The Tenth day of the Islamic year marks the climax of the Muharram Observances, also known as the Mourning of Muharram or the Remembrance of Muharram.
Especially for Shia Muslims, the Day of Ashura marks the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala when Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad, and a Shia Imam, was killed by the forces of the second Umayyad caliph Yazid I at Karbala. It is remembered with sorrow and passion.
Shiite celebrations of the Day of Ashura have traditionally included masochistic rituals which have been condemned by many religious leaders recently under the claim that such practices are wrong or unislamic.
