A Glimpse At Afghanistan's Unique Calendar And Timekeeping Traditions

The date in Afghanistan is currently May 16, 2024, in the Gregorian calendar. In the Islamic calendar, the date is 6 Dhu al-Qidah 1445. Afghanistan follows AFT (Afghanistan Time) which is UTC/GMT +4:30 hours.

Afghanistan's time zone

Afghanistan uses Afghanistan Time (AFT) as its time zone. Unlike most countries, Afghanistan has a half-hour time offset, UTC+4:30, meaning it is four and a half hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). This is the same as GMT/UTC plus four and a half hours. Afghanistan is nine and a half hours ahead of the United States when the US is on standard time, and eight and a half hours ahead when the US is on daylight saving time.

Afghanistan does not utilise daylight saving time (DST) or summer time, so it does not change between summer and winter clocks. Afghanistan Time is used across the whole nation and all its territories.

The IANA time zone identifier for Afghanistan is Asia/Kabul.

The Hijri date in Afghanistan

Afghanistan, officially known as the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, uses the Solar Hijri calendar as its official calendar. This calendar is based on the Solar Hijri calendar, which is one of the various Iranian calendars. The Solar Hijri calendar is a solar calendar that starts on the March equinox as determined by the astronomical calculation for the Iran Standard Time meridian (52.5°E, UTC+03:30). It has 365 or 366 days in a year.

The Solar Hijri calendar is the modern principal calendar in Afghanistan and is sometimes referred to as the Shamsi calendar or the Khorshidi calendar. It is abbreviated as SH, HS, or AHSh. The ancient Iranian Solar calendar, upon which the Solar Hijri calendar is based, is one of the oldest calendars in the world and is considered the most accurate solar calendar in use today.

The Solar Hijri calendar and the Lunar Hijri calendar (commonly known as the Islamic calendar in the West) both count from the Hijrah, which is the year Prophet Muhammad made his journey from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. However, the Solar Hijri calendar uses solar years, while the Lunar Hijri calendar uses lunar years.

In Afghanistan, the names of the months in the Solar Hijri calendar correspond to the signs of the Zodiac. For example, the first month, Hamal, corresponds to Aries, and the second month, Sowr, corresponds to Taurus. The first day of the year, Nowruz (New Year's Day), falls on March 21st of the Gregorian calendar and is a significant cultural holiday in Afghanistan.

While the Solar Hijri calendar serves as the official calendar in Afghanistan, the Taliban have imposed the use of the Lunar Hijri calendar during their rule. With the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, the country has once again transitioned from the Solar Hijri calendar to the Lunar Hijri calendar.

Afghanistan's weather

In May, for instance, Kabul, the capital city, has an average temperature of 53°F, while Kandahar, a city in the south, has a temperature of 80°F. Kabul's weather is partly cloudy, with temperatures around 50°F, while Kandahar experiences hotter conditions.

However, Afghanistan is prone to unpredictable and extreme weather events. In May 2024, flash floods ravaged the country, causing a humanitarian emergency. More than 300 people lost their lives, and over 1,000 homes were destroyed. The provinces of Badakhshan, Ghor, Baghlan, and Herat were the worst affected, with thousands stranded without access to essential services. The Taliban, who control the country, have instructed their ministries to use all available resources for rescue and relief operations.

The weather conditions in Afghanistan can be challenging, with varying temperatures and the constant threat of natural disasters, such as flash floods, which have a devastating impact on the country and its people.

Afghanistan's moon phases

Moon phases are determined by the relative positions of the Earth, moon, and sun. As the moon orbits the Earth, the amount of the moon's illuminated surface visible from Earth changes. This change in the moon's appearance is known as the moon's phase.

On December 4, 2023, the moon phase in Kabul, Afghanistan, was a Last Quarter moon with 55.7% illumination. The moon was located in the constellation of Leo, with a Sagittarius horoscope. The moon rose at 11:08 PM and set at 12:04 PM the next day, for a total duration of 11 hours and 4 minutes.

The moon's cycle for the remainder of 2023 in Kabul, Afghanistan, is as follows:

• December 4, 2023: Last Quarter (55.7% illumination)
• December 13, 2023: New Moon (0.15% illumination)
• December 19, 2023: First Quarter (50% illumination)
• December 27, 2023: Full Moon (100% illumination)

In April 2024, Kabul will experience a Waning Crescent moon, with 3.8% illumination on April 7 and 10:50 PM moonrise, and a Waning Crescent moon again on April 24, with 4:18 AM moonrise.

The next full moon in Afghanistan will be on September 18, 2024.

Afghanistan's public holidays

Religious Holidays

Afghanistan's religious holidays are centred around the Islamic faith and its important figures. These include:

• Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan): Marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr is a joyous occasion where people visit friends and family, exchange gifts, and wear new clothes.
• Eid al-Adha/Eid al-Qurban (Feast of Sacrifice): This holiday commemorates the willingness of Prophet Abraham to sacrifice his son, as described in the Islamic tradition. Muslims performing the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca sacrifice a lamb, with the meat given to the poor. Eid al-Adha is celebrated similarly to Eid al-Fitr, with social gatherings and gift exchanges.
• The Night Journey of the Prophet: This commemorates an important event in Islamic tradition, the Miraj, when the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.
• The Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad: Falling on the 12th day of the month of Rabi al-Awal in the Islamic calendar, this holiday includes prayers and celebrations honouring the Prophet.
• Ashura: Observed on the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar, Ashura is a day of mourning. It commemorates the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussain, and his followers at the Battle of Kerbala.

National Holidays and Commemorations

Afghanistan also has several national holidays and commemorations that mark significant historical events:

• Independence Day (Jeshen): Celebrated on August 19, this holiday marks Afghanistan's independence. Although Afghanistan was never a British colony, this date commemorates the end of British control over its foreign policy following the Third Anglo-Afghan War.
• Anniversary of the Withdrawal of Foreign Troops: Commemorating the withdrawal of foreign military forces from Afghanistan.
• Anniversary of the Return to Power: This holiday might move to August 15.
• Martyrs and Ahmad Shah Masoud Day: Honouring those who have sacrificed their lives for the nation and a revered national hero, Ahmad Shah Masoud.
• New Year's Day (Nowruz): Marking the first day of spring on March 21, Nowruz is the New Year celebration in Afghanistan, following the solar calendar.
• International Workers' Day: Celebrated in many countries worldwide, this day honours the contributions and rights of workers.

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