7/22/2016 Afghan Calendars All RONNA webpages are now in readonly status. Communities of Interest are moving to a new platform. Click here for more information. Afghan Calendars The year 1389 AH Shamsi (Solar) begins on 21 March 21 2010 and corresponds to 143132 AH and 201011 CE. Afghans use three calendars: the traditional Iranian (and Afghan) solar calendar, the Islamic lunar calendar, and the Western Gregorian solar calendar. The first year of the Islamic calendar and the Iranian solar calendar correspond to 622 AH, the year of the Hijra or migration of the Prophet Mohammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina. Since the Islamic lunar calendar has 10 or 11 fewer days in a year than the solar calendars, Islamic holidays occur 10 or 11 days earlier in solar calendar dates each succeeding year. Since the beginning of the lunar month depends on the sighting of the new moon, and since such sightings depend on weather, longitude, and other factors, Islamic holidays may not fall on the precise day expected. Sometimes neighboring countries, such as Afghanistan and Pakistan, celebrate an Islamic holiday on different dates, as happened with the celebration of Eide Qorban (Eid alAdha or the Feast of Sacrifice) in January 2006. In addition, lunar dates begin at sundown rather than at midnight. Pakistanis use the Islamic lunar calendar and the Gregorian calendar but not the Iranian solar calendar. Only Iran and Afghanistan use the Iranian solar calendar, and the two countries give the months different names. Both countries use the signs of the zodiac to distinguish the months; Iranians use the Persian names for the signs of the zodiac and Afghanistan uses the Arabic names. Major Holidays Nowroz (in Afghanistan pronounced like the English words ‘now’ and ‘rose’), the Iranian/ Afghan solar New Year, falls on the vernal equinox, the first day of spring, which is almost always 21 March. This holiday is a preIslamic Iranian secular holiday. In Afghanistan Nowroz is a day when farmers display their produce, somewhat like at county fairs in the United States. Other customs include buying new clothes, spring cleaning, haft miwa (seven fruits) soaked in water, picnics, lavish meals, kite flying, and painted boiled eggs (symbolizing fertility). Often people cook spinach and basmati rice (sabzi chalo) with the spinach symbolizing prosperity. It is traditional for elders to give money, either crisp new bills or shiny coins, to children of the family. Mazare Sharif is the best place to celebrate Nowroz, because of the tulip festival held there and because many pilgrims come to the tomb of Imam Ali. Eide Ramazan (Eid alFitr in Arabic) follows the month of fasting. Eide Ramazan is a three day feast beginning on the first of Shawaal, on or about 10 September 2010. This is a joyous occasion that Afghans celebrate with their families. They enjoy being able to eat and drink during the day. Visiting relatives and buying new clothes are typical activities. This is a good time to celebrate with Muslims and others by having a party. Eide Qorban (Eid alAdha in Arabic) or the Feast of Sacrifice. Eide Qorban is a four day holiday beginning on the 10th of ZulHijjah, on or about 17 November 2010. People in Afghanistan and Pakistan sometimes refer to the two eids as Little Eid and Big Eid, because the Little Eid is three days and the Big Eid is four days long. Eide Qorban is a commemoration of Abraham’s (Ibrahim’s) willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael (Isma`il), at God’s bidding. This is the same story that Jews and Christians know from the Book of Genesis, where Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Just as in the Book of Genesis the angel of God stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac and provided instead a ram for sacrificing, so also in the Qur`an God supplies the sacrificial ram for Ibrahim. Muslims today usually sacrifice a sheep or goat in commemoration. Also at this time Muslims celebrate unity and brotherhood by giving to the poor, especially widows and orphans. When an extended family slaughters a sheep or goat, they share the meat with less fortunate neighbors, and they usually donate the hide to charity. At some of the PRTs, soldiers have provided sheep and goats for slaughter to some poor villages. Since Eide Qorban is a time of giftgiving, it is entirely appropriate for U.S. soldiers not only to provide either sheep or goats but also other items, such as blankets, to the needy. None of the other holidays in Afghanistan approach these three in importance. Afghans (and others) like to celebrate with live music, dancing, and authentic Afghan food on these three holidays. It is a nice gesture to send greeting cards on these holidays. If you are invited to someone’s house for dinner, take a box of chocolates or sweets for the host’s family (no flowers!). Other Important Holidays The Birthday of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) on 12 Rabi al Awwal (27 February 2010) is a national holiday in Afghanistan, which is celebrated mainly in mosques, where stories and songs in praise of the Prophet are offered. NonMuslims should avoid mosques and are discouraged from taking part in these religious matters. Devout Muslims will commemorate LaylatulMe'raj Eve (the Night Journey and Ascension of the Prophet) on the night following 26 Rajab (9 July 2010), but not in a public way. This holiday commemorates night journey of the Prophet from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension from earth into each of the seven heavens. The Dome of the Rock (AlAqsa Shrine) in Jerusalem marks the spot from whence the Prophet ascended—the same spot where the Patriarch Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, according to Muslim belief. The Night of Power (Laylat alQadr), late in the month of Ramazan, is considered by Muslims to be one of the holiest days of the year, because the Prophet received the initial Qur`anic revelation from Allah through the angel Gabriel (Jibril) on this night. Muslims believe that meritorious acts performed during Ramazan are even more meritorious, and that meritorious acts performed on the Night of Power are the most meritorious of all. Militant extremists, of course, consider acts of violence against “infidels” meritorious. https://ronna.apan.org/Pages/AfghanCalendars.aspx 1/2 7/22/2016 Afghan Calendars and that meritorious acts performed on the Night of Power are the most meritorious of all. Militant extremists, of course, consider acts of violence against “infidels” meritorious. In this context, such violent acts become more meritorious during Ramazan and most meritorious on the Night of Power. For Shi`i Muslims, the 10th of Muharram (16 December 2010) is perhaps the holiest day of the year, because it commemorates the martyrdom of the Prophet’s grandson, Imam Husayn. Afghan Calendars The Iranian/Afghan solar calendar for the year 1389 and the Islamic lunar calendar for 143132, as compared to the Gregorian calendar for 201011. Gregorian Calendar Afghan Solar Calendar Gregorian Calendar Dari (Pashtu) 21 Mar 21 Apr Hamal (Woray) 21 Apr 22 May Sawr (Guayay) 22 May 22 Jun Djawzo (Gabargoray) 22 Jun 23 Jul Saraton(Shangash) 23 Jul 23 Aug Asad (Zmaray) 23 Aug 23 Sep Sonbola (Worray) 23 Sep 23 Oct Mizon (Tala) 23 Oct 22 Nov Haqrap (Laram) 22 Nov 22 Dec Qaws (Linday) 22 Dec 21 Jan Djadi (Margumay) 12 Jan 20 Feb Dalwa (Salwaga) 20 Feb 21 Mar Howt (Kab) Islamic Lunar Calendar 17 Dec 15 Jan Muharram 16 jan 13 Feb Safar 14 Feb 15 Mar Rabi alAwwal 16 Mar 13 Apr Rabi asSani 14 Apr 13 May Jumaadi asSani 14 May 11 Jun Jumaadi alAakhal 12 Jun 11 Jul Rajab 12 Jul 9 Aug Sha'ban 10 Aug 8 Sep Ramazan 9 Sep 7 Oct Shawaal 8 Oct 6 Nov ZulQa'dah 7 Nov 6 Dec ZulHijjah Ronna About Ronna Contact Us https://ronna.apan.org/Pages/AfghanCalendars.aspx Support Request An Account Help Desk Hotline COMM: 18084723361 DSN: 3154723361 2/2
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