The Islamic Lunar Calendar dictates the celebrations and markings of many religious festivals and religiously significant events for Muslims around the world. It has been in practice since its establishment 1400 years ago in the Arabian Peninsula. The Muslim community, or the Ummah, still apply the Islamic calendar to their religious affairs yet, in this modern era of high-speed communication and global villages, we differ on the application of this calendar and the events of which bind us by faith regardless of global positions.

This article is borne out of a desire to neatly and concisely explain the Islamic Lunar Calendar to the everyday Muslim, in order to nurture their understanding of the subject. It is based on the work of Dr. Salman Shaikh 'Which Hilaal (Islamic Crescent) to Follow? Reasons for Islamic dates confusion and their solution Insha'Allaah' and a lecture delivered by Dr. Usama Hasan in November 2004 at Imperial College London.

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