Iraq's Shi'ites Observe Ashura

A Shi'ite worshipper beats himself with chains as a sign of grief for Imam Hussein during Muharram between the holy shrines of Imam Hussein and Imam Abbas in Karbala, Iraq, Nov. 13, 2013.

Supporters of Iraq's largest Shi'ite party, the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, listen to their leader, Ammar al-Hakim, during a rally to mark Muharram, Baghdad, Nov. 13, 2013.

Shi'ite worshippers gather between the holy shrines of Imam Hussein and Imam Abbas, seen in the background, during Muharram in Karbala, Iraq, Nov. 12, 2013.

Shi'ite worshippers gather between the holy shrines of Imam Hussein and Imam Abbas during Muharram in Karbala, Iraq, Nov. 12, 2013.

Shi'ite worshippers enter the holy shrine of Imam Abbas, brother of Imam Hussein, during Muharram in Karbala, Iraq, Nov. 12, 2013.

A Shi'ite Muslim man gashes his forehead with a sword before the religious festival of Ashura in Najaf, Iraq, Nov. 11, 2013.

Shi'ite pilgrims beat themselves with iron chains as they take part in the Ashura procession in Karbala, Iraq, Nov. 11, 2013.