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HOW DO YOU LIKE THIS “DIVERSITY”?: Children left covered in blood as devout Muslims use knives to slice their heads open during traditional Ashura show of faith in Iraq

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Children left covered in blood as devout Muslims use knives to slice their heads open during traditional Ashura show of faith in Iraq

The ceremony commemorates the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Imam Hussein

THESE incredible pictures show devout Muslims using knives to slice open their heads – and those of children – during the traditional Ashura show of faith in Iraq.

They are among the millions of Shia Muslim worshippers currently taking part in annual ceremonies to mourn the death of Imam Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.

 Babies were also participating in the ceremony of Ashura

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Babies were also participating in the ceremony of AshuraCredit: AFP or licensors

The images also show babies involved in the ceremonies, with one covered in blood during the event.

The men used large knives to cut their heads, while others helped to cut heads of those around them.

The processions and services held this week mark the holiest days in the Shia calendar, Tasua and Ashura.

During 10 days of mourning many of the devotees whip and cut themselves with chains and knives as a way of washing away their sins.

 Young boys were among those that cut their heads

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Young boys were among those that cut their headsCredit: Reuters
 This small boy just cut his head open

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This small boy just cut his head openCredit: AFP or licensors
 This baby is having its head cut open during the ceremony

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This baby is having its head cut open during the ceremonyCredit: AFP or licensors
 Lebanese Shi'ite Muslim child carries a sword as he bleeds

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Lebanese Shi’ite Muslim child carries a sword as he bleedsCredit: Reuters
 Some young boys opposed to getting their heads cut

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Some young boys opposed to getting their heads cutCredit: AFP or licensors
 Young boys flagellated themselves to mark Ashura

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Young boys flagellated themselves to mark AshuraCredit: AFP or licensors
 Boys cut their heads open in Iraq's southern city of Basra

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Boys cut their heads open in Iraq’s southern city of BasraCredit: AFP or licensors
 A Shia boy is getting his head cut open during the Ashura ceremony

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A Shia boy is getting his head cut open during the Ashura ceremonyCredit: AFP or licensors
 A child dressed in a military uniform gestures supporters of Hezbollah

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A child dressed in a military uniform gestures supporters of HezbollahCredit: AFP or licensors
 A little child attends the Universal Ashura Mourning Ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey

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A little child attends the Universal Ashura Mourning Ceremony in Istanbul, TurkeyCredit: Getty – Contributor
 A child dressed in a traditional outfit gestures supporters of Lebanon's Shi'ite movement

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A child dressed in a traditional outfit gestures supporters of Lebanon’s Shi’ite movementCredit: AFP or licensors
 They believe God chose Ali to be Muhammad's successor, infallible, the first caliph (khalifa, head of state) of Islam

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They believe God chose Ali to be Muhammad’s successor, infallible, the first caliph (khalifa, head of state) of IslamCredit: Reuters
 The men used large knives to cut their heads, and others helped to cut heads of those around them

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The men used large knives to cut their heads, and others helped to cut heads of those around themCredit: AFP or licensors
 Other young boys cut their heads in Lebanon's southern town of Nabatieh

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Other young boys cut their heads in Lebanon’s southern town of NabatiehCredit: AFP or licensors
 Brahraini Shi'ite Muslims bleed after they flagellated themselves in Baghdad's Sadr City

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Brahraini Shi’ite Muslims bleed after they flagellated themselves in Baghdad’s Sadr CityCredit: REUTERS

 

 Blood-filled images show men soaked in their own blood during Ashura

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Blood-filled images show men soaked in their own blood during AshuraCredit: AFP or licensors
 The Shia men cut themselves in the annual ceremony

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The Shia men cut themselves in the annual ceremonyCredit: AFP or licensors
 Chains with knives attached are used to whip the body to free it of sins

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Chains with knives attached are used to whip the body to free it of sinsCredit: AFP or licensors
 Lebanese man bleeds after he sliced his head with a sword

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Lebanese man bleeds after he sliced his head with a swordCredit: Reuters
 One man grabs a smoke after slicing his head open

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One man grabs a smoke after slicing his head openCredit: AFP or licensors
 Followers watch on as a man has his head sliced with two knives

