Streets of blood as Shiites celebrate Sacred Day Of Ashura

Shi’a Muslims around the world are commemorating the death of the grandson of Muhammad

Mourners traditionally whip and cut themselves with chains, knives and razors

Shockingly but even little children take part in a bloody ceremony

Thousands of Shiite Muslims in Lebanon, Bangladesh, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Myanmar and other countries are participating in Ashura, the tenth day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar.

An Indian Shiite Muslim cut the forehead of a child with a knife during a Muharram procession in Ahmadabad, which also took place on Sunday

Iraqi Shiite boys take part in a self-flagellation procession during the reenactment of the Battle of Karbala, as part of a parade in preparation for the peak of the mourning period of Ashura

Ashura falls each year on the 10th of Muharram  and commemorates the death of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad at the Battle of Karbala on 10 Muharram in the year 61 AH.

Shiite Muslims around the world attend mourning processions a ahead of the commemoration of Ashura. The practice of devotees whipping and cutting themselves has divided Muslim leaders

The sombre festival, which commemorates Imam Hussein’s martyrdom, is marked with ten days of mourning

The massacre of Husayn, his companions and family members had a great impact on the religious conscience of Muslims. Especially Shia Muslims have ever remembered it with sorrow and passion.

Most devotees whip and cut themselves using various sharp objects including chains, knives, razors, blades and swords.

Pictures from the parade in Peshawar show men and boys covered in blood after hitting themselves with blades and chains

Men in Islamabad had to be attended to by medics after cutting their backs during a Muharram procession

Rivers of blood are flowing down the streets of the cities, where men of all ages are injuring themselves as part of a brutal religious ritual.

Afterfards the devotees help each other to wash their wounds clean and amblunace crews provide first aid to participants.

everal of the men and boys opened up large wounds that had to be stitched back together by doctors

The tradition of blood-letting in the run up to Ashura is seen by some as a way of washing away their sins

Meanwhile, the controversial festival causes dissaproving reactions from variousreligious authorities who insist that such practices are unislamic.

Young children were among those who took place in a Muharram procession in Ahmadabad, India, on Sunday

In some areas, communities organize blood donation drives as a replacement for self-flagellation rituals like tatbir (striking the head with a sword or knife until blood gushes out) and qame zani (mourning with blood donation).

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