2001-2002 CALENDAR OF IMPORTANT ISLAMIC DATES

(2002-2003 dates are included at the end of this note)

Please Note: Dates are subject to local sightings of the new moon.

November 17, 2001 - December 15, 2001
Ramadan (Islamic month of Fasting)

Islamic month during which Muslims (believers in Islam) fast daily from dawn to sunset as part of an effort towards self-purification and moral excellence. Ramadan is believed to be the month in which the first verses of the Quran (divine Scripture & Final Testament) were revealed by God to Prophet Muhammed between 610 and 633 CE.

December 16, 2001
Eid ul-Fitr (Festival of the Breaking of the Fast)

Holiday occurring after the completion of Ramadan, lasting three days during which Muslims celebrate with special prayers followed by community celebrations.

Feb 21, 2002 - Feb 23, 2002
Hajj (Annual Pilgrimage to Mecca)

The Hajj, or annual pilgrimage to Mecca, consists of several ceremonies meant to symbolize the essential concepts of the Islamic faith, such as submission, brotherhood, and unity, and to commemorate the trials of the Prophet Abraham and his family. Required once in a Muslim’s lifetime, over two million Muslims perform the pilgrimage annually.

Feb 23, 2002
Eid ul-Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice)

Holiday occurring on the last day of the Hajj, lasting four days. It commemorates the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, who was replaced by a lamb.

March 16, 2002
Islamic New Year (1423)

Marks the beginning of a New Year in the Islamic calendar. The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar and therefore moves 10-11 days each year.

Note: There are an estimated 1.5 billion Muslims in the world, making Muslims one of the world's largest religious group. There are an estimated 6-8 million Muslims in America, making Muslims the second largest religious group in the United States. While the majority of American Muslims were born in this country, they are from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds: 42% are African-American, 24% are South-Asian, 12% are Arab, 5% are African, 4% are Persian, and the remaining 13% are European, SE Asian and Turkish.

Important Islamic Dates for 2002-2003