Muharram is celebrated as the advent of the Islamic New Year. It is regarded as a pious and important festival by the Muslim community. This day is widely honoured by Shia Muslims across the world. It was also during this time that Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina, which is known as Hijrah, and so Muharram marks this important event as well.
The festival begins after the sighting of the new moon on the final day of the Islamic calendar.
The UAE on Thursday announced a holiday on Sunday, August 23, to mark the beginning of the Islamic New Year.
Muharram Date in India:
This year in India, Muharram will be celebrated on August 20 and 21. Muharram, in itself, means “forbidden” and since it is considered to be holy, many Muslims use it as a period of prayer and reflection. It is a norm for people in the community to fast during the holy Muharram period.
Why is Muharram celebrated?
The 10th day of Muharram, called Ashura, is an important day for Muslims. It marks the day Nuh (Noah) left the Ark, and the day that Prophet Musa (Moses) was saved from the Pharaoh of Egypt by God, crossing the Red Sea with his people.
Sunni and Shia Muslims mark Muharram differently. For many Sunni Muslims, this month is the beginning of the Islamic New Year and symbolises peace and reflection.
For Shia, Muharram commemorates the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein Ibn Ali. After questioning the legitimacy of the caliph Yazid, Hussein was murdered during the Battle of Karbala, which took place on the day of Ashura in the year AD 680.
How Muharram is celebrated?
Due to the brutality of the battle and the murder of the Prophet’s grandson during a month when fighting is forbidden, many Shia mourn and remember the bravery of the Prophet’s family.
Many perform public rituals that include chest-beating, self-flagellation with chains, and forehead-cutting.
