Every year, during the ten days of the holy month of Muharram for Muslims, a huge and majestic action unfolds on the streets of Iranian cities - Ashura, the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. Shiite shrine cities - Qom and Mashhad - are generally turning these days into an open-air theater.
In Iran, a special branch of Islam, Shiism, has spread, which is practiced by only 10% of the Muslims of the world. The essence of Shiism is the idea of a spiritual aristocracy, that is, ultimately, the idea of sacrifice. Ashura is the culmination of this universal mystery, the moment of the death of the universe and its rebirth in a new, qualitatively new dimension. Shiites dedicate the first ten days of the month to mourning the martyrdom of Hussein, during the whole month various religious rites are held, which in many cities, especially Qum and Mashhad, turn into whole religious mysteries, with a plot that unfolds over several days. Funeral music sounds, exclamations of “Oh, Hussein!”. Processions go through the streets, men take part in them, who, to the rhythmic beats of drums, beat themselves on the shoulders with chains. Hundreds of chains fly up in a single stroke, and then fall with force onto the shoulders. Self-flagellation processions personify the remorse and sorrow of the inhabitants of Kufa who turned away from the Imam and betrayed him. Women are standing along the road, some are crying, covered with veils, some are beating their chests. All dressed in black, the most religious people will mourn for 40 days. © iran
ATTENTION! Some photos contain scenes of violence and cruelty.
Source: Journal/amelito
1) © Farzana Wahidy, AP // An Afghan girl wearing a headband with the inscription ``O martyr Hussein``.
2) © REUTERS/Arko Datta // A boy cuts himself with a knife during Ashura.
3) © REUTERS/Reinhard Krause // A bloody Shiite boy drinks water.
4) © REUTERS/Danish Ismail // A paramedic washes blood off a Shiite's face.
5) © REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro // A Shiite flagellates himself during Ashura.
6) © REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro // Shiite boy.
7) © REUTERS/Reinhard Krause // A Shiite whips himself during Ashura.
8) © REUTERS/Zaki Ghawas // A Shiite flagellates himself in Qatif.
9) © Hasan Jamali, AP // Wadieha Saed, 2, watches the whipping.
10) © REUTERS/Zaki Ghawas // Bleeding Shiites.
11) © REUTERS/Zaki Ghawas // Bleeding Shiites.
12) © Mohammed Sawaf, AFP / Getty Images // The holy city of Karbala.
13) © Ahmed al-Husseini, AP // A Shiite woman with mud on her head.
14) © Massoud Hossaini, AFP / Getty Images // A Shia offers water to those who flagellate themselves.
15) © Farzana Wahidy, AP // An Afghan woman kisses a religious Shiite flag.
16) © Marco Secchi, Getty Images // Shiites in London.
17) © Mustafa Ozer, AFP / Getty Images // Shiites in Turkey.
18) © Anwar Amro, AFP / Getty Images // Beirut Shiites in yellow robes.
19) © Massoud Hossaini, AFP / Getty Images // Shiites bathe in a public bath before the holiday.
20) © Majid Saeedi, Getty Images // With chains and swords.
21) © Mohammed Sawaf, AFP / Getty Images // Shiite women.
22) © Massoud Hossaini, AFP / Getty Images // The Shiite prepared to beat himself with chains.
23) © Karim Kadim, AP // The flesh of a boy's head is cut with a sword.
24) © Marita Pappa, AP // Shiites in Greece.
25) © Ahmed al-Husseini, AP // A Shia boy tortures himself with chains.
26) © Karim Kadim, AP // The religious holiday of Ashura.
27) © Shah Marai, AFP / Getty Images // With swords and chains.
28) © Reuters
29) © Arif Ali, AFP / Getty Images // Preparing for Ashura, a Pakistani craftsman sharpens knives.
30) © Majid Saeedi/Getty Images // Ashura in Kabul.
31) © Reuters
32) © MOHAMMED SAWAF/AFP/Getty Images // Ashura in Karbala.
33) © Reuters
34) © REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl // Shia fanatics.
35) © Reuters
36) © Reuters
37) © ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images // Shiites march before the bombing in Karachi.
38) © Majid Saeedi/Getty Images // Afghan women praying.
39) © QASSEM ZEIN/AFP/Getty Images // Ashura in Najaf.
40) © AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh // An Indian rickshaw driver carries loudspeakers.
