Isra and Mi'raj in Australia
Many Muslims in Australia observe Isra and Mi'raj (Al Isra' wal Miraj, Lailat al Mi’raj, or Laylat al Miraj). This event commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascent into heaven. It is observed on the 27th day of Rajab, the seventh month in the Islamic calendar.
What do people do?
Many Muslims in Australia observe Isra and Mi’raj on the 27th day of Rajab (Islamic calendar month). Customs and traditions may vary but many Muslims spend the evening praying either at home or at mosques. Some mosques and Islamic centers hold prayer services or sermons on this day. Some Muslims celebrate the event over two days. Work environments vary in Australia but some organizations, including some educational institutions and government agencies, may offer staff members the chance to request a day off for religious or cultural observances such as Isra and Mi’raj.
This event gives Muslims in Australia the chance to reflect on the importance of prayer. It is a time for people, particularly children, young people and students, to learn more about Isra and Mi'raj, what it means in Islamic faith, and how it is applied in practice. Some people learn about Isra and Mi’raj by listening to scholars on CD or audiotape while others read material obtained from bookstores, libraries and other resource centers. Some lectures on Isra and Mi’raj feature special guest speakers from other parts of the world.
Isra and Mi’raj is not an official public holiday in Australia. There may be some local congestion on roads around major mosques in the evening of the event.
Isra and Mi’raj is a two-fold event that commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascent into heaven, according to Islamic belief. One night during the 10th year of Muhammad’s prophecy, the angel Gabriel woke him and traveled with him to Jerusalem. Muhammad prayed at the site of the Temple of Solomon with the prophets Abraham, Moses, Jesus and others.
The Prophet Muhammad then rose to heaven (carried by Gabriel) from the rock of the temple mount, where many people believe that the Dome of the Rock sanctuary now stands. Allah instructed Muhammad about the five daily prayers that all Muslims must observe. This day is also known as the Night Journey.
About Isra and Mi'raj in other countriesRead more about Isra and Mi'raj.
Isra and Mi'raj ObservancesNote: Regional customs or moon sightings may cause a variation of the date for Islamic holidays, which begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday. The Islamic calendar is lunar and the days begin at sunset, so there may be one-day error depending on when the New Moon is first seen.
|Weekday||Date||Year||Name||Holiday type||Where it is observed|
|Fri||Feb 23||1990||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Tue||Feb 12||1991||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Sat||Feb 1||1992||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Thu||Jan 21||1993||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Mon||Jan 10||1994||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Fri||Dec 30||1994||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Wed||Dec 20||1995||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Sun||Dec 8||1996||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Fri||Nov 28||1997||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Tue||Nov 17||1998||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Sat||Nov 6||1999||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Thu||Oct 26||2000||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Mon||Oct 15||2001||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Fri||Oct 4||2002||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Wed||Sep 24||2003||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Sun||Sep 12||2004||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Thu||Sep 1||2005||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Tue||Aug 22||2006||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Sat||Aug 11||2007||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Thu||Jul 31||2008||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Mon||Jul 20||2009||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Fri||Jul 9||2010||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Wed||Jun 29||2011||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Sun||Jun 17||2012||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Thu||Jun 6||2013||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Tue||May 27||2014||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Sat||May 16||2015||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Thu||May 5||2016||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Mon||Apr 24||2017||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Fri||Apr 13||2018||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Wed||Apr 3||2019||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
|Sun||Mar 22||2020||Isra and Mi'raj||Muslim|
Quick FactsIsra and Mi'raj (Isra Me'raj, Israa and Mi'raaj, Laylat Al-Isra wa Al-Miraj, Lailat al Miraj, Night Journey and Ascension to Heaven) marks the night when the Prophet Mohammad traveled from Mecca to Jerusalem, ascended to heaven and returned.
Isra and Mi'raj 2015Saturday, May 16, 2015
Isra and Mi'raj 2016Thursday, May 5, 2016
Name in other languages
|Isra and Mi'raj||English|
|Isra und Mi'radsch (Himmelfahrt Mohammeds)||German|
List of dates for other years