All invited to Islamic New Year fiesta in Phuket Town

PHUKET: Everyone, regardless of faith, has been invited to mark the Islamic New Year with a fiesta and keynote speakers in Phuket Town on November 8 and 9.

“The event to honor Hijrah 1435 [the upcoming Islamic New Year] will be held on November 8 and 9 at Sanaam Chai Field (map here), opposite Provincial Hall in Phuket Town,” said Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (PPAO) President Paiboon Upatising.

“The Hijrah is one of the most important events in the history of Islam, as it is the narrative of the journey of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina around 1,400 years ago,” Mr Paiboon said.

“Duly, the year of this voyage of spiritual discovery was designated to be year one of the Islamic calendar,” he added.

Experts from the Islamic TV channel Yateem TV will speak on faith-related topics over the two days, and there will be a number of activities and contests for people of all ages, including a “calling to prayer” contest. There will also be stalls selling festive halal food.

“People of all faiths are invited to join us in this celebration – both a recollection of a historic event, and the beginning of the Islamic New Year,” Mr Paiboon added.

— Irfarn Jamdukor