership. Feeling a kinship to Moses, Muhammad instituted a similar fast among the Muslims. Later on, Muslims were commanded to fast during the month of Ramadan, and the fast of Ashura became a matter of personal preference rather than an obligation.Ashura is also significant for Muslims because of a great tragedy that occurred in 61 AH (680 CE). Husayn (the grandson of Muhammad) and about 70 of his family members and supporters were massacred by an Umayyad army on the plain of Karbala in Iraq. Both Sunni and Shi'i Muslims mourn the loss of Husayn and celebrate his example. In Shi'i communities, special commemorative gatherings during the first 10 days of Muharram are common. Return to Muslim Public Holiday list

Milad al-Nabi

Muhammad was born on the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal into a respected family within the Quraysh tribal aristocracy of Makkah. Orphaned at a young age, he worked as an honest and well-liked shepard and merchant, before receiving a call to prophethood at the age of 40. His life story is dear to Muslims, and he is viewed as the model human being. Throughout the past fourteen centuries, Muslims have studied his sunnah (actions and sayings) in order to emulate him. While this effort is a daily one, the Milad al-Nabi (birthday of the Messenger) provides an opportunity for Muslims worldwide to gather informally to discuss Muhammad's teaching and example, to recite poetry and sing praises in his honor, and to reflect on their own spiritual journey. Return to Muslim Public Holiday list

Isra & Mi'raj

Muslims believe that Muhammad's teachings began in 610 CE, after the astounding experience of being visited by the Angel Gabriel and told that he was to be a prophet. He developed a small following in Makkah. In 620 CE, he had another miraculous experience: he was transported from Makkah to Jerusalem on a winged steed, and then he ascended to the heavens from Jerusalem and had an audience with Allah (God). During the experience, he met the prophets Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, and others, whom he led in prayer. Islamic sources state that this experience took place within one night, and he returned to his place of sleep in Makkah before the dawn prayer. For Muslims, the event confirmed Muhammad's role as God's final messenger, and ushered in a new phase of his effort to spread monotheism. Return to Muslim Public Holiday list

Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Muslims fast daily throughout the month from dawn to sunset. Fasting (sawm) is one of the religious duties of Muslims, demonstrating commitment to God's commandments, self-restraint and introspection, compassion for the underprivileged, and the quest for personal piety. Each day, a pre-dawn meal is taken, and the fast is broken at sunset with refreshments and dinner. Ramadan is considered a blessed month because it is the month in which the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed, during Muhammad's retreat in the cave of Hira in 610 CE. The night on which the revelation occurred is called Laylat al-Qadr "the Night of Power"), and is believed to have taken place around the 27th of Ramadan. Return to Muslim Public Holiday list

Eid al-Fitr

One of the two formal religious holidays in Islam, Eid al-Fitr is the joyous "Celebration of Breaking the Fast" and signals the completion of Ramadan. It takes place on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The Eid is marked by a special congregational prayer gathering in the morning, followed by visitation of family and friends, elaborate meals, picnics, gift exchanges and relaxation throughout the day. Return to Muslim Public Holiday list

Eid al-Adha

The second religious holiday in Islam, Eid al-Adha is the "Commemoration of Sacrifice" and reinforces Muslims' connection to the patriarch Abraham. The Eid takes place on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Over several days leading up to the 10th, several million Muslims perform the rites of the hajj (pilgrimage) in and around Makkah, re-enacting the struggles of Abraham and his family in ancient times to live righteous lives committed to God. On the day of Eid, Muslims around the world join with the pilgrims in Makkah in celebrating Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son in fulfilment of God's command. Return to Muslim Public Holiday list