Ashura

Ashura is one of the most famous festivals in Afghanistan. It commemorates the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, who perished in the Battle of Karbala. Ashura is regarded as a significant feast in Shia Islam, whereas it is observed as a recommended fasting day in Sunni Islam. According to Sunni Muslims, Moses fasted on this day to express his thanks to God for the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. According to Sunni tradition, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) fasted on this day and encouraged others to fast as well.

For both Shi'a and Sunni Muslims, the commemoration of Ashura is a respectful and sorrowful event, and for Shi'as, it is a particularly profound period of grief and mourning. Mourners of both sexes customarily gather at a mosque for mournful, poetic lamentations in commemoration of the martyrdom, grieving to the beat of drums and shouts of "Ya Hussain." Scholars will also provide sermons on Hussein's personality and his position in Islam, as well as the history of his rebellion.

Date: The tenth day of the month of Muharram in the Islamic calendar.