Yazid forces attacked the holy Imam, his family members and small group of loyal companions in desert of Karbala on October 10, 680 (Muharram 10, 61 AH).
The nearby river of Furat was also blocked by Yazid forces and the infallible along with his 72 companions were martyred while being thirsty.
Millions of black clad mourners take to the streets on the 9th and 10th day
of Muharram, also known as Tasua’a and Ashura which mark the climax of the mourning.
During the ceremonies, supplications are recited and sermons delivered in honor of the third holiest figure of Shia Islam and his companions who were brutally slain in the unfair battle of Karbala.
It is worth-mentioning that Imam Khomeini used to highlight Ashura as the first and most important framework for reviving the forgotten dimensions of the Islam across
the Muslim world. He always advised the Muslim world that they must preserve the memory of 'Ashura with greater splendor.
“These are months of Muharram and Safar that have kept Islam alive,” said Imam Khomeini.