Shia Muslims Celebrate Ashura (WARNING: Some people may find photos to be upsetting)
Children left covered in blood as devout Muslims use knives to slice their heads open during traditional Ashura show of faith in Iraq
The day commemorates the death of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the prophet Muhammad. Credit: AFP or licensors
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.
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.
The commemorations take place on Ashura , the tenth day of the first month of the Islamic calendar.
They mark Husayn's death at the Battle of Karbala, fought between Husayn and Yazid I on October 10 680AD to determine who should succeed the prophet as the leader of Islam.
The anniversary is a national holiday in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain, and Pakistan, and typically involves public expressions of mourning.
Some Muslims mark the day with the practice of Tatbir, in which a sword or scourge is used to draw blood in remembrance of the innocent blood of Husayn.
Many who take part in the practice believe it cleanses them of their sins.
(Link )
Do-Wacka-Do
At least.
Brilliant !
Who the fuck would NEED to knife cut a little "Kid" on purpose anyway.
Even if doesn't kill a child, the chances are that they may die from infection as I doubt they clean the wound properly on top of using a dirty knife.
Well they actually believe that they (adults) will spend eternity in Paradise if they die fighting in the name of Islam--so my guess that the same is true of the kids.
When you look at the picture, the guy holding the kid looks so proud.....of HIMSELF.
Kids just terrified !
Not since the picture of Bayle Almon (OKC bombing), has my heart been broken this deeply as it has seeing the pain on that child's face.
I think it should be pointed out that the Sunni don't do this holiday since this prophet is the dividing difference between the two branches of Islam.
I dont approve of the ritual, but unfortunately this article is presented here just to foment anti-Muslim attitudes.
Really ?
Not unfortunate at all.
It's real, isn't it ?
Do you think that America should , in general, be anti-Muslim ?
I can only speak for myself. I'd say "generally" ….no !
Now there are "Specific" things that can make me "Anti-Muslim", or "Anti-Anything" for that matter.
Do you think AMERICANS should, in general, be anti-Christian ?
I think America should be anti-child abuse. Anti-religious extremist, too. Whether it's the fanatical rabbis doing those unhygienic circumcisions, or female genital mutilation, or priests raping children and nuns, or people slicing their children's heads - we should call it out and condemn it. Religion does not give people free passes for these actions, although it is the root cause of these actions.
The only anti-Christians I know are anti-every other religion too. Atheists. Do you have a point?
Or the ones putting up anything "Christian", as a bad thing on this site, just to counter anything put up about "Islam" ?
The use of flails and self crucifixion by some Christians or baby dropping rituals by some Hindus are also real.
Because some religions have some parishioners who carry out bizarre rituals do we then move every member of those religions into the human animal column as well, like this article encourages us do with all Muslims?
Thanks !
Re-Read comment 6.1.5.
I know Krish and he is not anti-Muslim. But this is a good example of extremism at it's worst, and no healthy western society should want this.
And by the same token, we have run articles about sects of Christians who deny health care to their children, which is also extremism. Our society should have no tolerance for any of this, and all of this should be condemned.
In isolation there is nothing wrong with the article. But there are anti-Muslims on this site, you know it and I know it. This seed is like a catnip for them.
John,
Daily, many faiths get it on this site. It is a discussion site. And this holiday is going on right now. It is news and it is horrific.
Notice I put up a qualifier that the Sunni don't do this. Are they not Muslims?
It’s all good. I thought you were anti-Mormon in 2012 when Romney was running.
And FWIW, less than 20% of the world's Muslims are Shia.
Rumour has it that some people in Seattle-- event hunt-- MUSHROOMS!
Mushroom hunting in Seattle area
(You've gotta be quick though-- when frightened Mushrooms can move faster than you've ever imagined!!!)
This seed is like a catnip for them.
And here all along I suspected it might have been CAVIAR TO THE GENERAL!
John has a real problem in being able to distinguish between those who disdain the extremist Islamists and those who praise Muslim reformers. I have been victimized by him in that regard as much as anyone.
That's a fucking LIE.
I am anti anyone who would harm a child in this manner. I don't care what race or religion they are. Wrong is wrong.
LOL. Says the NT member who presents Trump-bashing articles almost every day to foment anti-Trump attitudes.
I wouldnt expect anything less from someone who habitually seeds from an anti-Muslim site Buzz.
It's not anti-Muslim, it's anti-radical Islamist. It PRAISES Muslim reformers, just as I do. It's only those who support Islamists and ignore the creeping Caliphate (which is pervading Europe already) or misled Social Justice Warriors and BDS supporters who slander that site. Of course slandering it might be because of its completely justifiable support of Israel's existence.
Oh, I forgot to say that I was amused by your using a rather unusual expression "I wouldn't expect anything less...." which echoes Major Strassa (Conrad Veidt) in the movie Casablanca, wherein he said "I expected nothing less."
Critical thinking is good; people should make use of that mental faculty.
WTF?
Don't you know that critical thinking is forbidden on social media sites?
I am not referring to social media participants, I am referring to people who cut open their heads, their kid's heads and other bat-shit crazy acts.
Religious nutbars
I can't help but think how much further along humanity would be, and how much better the world would be without all forms of organized religion.
Faith is nothing more than self imposed ignorance..... Crack a physics book if you want to have faith in something.
Quakers? Jainism? Amish? Ba'hai? The Yezidis? The Sikhs? Taoism?
Fortunately the vast majority of Muslims do NOT participate in these bloody Ashura rituals.
I think these masochists have the right to cut and beat themselves butt they should be universally condemned for their fucking child abuse.
Please DO NOT watch the following video if you are squeamish. The video shows how disgusting religious fanatics can be.
Why is the government letting this happen?
What government?
Ashura rituals (in various forms) happen in many countries including here in the U.S.
The ritual in the U.S. is just self flagellation with NO children involved. This religious masochism is protected by the 1st Amendment.
Any or all that allow children to be harmed.
Those men are just dancing and patting themselves not cutting.