Islamic Calendar
The Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno commemorates and celebrates various Islamic Holidays and events. Please refer to our monthly calendar for more information about what events are being commemorated. The list below is organized based on the Islamic Hijri Calendar.

1- Muharram محرّم

* Islamic New Year (1 Muharram)

* Ashura (9, 10 Muharram 1430): The martyrdom of Imam Hussein: See Description below


2- Safar صفر

* Arbaeen of Imam Hussein (20 Safar)

* Martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad, PBUH (28 Safar)


3- Rabi' al-awwal (Rabi' I) ربيع الأول

* Birthday of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH&F) (12 Rabi I): According to Sunni Tradition

* Birthday of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH&F) (17 Rabi I): According to Shia Tradition

* Birthday of Imam Ja'far-us-Sadiq (17 Rabi I)

4- Rabi' al-Thani (or Rabī' al-Akhir) ربيع الآخر أو ربيع الثاني


5- Jumada al-awwal (Jumādā I) جمادى الاولى

* Martyrdom: Sayeda Fatima Zahra (13 Jumada I)


6- Jumada al-Thani (or Jumādā al-akhir) جمادى الآخر أو جمادى الثاني


7- Rajab رجب

* Birthday: Imam Ali Ibn Abu Talib (13 Rajab)

* Mabaath / Prophethood of Prophet Mohammad, PBUH (27 Rajab) According to Shia Tradition

* Isra Wal Miraj (The night journey and the ascension of Prophet Muhammad, PBUH) According to Sunni Tradition (27 Rajab)


8- Sha'aban شعبان

* Birthday of Imam Hussein (3 Shaban)

* Birthday of Imam Mehdi (15 Shaban)

The middle of Sha'ban is a special bight and ICCF recommends fasting on this day.

9- Ramadan رمضان (or Ramzān)

This entire month of Ramadan is special and features several activities. Many nights of Iftar or Breaking-The-Fast are organized. Here are some major events;

* Ramadan starts (1 Ramadan)

* Birthday of Imam Hassan (15 Ramadan)

* First Night of Qadr (18th day of Ramadan / Night of 19th)

* Second Night of Qadr (20th day of Ramadan / Night of 21st)

* Martyrdom of Imam Ali (21 Ramadan)

* Third Night of Qadr (22nd day of Ramadan / Night of 23rd)

* Laylat Al-Qadr / Night of Power (26 day of Ramadan / Night of 27) According to Sunni Tradition


10- Shawwal شوّال

* Eid Al-Fitr (1 Shawwal): The Center celebrates the day of Eid Al-Fitr with prayers at 8:00 AM and serves breakfast afterwards


* Eid Carnival: ICCF organizes the Eid Carnival on the first Saturday in Shawwal

11- Dhu al-Qi'dah ذو القعدة

12- Dhu al-Hijjah ذو الحجة

* The Day of Arafa (9 Dhu-Hijja): The day and night before Eid Al-Adha are considered special. It is the most spiritual moments of Hajj as Pilgrims stand on the plight of Arafat asking Almighty for forgiveness. Fasting is recommended on the 9 of Dhu-Hijja.

* Eid Al-Adha (10 Dhu-Hijja): The Center celebrates the day of Eid Al-Adha with prayers at 8:00 AM and serves breakfast afterwards


* Eid Al-Ghadir (18 Dhu-Hijja):

NOTE: The Islamic Center celebrates only Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha on the same day of Eid. The rest of the holidays or events may be celebrated or commemorated at a different day during that week. Refer to the ICCF Monthly Calendar for more details.

Ashura

Ashura Commemorations:

Ashura, is the 10th day of the month of Muharram, which is the first month in the Hijri Calendar. In Islamic history, Ashura, which took place on the 10th of Muharram, 61 A.H. (Oct. 10, 680), is a solemn day when Muslims commemorate the death of Imam Hussein, the third Imam and grandson of Prophet Muhammad , peace be upon him.

Muslims hold various forms of public and private events to mourn the martyrdom of and to connect with the suffering and death of Imam Hussein. His martyrdom is widely interpreted as a symbol of the struggle against injustice, tyranny, and oppression.

On the night and day of Ashura, Muslims visit the tomb of Imam Hussein in Karbala, Iraq. In many communities spread around the globe, the mood is solemn with extensive rituals, mourning processions and speeches which culminate in performances re-enacting the martyrdom of Imam Hussein.
 

Who is Imam Hussein?

Imam Hussein, c.626–680, third Imam in Shia tradition; son of Imam Ali & Fatima, daughter of Prophet Muhammad . With the assassination of Imam Ali in 661 and the death of Imam Hasan in 50 AH, the caliphate passed out of Imam Ali’s family.

After the death of the Umayyad Caliph Muawiya, his son Yazid assumed the leadership and requested allegiance from Imam Hussein. Instead of clashing with Yazid in Medina, Imam Hussein migrated to Iraq but was surrounded by the army of Yazid outside of Kufa. Imam Hussein led an insurrection of 72 members whom were all killed on the 10th of Muharram in 61 A.H. (Oct. 10, 680), in Karbala.
 

How does the Islamic Center commemorate Ashura?

Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno commemorate the annual tragedy of Ashura by holding various memorial events that tells the stories of the sacrifice of Imam Hussein, his courageous leadership and his devotion to the preservation of Islam.

Commemoration events extends over a period of 40 days in which the Quran is read and reflected upon, stories are told about the leadership of his sister Lady Zainab, especially her courageous stand in the court of Yazid after the death of Imam Hussein.