In Pictures

Ashura 2019: How Muslims around the world mark the holy day

Ashura is observed on the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, by all Muslims.

Iraqi Shiites in costumes re-enact events of Ashura in the southern city of Basra during the mourning procession on the tenth day of Muharram which marks the day of Ashura, on September 10, 2019. - As — Iraqi Shias re-enact events of Ashura in the southern city of Basra during the mourning procession on the tenth day of Muharram. [Hussein Faleh/AFP]

By News Agencies

Ashura is observed on the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, by all Muslims.

It marks the day Nuh (Noah) left the Ark and the day Musa (Moses) was saved from the Pharaoh of Egypt by God.

The Prophet Muhammad used to fast on Ashura, a common tradition commemorated by Sunni Muslims.

For Shia Muslims, Ashura is a major religious festival to commemorate the martyrdom of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who died in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD.

The death of Hussein is considered by the Shias as a symbol of humanity’s struggle against injustice, tyranny and oppression.

The main rituals and observances on Ashura consist of public expressions of mourning.

Iraqi Shiite men carry torches during the Ashura festivals in the holy Shiite city of Najaf, southern Baghdad, Iraq, 08 September 2019. The Ashura day commemorates the death anniversary of the third S — Iraqi Shia men carry torches during Ashura in the holy city of Najaf, southern Baghdad. [Murtaja Lateef/EPA]

A woman weeps while watching Tazieh, a traditional play re-enacting the death of Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad and 72 of his companions, a day ahead of Ashoura, in downtown Tehran, Iran, M — Women watch Tazieh, a traditional play re-enacting the death of Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, and 72 of his companions, in Tehran, Iran. [Vahid Salemi/AP Photo]

Actors perform Tazieh, a traditional play re-enacting the death of Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad and 72 of his companions, a day ahead of Ashoura, in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, Sept. 9 — People look on as actors perform Tazieh, a traditional play re-enacting the death of Hussein. [Vahid Salemi/AP Photo]

Shiite Muslim children attend funerary processions commemorating the eve of Ashura in Isa Town, south of Bahrain''s capital Manama, on September 9, 2019. - The religious commemoration of Ashura, which — Children attend processions commemorating the eve of Ashura in Isa, south of Bahrain's capital Manama. [AFP]

Shiite Muslims tie a bandage on a woman mourner performing a ritual of self-flagellation during a religious procession held on the tenth day of the mourning period of Muharram that marks the day of As — Shia Muslims preparing to perform a ritual of self-flagellation during a religious procession in Hyderabad. [Noah Seelam/AFP]

Indian government forces stop Kashmiri civilians at a checkpoint during heavy restrictions on movements in Srinagar on September 10, 2019, on the 10th day of the holy Islamic month of Muharram. (Photo — Indian government forces stop Kashmiri civilians at a checkpoint during heavy restrictions on movements in Srinagar on the tenth day of the holy Islamic month of Muharram. [Tauseef Mustafa/AFP]

Shiite Muslims visit the Karti Sakhi Shrine a day before Ashoura, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Ashoura falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, when — Shia Muslims visit the Karti Sakhi Shrine a day before Ashura in Kabul, Afghanistan. [Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo]

Shi''ite Muslim women beat their chest during a religious procession ahead of Ashura in Karachi, Pakistan, September 9, 2019. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro — Women in Karachi, Pakistan, ahead of Ashura. [Akhtar Soomro/Reuters]

Pakistani Shi''ite Muslims attend a mourning procession on the eve of Ashura, during the Islamic sacred month of Muharram in Lahore, Pakistan, 09 September 2019. Shiite Muslims are observing the holy — People attend a mourning procession on the eve of Ashura, in Lahore, Pakistan. [Rahat Dar/EPA]

Turkish shiite women take part in a religious procession held for the Shiite religious holiday of Ashura on September 09, 2019, in Istanbul. - Ashura commemorates the killing of Imam Hussein, a grands — Women take part in a religious procession held for Ashura in Istanbul, Turkey. [Yasin Akgul/AFP]

Kuwait Shiite Muslims attend a mourning procession on occasion of Ashura Day during the Islamic sacred month of Muharram in Kuwait City, Kuwait, 10 September 2019. Shiite Muslims are observing the hol — People attend a mourning procession on the occasion of Ashura in Kuwait City. [Noufal Ibrahim/EPA]