Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and on the ninth day begins Ashura.
This historic date is one of the most important for Muslims as it marks the day that the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, Husayn ibn Ali, was killed in the Battle of Karbala.
This occasion is commemorated more by Shiites (a sect of Muslim followers) who believe the Prophet’s son-in-law Ali is their first imam, a leader divinely appointed by God.
Ali’s youngest son, Husayn, was martyred after a 10-day standoff at Karbala, in modern-day Iraq after political tensions between different groups.
In honour of his martyrdom, Shia Muslims take part in ceremonies of self-flagellation (where men march and beat their chests).
Others will forgo the flagellation and instead opt to give blood.
For Sunnis (the largest Muslim group), Ashura also marks the day that Moses and the Israelites were saved from Pharaoh when God parted the Sea.
Sunni Muslims believe that when Prophet Muhammad saw Jews fasting on this day (Yom Kippur) he asked for them to also atone through this.
When is Ashura 2019?
Ashura falls on the 10th day of the first month of the Islamic calendar, which is Muharram.
So, since the first day was 1 September, Ashura 2019 will begin in the evening of Monday 9 September and ends in the evening of Tuesday 10 September.
Do you have to fast on Ashura?
While fasting in Ramadan is obligatory (one of the five pillars of Islam), fasting on Ashura is not compulsory.
Muslims follow the ways of Prophet Muhammed (the sunnah) and as he fasted during Ashura, many Sunnis may follow suit.
Around the world, Muslims may also attend the mosque for extra worship or perform long prayers at home.
During this time some Shia Muslims flog themselves in parades to express their grief for Husayn’s suffering.
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