Every year, as the month of Muharram approaches, something changes in the hearts of those who love Imam Husayn (AS). The black banners begin to appear. Familiar recitations fill homes and community centres. Conversations shift towards Karbala. For many mourners, especially those living in the West, Ashura is not simply a historical anniversary. It is a deeply personal journey.

The 1st of Muharram marks the beginning of a different kind of period. There’s a noticeable shift. It doesn’t...