Office of the Vice Chancellor for Access, Civil Rights & Community

The 10th day of the first month (Muharram) of the Islamic calendar marks a holy day (known as Ashura) whose significance varies among Islamic sects. Sunnis consider it the day that God parted the Red Sea to allow Moses and the Israelites to escape Egypt. For Shia and Sufi Muslims, Ashura is an important and solemn occasion marking the Remembrance or Mourning of Muharram.

The holy day commemorates the anniversary of the execution of the Báb (Siyyid ‘Ali-Muhammad), the herald of the Baha’i Faith. It is one of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended and children are exempted from attending school. Begins at sunset of the first day and ends at sunset of the last day.