Muharram 2020: After Ramzan, Muharram is the holiest month for Muslims around the world. It is considered to be the first month in the Islamic calendar or the Hijri calendar. The tenth day of Muharram is known as the Day of Ashura. It marks the day that Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, was martyred in the Battle of Karbala. This is an important day especially for Shia Muslims who observe ‘mourning rituals' for honouring the martyrdom of Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī and his family. They honour the martyrs by prayer and abstinence.

These rituals include storytelling, weeping, self-flagellation, and re-enactments of the Battle of Karbala. Participating in mourning rituals is considered to be a path for salvation. Shia Muslims also go for pilgrimage on this day.

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For Sunni Muslims, Muharram is the ‘time of remembrance’ and their participation in mourning rituals are in a much lesser extent. Usually, partial fasting is practised.

This year depending upon the crescent Muharram could begin from the dusk of August 20 or 21, it will mark the begging of the Islamic year 1442. This year due to the coronavirus epidemic, Muharram rituals will be impacted especially in regions with high Covid 19 counts. According to a report by PTI, in an order issued on August 14 to all district magistrates, DCPs and other authorities concerned, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority said that people will be encouraged to celebrate festivals at their homes in the city. Similarly in Mumbai, the police is encouraging people to celebrate both Muhrram and Ganesh Chaturthi at home.