Facebook introduces Hijri calendar feature

If Ramadan was too hectic of a month, you may have missed the news of a new Islamic Facebook feature. Overlapping the beginning of Ramadan, Facebook put out a new feature in favor of the ‘birthdays’ app — the Islamic Hijri calendar. As an addition to the Gregorian calendar, the new feature was first released to Facebook users in the Kingdom, with hopes of reaching out to other markets soon.
“The introduction of the Hijri calendar on Facebook is a good option I must say,” said Ahmed Shamim, social media expert. “Since the Arabic calendar shifts back 10 days every year, the only significant days to know are during the months of Ramadan and Dhul Hijjah (Haj) and other Saudi cultural events happening according to the Hijri calendar. I believe all Facebook users in the Middle East will find it a useful tool and of course Muslims across the globe.”
Shamim rates the online feature as a hit. “Usually when one wants to know the Hijri calendar date, they look for the calendar or a local newspaper but now they just need to log on to their Facebook accounts. It is just an easy way to move.”
Facebook users in the Kingdom are offered the option of adding their birthday in the Hijri calendar format to the “About Me” section on their timelines. According to personal preference, the information can be hidden or made visible.
“We believe this feature will gain great momentum in the weeks and months ahead, and as we test the response in Saudi Arabia, we are confident that rolling out in other countries across the Islamic world will become eminent,” said Jonathan Labin, chief executive of Facebook for the Middle East and Africa.
Saudis and other followers of the Hijri calendar can now choose the Islamic calendar to mark their anniversary dates on Facebook.
“Introducing the Hijri calendar for birthdays on Facebook is a brilliant idea,” said Alanoud Haggag, a student. “In Saudi Arabia, most people celebrate all events and special occasions according to the Arabic calendar and so the Facebook feature will be very useful to the create events and mark dates on Facebook itself.”
Saudi Arabia houses over 6 million active Facebook users, making it the third most visited website in the Kingdom, according to social media consultancy agency The Social Clinic.