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SHOW OF FAITH

Ashura festival sees children left covered in blood as devout Muslims use knives to slice their heads open

FASCINATING images show devout Muslims using knives to cut open their heads during a traditional show of faith.

Every year, thousands of Shia worshippers take part in the ceremonies, performed to mourn the death of Husayn ibn Ali, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

Worshippers in Afghanistan mark the day of Ashura, the tenth day of the first month in the Islamic calendar, by drawing blood with scourges
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Worshippers in Afghanistan mark the day of Ashura, the tenth day of the first month in the Islamic calendar, by drawing blood with scourgesCredit: AP:Associated Press
The day commemorates the death of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the prophet Muhammad
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The day commemorates the death of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the prophet MuhammadCredit: AFP or licensors
The annual event is controversial for involving self harm, forbidden in Islam, and sometimes involving children
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The annual event is controversial for involving self harm, forbidden in Islam, and sometimes involving childrenCredit: Reuters
A Shia Muslim in Lebanon cuts his head with a sword as part of the Ashura commemorations
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A Shia Muslim in Lebanon cuts his head with a sword as part of the Ashura commemorationsCredit: AFP or licensors
A man in Bahrain in the process of bloodletting
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A man in Bahrain in the process of bloodlettingCredit: AFP or licensors

The commemorations take place on Ashura, the tenth day of the first month of the Islamic calendar.

They mark Husayn's death at the Battle of Karbala, fought between Husayn and Yazid I on October 10 680AD to determine who should succeed the prophet as the leader of Islam.

Yazid is considered a tyrant by some Muslims, and Husayn's death is considered by the Shia community to be a symbol of humanity's struggle against injustice, tyranny, and oppression.

The anniversary is a national holiday in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain, and Pakistan, and typically involves public expressions of mourning.

The Ashura festivities were marked by tragedy in Iraq's holy city of Karbala after more than 30 pilgrims died and another 100 were wounded in a stampede when a walkway collapsed.

Some Muslims mark the day with the practice of Tatbir, in which a sword or scourge is used to draw blood in remembrance of the innocent blood of Husayn.

Many who take part in the practice believe it cleanses them of their sins.

Volunteers in Pakistan take a mourner for treatment after he has self-flagellated
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Volunteers in Pakistan take a mourner for treatment after he has self-flagellatedCredit: AFP or licensors
A man cuts his head in the city of Basra in southern Iraq
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A man cuts his head in the city of Basra in southern IraqCredit: AFP or licensors
A man in Lebanon bleeds after cutting his forehead with a razor
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A man in Lebanon bleeds after cutting his forehead with a razorCredit: Reuters
A man cuts the head of a woman with a razor in Lebanon
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A man cuts the head of a woman with a razor in LebanonCredit: AFP or licensors
A group of man in Lebanon chant during a religious procession
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A group of man in Lebanon chant during a religious processionCredit: Reuters
A man in New Delhi begins to beat himself
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A man in New Delhi begins to beat himselfCredit: AFP or licensors

A popular saying among Shia Muslims has it that "a single tear shed for Husayn washes away a hundred sins".

The ritual, which is sometimes carried out on children, is controversial within the Muslim world, with some research suggesting it can cause lasting psychological damage.

Many clerics also consider it to be self harm, which is "haram" - forbidden - in Islam.

Others worry that the practice creates a negative image of their faith.

Worshippers are instead encouraged to donate blood, with some communities organising donation drives with organisations like the Red Cross.

Other rituals carried on Ashura include mourning processions, recitations of mournful poetry, and services in which the history of the Battle of Karbala is retold.

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In some countries, notably Iran and Iraq, plays are also performed reenacting the battle.

In others, it is customary for mosques to provide free meals to all people during the remembrance.

An Iraqi man cries as the events of the death of Husayn is reenacted
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An Iraqi man cries as the events of the death of Husayn is reenactedCredit: AFP or licensors
A man in Iraq prepares to take part in the bloodletting
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A man in Iraq prepares to take part in the bloodlettingCredit: AFP or licensors
Iraqi Muslims gather at a shrine in the holy city of Karbala, where the Battle of Karbala took place in 680AD
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Iraqi Muslims gather at a shrine in the holy city of Karbala, where the Battle of Karbala took place in 680ADCredit: AFP or licensors
Men praying at the shrine
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Men praying at the shrineCredit: AFP or licensors
A man in Afghanistan serves drinks to attendees of commemorations
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A man in Afghanistan serves drinks to attendees of commemorationsCredit: EPA
Iraqi Shiites gather for a mourning ceremony in Karbala
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Iraqi Shiites gather for a mourning ceremony in KarbalaCredit: AFP or licensors
A commemoration meeting in Karbala lit up at dusk
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A commemoration meeting in Karbala lit up at duskCredit: Reuters

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