Muharram Ashura – Muharram is a month of Azadari and Majalis-e Aza which tribute to the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A.S) . Majalis-e Aza, is also called as Aza-e Husayn, which comprises sadness, crying, matam and several activities which express the emotions of grief  against what Yazid stood for. In Muharram, matam and majalis are conducted by Shia Muslims.

Introduction – The term Muharram means ‘’not permitted’’, or ‘’forbidden’’. The month of Muharram started on August 11, 2021, and Ashura will be marked on August 20, 2021, in India. Muharram also depends upon the data of moon sighting and it is the first month of the Islamic Year or the Hijri Calendar, which has 354 or 355 days. It is the second holiest month after Ramzan for Muslims all over the world. This day marks when Imam Hussain was gone to Karbala without food and water and killed cruelly by King Yazeed.

History and Significance – This day marks the forced migration of Prophet Mohammad from Mecca to Medina.  As per Islamic Beliefs, the Hijri calendar begin from 622 A.D. when the Prophet Mohammad and his supporters were forced to migrate from Mecca.

During the month of Muharram, the day Ashura is observed on the 10^th day of the Muharram to mourn or remember the sacrificed by Imam Hussain, son of Hazrat Ali and grandson of the Prophet Mohammad with 72 people including family members were killed (Shaheed) in the Battle of Karbala on the Day of Ashura in 680 A.D. The month of Muharram is particularly for Shia Muslims who mourn or remember the sacrifice by Imam Hussain with companions including close family members by chain and beating (Maatam) themselves that is called Qama Zani or Takbir.