Muslims in Cairo celebrate the Islamic New Year 1441

Sufi Muslims celebrate the Islamic new year by the shrine of “Al-Hussain Bin-Ali,” the grandson of the Prophet Mohamed. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Major mosques like Al-Azhar display green lights as part of the celebrations of the Islamic new year. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Representatives of the presidency, military generals, parliament members, and government ministers attended the official celebration. Authorities banned public celebrations this year because of the unclear security situation. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Religion minister Mokhtar Gomaa gave a sermon about the migration of the Prophet Mohamed from Mecca, where he grew up, to Madina with his followers as refugees and the morals behind the story. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

The Islamic year is 354 days distributed in 12 months named in order: Muharram, Safar, Rabi Al-Awal, Rabi Al-Thani, Jumada Al-Awal, Jumada Al-Thani, Rajab, Sha’ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul Qa’ dah, and Dhul Hijjah. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Some residents in Egypt strung LED lights on their houses to welcome the new year. (H. Elrasam/VOA)