The Islamic month of Muharram has begun, though not for everyone on the same day. Some marked the beginning on 26 June, while others began a day later. For many families, the choice depends on moon-sighting announcements; some follow Saudi Arabia, others Morocco, and many rely on local mosques.
As one community member shared, “We began on the 26th of July, following the moon-sighting announcements from Saudi Arabia. My family tends to follow global sighting for consistency. We attend majalis daily in the first ten nights. My children help prepare niyaz, and I try to tell them about a new lesson from Karbala each night.”
These differences in practice reflect the wider diversity within the Muslim community, not just across sects, but across cultures and generations as well.
What is Muharram?
Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar and is one of the four sacred months in Islam. But it is not simply a new year; it’s a time of profound spiritual reflection.
For Sunni Muslims, Ashura the 10th day of Muharram is a day of fasting and remembrance. It commemorates the salvation of Prophet Musa (Moses). One local woman said, “Yes, following the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh), who fasted in gratitude for the salvation of Moses.” Another Sunni woman added, “I just pray, do dhikr, and read the Qur’an. I keep ahtaram (respect) for others and always remind myself Islam is a religion of peace. We must practise sabr (patience) and shukr.(gratefulness) First and foremost, we should just be good human beings.”
Many Shia Muslims observe Muharram by mourning the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who was killed in the Battle of Karbala. For them, these ten nights are emotionally heavy and spiritually intense.
One attendee at local majalis explained, “It’s very painful. It’s true love for the Ahlul Bayt. The sacrifice of Imam Hussain and his family is unmatched. Even a stone would cry hearing the tragedy of Karbala.”
He went on to describe the depth of community involvement: “We have three Imambargahs. This year in Bradford, we’re lucky to have top scholars who are addressing topics like Salat, Tawhid, and Imamate. During majalis, emotions naturally overflow. You do matam, you cry, you feel the grief. It’s not just ritual, it’s internal love.”
Another woman shared, “For me, matam isn’t just mourning – it’s solidarity. I’m telling Imam Hussain: I haven’t forgotten.”
Commemorations often include communal meals, especially on the 10th day. One man reflected, “My grandmother used to prepare it every 10th of Muharram.” Another man said, “We have langar every night – tea, drinks, food. On Ashura, over 20 stalls serve food at different hours. It’s about service and remembrance.”
And not everyone experiences Muharram in the same way. One man observed, “To me, Muharram is like the Georgian calendar’s new year – just for Muslims.” Another Sunni man shared that he observes Ashura by fasting on the 9th and 10th.
Despite the variations, there’s a shared understanding of its purpose. “People sometimes make fun of or misunderstand because they haven’t studied the history of Karbala,” one man said. “But Karbala is not a small event. It was the Prophet himself who said, ‘Hussain is from me, and I am from Hussain.’ That is enough.”
Muharram brings out the best of the community: resilience, devotion, and mutual respect. Whether it’s through fasting, storytelling, prayer, or acts of service, Muslims across traditions come together to honour a legacy of sacrifice.
As one local woman put it simply: “We may do different things, but the lesson is the same, stand for truth and be kind.”
Glossary
Muharram
The first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is considered one of the four sacred months in Islam and is particularly significant for both Sunni and Shia Muslims for different reasons.
Ashura
The 10th day of Muharram. For Sunni Muslims, it commemorates the day Prophet Musa (Moses) was saved by God. For Shia Muslims, it marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at the Battle of Karbala.
Moonsighting
The practice of observing the new moon to determine the beginning of each Islamic month. Different communities may follow local or international sightings.
Majalis (plural of Majlis)
Religious gatherings held especially by Shia Muslims during Muharram to remember and mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his companions.
Niyaz
Food prepared and distributed as an offering or in remembrance of religious figures, often during religious commemorations like Muharram.
Karbala
A city in present-day Iraq where the Battle of Karbala took place in 680 CE. It is the site of Imam Hussain’s martyrdom and holds deep significance for Shia Muslims.
Imam Hussain
The grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), revered by all Muslims. He is particularly honored by Shia Muslims for his stand against tyranny and his martyrdom at Karbala.
Ahlul Bayt
The family of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), especially revered in Shia Islam.
Matam
A form of mourning where participants beat their chests rhythmically to express grief for Imam Hussain and the tragedy of Karbala.
Imambargah
A congregation hall or space used by Shia Muslims for religious gatherings and commemorations, especially during Muharram.
Salat
The Islamic ritual prayer performed five times a day. It is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Tawhid
The Islamic concept of monotheism – the belief in the oneness of God.
Imamate
In Shia Islam, the belief in a divinely appointed line of spiritual and temporal leaders (Imams) starting from Imam Ali, the cousin of Prophet Muhammad.
Dhikr
Remembrance of God, often through repeated phrases or prayers.
Qur’an
The holy book of Islam, believed to be the word of God revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Ahtaram
Respect. In this context, it means showing reverence during sacred times and for others’ practices.
Sabr
Patience or perseverance.
Shukr
Gratitude or thankfulness.
Sunnah
The practices and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), used as a model of conduct by Muslims.
(PBUH)
“Peace Be Upon Him” – a phrase used by Muslims when mentioning prophets, especially Prophet Muhammad.
