Happy Islamic New Year! May the year 1445 be filled with blessings of peace and prosperity for you and your family.

The Islamic calendar is based on 12 lunar months, the sighting of a new moon determines the start of a new month. Wednesday marked the start of the month of Muharram, which is the first month of the Islamic calendar and considered by Muslims to be one of the most sacred of months.

A man came to the Prophet (pbuh) and asked him: “Which fasting is better after the month of Ramadan?” He said: “The month of Allah which is called Muharram.”

Many significant events occurred during Muharram. The first day of this holy month is known as the Islamic New Year, Al Hijri, it is reported Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) migrated from Mecca to Medina during this time. The migration was due to continued threats to the Prophet’s (pbuh) wellbeing and even his life. The spread of Islam was growing enormously to the dismay of some and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was becoming very unpopular among many and they sought to silence him. Allah commanded Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to flee to a less hostile place which was Medina.

Also during this month, many years later after the migration, Prophet Muhammad’s beloved grandson, Imam Hussain, was killed in the battle of Karbala, together with other family members.

Muslims are encouraged to celebrate the New Year by extra devotion and prayer as well as feeding the poor and other acts of kindness. We are encouraged to celebrate among friends and family.

The day of Ashura is also celebrated on the 10th Muharram and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) encouraged fasting on this day. Many Muslims also fast on 9th Muharram as well as fasting helps to erase past sins as well as we are finding out, has many health benefits. Fasting is good on many counts, physically, mentally and spiritually.

Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said, “I never saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) so keen to fast any day and give it priority over any other than this day, the day of ‘Ashura’, and this month, meaning Ramadhan.” (Sahih Al Bukhari)

Let us take advantage of the many blessings bestowed to us in this sacred month of Allah by reflecting on the mercy and compassion of Allah and being grateful. Let us show love for Allah, our fellow men and all creatures big and small.

Bermuda, we the Muslims are your brothers and sisters and we wish for you what we wish for ourselves, so it is only befitting that we wish you all a

Happy Islamic New Year filled with all that is good!

As salaam alaikum.

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam