Islamic Holidays Trivia Quiz

Answer: Eid el-Fitr

This is celebrated on the 1st of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. It occurs sometimes in winter or the beginning of spring. NOTE: The Islamic calendar is 360 days long, and is a lunar one, so a particular day in the Islamic calendar doesn't occur on the same day every year in the Gregorian calendar.

Answer: Eid el-Azha

This occurs on the 10th of Zijhajj-sometimes in early summer. It is believed that Abraham offered to sacrifice Ishmael (Isaac, according to Christian and Jewish traditions) but a ram appeared and Abraham sacrificed that instead. Muslims commemorate this event by celebrating Eid el-Azha, a three-day festival in which cows, sheep, goats and camels are sacrificed (it shouldn't be considered that this sacrifice includes mutilating the animal or the usual concept of "sacrifice." The animal is simply killed like other animals).

The meat is divided into three parts: one goes to the poor; one goes to the animal's owner's friends and relatives; and one goes to the owner.

Answer: Mohammed's birthday

Mohammed was born on the 17th of Rabi-Awwal (12th according to Sunni traditions), 40 BH. This was the year 570 AD according to the Gregorian calendar.

Answer: First revelation of the Koran

The first words of the Koran to be revealed (not compiled) were, "Iqra bisme rabbik allazi khalaq..."-Read, in the name of thy Lord, Who created man." The date, however, is disputed upon. It is claimed to be either the 19th, 23rd, 25th or 27th day of Ramadan, 13 BH (610 AD)-sometimes in winter.

Answer: Shab el-Mayraj

It is believed that Mohammed ascended to heaven from the Dome of the Rock. What happened, however, is disputed upon, so I will not go into the details. It happened on the 27th day of Rajab, 2 BH (620 AD).

Answer: Ashura

That was the fateful day when in the year 61 AH (680 AD) Husayn (the grandson of Mohammed) and his band of 72 followers, after being placed under a seige without food and water for three days in Karbala, Iraq, were killed by the armies of Yazid, the Islamic ruler of the time.

Their camp was set to fire and the women and children were sent to prison after being paraded in the streets of Damascus for a long time. This sad event is celebrated mainly by Shia muslims, who start observing it from the 2nd of Moharram-the day Husayn and his followers arrived in Karbala.

This usually falls in summer.

Answer: Ramadan

Answer: 8th of Zilhajj

Every Muslim is strongly encouraged, although not required, to make a pilgrimage to Mecca once his life. Although all parts of Hajj are performed in Saudi Arabia, many Islamic countries have Hajj Day as a holiday.

Answer: 1st of Moharram

However, most Shia Muslims don't celebrate the event, because it occurs the day before they start observing the martydom of Husayn, which actually occurs eight days later.

Answer: last friday of Ramadan

The last Friday of Ramadan was proclaimed by Khomeini to be a holiday until the Israeli army leaves the Palestinian area. It is given the name of Al-Quds. Although many Islamic countries don't have it is a holiday, most people participate in rallies that condemn the Israeli occupation of Palestine.