UNDERSTANDING and following the lunar calendar in our daily activities is a religous duty which we owe our Lord because it was the practice of our predecessors.

From the caliphacy of Sayyidina Umar bn Alkhattah who opened the Islamic calendar in commemoration of the prophet’s emigration (Hijrah) from Makkah I-Mukarama, the obligation of the Muslims towards institutionalising the Hijrah calendar is to start using the date in their private institution (such as schools and colleges,hospitals and market).

This shall pave the way for its future approval and endorsement by the government to entrench the Hijrah calendar in her annual programme and calendar.

Also, the Hijrah calendar should be used in dating our letters and text messages. Besides,our Imams and Alfas should keep emphasising and re-echoing it into the hearing of the congregations during the Friday sermons so that the date would be at the fingertips of every Muslim young and old.

In addition, the monthly financial contribution boards in every mosque should date Muharram and Sofar instead of January and February in line with what Allah has given to them, and embrace Allah’s blessing instead of poke nosing into that which does not concern them.

May Allah’ bless us in this new Hijrah year (1433H) and grant us long life to witness many more in peace and security.