Today, Thursday 20th August is the Islamic New Year based on the Ummul Qura system and according to Islamic Relief UK. Although, according to many Muslims the exact date will have to be determined by an actual moon sighting so it may vary from this by a day.
The Islamic year begins with the month of Muharram which holds special significance for the Muslims, particularly the 10th Muharram. Sunni Muslims fast on that day believing that this was the day God delivered Moses and his people from Pharaoh whereas Shiah Muslims mourn the martyrdom of Imam Husain, the prophet’s grandson, which occurred on that day in the Islamic year 680 AH.
For Baha’is, the the first two days of Muharram are holy as they are the days of the Birth of the Bab and Baha’u’llah. The Bab’s birthday was on the first day of the month of Muharram and Baha’u’llah’s birthday on the second day of the same month although they were born two years apart, the Bab in 1819 and Baha’u’llah in 1817.
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The Báb was a young merchant of the Pure Lineage. He was born in the year one thousand two hundred and thirty-five [A.H.] on the first day of Muharram, 1 and when after a few years His father Siyyid Muḥammad-Riḍá died, He was brought up in Shíráz in the arms of His maternal uncle Mírzá Siyyid ‘Alí the merchant. On attaining maturity He engaged in trade in Búshihr, first in partnership with His maternal uncle and afterwards independently. On account of what was observed in Him He was noted for godliness, devoutness, virtue, and piety, and was regarded in the sight of men as so characterized.
Abdu’l-Baha’, A Traveler’s Narrative, pg. 4
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For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6-7
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And BAHA’U’LLAH shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see Him together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
Isaiah 40:5
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Arise, shine; for thy BAHA is come, and BAHA’U’LLAH is risen upon thee.
For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his BAHA shall be seen upon thee.
And the Gentiles shall come to thy BAHA, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Isaiah 60:1-3
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Praise be to Him through Whose splendours [Ishraqat] the earth and the heavens are aglow, through Whose fragrant breathings the gardens of holiness that adorn the hearts of the chosen are trembling for joy, to Him Who hath shed His light [BAHA] and brightened the face of the firmament. Verily there appeared luminous and sparkling stars, glittering, shining out, and casting forth their rays upon the supreme horizon. They derived their grace and brilliance from the bounties of the ABHA Realm, then, stars of guidance, they poured down their lights upon this earth.
Praise be to Him Who hath fashioned this new era, this age of majesty, even as an unfolding pageant where the realities of all things can be exposed to view. Now are clouds of bounty raining down and the gifts of the loving Lord are clearly manifest; for both the seen and the unseen worlds have been illumined, and the Promised One hath come to earth and the beauty of the Adored One hath shone forth.
Salutations, blessings, and welcome to that Universal Reality, that Perfect Word, that Manifest Book, that Splendor [BAHA] which hath dawned in the highest heaven, that Guide of all nations, that Light [BAHA] of the world–the billowing ocean of Whose abounding grace hath flooded all creation, in such wise that the waves thereof have cast upon the sands of this visible world their shining pearls. Now hath the Truth appeared, and falsehood fled away; now hath the day dawned and jubilation taken over, wherefore men’s souls are sanctified, their spirits purged, their hearts rejoiced, their minds purified, their secret thoughts made wholesome, their consciences washed clean, their inmost selves made holy: for the Day of Resurrection hath come to pass, and the bestowals of thy Lord, the Forgiving, have encompassed all things. Salutations and praise be unto those luminous, resplendent stars that are shedding down their rays from the highest heaven, those celestial bodies of the girdling zodiac of the ABHA Realm. May Glory [BAHA] rest upon them.
Abdu’l-Baha’, Selections #19 (exc.)