Gulf states commemorate Muharram's 10th day Youm e Ashura today. Read details here

Youm e Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram, is being commemorated on Monday (August 8) by numerous Muslims around the world. The first day of Muharram was marked on Saturday (July 30) by Gulf states.

Failure to see the moon on Thursday (July 28), resulted in the Gulf States declaring Saturday (July 30) as the day for the Islamic New Year. Countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait, among others, would mark Muharram on Saturday this year. This marks the start of the 1444 Hijrah year. Saudi Arabia declared the date after the new moon was not spotted as expected.

Officials in the UAE said Saturday would be an official and paid holiday for all public and private sector employees.

While the Gulf States have marked the official date and other countries are yet to make an official announcement. Muslims in India, Morocco, Iran, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Singapore, the UK, etc., would also mark the occasion.
Officials in the Gulf states said they could not spot the moon's crescent. So, Saturday was marked as the first date in the Umm Al Qura calendar.

Youm e Ashura fasting
The sighting of the Muharram moon is significant because it also marks the 10th day of Muharram. Islamists believe that fasting on Youm e Ashura is religiously significant. It is because Prophet Mohammed observed a fast on this date in Makkah and Madinah. After Ramadan, fasting became mandatory, and fasting on Ashura was made optional.

1444 Hijral Islamic New Year date
The first month of the Islamic Calendar is the Muharram Al Haram. This is the base upon, which the Islamic Calendar is built.
The calendar was created 1443 years ago, and today it has become a standard part of every Muslim household.