Muslims around the world use the Islamic Calendar to determine the dates of religious events and observances.
We are now in the year 1444 / 1445 of the Islamic calendar, which is also often referred to as the Lunar or Hijri calendar. The calendar dates back to 622 AD - the Hijri Year - after it is believed Muhammad and his followers migrated from Mecca to Medina after being warned of an assassination plot.
The calendar, which is said to be created by Khalifa Umar ibn Al-Khattab, is based on 12 lunar months. To this day the full and crescent moons are used to confirm the beginning and end of each month.
