Muslim celebrations on Ashoura Day (some images are graphic/bloody)

Yahoo! Pictures ^ | Mar 02 2004

[yonif]

Shiite Muslim Mohammed Jomahaa cuts the head of his son with a sword during the annual ritual to mark Ashoura Day in the southern Lebanese town of Nabatiyeh, Tuesday March 2, 2004. Ashoura day marks the Shiite Muslim's commemoration of the 7th century killing of their most revered Saint Imam Hussein. Al Hussein was a grandson of Islam's prophet Mohammed and is a symbol of martyrdom for Shiites. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

A group of Shiite Muslim youths hit their heads with swords and razors during the annual ritual to mark Ashoura Day in the southern Lebanese town of Nabatiyeh, Tuesday March 2, 2004. Ashoura day marks the Shiite Muslim's commemoration of the 7th century killing of their most revered Saint Imam Hussein. Al Hussein was a grandson of Islam's prophet Mohammed and is a symbol of martyrdom for Shiites. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

Shiite Muslim child Mahmoud Slieman after his mother cut him with a sword during the annual ritual to mark Ashoura Day in the southern Lebanese town of Nabatiyeh, Tuesday March 2, 2004. Ashoura day marks the Shiite Muslim's commemoration of the 7th century killing of their most revered Saint Imam Hussein. Al Hussein was a grandson of Islam's prophet Mohammed and is a symbol of martyrdom for Shiites. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

Bleeding Iraqi Shiite Muslims chant and raise daggars and swords, after repeatedly hitting their heads with the blades to show religious devotion, during the annual ritual marking Ashoua Day, in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, Iraq (news - web sites), Tuesday, March 2, 2004. Tens of thousands of Shiites from around the world have gathered with Iraqis for the religious festival on the anniversary of the battle of 680 AD in which Imam Hussein, the grandson of Islam's Prophet Mohammed, was killed. After decades of repression by Saddam's regime, Shiites are now free to observe such rituals as vigorously as they choose. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

Iraqi Shiite Muslims hit their heads with swords during the annual ritual to mark Ashoura Day inside the Imam Hussein holy shrine in Karbala, Iraq (news - web sites), Tuesday March 2, 2004. Some Shiites consider the practice a testament to their devotion. To them, children, like adults, should take part in the rituals. Hundreds of thousands of Shiite Muslims from around the world are gathering with Iraqis for the Shiite religious festival which marks the battle of year 680 A.D. in which Imam Hussein, the grandson of Islam's Prophet Mohammed, was killed. During the rule of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites), such rituals were banned in Iraq.(AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

An Iraqi Shiite Muslim hits his head with a sword during the annual ritual to mark Ashoura Day in Karbala, Iraq (news - web sites), Tuesday March 2, 2004. Some Shiites consider the practice a testament to their devotion. To them, children, like adults, should take part in the rituals. Hundreds of thousands of Shiite Muslims from around the world are gathering with Iraqis for the Shiite religious festival which marks the battle of year 680 A.D. in which Imam Hussein, the grandson of Islam's Prophet Mohammed, was killed. During the rule of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites), such rituals were banned in Iraq.(AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

An Iraqi Shiite Muslim hits his bloodied head with his hand during the annual ritual to mark Ashoura Day in Karbala, Iraq (news - web sites), Tuesday March 2, 2004. Some Shiites consider the practice a testament to their devotion. To them, children, like adults, should take part in the rituals. Hundreds of thousands of Shiite Muslims from around the world are gathering with Iraqis for the Shiite religious festival which marks the battle of year 680 A.D. in which Imam Hussein, the grandson of Islam's Prophet Mohammed, was killed. During the rule of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites), such rituals were banned in Iraq.(AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

A Kashmiri Shiite Muslim boy beats himself with chains and whips during the Muharram procession in the downtown area of Srinagar, India, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2004. Muharram is a month of mourning when Shiite Muslims observe the seventh-century death of Hussein, grandson of Islams prophet, Muhammed. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Kashmiri Shiite Muslim mourners beat themselves during the Muharram procession in the downtown area of Srinagar, India, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2004. Muharram is a month of mourning when Shiite Muslims observe the seventh-century death of Hussein, grandson of Islams prophet, Muhammed. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A Shiite Muslim beats himself with knife blades attached to chains as a form of self-punishment during a Muharram procession in Kabul, Afghanistan (news - web sites), Friday, Feb 27, 2004. Muharram is the mourning month for Shiite muslims in remembrance of the seventh-century death of Hussein, the grandson of Islam's prophet, Mohammed. (AP Photo/Ed Wray)

Shiite Muslims beat themselves with razor blades attatched to chains on the street as a form of self-punishment during a Muharram procession in Kabul, Afghanistan (news - web sites), Friday, Feb 27, 2004. Muharram is the mourning month for Shiite muslims in remembrance of the seventh-century death of Hussein, the grandson of Islam's prophet, Mohammed. (Ap photo Amir Shah)

[mylife]

The religion of pieces.

Actually the head thing looks worse than it is, even tiny head wounds bleed like crazy(Pun intended)

[JackRyanCIA]

I never would have believed it!

[af_vet_1981]

This is their religion.

[mylife]

Blood is a precious symbol in many religions but these folks are so primal

[dagoofyfoot]

This is their religion


good....they can keep it....certifiable nuts!

[isthisnickcool]

The way they cut their heads you'd expect you could see their brains. But you can't because they don't have any brains.

[ysoitanly]

Maybe you just don't 'understand' them. /sarcasm

[FreedomCalls]

And some of them go too far.

[CathyRyan]

The religion on issues.

[Theo]

Jesus' shed blood atones for all my sins, and the sins of those who place their faith in Him.

There *is* something about blood.

