Ashura

Bahrain is unlike everywhere else in the world when it comes to Ashura celebrations. The majority of Bahrainis are Shia Muslims, despite the fact that Bahrain's rulers are Sunni. Other Gulf nations do not have the public processions and mourning that Bahrain has for Ashura. Every year, hundreds of Shias travel from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries to participate in the celebrations. Ashura occurs on the tenth day of Muharram, the Islamic month of mourning for Shias. The 9th and 10th days are both observed as public holidays in Bahrain, but the 10th day is the most significant since it commemorates Muhammad's grandson, Imam Hussain's, martyrdom at the Battle of Karbala in A.D. 680.

Shias preach about Imam Hussain's life example in their mosques during the whole month. Food is also distributed to the homeless and the impoverished, and the Bahraini government provides both food and money to this cause every year. The Bahraini flag, which is ordinarily white with red at the right end, is converted into a white-and-black mourning flag for Ashura reasons, and these flags, along with other Ashura Day banners, are placed up over public roadways.

Time: On the 10th day of Muharram on the Islamic calendar