Muslims worldwide are marking the beginning of the new Hijri year 1437 on Thursday. The day marks the beginning of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. It is also known as the day in which Muslims celebrate the Hijrah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Makkah to Madina.

It commemorates the Hijra or the migration of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his followers to the city of Madina, Saudi Arabia in 622 CE. This migration for freedom to worship one God, marked the beginning of the Islamic calendar and has since come to be known as Hijrah in the Islamic world.

Ashura, another important religious occasion, is observed on the 10th day of the month of Muharram with prayers, fasting and supplications. `Ashura marks the killing ofImam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in 680 in Karbala. Fasting the 9th and the 10th of Muharram is a Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that goes back to a long time before Imam Hussein.

For Sunni Muslims, ‘Ashura’ marks the day that Prophet Musa, peace be upon him, was saved from the Egypt’s pharaoh. Muslim scholars have agreed that it is good to fast on the day of `Ashura’, although it is not obligatory.

To usher in the new year on a spiritual note, VOC is once again embarking on a Khatam-al Quran programme. For Muharram 1437, VOC staff will be reciting 21 ghatams. Listeners are invited to join in at the Tennyson Road Masjied in Saltriver from Magrieb on Thursday evening to conclude the ghatam followed by a Thikr. ON ISLAM/VOC