Alam procession on fifth day of Muharram observation in India.

Muslims are carrying a horse decorated with flowers along with an Alam or religious flag and performing matam or mourning during the fifth day of Muharram observation in Kolkata, India, on July 12, 2024. The Alam is a holy flag that represents the war standard of Shi'ism and the ensign of Husayn carried by his brother Abbas ibn Ali. Alam is a symbolic part of the Muharram mourning period for Shia Muslims. Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar. Shia Muslims are commemorating Muharram as a month of mourning in remembrance of the martyrdom of Islamic Prophet Muhammad's grandson Imam Hussain, who was killed on Ashura (10th day of Muharram) in the battle of Karbala in 680 A.D.