The Hegira Celebration in Comoros

Pupils' performance at Ziraruni place in Itsandra Mdjini 

The new Islamic year is officially celebrated in Comoros for the first time. The idea of celebrating the Islamic year was launched by Prince Said Ibrahim, says Said Toihir Said Ahmed Maulana, the Mufti of the Republic during a ceremony held at the Place of Independence that Tuesday night of 11 September 2018. Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar which is divided in 12 months. And Dhul-Hidja is the last month of the Islamic year.

According to the Mufti, it’s the prophet of Islam himself who decreed that Muharram should be the first month of the Islamic year. It was in 622 A.D. when the prophet Muhammad(peace upon him)-persecuted by his enemies- decided with his companions to leave his native city of Mecca to go to another city called Yathrib which is located far away from Mecca. The first day of Muharram started with that event.

The First of Muharram is celebrated in Comoros as a holyday. It is marked by public enjoyment, religious and cultural ceremonies. Many Islamic schools celebrate that day with many festivals and parades. Soulaimana Ahmed Sadiq is a teacher of a Koranic school in Itsandra Mdjini. He teaches Arabic, the Koran and the history of Islam. His pupils celebrate that day in the afternoon at the mythic and traditional place of Ziraruni in the city of Itsandra Mdjini. They read and cite the Koran and hadiths of the prophet in small groups.  

‘‘As he had many enemies in Mecca, the prophet and his companions went to Medina (a new name given to Yathrib) for three purposes.  He built the first mosque in order to establish a headquarter of the Islamic religion. Second, he needed followers and got many of them in the city. Third, he created the first Islamic state for the Muslims and non-Muslims,’’ said Ahmed Rachid, an Islamic scholar from Itsandra Mdjini.

In his speech at the Place of Independence, Said Harouna, a rambunctious preacher from Salimani Itsandra slammed those who may criticize or insult Abu-Bakr, Omar and Othman the first prophet’s companions. ‘‘They are not Muslims for sure!’’ He said.

Ahmed Rachid giving his speech 

‘‘The celebration of that first day of Muharram at the Place of Independence is a solemn moment in our nation’s history. I promise to do celebrate that day every year and at the same time to assess the political and economic situation of the country,’’ said Azali Assoumani, the President of the Union of Comoros in his closing speech.    

Itsandra Mdjini, 13 September 2018

Chami Mouzawar

Contributing writer