The Islamic Calendar

religion · timekeeping · moon · Islam

Lunar not solar. The Islamic calendar is based on the moon's cycles instead of the sun's, which is why it has only 354 or 355 days instead of 365 like the Gregorian calendar.

12 months total. Each year contains exactly 12 lunar months, and the calendar is also called the Hijri calendar because it starts from when the Prophet Muhammad traveled from Mecca to Medina.

Religious purposes. Muslims use this calendar to figure out when important dates happen, like Ramadan (the fasting month) and Hajj (the pilgrimage to Mecca that happens once a year).

Official and religious. Most countries where Islam is the main religion use the Gregorian calendar for everyday life and laws, but they use the Hijri calendar for religious events and celebrations.