# data[].attributes.body
The Songhai Empire covered a large amount of western Africa, in what is modern-day Senegal. Niger, Gambia, Mali and Nigeria.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Muhammed Toure / Askia Muhammad I (c. 1442-1538) | The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Muhammad Toure, also known Askia Muhammad I and Askia the Great, was a ruler of the Songhay (or Songhai) Empire of West Africa in the late 15th and early 16th centuries.

# data[].attributes.body
The Songhai Empire started in the 1800's AD but was at its height between the 15th and 16th century(1400's-1500's).

# data[].attributes.body
Although many people practiced traditional West African religions, Islam was the dominant religion in the Songhai

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Celebrations for Muslims around the world

Muharram (1 Muharram): The Islamic New Year

The month of Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic liturgical year. The Islamic year begins on the first day of Muharram, and is counted from the year of the Hegira ( anno Hegirae) the year in which Muhammad emigrated from Mecca to Medina (A.D. July 16, 622).

The Islamic new year is celebrated relatively quietly, with prayers and readings and reflection upon the hegira.

Mawlid al-Nabi (12 Rabi 1): Prophet Muhammad's Birthday

This holiday celebrates the birthday of Muhammad, the founder of Islam. It is fixed as the 12th day of the month of Rabi I in the Islamic calendar. Mawlid means birthday of a holy figure and al-Nabi means prophet.

The day is commemorated with recollections of Muhammad's life and significance. Fundamentalist Muslims, such as the Wahhabi sect, do not celebrate it.

Eid al-Fitr (1 Shawwal): The Celebration concluding Ramadan

Ramadan, the month of fasting, ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr. Literally the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations (Eid al-Adha is the other). At Eid al-Fitr people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations, give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family.

A sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities. Although charity and good deeds are always important in Islam, they have special significance at the end of Ramadan. As the month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to mosques.

Eid al-Adha (10 Dhu'l-Hijjah): The celebration concluding the Hajj

Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, commemorates the prophet Abraham's willingness to obey Allah by sacrificing his son Ishmael. According to the Qu'ran, just before Abraham sacrificed his son, Allah replaced Ishmael with a ram, thus sparing his life.

One of the two most important Islamic festivals, Eid al-Adha begins on the 10 day of Dhu'l-Hijja, the last month of the Islamic calendar. Lasting for three days, it occurs at the conclusion of the annual Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims all over the world celebrate, not simply those undertaking the hajj, which for most Muslims is a once-a-lifetime occurrence.

The festival is celebrated by sacrificing a lamb or other animal and distributing the meat to relatives, friends, and the poor. The sacrifice symbolizes obedience to Allah and its distribution to others is an expression of generosity, one of the five pillars of Islam.

-By Borgna Brunner

In the Year of the Hegira

A.H. 1434 A.H. 1435 A.H. 1436 A.H. 1437

Muharram
(Islamic New Year)

Nov. 15, 2012

Nov. 5, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Oct. 15, 2015

Mawlid al-Nabi
(Muhammad's Birthday)

Jan. 24, 2013

Jan. 13, 2014

Jan. 3, 2015

Dec. 23, 2015

Ramadan begins

July 9, 2013

June 28, 2014

June 18, 2015

June 6, 2016

Eid al-Fitr
(Ramadan ends)

Aug. 8, 2013

July 28, 2014

July 17, 2015

July 5, 2016

Eid al-Adha
(Festival of Sacrifice)

Oct. 15, 2013

Oct. 4, 2014

Sept. 23, 2015

Sept. 11, 2016

.com/spot/islamicholidays.html

Celebrations for Muslims around the world

Muharram (1 Muharram): The Islamic New Year

The month of Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic liturgical year. The Islamic year begins on the first day of Muharram, and is counted from the year of the Hegira ( anno Hegirae) the year in which Muhammad emigrated from Mecca to Medina (A.D. July 16, 622).

The Islamic new year is celebrated relatively quietly, with prayers and readings and reflection upon the hegira.

Mawlid al-Nabi (12 Rabi 1): Prophet Muhammad's Birthday

This holiday celebrates the birthday of Muhammad, the founder of Islam. It is fixed as the 12th day of the month of Rabi I in the Islamic calendar. Mawlid means birthday of a holy figure and al-Nabi means prophet.

The day is commemorated with recollections of Muhammad's life and significance. Fundamentalist Muslims, such as the Wahhabi sect, do not celebrate it.

Eid al-Fitr (1 Shawwal): The Celebration concluding Ramadan

Ramadan, the month of fasting, ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr. Literally the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations (Eid al-Adha is the other). At Eid al-Fitr people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations, give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family.

A sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities. Although charity and good deeds are always important in Islam, they have special significance at the end of Ramadan. As the month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to mosques.

Eid al-Adha (10 Dhu'l-Hijjah): The celebration concluding the Hajj

Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, commemorates the prophet Abraham's willingness to obey Allah by sacrificing his son Ishmael. According to the Qu'ran, just before Abraham sacrificed his son, Allah replaced Ishmael with a ram, thus sparing his life.

One of the two most important Islamic festivals, Eid al-Adha begins on the 10 day of Dhu'l-Hijja, the last month of the Islamic calendar. Lasting for three days, it occurs at the conclusion of the annual Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims all over the world celebrate, not simply those undertaking the hajj, which for most Muslims is a once-a-lifetime occurrence.

The festival is celebrated by sacrificing a lamb or other animal and distributing the meat to relatives, friends, and the poor. The sacrifice symbolizes obedience to Allah and its distribution to others is an expression of generosity, one of the five pillars of Islam.

-By Borgna Brunner

In the Year of the Hegira

A.H. 1434 A.H. 1435 A.H. 1436 A.H. 1437

Muharram
(Islamic New Year)

Nov. 15, 2012

Nov. 5, 2013

Oct. 25, 2014

Oct. 15, 2015

Mawlid al-Nabi
(Muhammad's Birthday)

Jan. 24, 2013

Jan. 13, 2014

Jan. 3, 2015

Dec. 23, 2015

Ramadan begins

July 9, 2013

June 28, 2014

June 18, 2015

June 6, 2016

Eid al-Fitr
(Ramadan ends)

Aug. 8, 2013

July 28, 2014

July 17, 2015

July 5, 2016

Eid al-Adha
(Festival of Sacrifice)

Oct. 15, 2013

Oct. 4, 2014

Sept. 23, 2015

Sept. 11, 2016

NOTE: The Islamic calendar is based on lunar observation; thus, the above dates may vary by one or two days. Dates apply to North America.

.com/spot/islamicholidays.html

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Islamic Holidays (Ramadan, Muharram, Mawlid al-Nabi, and more)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The month of Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic liturgical year. The Islamic year begins on the first day of Muharram, and is counted from the year of the Hegira ( anno Hegirae) the year in which Muhammad emigrated from Mecca to Medina (A.D. July 16, 622).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about the history of the Songhai Empire of Ancient Africa including location, culture, Askia Muhammad government, slaves, the gold trade, interesting facts, and the fall of the Songhai.