The Islamic New Year begins on MuHarram 1. Their calendar is lunar, which means each month begins with a new moon, and it is shorter than the Gregorian calendar's solar year. Sometimes the Islamic New Year will happen two times in one Gregorian year. The New Year is also the anniversary of Prophet Mohammed's flight from Mecca to Medina in the year 622 A.D. The flight is known as the Hegira.

Muharram is the most special month in the Islam calendar because it is the year when Islam was established. There are no special religions ceremonies, but sometimes there are speeches about Mohammed and his flight to Medina. Some Muslims will fast and say extra prayers during the month.