MUSLIM The era of the Hejira, commonly called the Mohammedan era, is used principally in Turkey, Persia, Arabia, Egypt and some parts of India. The era is dated from the first day of the month preceding the flight of Mohammed from Mecca to Medina. This day was Thursday, July 16 in the year A.D. 622. Hejira years are purely lunar, always consisting of 12 lunar months, beginning with the approximate new moon. Having no intercalation to keep them to the same season in respect to the sun, these years ret rogress through all the seasons every 321 years.
The names of the months and the number of days in each are as follows : Muharram . . . . 3o Rajab . . . . . 3o Saphar . . . . . 29 Shaaban . . . . 29 Rabia I . . . . . 3o Ramadan . . . . 3o Rabia 2 . . . . . 29 Shawwal . . . . 29 Jomada I . . . . 3o Dulkaada . . . . 3o Jomada 2 . . . . 29 Dulhegga . . . . 29 The last named month (Dulheggia) has, in intercalary years, 3o days. Ramadan, the ninth month, is observed throughout Islam as a fast month. (See CHRONOLOGY: Muslim.)