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.
[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.