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"It (the advent of the 15th Islamic century) is indeed, a unique occasion to ponder that the Islamic Era did not start with the victories of Islamic wars, nor with the birth or death of the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wasallam, nor with the Revelation itself. It starts with Hijrah, or the sacrifice for the cause of Truth and for the preservation of the Revelation. It was a divinely inspired selection. Allah wanted to teach Man that the struggle between Truth and Evil is eternal. The Islamic year reminds Muslims not of the pomp and glory of Islam but of its sacrifice, and prepares them to do the same."
Abul Hassan an-Nadwi in Muhammad Ilyas's A Model Guide to Astronomical Calculations of Islamic Calendar, Times & Qiblah
Hijri-Gregorian Converter - Light program that converts Hijri and Gregorian dates.
Islamic Calendar - History and Motivation - Waleed Muhanna