Muharram

Muslims take part in religious festival of Ashura to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein [GRAPHIC]

Muslims take part in religious festival of Ashura to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein [GRAPHIC]

34 photos

During the Shi’ite Muslim holy month of Muharram, worshippers from India to Iraq, Lebanon and Pakistan participate in the religious festival of Ashura. Ashura, the tenth day in the mourning period, commemorates the death anniversary of Imam Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Mohammad, who was killed during a battle in A.D. 680 in Karbala. Mourners celebrate the occasion by participating in large processions, re-enacting major battle events or self-flagellating themselves with knives to mark the anniversary.

NOTE: Photos contain visual coverage of injury and blood that may be disturbing to some readers.

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Nov. 20 Photo Brief: Toxic fashion show, Shiite self-flagellation, Afghanistan’s surplus of orphans and drug users

Nov. 20 Photo Brief: Toxic fashion show, Shiite self-flagellation, Afghanistan’s surplus of orphans and drug users

24 photos

Greenpeace holds a “Toxic Thread” fashion show in China, Shiite Muslims in Kashmir remember the slaying of the Prophet Mohammed’s grandson, 1 million orphans in Afghanistan, 60,000 drug users in the Afghan capital city of Kabul and more in today’s daily brief.

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