New Delhi | July 2, 2025 — India is preparing to observe Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram, on Sunday, July 6, 2025 — a day of profound significance for Muslims across the country and around the world. The day, which marks the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, will be observed as a gazetted public holiday across India. As a result, government offices, schools, banks, and stock exchanges (BSE & NSE) will remain closed.
Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, marks the beginning of the Hijri New Year and holds spiritual depth and historical weight, especially for Shia Muslims, who mourn the events of Karbala with deep devotion and grief.
Why Ashura Matters: A Story of Sacrifice and Justice
While the entire month of Muharram is sacred in Islam, the 10th day—Ashura—stands out as a solemn occasion of mourning, remembrance, and reflection. On this day in 680 AD, Imam Hussain and his 72 companions were martyred in the Battle of Karbala, standing up against tyranny and injustice.
For Shia Muslims, Ashura is a time of deep mourning, often marked by majlis (religious gatherings), recitation of marsiyas (elegies), and processions where devotees express grief and solidarity with Imam Hussain’s suffering. Some communities also practice symbolic self-flagellation to honour his sacrifice.
For Sunni Muslims, Ashura is observed through voluntary fasting, special prayers, and acts of charity, commemorating historical events such as Prophet Moses parting the Red Sea and the deliverance of Noah’s Ark.
India’s Unique Muharram Observances
In India, Muharram is commemorated with intense reverence, particularly in cities like Lucknow, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Srinagar. Streets are lined with black banners and taziyas (replicas of Imam Hussain’s tomb), while communities gather in hushed crowds to remember the tragedy of Karbala.
Despite the somber tone of the day, the devotion is vibrant and deeply rooted in cultural expression — making India’s Muharram observances among the most emotionally charged in the Islamic world.
Security Heightened Across States
Given the sensitive and emotional nature of the observances, state authorities — particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Kashmir — have implemented heightened security measures to ensure peace and order.
In Sambhal (U.P.), over 900 individuals have been placed under preventive surveillance, and restrictions have been issued to maintain communal harmony. DGP Rajeev Krishna has instructed police to:
- Deny permissions for any new or unauthorised processions
- Ban weapon displays during gatherings
- Monitor activities with CCTV and drone surveillance
- Increase police deployment in sensitive districts
“These measures are precautionary and aimed at preserving the peace during a sacred time,” an official from the U.P. Home Department said.
Call for Respect and Reflection
Religious scholars and community leaders have called upon citizens to maintain the spirit of unity and mutual respect, emphasizing that Muharram is not just a time of mourning, but a powerful reminder of truth, justice, and resistance against oppression.
In his Friday sermon, Delhi-based Shia cleric Maulana Ali Zaidi said:
“The martyrdom of Imam Hussain is not just a Shia narrative. It belongs to all of humanity. His stand for righteousness echoes across centuries.”
As the Muslim world observes Ashura 2025, India once again becomes a poignant reflection of how faith, tradition, and remembrance blend into the broader national tapestry.
Though marked by grief, Muharram and Ashura also offer a moment to pause and reflect — on the courage it takes to stand alone against injustice, and the enduring power of sacrifice in shaping the course of history.
Key Highlights:
- Ashura (10th Muharram) falls on Sunday, July 6, 2025
- Public holiday declared; government offices, banks, BSE & NSE to remain closed
- Heightened security measures in sensitive areas
- Observed with mourning, fasting, charity, and religious gatherings
- Commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain in the Battle of Karbala
