Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre issues new Hijri calendar

Abu Dhabi: The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre has announced that it has issued the Hijri calendar for the year 1443, which began on August 10, 2021. The calendar is available at Al Jami’ Library.

The package contains a printed calendar and a notebook. They provide crucial information on prayer times in the meridian, sunset times in Abu Dhabi and the rest of the country; major astronomical events; and details about zodiacs, seasons, related land and sea conditions and tidal movements. Additionally, it includes supplications and hadiths that guide individuals on a path to moral virtue.

Integrated content

Apart from providing information such as prayer times, and the times of the Suhail star rise, the calendar includes famous quotes and international days.

The new edition also contains interpretations of scientific and astronomical terms, and notes the corresponding Gregorian months, astronomical cycles, zodiac positions and their effects on humans, climate, nature and agriculture, apart from mentioning the variations in prayer timings from one region to another, as well holidays and annual events.

The content has been arranged and designed in a way that can be easily accessed and understood by every member of society, of all age groups.

Deirat Al-Duroor Wa Al-Tawala’a

The ancient astronomical system called Deirat Al-Duroor Wa Al-Tawala’a aims to impart knowledge about the UAE’s tradition and heritage, as well as revive the skills and wisdom deployed by our ancestors. The ancient system is based on dividing the days of the year in decimals into 36 sections. Each section includes 10 days known as “Dur” that relates to zodiacal and climatic conditions, allowing people to know the appropriate times for planting and harvesting, climatic variables such as winds and rain, breeding seasons of fish and appropriate times for fishing, as well as the migration of wild birds and sea birds.

Al-Duroor calculations are linked with the rise of the Suhail star. The Centre had previously formed a specialized committee to monitor and document the star because of its significance in these calculations, as well as in the study of meteorology and astronomy. All this content is included in the Hijri calendar notebook.

Effective collaborations

The content of the Hijri calendar for 1443 was prepared according to scientific, religious and astronomical guidelines, in cooperation with the competent authorities in the UAE. These authorities include the National Center of Meteorology, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, Sharjah Academy of Astronomy, Space sciences & Technology, the Emirates Astronomical Society, and the International Astronomical Center (Abu Dhabi).

The information in the calendar was approved by specialised committees and teams composed of specialists in Islamic law and astronomy. The content produced is based on years of study and meetings held with scholars and researchers in Sharia and astronomy in the Islamic world. It also takes into account the latest scientific findings of advanced monitoring methods, which have been used with utmost care and accuracy.

Formation of eight committees

The centre formed teams consisting of eight committees to support this project. Many Emirati researchers and scientists contributed to the calendar project. The committees included ones on content, studies and research; design and creative production; development and creativity; content auditing; logistical support; technical support; and electronic publishing.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre is affiliated to the Ministry of Presidential Affairs has been sponsored and followed up by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. The centre was established to be a nucleus for a cultural and intellectual movement focused on the mosque. This is based on the cultural and national values expressed in the concepts and values established by late Sheikh Zayed.