After celebrating [1] the advent of 2008 [2], Moroccan bloggers now have something else to get excited about…the beginning of 1429 in the Hijra [3] calendar.
The View From Fez wishes [4] all of its readers a happy new year:
Moroccans celebrated the Islamic New Year (1429 anno hegirae) today and we would like to wish all our readers HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Braveheart-does-the-Maghreb shares traditions [5] of new year celebrations in other cultures:
Moroccans will celebrate the Islamic New Year (1429 anno hegirae) Thursday, January 10, a communiqué of the Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs announced on Wednesday.
The Islamic New Year begins with the first day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. This day is celebrated to pay homage to Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) emigration from Makkah to Madinah. Since the Islamic lunar calendar, introduced in 634 A.D., is 11-12 days shorter than the solar calendar, the date of the holiday changes each year.
Agharass, les délires de mes écrits (fr) sends wishes [6] even to extraterrestrials:
Bonne Année Hijri 1429 pour toute la Blogoma [7], c’est l’occasion de vous souhaiter mes sincères souhaits de bonheur, une vie pleins de joie ; partage et amour pour mes lectrices et lecteurs de toute cette planète et pourquoi pas les marciens s’il arrivent a me lire
Finally, citoyenhmida sends a simple message [8] to readers:
A l’ocaasion de la nouvelle année de l’Hégire,
je présente mes voeux les plus sincères de bonheur, de santé et de prospérité
à tous nos compatriotes, d’ici et d’ailleurs!
Creative Commons-licensed photo of the Mohammad al Amin Mosque, Beirut by Muslima 2006 [9]