[header] How to celebrate muharram [title] Refrain from public displays of happiness prior to the 10th day of muharram. [step] For the first 9 days of muharram, shia muslims observe a period of mourning for the martyred husayn ibn ali. As such, many shiite leaders encourage their followers to avoid fun or pleasant activities in public and, if possible, in private. 
This personal denial should last until ashura, the 10th day of muharram. Some things to refrain from include : [substeps] Eating meat, especially during the day.