Day of Ashura Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Day of Ashura
Shi'a Muslims of Hardoi, Northern India, strike their chests during the mourning of Ashura 2011
Official name	Arabic: عاشوراء (ʻĀshūrā’); Turkish: Aşure Günü
Also called	Hosay, Tabuik, Tabot
Observed by	Shi'a Muslims
Type	Islamic and national (In some countries such as India, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Lebanon)
Significance	Marks the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali (Shi'a Islam); The day that Moses fasted as gratitude for the liberation of the Israelites (Sunni Islam)
Observances	Mourn and derive messages from Husayn's Sacrifice(Shi'a Islam); Fasting (Sunni Islam)
Date	10 Muharram
2025 date	date missing (please add)

The Day of Ashura is a very important day for Muslims. It happens on the 10th day of Muharram, which is the first month in the Islamic calendar. This day is a main part of the Remembrance of Muharram.

For Shi'a Muslims, the Day of Ashura is a time to remember the sad event of Husayn ibn Ali's death. Husayn was the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. He died bravely in a battle called the Battle of Karbala on the 10th of Muharram in the year 61 AH (which was October 10, 680 AD). Shi'a Muslims remember his sacrifice and the lessons learned from it.

For Sunni Muslims, this day is also special. It is believed that the Prophet Muhammad fasted on this day. He also asked others to fast. This was done to show thanks for the freedom of the Israelites, led by Prophet Moses.

In many Muslim countries, the Day of Ashura is a national holiday. This includes places like Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Lebanon, and Bahrain. People from different groups often take part in the events. Even in India, which is mostly Hindu, Ashura is a public holiday.

Images for kids

Millions of Shia Muslims gather around the Husayn Mosque in Karbala after making the pilgrimage on foot during Arba'een, which is a Shia religious observation that occurs 40 days after the Day of Ashura.
Name of the Karbala martyr Husayn with Islamic calligraphy in Hagia Sophia
Remembrance by Jafaris, Qizilbash Alevi-Turks and Bektashis together in Ottoman Empire
A tadjah at Hosay in Port of Spain during the 1950s
Indian Shia Muslims carry out a Ta'ziya procession on day of Ashura in Barabanki, India, January 2009.
A historic Ashura celebration in Jamaica, which is known locally as Hussay or Hosay
Shia Muslims carry out an Al'am procession on the day of Ashura in Barabanki, India, January 2009.
Nakhl gardani in cities and villages of Iran
Shias mourning in Iran
Ashura procession in Tehran
Shias mourning in Chiniot
Tuwairij Run in Karbala, Iraq
Tabuiks being lowered in Pariaman, Indonesia
Shias congregating outside the Sydney Opera House in Australia.
Shias mourning in Qatif, Saudi Arabia
Ashura in Syria
Ashura Demonstration in Tehran in 1978
2016 Ashura mourning in Imam Husayn Square
Ashura in AMU, Aligarh, India

Day of Ashura facts for kids

See also

Images for kids

See also