Ashura is a significant and sacred holiday observed in Pakistan. Held on the 10th day of the month of Muharram according to the Islamic lunar calendar, it marks the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala. In this tragic event, Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad and the third Imam of the Shia community, was martyred along with his companions. These solemn days of mourning are devoted to remembering and commemorating their sacrifices.
In Pakistan, the event of Ashura manifests in grand processions, gatherings, and recitations of marsiya (elegies). Participants walk barefoot on streets, beating their chests in a gesture of mourning, and dramatic reenactments of the Battle of Karbala form the central part of the observations. These processions are typically marked with the carrying of large replicas of Hussein's mausoleum, called tazia, and the participants self-flagellating as a reflection of their grief.
Ashura, although a day of mourning, is also an event of unity and community in Pakistan. Mosques and volunteer groups organize 'Niaz' or 'Sabeel,' free food and drink stands, to serve participants of the processions. These dishes are usually simple but nourishing: rice, lentils, meat, fruits and water, serving as expressions of their communal spirit and solidarity. The holiday of Ashura, despite its solemnity, serves to reinforce a sense of shared community, history, and spirituality within Pakistan.