..   DAY OF ASHURA   ..     The Day of Ashura,   is on the tenth day of the month of Muharram in the Islamic calendar.     Muharram is the first month of the year.     ..     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.     ..