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.
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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.
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Young boys were among those that cut their headsCredit: Reuters
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This small boy just cut his head openCredit: AFP or licensors
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This baby is having its head cut open during the ceremonyCredit: AFP or licensors
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Lebanese Shi’ite Muslim child carries a sword as he bleedsCredit: Reuters
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Some young boys opposed to getting their heads cutCredit: AFP or licensors
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Young boys flagellated themselves to mark AshuraCredit: AFP or licensors
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Boys cut their heads open in Iraq’s southern city of BasraCredit: AFP or licensors
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A Shia boy is getting his head cut open during the Ashura ceremonyCredit: AFP or licensors
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A child dressed in a military uniform gestures supporters of HezbollahCredit: AFP or licensors
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A little child attends the Universal Ashura Mourning Ceremony in Istanbul, TurkeyCredit: Getty – Contributor
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A child dressed in a traditional outfit gestures supporters of Lebanon’s Shi’ite movementCredit: AFP or licensors
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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
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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
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Other young boys cut their heads in Lebanon’s southern town of NabatiehCredit: AFP or licensors
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Brahraini Shi’ite Muslims bleed after they flagellated themselves in Baghdad’s Sadr CityCredit: REUTERS
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Blood-filled images show men soaked in their own blood during AshuraCredit: AFP or licensors
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The Shia men cut themselves in the annual ceremonyCredit: AFP or licensors
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Chains with knives attached are used to whip the body to free it of sinsCredit: AFP or licensors
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Lebanese man bleeds after he sliced his head with a swordCredit: Reuters
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One man grabs a smoke after slicing his head openCredit: AFP or licensors
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Followers watch on as a man has his head sliced with two knivesCredit: AFP or licensors
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A Lebanese Shi’ite man smokes after he was cut on the forehead with a razorCredit: Reuters
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Ashura commemorates Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Muslim faith’s prophet MohammedCredit: AFP or licensors
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Lebanon’s southern town Nabatieh was filled with Shia men taking part in AshuraCredit: AFP or licensors
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Shia men and women dressed in black parade through the streets slapping their chests and chantingCredit: Reuters
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Pakistani Shi’ite Muslims flagellate themselves during a mourning procession on the sacred month of MuharramCredit: EPA
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This man just sliced his head open to relieve him of his sinsCredit: AFP or licensors
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Ashura is the tenth day of Muharram in the Islamic calendarCredit: Reuters
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Supporters of Lebanon’s Shi’ite movement Hezbollah take part in a parade to mark AshuraCredit: AFP or licensors
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A man has blood wiped from his face after his head was cut openCredit: AFP or licensors
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Processions and services held this week mark the holiest days in the Shia calendar, Tasua and AshuraCredit: Reuters
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Pakistani security officials escort a mourning procession on the sacred month of MuharramCredit: EPA
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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
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Remarkable photographs show men and boys covered in blood after slashing themselvesCredit: Reuters
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Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Lebannon’s militant Shi’ite movement HezbollahCredit: AFP or licensors
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Two men slice their heads at the same time during the ceremonyCredit: Reuters
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People attend the Universal Ashura Mourning Ceremony in Istanbul, TurkeyCredit: Getty – Contributor
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Shia men parade through the streets slapping their chests and chantingCredit: Reuters
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Shia men cut their foreheads until blood streams from their bodiesCredit: Reuters
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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
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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
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Shia men cut their heads open to wash away their sinsCredit: Reuters
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Chains are also used among knives to purge Shia men of their sinsCredit: Reuters
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Shia males of any age participate in the cutting heads ritualCredit: AFP or licensors
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Shia men are seen parading through the streets of Iraq after cutting their headsCredit: Reuters
