Question 1

True or false: The Islamic New Year date is fixed on January 1st of the Gregorian calendar.

Accepted Answer

False. The Islamic calendar is lunar, so the New Year shifts about 11 days earlier each Gregorian year. It never lands on January 1st.

Question 2

True or false: The Islamic New Year is celebrated with fireworks and public parties in most Muslim countries.

Accepted Answer

False. It's a quiet, reflective day focused on prayer and remembrance, not festivities. Major celebrations are reserved for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

Question 3

True or false: The Islamic New Year commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.

Accepted Answer

False. The New Year marks the Hijra—Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. His birth is celebrated separately on Mawlid al-Nabi.

Question 4

True or false: The Islamic calendar year number is based on the number of years since the Hijra.

Accepted Answer

True. The Islamic calendar begins with the Hijra in 622 CE, and the year number counts the lunar years since that event.

Question 5

True or false: The Islamic New Year begins with the month of Muharram, not Ramadan.

Accepted Answer

True. Many people assume Ramadan is the start, but the Islamic calendar starts with Muharram. The New Year is marked by the Hijra, not fasting.

Question 6

True or false: The Islamic New Year 1446 AH began at sunset on July 7, 2024.

Accepted Answer

True. 1 Muharram 1446 fell on July 8, 2024 in many countries, so the New Year started at sunset on July 7, as Islamic days begin at sunset.

Question 7

True or false: The Islamic New Year is a public holiday in every Muslim-majority country.

Accepted Answer

False. While many Muslim countries observe it, not all do as a public holiday. Saudi Arabia, for example, does not officially recognize it as a holiday.

Question 8

True or false: Muharram, the first month of the Islamic year, is considered a sacred month for fasting.

Accepted Answer

True. Muharram is one of four sacred months in Islam. Many Muslims fast on the 10th day, Ashura, though it's optional, unlike Ramadan's mandatory fast.

Islamic New Year Trivia Questions