From Various Sources
Pics - Rons Bantwal for Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jan 31: Muharram, or the sacred month, that marks the beginning of the Islamic year, was observed in the city on Tuesday January 30.
Muharram is observed by Muslims in commemoration of the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammed's grandson, Imam Hussain, who was killed in the Battle of Karbala in AD 680. The prophet's son-in-law Ali, and Ali's elder son Hassan, are also remembered during this period as having suffered and died for righteous causes.
The killing of Hussain happened on the tenth day of month of Muharram, and the event was called Ashura. These circumstances divided the Muslim community into the Shias and the Sunnis. The Shias consider Ali, Hassan and Hussain the rightful successors of Prophet Mohammed and mourn their death during Muharram.