Muharram (Arabic: ٱلْمُحَرَّم)—the first month of the Islamic calendar— demarcates a period of religious significance for Muslims across the globe, who annually commemorate the tragedy of Hussain ibn Ali (as), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), at the Battle of Karbala

Ashura (Arabic: عَاشُورَاء) marks the 10th day of Muharram and is when the Battle of Karbala took place in the year 680 CE. Imam Hussain along with his companions and family members were brutally martyred on this day. We commemorate this day of mourning by recalling the tragedies as they unfolded along with specific rituals.

Particular to Shi'a Muslim tradition, the first 10 days of Muharram are historically spent mourning, grieving, and reflecting upon Hussain and his family’s spiritual sacrifice through lamentation poetry, nightly gatherings, and various forms of cultural expression. Muharram is not only centered around sorrow, but is also a time of community unity and harmony, bringing out themes of justice, love, beauty, generosity, compassion and fidelity to the Prophet (ﷺ) and his Family (as).