Important Dates

Eid al-Adha, also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice,” is a major Islamic holiday that commemorates the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. It marks the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage and is observed by Muslims worldwide with communal prayers, the sacrifice of an animal, and the distribution of meat to family, the needy, and friends.

The Day of Arafah is the most important day of the annual Islamic Hajj pilgrimage, when pilgrims gather at the plain of Arafat near Mecca to pray and seek forgiveness. It commemorates the final sermon of Prophet Muhammad, which he delivered during his farewell pilgrimage in 632 CE. Observance of this day, which falls on the 9th day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, is considered essential for the validity of the Hajj.

The FIFA World Cup is an international football tournament first held in 1930 in Uruguay, organized by the sport’s global governing body, FIFA. It has since become the world’s most widely viewed sporting event, held every four years and showcasing national teams competing for the prestigious trophy. The tournament’s history reflects both the global passion for football and significant moments in 20th and 21st-century international relations.

The New Hijri Year marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar, starting with the migration (Hijrah) of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. It is a time for reflection and spiritual renewal for Muslims worldwide, though its observance is generally more low-key than major Islamic holidays like Eid.