Al Hijri 1439 begins! Best wishes to all on the occasion of the first day of the Hijri year 1439 on September 22.

Islamic New Year

The new year commemorates the emigration of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) from Mecca to Medina in 622AD. The migration is known as Hijr in Arabic hence the name Al Hijri for the Islamic calendar. The first Muslim community based on Islamic teachings was established thence.

The Islamic calendar has 12 months based on lunar cycles and is usually shorter by 10-12 days compared to the Gregorian calendar. Therefore, the dates of significant events shift each year, as you might have noticed, in comparison to the Gregorian calendar.

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How Do Muslims Mark New Year

Traditionally, the Islamic new year is not a public celebration. In fact Muslims dedicate this day to faith and honor the beginnings of Islam. It is a time for self reflection, historical awareness and a starting point for change.

Muharram and Ashura

The Islamic calendar year begins with the month of Muharram, the second most holy month of the Islamic year, after Ramadan. The Quran states that Allah marked this time as a holy period. It takes its name from the word for “forbidden”. Muharram marks the anniversary of the historical battle of Karbala, when the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Hazrat Imam Hussein ibn Ali (PBUH), was martyred.

Ashura in 2017 is on Sunday, the 1st of October, 2017.

Prayers and fasting build up towards the tenth day of Muharram, known as Ashura, when the massacre at Karbala is remembered. During this solemn time, Muslims refrain from taking part in joyous events. Mourning congregations for Azdaari gather to express grief often involving self-flagellation (Zanjir Zani) by Shia Muslim. Tazia processions and Majlis are organized at Imambargah.  Sunni Muslims fast on Ashura as marked in religious scriptures. They dedicate this day to the rescue of the people of Israel by Prophet Moses from the Pharaoh. They pay respect and gratitude for the prophet Moses.

Muharram in Noida

Daily Majlis are conducted at Imambargah in Noida and Greater Noida from first of Muharram to tenth of Muharram addressed by Pesh Imam Sahib and Islamic scholars. Juloos-e-Ashura held on tenth day of Muharam with alam and tazia, the replica of flags of Imam Hussain’s army and his tomb respectively. The Tazia Julus starts from Sector 12/22 junction and concludes at sector-50.  Traditionally, the Julus or Tazia procession is lead from residence of a devout Muslim in Sector 22 with Tazia and banners. It follows the set route from Chowda Mode near Sumitra Nursing Home, Adobe Chowraha, NTPC, Prakash Hospital, City Center Metro Station Sector 50 Market and finally ended at Imam Baargah at Sector 50.

Alwidai-Majlis is organized for Ziyarat-e-Ashura where everyone pay their last homage to the Tazias. This is followed by Majlis Sham-e-Ghariban or The night of homeless observed right after Asr prayers on the day of Ashura.

The Day of Arbaeen or Chehelum marks forty days after the Day of Ashura, the day Hussain ibn Ali was martyred in the Battle of Karbala. Millions of people around the world mark the Day of Arbaeen by mourning the tragedy that befell Hussain ibn Ali, his family and his companions. Typically, on this day people organise large marches Julus-e-Chehlum in cities across the world to symbolize the eternal nature of Hussain’s revolution and to show they stand for social justice, honor and peace.

Julus-e-Chehlum, is conducted with a peaceful march in Noida  Last year, a peaceful candlelight vigil was organised in the evening by Hussaini Youth Noida in the memory of The Martyrs of Karbala on October 26, 2016 from Noida Stadium Gate# 4 right opposite the Spice Mall.

Muharram 2017

This year’s Muharram schedule as sourced from Facebook page of Imambargah, Sector 50, Noida is as follows.

Majlis will start sharp 8 pm every day from chand raat to 11 Muharram at Imambara, Sector-50, Noida. The program is as follows – Hazrat Ali Asghar a.s. ke jhule ki ziyarat on  6 Moharram, Hazrat Qasim a.s.ki Mehdi ki ziyarat on 7 Moharram, Hazrat Abbas a.s.ki shabihe Taboot ki ziyarat on 8 Moharram, Local gasht, Shabe Ashur Ibadat on 9 Moharram.

Congregation on 10 Moharram at 8 am for Ama’l Yom-e-Ashura at Imambara. A Majlis will be held on10 am at Janab Sadiq Khan’s residence (Address: A-69 Sec-22 Noida). This will be followed by Julus-e-Aza to Imambara Sec50. Faqah shikni, Namaze Maghribain, Majlis Sham-e-Ghariban will be held.

Zakir: Maulana Ghulam Haider Qibla of G. Noida.
Soz: Janab Ali Abbas Kazmi sb. & Janab Hasan Naqvi sb.
Noha: By Anjuman

Get in touch with Ashjay Zaidi (9810134710), Najmi Zaidi (9310648786), Hasan Naqvi (9717300084), Javed Khan (9654292065) under the aegis of Anjuman Nasirane Ahlebait (Noida).

(Updated on September 22)

You can know more about Tazia procession in Noida here. Continuing this series we will update you of various Imam Bargah in Noida. Find the list of Mosques in Noida here and here.

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