Ashura
is an Islamic holiday that occurs on the tenth day of Muharram, the
first month in the Islamic lunar calendar. For Muslims, Ashura marks the
day in which the Islamic prophet Musa was saved by Allah when He parted
the Sea while leading the children of Israel to the land of Israel. Wikipedia
Date: Wed, Aug 18, 2021 – Thu, Aug 19, 2021
Significance: Marks the day that Musa was saved by God; Marks the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali and members of his family
Also called: Hosay, Tabuik, Tabot, The Day of Atonement
Observances: Fasting, Mourn
ʿĀshūrāʾ, Muslim holy day observed on the 10th of Muḥarram, the first month of the Muslim calendar (Gregorian date variable). The term is derived from the Arabic word for the number ten. The word Muḥarram itself derives from the Arabic root ḥ-r-m, one of whose meanings is “forbidden” (ḥarām). Traditionally, Muḥarram was one of the four sacred months when fighting was not allowed.
Fasting on ʿĀshūrāʾ was the norm in early Islamic society, and the Prophet Muhammad himself fasted on this day. Later in his life, however, Muhammad received a revelation that caused him to make adjustments in the Islamic calendar. With these, Ramadan, the ninth month, became the month of fasting, and the obligation to fast on ʿĀshūrāʾ was dropped.
