BEIRUT — Tuesday Aug. 9 and Monday Aug. 15 will be public holidays in Lebanon, and all public administrations, institutions and municipalities will be closed, a statement from Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati announced Monday.
Here’s what we know:
• The holidays mark the commemoration of Ashoura and the day of the Assumption of Mary, respectively.
• Ashoura is an Islamic religious event, most known to be celebrated by Shias, during which the martyrdom of Imam Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, is commemorated after his death during the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.
• The Assumption day celebrates the elevation of the Virgin Mary to heaven, in the Catholic Church.
BEIRUT — Tuesday Aug. 9 and Monday Aug. 15 will be public holidays in Lebanon, and all public administrations, institutions and municipalities will be closed, a statement from Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati announced Monday. Here’s what we know: • The holidays mark the commemoration of Ashoura and the day of the Assumption of Mary, respectively. •...