Shia Muslims took to the streets today to mourn the death of Prophet Mohammed’s grandson Hussein and were seen cutting and whipping themselves with sharp swords to mourn his passing.
The holiday, known as the Holy Day of Ashura, is celebrated by Shia Muslims and mourns the death of Imam Hussein on the battlefield in the 7th century.
The bloody ceremonies, in which men of all ages scalp each other or whip themselves with blades attached to chains, are meant to commemorate the violent end of Imam Hussein.
Many of the faithful wear white robes, which are then dyed bright red by the blood flowing from head wounds and flagellation ceremonies.
The beheading of Imam Hussein and the murder of his family were part of a dispute over who should succeed the Prophet Muhammad.
A Shiite Muslim flagellates himself on the eve of Ashura Day processions in Peshawar, Pakistan, Tuesday.
Shia Muslims celebrate the holy month of Muharram, culminating in the festival of Ashura, which commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in the Battle of the Iraqi city of Karbala in the 7th century.
The bloody ceremonies include men of all ages scalping themselves or whipping themselves with blades attached to chains.
This dispute eventually developed into a bitter schism between Sunnis, who make up about 90 percent of Muslims, and Shiite branches of Islam.
Many Shiite worshippers travel from neighboring Iran and other countries each year to visit Imam Hussein’s shrine in Karbala, which is located about 50 miles southwest of Baghdad, Iraq.
Ashura is celebrated on the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
Hussein’s martyrdom is widely regarded as a symbol of the fight against injustice and oppression among Shiites.
Ashura is celebrated as a day of atonement for Sunnis, allowing participants to be forgiven for sins they committed during the previous year.
Many of the faithful wear white robes, which are then dyed bright red by the blood flowing from head wounds and flagellation ceremonies.
Hussein’s martyrdom is widely seen as a symbol of the fight against injustice and oppression among Shiites.
Tehran and other cities across the country were adorned with symbols of Shiite piety and repentance.
Iranian state television reported that six millions Iranian pilgrims traveled to the Iraqi city of Karbala, where Hussein is buried in a gold-domed shrine, and broadcast live footage of the procession.
Many Shia Muslims across the Middle East joined together to commemorate Ashura on Tuesday.
This comes after a shooting at a Shiite mosque killed six people and injured dozens on Monday night in Muscat, Oman, according to Al Jazeera.
Video from the scene showed people fleeing near the Imam Ali Mosque as gunfire could be heard.
A Shia Muslim flagellates himself during a religious procession on the ninth day of the Islamic month of Muharram, in Islamabad today
Four Pakistanis and a policeman were killed and at least 28 others were wounded, according to authorities.
The three alleged attackers were also killed by security forces.
The identities of the victims and the gunmen, as well as their motives, have not been shared.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack.
Shiites make up more than 10 percent of the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims and regard Hussein as the legitimate successor to the Prophet Muhammad.
Hussein’s death in battle at the hands of Sunnis in Karbala, south of Baghdad, created a deep divide in Islam and continues to play a key role in shaping Shia identity to this day.
An estimated 6 million Iranian pilgrims traveled to the Iraqi city of Karbala, where Hussein is buried.
A Shia Muslim boy holds a knife tied to chains during a Muharram procession, in Islamabad, Pakistan, today
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