Day of Ashura

The Day of Ashura is on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram commemorating the death of Imam Hussein, grandson of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), who was killed in the 7th Century battle of Kerbala.  A minority of Shias marks the day with a self-flagellation ritual called ‘tatbeer’, cutting their heads with swords and spheres in mourning for the imam. It is not a public holiday but a major Islamic cultural event, which marks the start of the New Year. The minority Shi’ite Muslim community celebrates the holiday at the Old Dhaka’s Hussaini Dalan.