ʿĀshūrāʾ, the tenth day of Muḥarram, marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Ḥusayn b. ʿAlī as observed by the Shiʿa with rites of mourning.

Ḥusayn’s martyrdom on ʿĀshūrāʾ was the culmination of the events of Muḥarram of the year 61/681. He had set out for Iraq in response to invitations from his followers and supporters there asking him to come and provide them with guidance. At th…