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Followers watch on as a man has his head sliced with two knivesCredit: AFP or licensors
 A Lebanese Shi'ite man smokes after he was cut on the forehead with a razor

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A Lebanese Shi’ite man smokes after he was cut on the forehead with a razorCredit: Reuters
 Ashura commemorates Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Muslim faith's prophet Mohammed

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Ashura commemorates Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Muslim faith’s prophet MohammedCredit: AFP or licensors
 Lebanon's southern town Nabatieh was filled with Shia men taking part in Ashura

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Lebanon’s southern town Nabatieh was filled with Shia men taking part in AshuraCredit: AFP or licensors
 Shia men and women dressed in black parade through the streets slapping their chests and chanting

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Shia men and women dressed in black parade through the streets slapping their chests and chantingCredit: Reuters
 Pakistani Shi'ite Muslims flagellate themselves during a mourning procession on the sacred month of Muharram

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Pakistani Shi’ite Muslims flagellate themselves during a mourning procession on the sacred month of MuharramCredit: EPA
 This man just sliced his head open to relieve him of his sins

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This man just sliced his head open to relieve him of his sinsCredit: AFP or licensors
 Ashura is the tenth day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar

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Ashura is the tenth day of Muharram in the Islamic calendarCredit: Reuters
 Supporters of Lebanon's Shi'ite movement Hezbollah take part in a parade to mark Ashura

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Supporters of Lebanon’s Shi’ite movement Hezbollah take part in a parade to mark AshuraCredit: AFP or licensors
 A man has blood wiped from his face after his head was cut open

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A man has blood wiped from his face after his head was cut openCredit: AFP or licensors
 Processions and services held this week mark the holiest days in the Shia calendar, Tasua and Ashura

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Processions and services held this week mark the holiest days in the Shia calendar, Tasua and AshuraCredit: Reuters
 Pakistani security officials escort a mourning procession on the sacred month of Muharram

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Pakistani security officials escort a mourning procession on the sacred month of MuharramCredit: EPA
 Shia Muslims believe that just as a prophet is appointed by God alone, only God has the prerogative to appoint the successor to his prophet

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Shia Muslims believe that just as a prophet is appointed by God alone, only God has the prerogative to appoint the successor to his prophetCredit: AFP or licensors
 Remarkable photographs show men and boys covered in blood after slashing themselves

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Remarkable photographs show men and boys covered in blood after slashing themselvesCredit: Reuters
 Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Lebannon's militant Shi'ite movement Hezbollah

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Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Lebannon’s militant Shi’ite movement HezbollahCredit: AFP or licensors
 Two men slice their heads at the same time during the ceremony

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Two men slice their heads at the same time during the ceremonyCredit: Reuters
 People attend the Universal Ashura Mourning Ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey

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People attend the Universal Ashura Mourning Ceremony in Istanbul, TurkeyCredit: Getty – Contributor
 Shia men parade through the streets slapping their chests and chanting

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Shia men parade through the streets slapping their chests and chantingCredit: Reuters
 Shia men cut their foreheads until blood streams from their bodies

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Shia men cut their foreheads until blood streams from their bodiesCredit: Reuters
 A Lebanese Shia Muslim taps the head of a man with a razor to draw blood during the religious procession

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A Lebanese Shia Muslim taps the head of a man with a razor to draw blood during the religious processionCredit: Reuters
 Pilgrims cut themselves with swords as they weep and beat their chests in mourning during the annual Ashura ceremonies

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Pilgrims cut themselves with swords as they weep and beat their chests in mourning during the annual Ashura ceremoniesCredit: AFP or licensors
 Shia men cut their heads open to wash away their sins

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Shia men cut their heads open to wash away their sinsCredit: Reuters
 Chains are also used among knives to purge Shia men of their sins

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Chains are also used among knives to purge Shia men of their sinsCredit: Reuters
 Shia males of any age participate in the cutting heads ritual

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Shia males of any age participate in the cutting heads ritualCredit: AFP or licensors
 Shia men are seen parading through the streets of Iraq after cutting their heads

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Shia men are seen parading through the streets of Iraq after cutting their headsCredit: Reuters