Crescent of Muharram was spotted, 20th August is the 1st day of New Hijri Year 1442
The crescent of Muharram, the first month of Islamic Calendar has been spotted by the Astronomical Observatory unit at Majmaah University Observatory in Hotat Sudair on Wednesday.
Thursday (20th August 2020) will be the first day of the new Hijri year 1442.
What is Hijri Year or Islamic new Year?
- The Hijri year or Islamic calendar year is of 354 or 355 days unlike the regular Gregorian calendar 365 or 366 days. The Hijri year is 11 to 12 days lesser than regular calendar, The calendar is completely based on the moon, while the regular calendar works on the solar days.
- Like Gregorian calendar, Islamic calendar also consists of 12 months, Each month is of 29 or 30 based on the moon cycle of the month.
- Most of the people in Saudi Arabia follows Hijri calender, especially in iqama, visa, etc,. and also in payments like rents, bills, etc,. Earlier, all the companies use to follow Hijri calendar for paying salaries to the workers, Now most of them are shifted to the Gregorian calendar based payments.
