The government of Tamil Nadu which had declared September 10 as Ashura holiday in the state has now shifted the date to September 11. The holiday date was changed due to the delay in moon-sighting, according to reports.
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. The month is considered auspicious by most of the Muslims. During this period Imam Hussain (as) who was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (saws) fought a one-sided war to safeguard principles of Islam.
It is one of the four sacred months of the year which warfare is forbidden. It is the second holiest month after Ramadan. Also, since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, Muharram moves from year to year when compared with the Gregorian calendar.
The tenth day of Muharram is known as the Day of Ashura, part of the mourning of Muharram for Shia Muslims and a day of fasting for Sunni Muslims.
Shias mourn throughout the month in order to repent the inaction adopted by the majority of Muslims in Levantine and Arab peninsular region back then.
A section of Sunni Muslims especially those from Sufi and Barelvi school of thoughts also mourns during the first 10 days of Muharram and recall the martyrdom of Hussain and his family. But they do not perform self-flagellation like the Shias.
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