Bloody Celebration Feb. 20, 2005 - New Delhi, India - Muslim men whip themselves with knives attached to chains as part of a ritual during Ashoura, the Shiite community's holiest day. The observance of Ashoura is one of the most important events in the Shia calendar. Ashoura marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Husayn, grandson of the Prophet Mohammad, in what is now Kerbala, Iraq. The death of Husayn was the beginning of the Sunni/Shia split, which persists in Islam to this day.

In the past, many Shia men have demonstrated their devotion to Husayn by letting their blood flow freely from self-inflicted wounds. Today, however, many governments have tried to ban this practice, with varying degrees of success. In Lebanon, the practice is permitted, and a bloody commemoration of Ashoura takes place in Nabatieh every year.

Most participants make a small cut on their head, and then beat the wound with their palm--or in this case a sword--to keep the wound open and bleeding. Ashoura day marks the Shiite Muslim's commemoration of the 7th century killing of their most revered Saint Imam Husyan (626-680). He is a symbol of martyrdom for Shiites. The men whip and bloody their backs as a way to atone for Husayn's death. Picture (c) TC MALHOTRA/ZUMA Press