Day of Ashura facts for kids

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Day of Ashura
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)
Date 10 Muharram
Observances Mourn and derive messages from Husayn's Sacrifice(Shi'a Islam); Fasting (Sunni Islam)

The Day of Ashura is on the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar. It is the high point of the Remembrance of Muharram.

Shi'a Muslims mourn for the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad. He died at the Battle of Karbala on 10 Muharram in the year 61 AH (October 10, 680 AD). According to Sunni Muslim tradition, Muhammad fasted on this day and asked other people to fast.

In some Shi'a regions of Muslim countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Lebanon, and Bahrain, the Commemoration of Husayn ibn Ali has become a national holiday. Most ethnic and religious communities participate in it. Even in a mostly Hindu country like India, Ashura is a public holiday.

Related pages

  • Ashure, a pudding making at the day of Ashura in Turkey

Images for kids

  • 20131203 Istanbul 012

    Name of the Karbala Martyr Husayn with Islamic calligraphy in Hagia Sophia

  • 10 Muharram

    10th of the month of Muharrem: The Ashure Day - Huseyn bin Ali was murdered at Kerbela Remembrance by Jafaris, Qizilbash Alevi-Turks and Bektashis together in Ottoman Empire.

  • 1170488615 RIMG1144

    Shi'a devotees congregate outside the Sydney Opera House in Australia to commemorate Husayn.

  • Mourning of Muharram in cities and villages of Iran-342 16 (47)

    Mourning of Muharram in Iran

  • Ashura procession in Tehran, Iran

    Ashura procession in Tehran, Iran

  • Tabuik festival

    Tabuiks being lowered into the sea in Pariaman, Indonesia, by Shia Muslims.

  • Mourning of Muharram in cities and villages of Iran-342 16 (66)

    Nakhl gardani in cities and villages of Iran

  • A tadjah at Hosay

    A tadjah at Hosay in Port of Spain during the 1950s

  • Sham Ghariban in Imam Reza shrine, Mashhad 13950721 03

    Sham Ghariban (the first night in mourn of Husayn) in Imam Reza Shrine, Mashhad, Iran

  • Kerbela Hussein Moschee

    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.

  • Muharram (Ta'ziya) procession Barabanki India (Jan 2009)

    Indian Shia Muslims carry out a Ta'ziya procession on day of Ashura in Barabanki, India, January 2009.

  • Muharram (Al'am) procession Barabanki India (Jan 2009)

    Shia Muslims carry out an Al'am procession on day of Ashura in Barabanki, India, January 2009.


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