Muharram is an event celebrated by Shia muslims in honor of the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammed's grandson, Imam Hussain.  They believe that Imam Hussain should have been the successor to Prophet Mohammed, but in 680 CE, Hussain along with other family members were killed in the Battle of Karbala. Ever since they honor this day with a sense of remorse because their ancestors failed to protect Imam Hussain and his family. They commemorate the day by dressing in black and chanting verses as they pound their chests. Some men and even very young boys mourn by participating in self flagellation, whipping themselves with daggers attached to chains, or whips embedded with razor blades in honor of the suffering Imam Hussain and his family endured.