King Salman’s ascension commemorated according to Hijri calender

Saudi media commemorate one year since King Salman bin Abdulaziz ascended to the throne on Wednesday, using the basis of the Islamic Hijri calendar.

King Salman became the ruler of Saudi Arabia after his half-brother, the late King Abdullah, died on Jan. 23, 2015.

The reason the commemoration is held on Wednesday, nearly 10 days early, is because the Islamic Hijri calendar is based on the moon’s cycle, and not the sun as is with the internationally-used Georgian calendar.

Major Saudi newspapers from Jeddah’s Okaz and to London-based Asharq al-Awsat led their front page coverage with King Salman, highlighting the nearly 12 months of achievements since he was declared King.

The hashtags “One year since the pledge allegiance” and “King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz” trended nation-wide in Saudi Arabia with many Twitter users looking back at the past year.