Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months of the year in which fighting is prohibited. The word "muharram" is derived from the word 'haram' meaning forbidden. It is believed to be the most sacred of all the months, excluding Ramadan. Some Muslims fast during these days.
The tenth day of Muharram is called Yaumu-l 'Ashurah, meaning, 'the tenth day', and it is a day of voluntary fasting. Fasting differs among the Muslim groupings; mainstream Shia Muslims stop eating and drinking during sunlight hours and do not eat until the evening. Sunni Muslims also fast during Muharram.
Muharram Celebration
The celebration is seen as the battle at Karbala in 680 CE, and the eventual martyrdom of Husayn, son of Ali. As part of the celebrations, Shi'is perform different passion plays, express grief in public and walk in parades through city streets where they carry a sarcophagus and whip their backs or foreheads with sticks, chains and swords. Many travel to Karbala in Iraq for pilgrimage. On the 10th Muharram, the Ashura, the festival reaches its maximum. This day is often called Ta'ziyeh, as Ashura is actually the name of the fast adhered by Sunni Muslims.
Shi'is believe that the 10th Muharram is the actual death date of Husayn. Rituals become more elaborate and take longer time to perform. Sentiments reach a point of deep sorrow, frustration and often anger over the injustice that Husayn and his family was exposed to. One of the central rituals symbolizing the suffering of Husayn and his followers are in meetings known as rawda-kh. In Lebanon, the rawda is often also called Ta'ziyeh. These rawdas are organized so that a host sends out invitations to friends and colleagues. They (mainly men) meet in a private home; enjoy tea and sweet-meats, while narrating the story about the battle at Karbala and the death of Husayn. During the rawda, emotions rise, some men will start beating themselves on the chest, while others call out to Husayn and weep. The rawda can be performed all through the year, but is mainly popular as part of the Muharram celebrations.