Muharram is the first month according to Islamic calendar and known as one of the sacred month of Islam. The beginning of this month depends upon the sighting of the moon. This year, the countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, and Qatar celebrated this holiest festival on June 16, 2026. In Indian and South Asian countries, the first day of Muharram will start from today, June 17, 2026.
Muharram 2026 : Significance
Muharram hold an immense religious significance The first 10 days of Muharram is the period of mourning. Muslims, who belongs to the Shia sect mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the son of Hazrat Ali and the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. It is believed that Imam Hussein was killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. Hadith also refer to this holy month as the month of Allah. It is the first month of the Islamic calendar, commemorating the Muslims’ hijrah (emigration) to Medina and the founding of the first Islamic kingdom in 622 CE.Many participants attend majlis, or religious gatherings, where the tragedy’s events are recounted, and wear black as a mark of sadness. On Ashura, Sunni Muslims frequently fast voluntarily and participate in prayers and charity endeavors. Throughout the Muslim world, Muharram is still a time for devotion, introspection, and remembering despite differences in customs.
What is Ashura?
On the tenth day of Ashura, people should fast on this holy day. Ashura Day is an opportunity to express gratitude to Allah. Many Muslims take part in processions on the day of Ashura. They adhere to mourning customs. Some people visit mosques to pray, spend time there, lament Hussain’s death, and reflect on their sacrifice. Many people show their anguish by hitting their chests, slashing their foreheads, and self-flagellating while brandishing sharp objects like knives and swords or chains with connected blades. Muharram is the month of mourning rather than a festival to be observed.
