Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre Unveils Hijri Calendar For 1447 AH With Cultural Insights

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre has unveiled the Hijri calendar for 1447 AH, starting on 27 June 2025. This annual release aligns with the Centre's mission to promote cultural and educational values, showcasing Islamic traditions and the UAE's rich heritage. The calendar provides detailed prayer timings for Abu Dhabi and nearby areas, calculated using meridian and sunset data.

In addition to prayer times, the calendar includes astronomical information such as zodiac signs, traditional seasonal periods known as "Duroor," stellar risings (Ṭawāliʿ), weather patterns important for maritime and agricultural activities, notable monthly astronomical events, and tidal schedules. This serves as a vital reference for understanding the lunar calendar, which is essential for Islamic rituals and cultural practices.

The wall calendar edition offers extensive details of both Hijri and Gregorian calendars. It includes seasonal and astronomical insights, tidal information, Quranic verses, prophetic sayings (Hadith), inspirational quotes from UAE leaders, and traditional Emirati wisdom. These elements emphasize national culture's depth and strengthen generational ties to the UAE’s identity.

This year's Hijri Calendar project features two major publications. The "Hijri Calendar" book provides precise prayer timings based on meridian and sunset calculations, tidal information, supplications (Dhikr), prayers highlighting moral virtues, significant events, and merits associated with each Hijri month.

The "Duroor and Ṭawāliʿ" publication enriches readers' understanding of seasonal cycles, zodiac signs, stellar risings (Ṭawāliʿ), prevailing winds, maritime conditions, lunar phases, and their effects on tides. It celebrates UAE’s ancestral knowledge by preserving local heritage. Both publications are accessible at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Library or downloadable from the Centre’s website: https://www.szgmc.gov.ae/en/.

The Centre has also updated its digital Hijri Calendar App for 1447 AH. This app incorporates prayer timings, Qibla direction, annual events, and comprehensive content from the printed calendar in a user-friendly digital format.

Digital Engagement Initiatives

The Centre continues its popular Hijri Calendar series on YouTube and social media platforms. Hosted by cultural specialists, this series explores the history of the Hijri calendar with detailed explanations of meridian timings, lunar phases' impact on tides, seasonal characteristics, local poetic traditions linked to astronomical events, and ancestral practices like observing the Suhail star.

This series actively promotes Emirati cultural heritage through Instagram by sharing extensive traditional knowledge inherited from past generations. The 1447 AH Hijri Calendar project was developed through rigorous collaboration with prominent UAE entities in scientific, religious, and astronomical fields.

Collaborative Efforts for Excellence

Key partners include the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments; National Centre of Meteorology; International Astronomical Centre (Abu Dhabi); Department of Municipalities and Transport; Sharjah Academy for Astronomy; Space Sciences and Technology; alongside distinguished Islamic scholars; astronomers; Emirati researchers.

Internal teams at the Centre managed editorial processes including research design artistic production logistical technical support digital publishing ensuring excellence accuracy completeness throughout this project.

With inputs from WAM