Calendars are an integral part of every day life in many countries and cultures around the globe. They have been used for centuries by cultures across the globe. Saudi Arabia’s official calendar is the Islamic or Hijri calendar. It is based upon the lunar cycles 🇸🇦 📆 …
The Islamic calendar differs from the Gregorian calendar which is widely used around the world 🌎 📆. The Islamic year begins when the first crescent of a new moon appears making it 11 days shorter than its counterpart; additionally dates for Islamic holidays and festivals may change annually ️ 🆕 🌔.
Muslims all over the world use the Hijri calendar even in Saudi Arabia 📆 🇸🇦 🌎. It is based upon the lunar cycles . Each year begins with the sightings of the new moon. The Islamic calendar has twelve months 📆. However unlike the Gregorian the months are not equal in length . The longest month is Muharram. Dhu al-Hijjah is the shortest .
The Islamic calendar is used to figure out the dates of essential spiritual holidays for instance, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha 📆. It is also utilized to mark the start of the Islamic New Year and the start of the holy month of Ramadan 🆕.
The Islamic calendar is also used to determine the dates of the Hajj which is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca 📆. The pilgrimage must take place during the final month of the Islamic calendar Dhu al-Hijjah and the exact dates are determined by the sighting of the new moon 🆕 📆 🌔. The Hajj season is considered a particularly auspicious time for Muslims, and millions of pilgrims from around the world travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the pilgrimage 🌏 ️ 🇸🇦.
The Islamic calendar is also used to determine the dates of the Islamic festivals and holidays including Laylat al-Qadr or The Night of Power which marks the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad 📆.
In Saudi Arabia the Islamic calendar is used in all official documents consisting of birth and death certificates, plethora in business, and financial transactions 🇸🇦 📆 👔. However the Gregorian calendar is also widely used in Saudi Arabia particularly in secular institutions for instance, schools and universities 🇸🇦 📆 🏫.
Moreover to the Islamic and Gregorian calendars Saudi Arabia also uses the Julian calendar for some official purposes 🇸🇦 📆. This calendar was introduced in 45 BC by Julius Caesar and was used in the western world until the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1582 📆.
The Julian calendar is used mainly for agricultural purposes as determining when to sow and harvest crops and when to start the Ramadan fast 📆. It is also used to determine the dates of some Islamic festivals and holidays just like the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday 🎂.
In conclusion in Saudi Arabia the official calendar is the Islamic or Hijri calendar, which is based upon the lunar cycles 🇸🇦 📆. This calendar is used to determine the dates of important religious holidays for instance, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha plethora the start of the Islamic New Year and the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan 🆕 📆. The Gregorian calendar is also widely used in Saudi Arabia particularly in secular institutions for instance, schools and universities and the Julian calendar is used mainly for agricultural purposes 🇸🇦 📆 🏫. … .
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