1. CALENDARS AND HOLIDAYS

2. THIS WEEK WE HAVE A DAY OFF SCHOOL – DO YOU KNOW WHY?

3. IT IS ISLAMIC NEW YEAR (MAAL HIJRA)

4.  How many days are there in a Western calendar year?  The Islamic calendar has 12 months but is shorter.  It is 11 days shorter so it is -------- days.

5.  The Islamic calendar is based on the movements/revolutions of the Moon.  Each month of the Islamic calendar officially begins when the lunar crescent is first seen after the new moon.  However, this is not always an exact time because the sky could be cloudy! Many rely on the official announcements as to when each month begins or when certain holidays begin.

6.  Thursday 15 th October 2015 is the official day given for Islamic New Year.  If the Islamic calendar moves 11 days forward each year, what date will it be next year?

7.  The celebration of Islamic New Year (Hijra) is usually quiet. Muslims gather in mosques for special prayers.  A major part of the holiday is the telling of the story of Mohammad’s flight from Medina to Mecca which marked the Hijra.

8.  The importance of the lunar crescent is also partly the reason why many majority Muslim countries have the shape in their flags. Do you recognize any of the following?

9.  Take a look at the moon this week and check which stage it’s in.