Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. In India, Ashura will be observed on June 26, a day the central government has declared a public holiday. Banks, post offices, government offices, and stock markets will be closed.
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Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar and marks the beginning of the Hijri year 1448. In India, the month of Muharram began on June 17th, following the local sighting of the moon. In the Gulf countries, Muharram began on June 16th, as the moon was sighted a day earlier.
The most important day of this month is Ashura, which is celebrated on the 10th of Muharram. Due to a one-day difference in the sighting of the moon, Ashura will be celebrated on Thursday, June 25, in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while the Muslim community in India will celebrate it on Friday, June 26.
Will June 26 be a public holiday?
Yes, the Government of India has declared a gazetted public holiday on June 26th for Muharram. Central government offices, banks, post offices, and stock exchanges, including the BSE and NSE, will be closed on this day.
Since the holiday falls on a Friday, many people will have three consecutive days off. Then, the Saturday (June 27) and Sunday (June 28) holidays will create a long weekend, which employees and students can take advantage of.
However, the Muharram holiday is not uniformly enforced across all states. Some states, such as Goa, Gujarat, and Haryana, do not include Muharram in their official holiday lists.
What is the significance of Muharram?
Muharram is considered one of the four sacred months of Islam and has special religious significance for Muslims around the world.
For Sunni Muslims, Ashura commemorates the day when Allah saved Moses and the Children of Israel from the oppression of Pharaoh. It is believed that the Prophet Muhammad fasted on this day and advised his followers to do the same.
Meanwhile, for Shia Muslims, Ashura is a day of profound sorrow and grief. It commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. During the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE, Imam Hussein, his family members, and companions were martyred for standing up against injustice.
How is Ashura celebrated?
Sunni Muslims typically observe fasts on the 9th and 10th of Muharram. They also offer special prayers and give alms to the needy on these days.
Shia Muslims observe the first ten days of Muharram as a period of mourning. During this period, many people participate in processions and wear black clothing to express grief. They remember and pay tribute to the sacrifice of Imam Hussein and his companions at Karbala.
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