Islamic New Year 1438: What is Muharram 1438 and Ashura fasting? All you need to know about the Muslim celebration

• 15:37, 3 Oct 2016
• Updated 15:37, 3 Oct 2016
• By Kirstie McCrum

Muslims worldwide are marking the first month of the Islamic calendar, but what exactly is the Islamic New Year all about? Here's everything you need to know

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An Ashura celebration for men in an Anjuman-E-Burhani Mosque

Muslims worldwide are commemorating the Islamic New Year observance this weekend.
Also known as Hijri New Year, it falls in the second holiest month in the religion's calendar following only Ramadan.
As well as marking the beginning of Islamic year 1438, the celebration allows Muslims to think about what they want from their own lives.
Although schools in the UK do not give time off to Muslim children for the celebration, in their homes they may see feasting and fasting for the event.

Here's everything you need to know about the Islamic New Year.

What is Islamic New Year?

Islamic or Hijri New Year is the day that marks the beginning of a new Islamic calendar year, this year falling on October 3.
The date actually changes with the moon as the Islamic calendar is lunar, so next year it will shift to September 22, 2017.
The Islamic lunar year is eleven to twelve days shorter than the solar Gregorian year, which is why dates differ.
The date is the first day of the holy month of Muharram, and it's common for a day in the Islamic calendar to be defined as beginning at sunset.

How do worshippers celebrate?

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Kapitan Keling Mosque in George Town, Penang, Malaysia

Muharram is marked as the second holiest month of the Muslim calendar, coming after Ramadan.Prayers and fasting feature in daily observances, building up to the 10th day, the Day of Ashura when some fast during the hours of daylight on the ninth and 10th, reports Time and Date .
It is said to be in commemoration that Noah left the ark and that God saved Moses from the Egyptians.
For Shi'a Muslims, the Day of Ashura is also a day of mourning for Husayn ibn Ali, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammed who was martyred in 680 CE at Karbala, in modern-day Iraq.

What do worshippers eat on Ashura after fasting?

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Many Shiites across the world mark Ashura, the tenth day of the month of Muharram, with self-flagellation

Ashure or Noah's Pudding is a firm fixture, with traditionally at least seven ingredients, but regional variations.Ingredients may include water, grains, pulses, fresh and dried fruit, salt and honey.
The dish may be garnished with sesame seeds, rose water, nuts and pomegranate seeds.

What else is involved?

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Afghan Shi'ite Muslim men flagellate themselves during an Ashura procession in Kabul

Some Shi'a Muslims self-flagellate as part of a mourning ritual for Husayn ibn Ali on the Day of Ashura.Sunni Muslims look at Ashura as a day of “respect and gratitude” (for Prophet Moosa and his nation), while Shia Muslims believe that day to be a day of mourning and sorrow, explains Iqra Sense .