Muslims across the world have already been marking the Islamic New Year, the beginning of the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Muharram is the second holiest month after Ramadan and, like other Islamic celebrations, its dates vary from year to year. Here are four key facts to know.
What is Islamic New Year?


The Islamic New Year, or Hijri New Year, commemorates the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina. The journey is known as the Hijra (migration) and began the first Islamic year in 622 AD. Muhammad was fleeing persecution from the ruling Quraysh tribe of Mecca, who increasingly viewed him and his claims of prophethood as a threat. He was joined on the Hijra by many followers traveling north to what was then Abyssinia, where they could safely practice their religion. Later Mohammad gained enough adherents to return and conquer Mecca. Thus Hijra marks the beginning of Islam as a community.


Islamic New Year celebrations
Women take part in a parade to celebrate Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calender, in the Tak Bai district of Thailand's southern province of Narathiwat on Oct. 2, 2016.