«He that flies his homeland for the cause of Allah shall find numerous place of refuge in the land and great abundance.» Surah IV, An-Nisa, v. 97-100.

A new year marks the renewal, the birth and new beginnings.
On the occasion of the first of Muharram 1429 AH, I extend my heartiest congratulations to Rifat ef. Fejzić, Reis-ul-ulema, high dignitaries and all the Faithful of the Muslim community of Montenegro and the diaspora.
May this great day, as the tradition commands, be a time for reflection on the Hijra and the year to come, and bring you all prosperity, stability, peace of hearts and unity of destiny with all the other communities in Montenegro.

Pierre Olivier LEROY

Al-Hijra, the Islamic New Year, begins the first day of Muharram, first month of the Muslim lunar calendar. It marks the Hijra [1] when Prophet Muhammad [2] and His first followers moved in September 622 CE from Makkah [3] — in present day Saudi Arabia — to the oasis of Yathrib [4], 320 km North of Makkah on the ancient caravan route that connected Makkah with Syria.
The Muslim calendar counts dates from the Hijra, which marks the official birth of the Umma, the Muslim community. Islamic years are followed by the suffix “AH”, which stands for “After Hijra” [5]. In 2008, Al-Hijra falls on Thursday, the 10th of January in the Gregorian calendar, and starts the Muslim year 1429 AH.