Today is Hijri, also known as Islamic New Year. It is the day that marks the beginning of a new Islamic calendar.
Since the Islamic year is eleven to twelve days shorter than the Gregorian year,
the Islamic new year does not come on the 1st January 2012. While some Islamic organisations prefer determining
the new month (and hence the new year) by local sightings of the moon, most Islamic institutions and countries, follow astronomical calculations to determine future dates of the Islamic calendar.
A day in the Islamic calendar is defined as beginning at sunset and, apart from prayers, is celebrated in the same way we would celebrate new year - With family dinners and gatherings.
The beauty about Hijri is that it is a public holiday for everyone. This means a shorter working week and a long weekend. Tonight itself is 'dry', meaning that alcohol will not be served in hotels or restaurants, so it is unlikely western expats will go out out tonight.
That includes us. We are celebrating at our friends house over a home cooked dinner - And drink!
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