Islamic New Year: Amun Jadeed

THE Muslim world celebrates on Saturday, November 26, the Islamic New Year called Amun Jadeed or Al-Hijra the first day of the month of Muharram, which is the first month of the lunar Hijrah calendar. It marks the Hijra (or Hegira) in 622 CE when the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) moved from Mecca to Medina, and set up the first Islamic state.

The Muslim calendar counts dates from the Hijra, which is why Muslim dates have the suffix A.H. (After Hijra). Under the calendar, this is the year 1425 A.H. Although the event is less celebrated than the two major festivals of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha, the Islamic New Year still signals a point for reflection for Muslims.

There is no specific religious ritual required on this day, but Muslims will think about the general meaning of Hijra, and regard this as a good time for "New Year Resolutions.’’ The Qur’an uses the word Hijra to mean moving from a bad place or state of affairs to a good one – and so Muslims may think about how their faith helps them leave behind bad ways of living and achieve a better life.

NCMF Region XI Celebrates Amon Jadeed with meaningful activities and causes. Here are some of the highlighted program of activities which the NCMF Regional Office has sponsored, promoted and engaged:

1. On account of the very timely Mindanao Week of Peace here are activities that Muslims and Non Muslims alike may participate:
a. JOIN NO TO WAR Coalition with BAREFOOT WALK for PEACE, November 24, Rizal Park @ 10 am.
b. Mindanao-Wide LAKBAYAN PEACE CARAVAN, November 28-30
c. PEACE CONCERT @ Matina Town Square on November 30 (7 pm - 1 am)

2. MILLION TAPS FOR PEACE - Taps stands for Thoughts and Acts of Peace, please follow the link http://www.mindanaowomen.org/mcw/?page_id=120 (This is a project of the Mindanao Commission on Women)

3. Launching of the ADULT ARABIC LITERACY and DA'WAH PROGRAM (November 29, 9 am @ Salmonan Arabic Institute) - Classes starts Saturday, December 3, 2011

4. KABISIG GOVERNMENT EXPO in coordination with other agencies of the government at the Abreeza Mall, Davao City

5. Mediation Training (with CORE Group) and Training on Being a Third Sider (with Mindanao Commission on Women) - November 7-9 and November 24-25 respectively

6. Community Service- Forum on Islam once a month. Daily Tahfeez Qur'an between magrib prayer and Eisha prayer. Tafseer Qur'an every Friday before Jum'a Prayer at 11:00AM at Al Munawarah Islamic School, Maa, Davao City

7. Disaster Preparedness Training in coordination with the Integrated Gender and Development of the City Government and National Defense

8. Community and Governance Training in Muslim Communities in coordination with the Office of the Ombudsman Region XI)

9. Support Government Campaign Against Terrorism And Criminality Involving Lawless Muslim Personalities And To Undertake Monitoring, Networking Activities With The Muslim Communities. Serve As Coordinating Body Among The Regular PNP Operating Units, Different Salaam Police And AFP Units In The Conduct Of Operations Against Muslim Personalities Or Muslim Communities Including Arrest, Investigation And Filing Of Cases Against Them To Ensure That The Rule Of Law Is Properly Observed And Human Rights Are Not Violated.

10. Conduct of Office Lectures on Public Office being a Public Trust and other related laws through the Legal Division of the Regional Office.

11. Active Participation in Physical Activities like FUN RUN for a cause during weekends.

and more!