Shia Muslims hold mourning ceremonies during the first 10 days of Muharram to remember Imam Hossein (AS) and his 72 companions, who were all martyred after fighting thousands of soldiers of the ruling tyrant of the time, Yazid I, in Iraq's Karbala desert in 680 AD.

The International Arbaeen Award is a cultural-religious program initiated by the Islamic Culture and Communication Organization every year aiming at spreading the culture of resistance and Ashura and showing manifestations of affection for Imam Hussain (AS).