The event commemorated this Wednesday, July 19 by all Muslims in the world is the Hegira New Year. Muslims therefore celebrate, in the Hijri lunar calendar, the 1st Muharram of the year 1445. This date corresponds to the Hegira, the day announcing the beginning of the exile of the Prophet Mohammed from Mecca to Medina in 622.
A date that goes almost unnoticed among Moroccans. The few faithful celebrate this occasion, others prefer to save themselves for Achoura, celebrated ten days later and considered as the true feast of the holy month of Muharram, Morocco being a land of cultural mixing where religious habits and customs constitute an undeniable richness.
Holiday in its capacity as a religious holiday, “the 1st muharram is a strong moment of reunion and conviviality that I do not want to miss in any case. Taking advantage of the holidays, I prepare couscous and I invite my dear friends and relatives to share this joyous occasion,” says Meryem Adlouni Alami, professor of literature.
A couscous with dried meat or even a Rfissa with chicken beldi, are unbeatable dishes. The culinary taste is at the rendezvous, each region of the country celebrates this sacred day according to its traditions.
“Amazigh families celebrate this day by preparing “Herrbel”, a soup of cracked wheat and whole milk. They also prepare on this occasion round buns encrusted with raisins, ”added our speaker.
This date is also the one that opened a glorious new page for the destiny of Islam. It is the birth of the Umma. The month of Moharram is also one of the four holy months in the Muslim calendar along with Rajab, Dou Al Qieda and Dou Al hijja.
Its name derives from the Arabic word ‘Haram’, which means ‘Forbidden’, she pointed out, adding that ‘it is a month that carries a very special sacred character, and all Muslims are called to share good humor, love and peace”.
The evening of this day knows a different ritual, the women put on henna, Moroccan Andalusian music is heard from all the houses. Families feast on pastries in which honey is the main component, as a symbol of the sun, purity, piety and sweetness.
The Hijri New Year, according to this researcher, is not celebrated as it should be, with the exception of certain families who still want to perpetuate the tradition of their ancestors.
Young Moroccans want to revive this tradition through social networks and text messages. However, it is a consciousness limited to the virtual and to the sending of messages, through which Moroccans attempt to rediscover their Muslim identity.