The ten-day period leading up to Ashura is marked by a series of rituals and ceremonies, including recitations of elegies lamenting the dead, reenactments of the battle and public processions carrying 'taziya'

These rituals serve to evoke the sorrow and suffering of Imam Hussein and his companions. Hussein was killed by the forces of Yazid ibn Muawiya, the Umayyad caliph, in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE

The conflict arose from Hussein's refusal to pledge allegiance to Yazid, whom he viewed as an illegitimate and tyrannical ruler who deviated from the true principles of Islam established by Prophet Muhammad

Hussein's stance was driven by a commitment to justice and the preservation of Islamic values. Yazid, seeking to consolidate his authority and eliminate any opposition, ordered an army to confront Hussein and his small band of followers

The resulting battle on the plains of Karbala culminated in the brutal killing of Hussein, along with his family members and supporters, an event that has since been deeply mourned and commemorated, especially within the Shia Muslim community

The religious aspects of Ashura are rooted in the principles of sacrifice, resistance and piety. For Shia Muslims, Imam Hussein's stand at Karbala is viewed as a profound act of faith and defiance against oppression

In Photo: Shiite Muslims take part in a traditional mourning ritual during Ashura in Kuwait City

The mourning practices during Ashura include the retelling of tragic events, self-flagellation and bloodletting, though the latter practices vary in intensity and form across different communities

In Photo: Volunteers prepare meals for Shiite Muslims taking part in a traditional mourning ritual during Ashura in Kuwait City on July 16, 2024

In Photo: Shiite Muslim devotees attend a ritual near the shrine of Imam Hussein in Iraq's holy city of Karbala during Ashura

In Photo: A volunteer distributes tea while Shiite Muslims take part in mourning rituals during Ashura on Al-Kifah Street in central Baghdad on July 16, 2024

During Ashura, Muslims often prepare and distribute a special meal known as "niyaz" as an act of charity and communal sharing. This meal typically includes a variety of dishes such as rice, lentils, stewed meats and sweets like halwa

In Photo: Shiite Muslims flagellate themselves to mark Ashura in Hyderabad on July 17, 2024. (Photo by NOAH SEELAM/AFP)