How to use the command 'ical' (with examples)

The ical command is a powerful utility tool that allows users to view both the Hijri (Islamic) and Gregorian calendars, facilitating the conversion of dates between these two systems. This command is particularly useful for individuals who need to manage events or track important dates according to Islamic and Western calendar systems simultaneously. It provides an easy and quick way to handle date conversions, a task that can be essential for both personal and professional scenarios involving multicultural interactions and scheduling.

Use case 1: Display the current month’s calendar

Code:

ical

Motivation:
Viewing the current month’s calendar is a common task for many users who want a quick glance at their monthly schedule. This command is convenient for users who work with both Hijri and Gregorian calendars and need to cross-reference events or deadlines. It simplifies the dual-calendar tracking process for anyone involved in multicultural environments where both calendar systems are in use.

Explanation:
The command ical by itself displays the current month’s calendar view. Without any additional arguments, it defaults to showcasing the present month in both the Hijri and Gregorian formats. There are no extra arguments required for this action as selecting a particular month or year to display is not specified, defaulting to the current month.

Example Output:

Gregorian Calendar:
October 2023
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1  2  3  4  5  6  7
8  9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31

Hijri Calendar:
Rabi' al-Awwal 1445
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
...

Use case 2: Convert a Gregorian date to a Hijri date

Code:

ical --gregorian yyyymmdd

Motivation:
Converting a Gregorian date to a Hijri date can be critical for businesses and individuals operating in regions where Islamic dates are required for official records or cultural events. This conversion helps in planning and aligning activities, religious observances, and official transactions according to the Hijri calendar. It removes ambiguity and ensures that all relevant parties are synchronized concerning important dates in the Islamic calendar.

Explanation:
The command ical --gregorian followed by a date in yyyymmdd format is used to convert that specific Gregorian date to the Hijri calendar format. The --gregorian flag indicates that the input date is in the Gregorian calendar, and the conversion will output the equivalent date in the Hijri calendar. The yyyymmdd is a placeholder for a specific date in the Gregorian calendar year/month/day format.

Example Output:

Gregorian Date: 20231012
Hijri Date: Rabi' al-Akhir 8, 1445

Use case 3: Convert a Hijri date to a Gregorian date

Code:

ical --hijri yyyymmdd

Motivation:
For individuals or businesses that primarily use the Hijri calendar, converting a date to its Gregorian equivalent is often necessary. This relevance can be seen in international communications, import/export activities, holidays, and formal agreements which may require alignment with the Western calendar system. This conversion ensures clarity and international inclusiveness in logistics, communications, and event planning that may overlap Gregorian and Hijri-specific timelines.

Explanation:
The command ical --hijri along with a date in yyyymmdd format converts the specified Hijri date to its Gregorian counterpart. The --hijri flag denotes that the date provided is from the Hijri calendar, and the output required is its Gregorian equivalent. As with the previous usage, yyyymmdd serves as a template format for the exact Hijri date input.

Example Output:

Hijri Date: 14451110
Gregorian Date: October 13, 2023

Conclusion:

The ical command serves as a valuable tool for individuals who require consistent and straightforward calendar conversions between the Gregorian and Hijri systems. Whether it is to keep track of current dates, convert specific events, or synchronize globally relevant activities, ical facilitates an easy and efficient process to manage dual-calendar needs.