Muharram is the _______ month of the Islamic Calendar and is considered a holy month. 

Key Points

• Muharram is the first month of the Islamic Calendar.
• It is considered a holy month, second only to Ramadan in its significance in Islam.
• Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year.
• It is a period of mourning for many Muslims, particularly for Shia Muslims who commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, during this month.
• The 10th day of Muharram, known as Ashura, is especially significant and is observed with various rituals and practices.

Additional Information

• The Islamic Calendar is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months in a year of 354 or 355 days.
• It is used to determine the proper days of Islamic holidays and rituals, such as the annual period of fasting and the proper time for the pilgrimage to Mecca.
• Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Islamic calendar does not align with the seasons, as it is purely based on the moon's cycles.
• The Islamic New Year, also known as Hijri New Year, is observed on the first day of Muharram.
• The name "Muharram" means "forbidden," and it is considered one of the four sacred months in Islam during which warfare is forbidden.