Afghan Calendar

By Abdullah Qazi
June 10, 2018

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s official calendar is the Solar Hijiri calendar. National holidays like Independence day, and cultural holidays like Nowroz (New Year’s Day) are based on the Solar Hijiri calendar. However, religious Islamic holidays like Eid Al-Fitr are celebrated according to the Lunar Hijiri calendar. Both calendars start with 622 A.D (Gregorian calendar), the year Prophet Mohammad made his Hijrah (migration) from Mecca to Medina.

The names of the months in the Solar Hijiri calendar correspond to the signs of the Zodiac. The first day of the year (Nowroz) starts on March 21st of the Gregorian calendar.

Afghan Months

  1. Hamal – Aries (March 21)
  2.  Sowr – Taurus (April 21)
  3. Jowzaa – Gemini  (May 22)
  4. Sarataan – Cancer (June 22)
  5. Asad – Leo (July 23)
  6. Sumbula – Virgo (August 23)
  7. Meezaan – Libra (September 23)
  8. Aqrab – Scorpio (October 23)
  9. Qows – Sagittarius (November 22)
  10. Jadee – Capricorn (December 22)
  11. Dalwa – Aquarius (January 21)
  12. Hoot – Pisces (February 20)

Islamic Months

  1. Muharram (1st month)
  2. Safar
  3. Rabi’ ul-Awal
  4. Rabi ul-Akher
  5. Jamadi ul-Awal
  6. Jamadi ul-Akher
  7. Rajab
  8. Sha’ban
  9. Ramadan (month of fasting)
  10. Shawwal
  11. Zu ‘l-Qa’da
  12. Zu ‘l-Hijia (last month – Muslims go on the hajj – pilgrimage to Mecca)

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