When is Martyrdom of Imam Ali?
In 2026, Martyrdom of Imam Ali falls on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. It is classified here as a Iranian public holiday.
History of Martyrdom of Imam Ali
The twenty-first of Ramadan commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Ali, who was attacked while praying in the mosque of Kufa and died in 661 CE. For Twelver Shi'a Muslims, his life represents principled leadership, learning and justice; his death is remembered with deep mourning.
Because the date falls in Ramadan, its sombre gatherings occur within a month already shaped by fasting and evening worship. Mosques and homes may hold recitation, elegies and charitable meals. The public holiday should be planned through the official annual lunar calendar, rather than a fixed Gregorian date.
The commemoration distinguishes the nineteenth of Ramadan, when Ibn Muljam struck Imam Ali in Kufa, from the twenty-first, when Ali died in 661. Iran makes the latter date a public holiday. It also falls within the Nights of Qadr period, so mourning may accompany intense prayer, Qur'an vigils and supplication before dawn. Iran’s official 2026 calendar sets the holiday on March 11; calculated regional calendars may show March 10, but they do not control Iranian workplace planning.
How Martyrdom of Imam Ali is observed
A nationwide public holiday on 21 Ramadan; religious schedules, transport and commercial opening hours can differ during Iran’s fasting month.
Traditions of Martyrdom of Imam Ali
Mourning gatherings
Iranian mosques and religious centres hold elegies, Qur'an recitation and sermons about Imam Ali’s life, death and ethical example.
Ramadan worship
The anniversary blends with late-night prayer, Qur'an reading and the Nights of Qadr, giving many gatherings an especially intense devotional rhythm.
Charitable food
Families, mosques and neighbourhood groups provide communal meals or food parcels for worshippers and people in need during the Ramadan commemoration.
Dates and observance rules are checked against the official Iranian official and legal guidance. Solar Hijri and lunar dates, plus annual public-service schedules, should be confirmed against official notices.
History sources: Iran: Law determining official public holidays, JICA Iran Office: 2026 holiday calendar, JETRO: Iran public holidays in 2026, ILO NATLEX: Labour Law of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iranian calendar 1405: official occasions and closures.
Continue exploring