Day of remembrance of Saint Hüseyin

October 10 is considered the anniversary of the death of Saint Hüseyin, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed is said to have died as a martyr on this day in 680 during an uprising against the caliph.

To commemorate Saint Hüseyin, there is an annual fasting period that is postponed by eleven days each year, the Aşure festival.

This four-day festival is flexible and is always brought forward by eleven days the following year. The festival of sacrifice is celebrated by part of the Alevi community as a sign of gratitude to God for his mercy. It commemorates Abraham (Turkish: Ibrahim) and his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail. The festival is an occasion for Alevis to think of the poor and needy and to give them gifts.