Here are some pictures from the Shia religious event, Ashura. Ashura is a time of remembering the massacre of Mohammed's grandson Hussein. This is a very important time for Shias around the world. Be warned some of these pictures are very graphic.
These flags fly in the Shia neighborhoods displaying the names of important people from their past.
This building is called a Matem. It is a place where Shia religious activities take place and where we were standing as we watched the parade of men.
Banners were carried at the front of each different group.
Most women stood together with the children to watch the men walk by. Yes, little children are brought to this event.
In each group that passed by there was an ambulance along with nurses. They were there to help in case someone hit an artery (which we saw), lost too much blood, passed out, etc. Every ambulance that passed by had someone hurt inside.
Our view from where we were standing of one group coming by. Imagine watching this for over 2-3 hours, we even left early.
We were standing around the corner from the hospital that was set up for the event and saw many people being carried there by friends.
The men participating in the event range from all ages, here is an older man, on both sides of him a little boy and probably a college student.
6 comments:
In a comment already we were asked if they cut themselves or each other. The answer is that they cut themselves. They make a cut at the top of their head and then allow the blood to flow. Over and over they beat themselves on their head too allow more blood to flow. The big swords are a memory of the battle that took place.
I don't know what to say....What was the mood of the people who were there? This is just mind boggling.
The mood- Depends on what time of the event you are talking about. Because there were different groups of men walking by, there were gaps of time when no one was walking by. During those times, people were talking,kids playing, drinking coffee and tea, etc. When the men walked by and were doing the cutting, some in the crowd would chant with them but mainly just observing. Also there were tons of people taking pictures, as you can see some men standing up on road blocks in order to get a better shot.
I don't think I could have watched it.
Love all of you...
Mom
Wow. I've heard about this, but never seen it since our people are Sunni. Not sure how much of it I could have watched. How sad that they feel the need to do this!
Heartwrenching photos. Thanks for sharing them.
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