Ashura comes on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram, a month during which Shias mourn. The 10th day is the anniversary of the death of Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussain, in the Battle of Karbala in A.D. 680.
The Bahraini flag, normally white with red at the right end is transformed into a white-and-black flag of mourning for Ashura purposes.
Processions (Azadari) occur on an almost-daily basis during the month. Some participants beat their chests as they pass by, an act of mourning, while others whip themselves or strike themselves with swords.
