ashura

• • in Shi'a Islam, ashura is celebrated to remember the matyrdom of Husayn, a descendant of Prophet Muhammad
• in Shi'a Islam, it is celebrated by:

  • wearing black
  • men may beat themselves with chains to draw blood
  • Muslims may take part in plays or processions
  • public marches will take place with clapping and slapping of the chest
  • public displays of grief are shown, crying and wailing
  • many Muslims will fast and pray
• • in Sunni Islam, ashura remembers the fasting of Musa after God opened the Red Sea to allow the Isralietes to escape from the Eygptians