Muharram/Islamic New Year

The Islamic year lasts for about 354 days and consists of 12 months.
Muharram is the first month and some Muslims mark the start of the
Islamic year on the first day of Muharram. Many Muslims fast during
daylight hours on the ninth and 10th or 10th and 11th days of the
month to mark the Day of Ashura (Yaumu-l 'Ashurah). This is the
anniversary of the death of Husayn ibn Ali, a grandson of the Prophet
Muhammed.
There may be some congestion around mosques on some days, particularly
in the evenings, during Muharram.
©i Stockphoto.com/PhilSig in
What do people do?
On the first day of Muharram, some groups of Muslims mark the first
day of the Islamic year and others begin observing the Commemoration
of Muharram. This marks the 10 days between the anniversaries of the
battle of Karbala (currently in Iraq) and the death of Husayn ibn Ali
in the year 680 CE.
The events of Muharram are commemorated in many ways in different
Islamic denominations and cultures. However, it is common for Muslims
to fast during the hours of daylight on the 10th day of the month,
known as the day of Ashura, and also on the ninth or 11th day. Mosques
may provide free meals (nazar) on these dates. In some countries,
other events also take place and Muslim communities in Australia,
Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States may
incorporate some aspect of these traditions when observing the
Commemoration of Muharram.
In Iraq, Shi'a Muslims, may make a pilgrimage to the Imam Husayn
Shrine, on the site of the grave of Husayn ibn Ali. In
Iran,taziya(ta'zieh) or Condolence Theater are performed. During
Muharram, these take the form of re-enactments of the battle of
Karbala. In south Asia, similar events are known as such
asmarsiya,nohaandsoaz,tabuikortabut. In Jamaica and Trinidad and
Tobago, they are known as Hosay or Hussay and are attended by people
from a variety of religions and cultures.
Shi'a Muslims, particularly those in Afghanistan, Bahrain, India,
Iraq, Lebanon and Pakistan, may take part in remembrance parades
ormatam(matham). Duringmatam, males gather in large groups on the
streets to take part in ritual chest beating. In some areas, some
participants also beat themselves withzanjir(metal chains fixed into
handles), but this practice is controversial and has been banned by
some civic and Islamic authorities.
Public life
The Islamic New Year is a public holiday in places such as (but not
exclusive to) India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, and the United Arab
Emirates. It is not a nationwide public holiday in countries such as
Australia, Canada, the United Kingdomor the United States. However,
Islamic businesses and organizations may have altered opening hours
and there may be some congestion around mosques, particularly in the
evening and at night.
Background
Muharram is the first month in the Islamic year and a time of mourning
and peace. It is forbidden for Muslims to fight during this month. A
number of important events in Islamic history have occurred during
this month. These include: the Battle of Karbala (currently in Iraq)
in the year 680 CE, which enabled Husayn ibn Ali, a grandson of the
Prophet Muhammed, and his army to enter the city on the first day of
the month; the restriction of Husayn ibn Ali's access to water on the
seventh day; and the death of Husayn ibn Ali and his clan (Ahl
al-Bayt) on the 10th day of the month. The Shi'a and Sunni
denominations of Islam attach different weights to these events and
mark them in different ways.