Afghan Shi'ite Muslims mark Ashura
- 12 years ago
WARNING: THIS VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENT
In pain to mark the religious festival of Ashura.
Hundreds of Shi'ite Muslims in Kabul beat themselves with steel-tipped chains in memory of the martyrdom of a grandson of the Prophet Mohamed.
Imam Hussein was killed during battle in 680 AD in Kerbala, now part of modern day Iraq.
Many Shi'ites mourn his death by trying to feel his pain.
While this ceremony may look painful, however, some participants say otherwise.
(SOUNDBITE) (Dari) AFGHAN SHI'ITE MUSLIM, SAYED MURTAZA, SAYING:
"When we beat ourselves with chains we never feel pain in our body and after taking a shower we will be safe and sound."
Shi'ite Muslims make up nearly 15 per cent of the Muslim world.
Other countries marking Ashura, which falls on the 10th day of the first month of the Islamic calendar, include Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan and Syria.
Sunita Rappai, Reuters
In pain to mark the religious festival of Ashura.
Hundreds of Shi'ite Muslims in Kabul beat themselves with steel-tipped chains in memory of the martyrdom of a grandson of the Prophet Mohamed.
Imam Hussein was killed during battle in 680 AD in Kerbala, now part of modern day Iraq.
Many Shi'ites mourn his death by trying to feel his pain.
While this ceremony may look painful, however, some participants say otherwise.
(SOUNDBITE) (Dari) AFGHAN SHI'ITE MUSLIM, SAYED MURTAZA, SAYING:
"When we beat ourselves with chains we never feel pain in our body and after taking a shower we will be safe and sound."
Shi'ite Muslims make up nearly 15 per cent of the Muslim world.
Other countries marking Ashura, which falls on the 10th day of the first month of the Islamic calendar, include Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan and Syria.
Sunita Rappai, Reuters