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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A Lebanese Shi'ite woman bleeds from self-inflicted head wounds to show her grief during Ashura rituals in Nabatieh, Oct. 12, 2016.
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A Shi'ite Muslim child reacts as he bleeds after he was cut on the forehead with a razor during a religious procession to mark Ashura in Nabatiyeh town, southern Lebanon, October 12, 2016.
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Flags and banners make up an important part of Ashura processions. (J. Owens/VOA)
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A Lebanese Shi'ite man strikes his back with knifes to show his grief during Ashura rituals in the southern market town of Nabatieh, Oct. 12, 2016.