Honoring Reflection and Community 

Looking for a quick, actionable way to acknowledge Hijri New Year? This post gives you a fast, DIY DEI tip you can apply right now.

What is Hijri New Year?

Hijri New Year, also called Islamic New Year, marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar. It starts on 1 Muharram, which shifts each year based on the moon’s cycle. This observance commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s migration (Hijrah) from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE—a key turning point that shaped the Muslim community (Wikipedia).

Unlike other New Year celebrations, this is not typically a festive occasion. Many Muslims observe the day with prayer, reflection, or fasting. In Shi’a communities, Muharram is a sacred time of mourning, particularly during Ashura, which honors the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AP News).

Why Hijri New Year Matters

Hijri New Year holds deep spiritual and historical meaning across Muslim communities. It’s a time to reflect on migration, resilience, and community care—not a party or social celebration. Muharram is one of four sacred months in Islam, where peace, reflection, and remembrance are emphasized.

Understanding this distinction helps workplaces avoid assumptions. Offering acknowledgment and space during this sacred time demonstrates cultural humility, respect, and inclusion.

Let’s explore a workplace-ready action to put this into practice.

One Inclusive Celebration Idea: Create a Quiet Reflection Space

Many Muslim employees may observe Muharram with additional prayer or quiet contemplation. Supporting that with a dedicated reflection space shows meaningful inclusion.

Here’s how to do it:

• Reserve a private, quiet room (like a meditation space, small conference room, or unused office) on 1 Muharram. In 2025, Hijri New Year began on the evening of June 25 through June 26 (Diversiology Calendar).
• Send a team message like: “Today marks the Hijri New Year, a sacred time of reflection for many Muslim colleagues. We’ve reserved [Room Name] as a quiet space for anyone who wishes to pause, pray, or reflect.”
• Offer optional greetings like “Wishing you a peaceful and meaningful Muharram.”
• Avoid scheduling large events or major deadlines on this day, where possible.

Providing quiet space sends a clear message: your workplace respects diverse spiritual rhythms.

Inclusive action doesn’t need to be complicated—it’s about thoughtful, respectful choices.

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Pause & Reflect

What other quiet moments or sacred observances could you honor in your workplace calendar?