calendar of Islam

Blessed Nights and Days of the Islamic Year

Like in all religions and cultures stemming from the Middle East, the calendar of Islam

depends on the cycles of the seven days of the week, the months according to the phases of

the moon and the year.

In this calendar Muslims have established:

Friday as a special day of congregation in the week,

Ramadanas a blessed month of fasting with Lailat al-qadr, a blessed “night of power”

two major feast days, Eid al-fitrand Eid al-adha, connected with the last two pillars of Islam,

fasting and pilgrimage,

one day and a blessed night commemorating the Prophet Muhammad,

one day commemorating other prophets

and Shi’ah Muslims days of remembering and mourning.

In addition local Muslim culture and folk traditions have also adopted festivals of other

religious or cultural origins.