Muslims worldwide commemorate Prophet Muhammad’s pilgrimage to Medina

Muslims throughout the world on Tuesday commemorated the Hijra, when Prophet Muhammed -- peace be upon him -- set out from Mecca for the blessed city of Medina, where he spent the rest of his life.

Tuesday also marks the first day of the Islamic New Year, the first day of the month of Muharram, year 1440 on the Islamic calendar.

The day of the Hijra is recognized as an official holiday in many Arab and Muslim countries, including Indonesia, Egypt, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Palestine.

In 622 AD, Prophet Muhammed, acting upon Allah's instructions, set out from Mecca to Medina -- along with hundreds of followers -- to establish a staging point for the new religion, which was destined to sweep across the region within a few generations.

In 638 AD, Islam's second caliph, Omar bin al-Khattab, a close companion of the Prophet, unveiled the new Islamic calendar using the day of the Hijrah as its starting point.

The Hijra-based calendar was officially used by the greatest Islamic caliphates, including those of the Abbasids, Umayyads and Ottomans.

Muslims consider the month of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic year, one of the year's holiest months, as many landmark events in Islamic history took place in Muharram.

On the tenth day of Muharram, Muslims mark Ashura, which commemorates the parting of the Red Sea by Prophet Moses and the ancient Hebrews' escape from Pharaoh's wrath.

Shia Muslims mark Ashura each year by recalling the martyrdom of Imam al-Hussein, grandson of Prophet Muhammed, at the infamous Battle of Karbala in the year 680 AD.