Inner courtyard of the 17th century Jama Masjid

© Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Image

First month of the Islamic year. Inner courtyard of the 17th century Jama Masjid

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months of the year according to Islam and is the holiest with the exception of the month of Ramadan. Since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, the month of Muharram starts on different dates every year. Some fast on the 10th day of Muharram (today), which is believed to be the date when Moosa (Moses) and his people had victory over the Pharaoh.