Ashura

Ashura History

Ashura Starts in Canada is an initiative that promotes the remembrance and commemoration of Ashura, a significant event in Islamic history. As a part of Islamic beliefs, Ashura marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Muhammad, and other believers in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. It is observed on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. Ashura is a day of mourning and reflection, and Muslims around the world participate in various rituals and practices to commemorate the event.

Ashura Starts in Canada was launched in 2010 to promote this tradition among the Muslim community in Canada. The initiative aims to create awareness about the significance of Ashura and to provide a platform for Muslims to come together to observe this significant event. Through various events and activities, such as lectures, sermons, and processions, Ashura Starts in Canada seeks to commemorate the tragedy of Karbala and remind Muslims of the values of sacrifice, solidarity, and resilience.

In addition to mourning, Ashura also serves as a symbol of resistance against oppression and tyranny. Ashura Starts in Canada also focuses on promoting social justice and human rights, in line with the principles of Is lam. This day serves to promote Islamic values of remembrance, community, and social justice through the commemoration of Ashura. Ashura begins on July 28th. Date shown reflects the main observance day. This observance, like most Muslim observances, begins at sunset on the evening before.

Top 8 Facts for 2026 Ashura in Canada

• For many Canadians, the significance of the day is rooted in the historical Battle of Karbala, where the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, is commemorated as a definitive stand against social injustice and tyranny.
• Sunni Muslims in Canada often observe the occasion by reflecting on the biblical deliverance of Prophet Musa and the parting of the Red Sea, a tradition that typically involves voluntary fasting on the ninth and tenth days of the month.
• A major public event in Ontario is the Toronto Ashura Juloos, which is among the largest processions of its kind in North America and often features participants reciting noha elegies as they march through the downtown core.
• The Imam Hussain Blood Donation Campaign has become a prominent humanitarian tradition across the country, where community members donate blood to the Canadian Blood Services as a modern, selfless expression of the sacrifice associated with the day.
• Social justice initiatives are frequently spearheaded by the Who Is Hussain? organization, which coordinates local teams in cities like Vancouver and Calgary to distribute food, water, and hygiene kits to vulnerable populations and those experiencing homelessness.
• A unique culinary and interfaith tradition involves the preparation and sharing of Noah’s Pudding, also known as ashure, a dish made from a variety of grains and fruits that symbolizes the diversity of humanity and the safe landing of the ark on Mount Judi.
• Many families and community centers engage with the history of the event through creative media, including the screening of the documentary Karbala: When the Skies Wept or the popular historical television series Mokhtarnameh.
• Throughout the observance, participants often engage in matam, a rhythmic chest-beating ritual intended to express communal grief and solidarity with those who have suffered from historical and contemporary oppression.

In the News and Trending in Canada for Ashura

Top things to do in Canada for Ashura

• To commemorate the martyrdom of Husayn Ibn Ali Husayn, Shi'a Muslims often re-enact plays of the epic battle of Karbala.
• Many Shi'a Muslims go on a pilgrimage to Karbala (Iraq) where they pay homage to Muhammad's family on the day of Ashura.
• In cities with significant Shia Muslim populations, such as Toronto and Vancouver, mourning processions take place on the day of Ashur. This is where people march through the streets commemorating the martyrdom of Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
• Some Islamic centers in Canada organize Iftar (breaking fast) meals at the conclusion of Ashura for community members to come together and share in a meal, especially in Shia-majority communities.