I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Hijri Year 1429. Today is the first day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.

May it be a blessed, happy and joyful new year for you all bringing you prosperity, success and great health.

Most households in Tunisia cook either Mloukhia or Couscous on this day; Mloukhia, because it’s green as a way of hoping it will be a green and fruitful new year ahead, or Couscous, Tunisia’s national dish using meat that was specially dried and salted for the occasion from the previous Eid Al-Adha (Kaddeedit Ras El Am).

It’s a national holiday in most Islamic countries, and most people are probably at home relaxing now, with nothing on their minds but the delicious lunches that awaits them; As for me, well I’m at work, waiting for meetings and going through endless streams of emails and documents.

Happy new Hijri year everyone.