Muharram

American  

[moo-har-uhm, moo-hahr-uhm] / muˈhær əm, muˈhɑr əm /

noun

1. the first month of the Islamic calendar.

---

Muharram British  

/ muːˈhærəm /

noun

1. the first month of the Islamic year

---

Usage

What is Muharram? Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It’s also spelled Moharram. It is one of the months of the Islamic calendar that Muslims consider sacred. The first day of Muharram is the first day of the Islamic New Year. The tenth day of Muharram is Ashura, which is an important day for both Sunni and Shiʿite Muslims.

Etymology

Origin of Muharram

First recorded in 1605–15; from Arabic muḥarram “forbidden,” from ḥarama “to prohibit, deny”; harem ( def. )

Example Sentences

His appearance comes as the predominantly Shia Muslim country observes a period of mourning during the month of Muharram, traditionally attended by the Supreme Leader.

From BBC • Jul. 5, 2025

The mourning over their deaths reaches to its peak on Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram.

From Washington Times • Jul. 27, 2023

Last year when the Muharram procession overlapped with a Hindu festival, Muslim leaders changed the timing of their march to avoid confrontation.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 18, 2023

As Shiites, they were observing Muharram, to mark the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

From New York Times • Aug. 15, 2022

It is supposed that the cast shoe of Kāsim’s horse was brought to India, and at the Muharram models of horse-shoes are made and carried fixed on poles.

From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India—Volume I (of IV) by Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)