Damascus, SANA-The Islamic lunar calendar combines scientific precision with cultural identity, transcending its role as a timekeeping tool to serve as a cosmic system relied upon in advanced scientific applications.

Head of the Syrian Astronomical Association, Dr. Muhammed Alassiry said that the Hijri calendar, which marks the beginning of the year 1447 AH today, is considered the most accurate calendar globally. He explained that it is a self-correcting astronomical system free from human interference—an attribute that has made it a trusted reference even in complex space navigation calculations conducted by international space agencies.

In a statement to SANA, Dr. Alassiry noted that the calendar’s reliance on the moon’s orbit around Earth to determine the start of each month provides an automatic correction mechanism: if the crescent moon is not sighted one night, it will be clearly visible the next. Thanks to this precision, the lunar calendar has become an essential tool for space agencies and astronomers in tracking celestial bodies and planning space missions, given its connection to a nearby astronomical object.

Historically, Alassiry pointed out that the Hijri calendar was officially adopted during the caliphate of Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may God be pleased with him), who dated Islamic events from the Prophet Muhammad’s migration (Hijrah), with the first of Muharram in 1 AH corresponding to July 16, 622 CE.

He added that the lunar year consists of 12 months averaging 354 days, with leap years containing 355 days. The annual difference between the solar and lunar calendars is approximately 11 days.

Alassiry emphasized that the use of the Hijri calendar reflects Islam’s deep connection to science, which explains its global recognition. Even Western countries rely on its astronomical calculations to determine Islamic holidays as official observances, underscoring its credibility in both scientific and practical domains.

Nisreen Othman / Manar Salameh