Shi'ite Muslims around the world commemorate Ashura and mourn the death of Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson. A small minority in Lebanon practices ritual bloodletting to mark the event.
Shi'ite Muslims Commemorate Ashura in Nabatieh
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Unlike many Shi'ites in Lebanon, some in Nabatieh take part in bloodletting rituals to commemorate Ashura. (J. Owens/VOA)
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Shi'ite Muslims around the world commemorate Ashura and mourn the death of Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson. (J. Owens/VOA)
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As well as bloodletting from the head, others flay themselves to mark Ashura. However, both are practiced by only a small minority of Shi'ites in Lebanon. (J. Owens/VOA)
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Lebanese Shi'ite men bleed from self-inflicted head wounds as they strike themselves with swords to show their grief during Ashura rituals, in the southern market town of Nabatiyeh, Oct. 12, 2016.