Forty Days After Ashura
For Shia Muslims, Ashura marks the day of death of the prophets grandson. It is observed with processions, mourning and expressions to share the suffering of the prophets grandson. Most commonly this is seen as striking their chests and hand, but by some can include severe self-flagellation. Ashura is also a protest against oppression. Forty Days after Ashura is again celebrated with processions and mourning and may be commemorated by a pilgrimage to the shrine in Karbala, Iraq. While filmed in Kargil, India, the flags seen in this film are Iraqi to denote the site of the shrine and the place of the death of the prophets grandson.