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Written by Administrator
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Wednesday, 08 October 2008 |
 OSSV celebrates many Islamic events throughout the year. The exact timing of these Islamic events is based on the Islamic or "Hijri" Calendar. Hijri is a lunar calendar (based on cycles of the moon phase) used to date events in many predominantly Muslim countries, and used by Muslims everywhere to determine the proper day on which to celebrate Islamic holy days. It is a lunar calendar having 12 lunar months in a year of about 354 days.
Because this lunar year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, Islamic holy days, although celebrated on fixed dates in the Hijri calendar, usually shift 11 days earlier each successive solar year, such as a year of the Gregorian calendar.
Islamic years are also called Hijra years because the first year was the year during which the Hijra occurred—Islamic prophet Muhammad's emigration from Mecca to Medina. Thus each numbered year is designated either H or AH, the latter being the initials of the Latin anno Hegirae (in the year of the Hijra). Islamic events that occurred before the start of the Hijri calendar –the immigration of the prophet- are donated "Before Hijra" or "BH". The current Islamic Year is 1429 AH (2008 Gregorian). With the intention to raise awareness of and educate its members about such dear events to all Muslims, the OSSV organizes lectures and gatherings to celebrate the occasions. The following are some examples of Islamic events that the OSSV celebrates: | Event Name
| " AlMawlid AlNabawy" (Arabic: المولد النبوي)birth date of the Prophet of Islam, Mohammed | Description: | This occasion is celebrated on the birthday of Prophet of Islam Mohammed (peace be upon him) the 12th day of the month of "Rabi`-ul-Awwal", the 3rd month in the Hijri calendar. | OSSV celebration & Objectives: | Every year, OSSV celebrates this event by gathering its members for the remembrance of the prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) and stressing the values and lessons of his inspiring and great life. The celebration usually starts by a lecture followed by a dinner donated by OSSV members (the aim being the promotion of the act of charity among its members). | |    | Event name: | Eid ul-Fitr or Id-Ul-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر), and Eid al-Adha (Arabic: عيد الأضحى) | Description: | Eid ul-Fitr is a Muslim holiday and days of joy that mark the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid al-Adha is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims and Druze worldwide as a commemoration of prophet Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son, as commanded by Allah. This Eid Annually falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja, the 12th month of the Hijri Islamic calendar. | OSSV celebration & Objectives: | On the day of the celebration -on both Eid(s), OSSV member, just like all Muslims, awake very early, does the first everyday prayer. Then, they attend special congregational prayers held in mosques, large open areas, stadiums and arenas. The prayer is generally short and is followed by a sermon. Worshippers greet and embrace each other with hugs in a spirit of peace and love after the congregational prayer. After the special prayers, OSSV members head to one of the members' houses to share time, joy and food. They spend almost a whole day with each other sharing many activities and joyful moments. The OSSV objective is clearly the raise of such friendly and close relationship among its members through the celebration of these religious days. | |    | Event Name | The Isra and Mi'raj (Arabic: الاسراء والمعراج, al-’Isrā’ wal-Mi‘rāğ) | Description: | Isra and Mi'raj are the two parts of a journey that prophet Muhammad took in one night, in 621 AD (1 BH). The Islamic prayers (five times a day) were prescribed on this event and became obligatory on all Muslims. This event is celebrated on the 27th of Rajab (the 7th month of the Hijri Calendar). | OSSV celebration & Objectives: | Every year, OSSV celebrates this event by gathering its members for a lecture and discussion of the values and lessons learnt from this holy event. After the lecture, OSSV members get together to have food for the goal of promoting friendship. | |    | Event name: | Trivia night and congregational breakfast | Description: | During the fasting month of Ramadan, OSSV organizes a congregational breakfast on which all members share food together at sunset time (breakfast time on days of fasting). After sharing a delicious meal, members get together for a night of fun and joy with the Trivia Competition. Teams are created and prizes are won. | OSSV celebration & Objectives: | OSSV celebrates this event one day in each annual Ramadan. It aims at promoting a friendly spirit as well as improving each other's knowledge during the Trivia competition. | |    |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 07 April 2009 )
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