Bloody rites and agonising ceremony: Devotees turn mosque floor red during mass flagellation to mourn Shiite martyr

  • WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: They pay respects to the Prophet Mohammad and his martyred grandson with the flowing of their blood

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 12:19 EST, 25 November 2012 | UPDATED: 08:05 EST, 26 November 2012


Blood is seen on the floor of a mosque as Indian Shiite Muslims flagellate themselves during a holy procession.

Shi'a Muslims all over the world pay their respects with the flowing of their blood as they mourn the slaying and martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad.

He was killed by his political rivals along with 72 companions in the seventh century battle of Kerbala where some of the bodies of the dead were then mutilated.

The bloody floor of a mosque in New Delhi, India, as Shiite Muslims flagellate themselves today during a Muharram procession marking Ashura

The bloody floor of a mosque in New Delhi, India, as Shiite Muslims flagellate themselves today during a Muharram procession marking Ashura which mourns the killing of the prophet Mohammad's grandson

Shiite Muslims flagellate themselves during a Muharram procession

Shiite Muslims flagellate themselves during a Muharram procession. Muharram is a month of mourning in remembrance of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad

A Shiite Muslim whose face and torso is covered in blood, beats his chest

A Shiite Muslim whose face and torso is covered in blood, beats his chest

Mourning Iraqi Shiites at the Ashura ceremonies at the Kerbala mosque in Tehran, Iran

Mourning Iraqi Shiites at the Ashura ceremonies at the Kerbala mosque in Tehran, Iran

The Muslims were taking part in processions in Mumbai and Chennai. Ashura is celebrated on the tenth day of the Islamic month of Muharram. 

The processions also involve walking on burning coals and carrying a 'Tazia' - replica of the coffin of Hussein.

Some participants gather for ceremonial chest beating as a display of their devotion in remembrance of his suffering and to preach that oppression will not last.

In some Shi'a regions of Muslim countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Lebanon, and Bahrain, the commemoration has become a national holiday.

Most ethnic and religious communities participate even in a predominantly Hindu majority.

A Shiite at the Mumbai procession mourning the slaying of Imam Hussein

A Shiite Muslim at the Mumbai procession mourning the slaying of Imam Hussein

A scarred Shiite Muslim watches another mourner flagellate himself in Mumbai

A scarred Shiite Muslim watches another mourner flagellate himself in Mumbai

Bloodied devoted Shiite Muslims are watched by crowds during the ceremony in Mumbai

Bloodied devoted Shiite Muslims are watched by crowds during an Indian ceremony

Paramedics treat a Pakistani Shi'ite Muslim after he flagellated himself during an Ashura ceremony in Rawalpind

Paramedics treat a Pakistani Shi'ite Muslim after he flagellated himself during an Ashura ceremony in Rawalpind

Tribute: Shiite Muslims carry a replica of the coffin of Imam Hussein during a Muharram procession in the northern Indian city of Allahabad

Tribute: Shiite Muslims carry a replica of the coffin of Imam Hussein during a Muharram procession in the northern Indian city of Allahabad

VIDEO: WARNING, GRAPHIC CONTENT. Flagellation to mourn Shiite martyr 

 
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Another reason to consign religion to the dustbin.

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The majority Sunni Muslims in the world do not observe this ritual

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Bizarre. There's nought as queer as folk!

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goes to show how easily we are to be manipulated into doing crazy things willingly. We truly are evolved beings and masters of our world! anyway the guy in the white shirt is telling one of these crazies he's doing it wrong (but not to beat himself up about it)

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self mutilation should play no part in a civilised world - enough said !

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What "god" promotes self harm?.

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Catholics in the Philippines also use self-flagellation and have themselves nailed to crosses. Pentecostal Christians in the Appalachian mountains drink poison and handle lethally venomous snakes. Tamil Hindus during the festival of Thaipusam go in for sticking skewers through their faces and dragging things with hooks through the skin on their backs. - PhilUpNorth, Up North, 26/11/2012 4:17-------------------------------------------------Yes, all these barbaric religious practises are well documented inc. the Shia flagellation depicted in this article: Unfortunately, it is only the Shia and Sunni Muslim variety of Faith that has huge numbers of members also dedicated to the barbaric notion Allahu Akbar gives them the right to attempt to conquer and impose their belief system on the entire World. True enough, the Christians tried that in previous centuries of religious-based violence across the globe - - but this is the 21st Centry - - time Humanity moved on from absurd faith!

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Religion is nuts, nuff said.

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BALMY!! - CAZ , SCOTLAND, United Kingdom, 26/11/2012 12:19=====I would imagine that it would be more BALMY than Scotland at this time of year. I would imagine that you actually meant BARMY. ' If everyone thinks you are an idiot, there is no need to open your mouth and prove it'

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Far rather they do this than torturing animals in the name of religion, which is what they normally do! Couldn't care less what they do to themselves.

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