Mourning during Muharram Shiʿi Muslims crying as they participate in a mourning procession for Ashura commemorating the martyrdom of Ḥusayn, in Beirut, Lebanon, October 12, 2016. (more) Muharram Islamic month Written by Charles Preston Charles Preston is Associate Editor for Religion at Encyclopædia Britannica. Charles Preston Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated May 22, 2026 •History Muharram, in the Islamic calendar, the first month of the year, which is considered a sacred time in Islam. It is of particular importance for Shiʿi Muslims, who commemorate the martyrdom of Ḥusayn at this time and observe acts of mourning culminating with Ashura on the 10th of the month. Sunni Muslims observe the same date as a recommended fast day associated with events in sacred history. The month of Muharram—which means “the sacred”—was the...

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