📅 holiday

Martyrdom of Imam Ali

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

— days to go

Martyrdom of Imam Ali is a national holiday in Iran This is the anniversary of the death day of Ali the son of Abu Talib, who is believed by Shiites to be the rightful first Imam of all Islam. The holiday is celebrated on 21 Ramadan, but its date varies on the Gregorian Calendar from year to year. In 2027, Martyrdom of Imam Ali falls on Sunday 28 February. The holiday will be on Thursday 17 February in 2028. The son of Muhammad’s daughter Fatima, and also the first male convert to Islam due to the preaching of Muhammad, Ali is a key figure for all Muslims the world over. Ali became Caliph over the lands conquered by Muhammad and Uthman, his predecessors, in A.D. 656, but he was killed with a poison-laced sword by an assassin only five years later. He died two days later. People in Iran take a day off and take time to remember Imam Ali on this holiday each year. They may also pray, read the Koran, and attend special meetings in their local mosque.

History

Birth of Imam Ali. Imam Ali was born in the sacred city of Mecca, in current day Saudi Arabia, recognized as a significant figure in early Islamic history This observance marks an important moment in history, remembered annually for its cultural and historical significance.

How It's Celebrated

Gather with friends and family, enjoy traditional foods or activities associated with the day, and take a moment to appreciate its significance.

Other Years

2027 Sun

28 Feb

2028 Thu

17 Feb

2026 Tue

10 Mar

2025 Fri

21 Mar

Countries

🇮🇷 IR

View all →

🌍 observance Jan 23

National Handwriting

In 3300, BC. Invention of Writing. Writing systems were first invented in ancient Sumer (now southern Iraq) and quickly spread, becoming a cornerstone of human communication and record keeping

📅 holiday Feb 10

Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck

The Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck is a holiday unique to Malta because it was on Malta that the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked around the year A.D. 60. In 2027, Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck falls on Wednesday 10 February. The holiday will be on Thursday 10 February in 2028. The feast is kept on February 10th each year, and as Paul is the patron saint of Malta, it is a much-anticipated event. Out of dozens of “saint days” on the church calendar in Malta, the Feast of Saint Paul is one of only a handful that have the status of a national holiday. The account of Paul’s shipwreck and three-month, wintertime stay on Malta is found in the Bible’s Acts 27:27 through 28:11. He was being taken to Rome as a prisoner to eventually stand trial before Caesar. God let him know in advance he would be shipwrecked but would spare the lives of all on board, which promise was later kept and in answer to Paul’s prayers for their lives. The Bible says the storm was in the Adriatic Sea, though Malta borders the Ionian Sea, because in ancient times, the Adriatic’s boundaries were considered to extend much farther south. The ship broke up on the rocks near the shores of Malta, and all swam ashore. The local population greeted them, but thought he might be a murderer whom the “goddess of justice” had finally caught up with after he was bitten by a poisonous snake. After he lived, however, they supposed him to be, perhaps, a god. Paul, however, soon showed them it was God’s power at work in a mere man by healing the governor of the island, Publius, and many others who were sick or disabled among the island’s population. No doubt, Paul preached the Gospel to them as well, and when he left Malta, the inhabitants gave him all necessary supplies out of gratitude. The Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck is kept at the “Parish Church of Saint Paul Shipwrecked” in Malta’s capital city of Valletta. It is also a day of processions and family get-togethers. Three things to do should you visit Malta, though hopefully not be shipwrecked there, on February 10th are:

🌍 observance Feb 11

Islamic Revolution Day

In 1979, Overthrow of. Pahlavi Dynasty. The Pahlavi dynasty was overthrown, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, ending 2,500 years of continuous monarchy in Iran

IRUS

📅 holiday Feb 23

Defender of the Fatherland Day

Defender of the Fatherland Day is a public holiday in RU.