Afghans self flagellate to mark Ashura
- 12 years ago
Afghanistan's Shi'ite Muslims mark Ashura by self flagellation - using steel tipped fails to beat themselves.
The event commemorates the anniversary of the death of Imam Hussein - a grandson of the Prophet Mohammad.
It is the biggest event in the Shi'ite calendar, observed in other countries with sizeable Shi'ite communities such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria and Bahrain.
This participant says followers beat themselves because of the love they have for Imam Hussein, and to mourn his martyrdom.
This time last year a suicide attacker killed dozens of Shi'ite Muslims at a main shrine in Kabul.
This year Afghan forces have strengthed security, searching everyone entering the shrine.
The event commemorates the anniversary of the death of Imam Hussein - a grandson of the Prophet Mohammad.
It is the biggest event in the Shi'ite calendar, observed in other countries with sizeable Shi'ite communities such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria and Bahrain.
This participant says followers beat themselves because of the love they have for Imam Hussein, and to mourn his martyrdom.
This time last year a suicide attacker killed dozens of Shi'ite Muslims at a main shrine in Kabul.
This year Afghan forces have strengthed security, searching everyone entering the shrine.