Muharram is the second sacred month in Islam after Ramadan. It is considered the first month of the Islamic calendar.
Muslims around the world follow a lunar calendar that is different from the Gregorian calendar. The first day of Muharram is called Al Hijri, or Arab New Year, and the 10th day is known as Ashura. The word Muharram means "forbidden", which means that Muslims are forbidden to participate in activities such as war and to use this time as a time for prayer and reflection.
In India, the Markazi Ruyate Hilal Committee under Imarate Shariah, New Delhi, confirmed that the 1443AH Islamic New Year will begin on Wednesday, August 11, 2021; Therefore, Ashura will be marked in the country on August 20, 2021. The tenth day of the month or Ashura is mourned by Shiite Muslims in memory of the martyrdom of the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, Hussain Ibn Ali, in Karbala. The Shia community remembers the Ashura massacre when Imam Hussain was martyred at the Battle of Karbala. Many Muslims observe a fast on the day of Ashura while many consider it a day of mourning and abstain from merry making activities.
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