The Mourning of Muharram is an important period of mourning in Shia Islam, taking place in Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is also called the Remembrance of Muharram. Many of the events associated with the remembrance take place in congregation halls known as Hussainia. The event marks the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala when Imam Hussein ibn Ali (R.A), the grandson of the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W), and a Shia Imam, was killed by the forces of the second Umayyad caliph Yazid I.

The event reaches its climax on the tenth day morning, known as Ashura. Some groups of Shia Muslims join in an ardous practice that involves body whipping with special chains that have razors and knives attached. This tradition is practiced by all age groups; in some regions the children are forced by their parents to take part. This custom is observed by the people of Iran, Bahrain, India, Lebanon, Iraq and Pakistan.