Photos: 1st day of Muharram mourning ceremony in Sokoto, Nigeria

Muḥarram al-Haram (Arabic: محرم الحرام) is the first month of Hijri calendar. It is called "Muharram" (forbidden) because fighting is forbidden in this month. The importance of this month for Shi'a Muslims is because the event of Ashura and the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (a) and his companions took place in this month. Every year, Millions of Shi'a and non-Shias commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain all around the world.