"I join our Muslim brethren and the rest of the members of the Muslim Ummah in celebrating Amon Jadid, the Islamic New Year, which falls on the 1st of Muharram 1425 Hijrah corresponding to the 21st of February 2004," the President said.
Mrs. Arroyo, who is running for President on May 10, noted that every Amon Jadid Filipinos share common hope and earnest resolve for the attainment of peace and happiness in the Philippines, a nation of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.
"We view this occasion with optimism that with understanding and harmony prevailing among our people, we can attain sustained economic growth, not only in Muslim Mindanao but (also) throughout the archipelago," Mrs. Arroyo said.
"It is my wish that this celebration, aside from its religious significance, shall also bring cohesion within our communities in Muslim Mindanao, which is essential to our common struggle against poverty and social injustice," the President said in her Amon Jadid message coursed through the Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA).
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Parouk S. Hussin, in his message, said Amon Jadid is not celebrated like the Eid feasts but it also holds great significance in the Ummah (Islamic community).
"We are on the threshold of another year that has with it an abundance of endowments from Allah Subhanna Wa Taala. He has renewed time to give us a new and better beginning to embark on gainful and just cause," Hussin said.
"It is in this light that I call on the entire Bangsamoro people and all of the ARMM constituents to set on a new vision and goal for the improvement of Mindanao. Utilize your every potential for the benefit of everyone and do not be disturbed by the sacrifices that you have to make," the ARMM chief executive said.
Hussin, senatorial candidate under the Koalisyon ng Katatagan at Karanasan para sa Kinabukasan (K-4), said his goal in the Senate is to bring the just cause of the Bangsamoro people to a higher ground, adding he believes that it is his duty to utilize every opportunity to achieve a final solution to the earnest quest for peace and unity.
"At the moment, I have made a sacrifice by seeking a position in the legislature. The magnitude of the ground works that I had laid down for the region had been tied to another fight that I believe I’m obliged to take on. Nevertheless, it is needless to affirm that ARMM will be my topmost priority," Hussin added.
Muslim countries, especially Saudi Arabia, use the Hijrah calendar that is based on the lunar cycle while the other Muslim countries use the Gregorian calendar for civil purposes and the Islamic time reckoning for religious events.
"Hijrah" means "flight" and it refers to the migration of Prophet Mohammad Sallallahu Allaihi Wassalam in July 622 AD from Makkah to Madina (then called Yathrib) due to persecution being waged by the pagan Arabs against him and a handful of Muslims.
A scholar, Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, said: "Hijrah, no doubt, kindled the light of hope in the hearts of the early Muslims who set a shining example for all Muslims, in every generation, to emulate. It also serves as tool of soulsearching for them to see where they stand vis-a-vis the challenges posed by the honor of being a perfect nation ever raised up for mandkind."
Siddiqi said Hijrah ranks as one of the most important events in Islam’s history, the reason why Caliph Ummar Bin Al-Khattab (683 AD) chose the Hijrah date to calculate years.
"In physical terms, Hijrah was a journey between two cities about 300 miles apart, but in its grand significance, it marked the beginning of an era, a civilization, a culture, and a history for the whole mankind," he said.
From Madina, Islam spread rapidly to the four corners of the globe. God in the Qur’an (9:36) said, "The number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve (in a year) — so ordained by Him that day He created the heavens and the earth."
The Hijrah months are Muharram, Safar, Rabia Awal, Rabia Thani, Jumaada Awal, Jumaada Thani, Rajab, Sha’ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul-Qidah, and Dhul-Hijjah.
