Hezbollah members beat themselves during the Ashura ceremony held in Beirut's suburbs December 27, 2009
The Lebanese Muslim Shiites celebrated today The Day of Ashura, which is the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar which marks the climax of the remembrance of Muharram.
It is commemorated by Shiite Muslims as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad at the Battle of Karbala ( 80 KM south of Baghdad , Iraq) on 10 Muharram in the Hijra ( Islamic) year 61 (October 10, 680 AD.
Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah told tens of thousands of supporters who gathered in Beirut’s southern suburbs to commemorate Ashura. “We have entered a new phase in Lebanon: Reframing relations with Syria based on solid ground and cooperation.”
Here are some more pictures of the ceremonies in Lebanon( courtesy of Reuters)
Female members of Lebanon's Hezbollah chant slogan during the Ashura ceremony held in Beirut's suburbs December 27, 2009
Shi'ite Muslim women take photographs of bleeding men after they were cut on their heads with blades during a ceremony marking Ashura in Nabatieh, south Lebanon, December 27, 2009.
Female members of Lebanon's Hezbollah cry during the Ashura ceremony held in Beirut's suburbs December 27, 2009.
A Shi'ite Muslim boy taps his head with a blade to draw blood during a ceremony marking Ashura in Nabatieh, south Lebanon, December 27, 2009
I declare and confess my deepest sorrow and grief for my beloved Imam’s Hossein and his sacrifice in Ashura to maintain religion of Islam for us. I do love and appreciate and learn many lessons from him and his disciples, but I disagree with bleeding and this I think this tradition should be abolished, though, Imam Hussein and what he did in Karbala requires the whole world sorrows and appreciation. This tradition causes some misunderstanding for ignorant people.
Ya Hossein
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oh yes ignorence for sure!!!!
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Zahra Imam Hossein (radiyallah anho) would not approve of this ceremonial blading and bleeding this is Beda’a and muslim shiite should refrain from this kind of painful temptation to show love and sacrifice to Hossein, Because GOD ABOVE ALL WORSHIP ONLY HIM
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this is just out of hand and should stop, not just in Lebanon but everywhere.. misunderstanding yes for sure, they should grief for the Imam Hussein (PBUH) but not do this
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It is very sensuous especially for kids arround the world to watch such bloody act.It gives bad image about Islam which suppose to be love and passion.It discourage people from converting to Islam.This tradition be avoided.
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That’s a tough debate. Hopefully no one gets any permanent damage from it. It does look bad to an outsider. Not sure if kids should be involved. However, as long as no one gets any permanent damage and it has meaning once a year and is for the purpose of spiritual enrichment then who are we to say no? Circumcision seems barbaric to some even.
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When news circulate arround the world with bloody scenery ,can not be avoided by the kids unfortunately.Do they get permanent damage? Sure enough it leave long lasting damage.People don’t comprehend this kind of tradisional practice.First thing hits their mind is negativity.To enrich spiritual believe or tradition could be done in so many other ways;If some wish to keep this tradition, will be nice to keep it for them self privately;It is their privilege.You may know Adam that circumcision is a surgical procedure;but blading,beating and bleeding is a barbaric act and can not be denied.
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