But these guys' blood is not that of an acceptable sacrifice. Their sacrifice is no better than dirty rags....

[FITZ]

Satanic

[CathyRyan]

OOPS! I hate when that happens... The religion of issues.

[dwills]

move along, nothing to see here . . .

christians do this same schtick in the old county--a small percentage, just as among muslims

[dwills]

. . . yeah, just like any good works they may have done

believe that and you're on your own, here and hereafter

[mylife]

Remember also that these are the Shia who we have liberated from Saddam and the Sunni majority

[LibWhacker]

Uh-oh, earlier I posted just the first picture and its caption and that post got pulled on the grounds that it had no redeeming value.

I do hope the moderator will refrain from doing that here. I would argue that the redeeming value lies in the power these images have to force people who are in denial about the matter to see islam for what it is: Not a religion of peace at all, but a bloody, backward, medieval cult.

[mylife]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1089474/posts

[Criminal Number 18F]

This looks very weird to Western people. There are some Christians that undergo similar self-flagellation to reenact Christ's trip to Golgotha... it's particularly popular in the Phillipines.

I mean, I'm all for worship, but I thought getting away from blood sacrifice was the whole idea of Abraham and Isaac...

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[Criminal Number 18F]

That was a Taliban-era judgment day. Different from this Shia ceremony; that's just Sharia justice in action. Looks like they have a mixed bag of theives (although the TB also whacked hands and feet off for political violations.

Shiites are a relatively small and declining minority of muslims, and have many internal divisions. In some countries (Iraq and Iran) they are in the majority. In most others they are a minority... in Iraq and Afghanistan they were persecuted under the old governments.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[Prodigal Son]

bump

[Destro]

I thought getting away from blood sacrifice was the whole idea of Abraham and Isaac

Away from human blood sacrifice - yes. The Catholic church tries its best to stop the Fillipinose from self-flagellation and crucifiction re-enactments - an unauthorized practice that died out in Catholic Europe.

[Rollee]

I just don't understand this. Why do they do this? Don't bother with an explanation - I won't understand it. Goofy, nutz, off the wall, the list goes on and on and on. How do they ever expect anyone to take them seriously? It just goes to show that you never can tell. BTW, did you ping MHKing for his "Just Damn" list?

[Rollee]

Oh, BARF ME OUT! Is that what I think it is?

[Rollee]

Gruesome pictures. Just Damn.

[Slings and Arrows]

[My Dog Likes Me]

Coming soon to a video store near you, "Muslims Gone Wild!"

But seriously, what's the matter with these people? Since none of us have time to figure it out around this little campfire before the next 9/11, I'll stick to my guns and contend that all nondiplomatic Muslims should be prohibited from entering the US for national security reasons for a "period of time to be determined..."

I mean, how many of the young, bloodied men pictured on this thread have applied to our colleges? ugh.

[FreedomCalls]

Is that what I think it is?

Yes it is. He has just gotten some "souvenirs" from a thief who has just had his hands and feet cut off by the Sharia-enforcement authorities for the crime of theft and running away. Just what he plans on doing with his "souvenirs" is anyone's guess.

[A_Ezz]

Hi,

I'm a Muslim Shia who does NOT participate in these actions. In fact, I condemn them, as do a lot of Shia leaders. Yes, it's true. Islam IS a religion of peace, and what these people are doing is what they believe is a good way to mourn the death of Imam Husayn. However, if they actually followed our religion more closely, they would know that such acts are NOT permitted in Islam!! For one thing, it's "haram" or forbidden to pray with such wounds and blood so how in the world would this be allowed in the Islam religion.

Another thing about us applying to your colleges, I am one of those people. Do you have anything against me? I sure hope not because you haven't even met me yet. I'd hate to see how people would treat me there just because I'm a "Shia Muslim". For the record, I'm an American Citizen as well.

Thank you.

[WhiteGuy]

How much of OUR money is being wasted on these people?

[Archeus]

I should like to point out that no passage of the Q'ran commands such self-mutilation. That is to say: the central doctrinal text of Islam does not support such bloodshed. To condemn all of Islam for the apparently abhorrent behaviour of any of its minority groups would be like condemning all of Christianity for Klu Klux Clan and other such isolated incidences of ritual abuses.

Furthermore, were are not in the position to commend moderation, or to pretend to a superior level of righteousness. After years of repression, piety will always find the most outrageous ways of expression. Episodes of zealous craze have followed the rise and fall of oppressive regimes regardless of place, religion and epoch throughout history. Legends tell that when Spain fell to the Muslims in the Medieval times, certain women had crosses tattooed on their breasts. The process of tattooing, however, was more akin to mutilation in this grim age of obscurantism. We can only imagine how Muslim conquerors must have thought Christian women to be barbarous.

More recently, Tibetan monks have immolated themselves on countless occasions, to protest against many of Mankind's greatest mistakes, many of which can be related to American or Allied military action.

In times of crisis, desperation, deathwish, the darker instincts of Man, and Religion can combine for most unholy results. Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating tolerance: this bloody celebration is wrong for elementary reasons of hygiene and civil peace (such a show of Shia bravado is bound to offend Sunni Muslims). What I advocate is respect: out of respect for human rights it is important to work education in these areas so that these practices will eventually end. Saddam's repression has fuelled fundamentalism; the fall of his regime has provided fundamentalists with an outlet for their paranoid hatred. If the military intervention in Iraq is to be remembered as the liberation of Iraqi people, it will first have to bring the Iraqis true universal values of freedom, responsibility and self-government. This cannot be done by downplaying their cultural heritage and their potential for rational and ethical functioning as an independent society.

The money we waste on this people is not the money spent investing in their education but the money spent in support of the criminal activities of underground terrorist groups. Illegal drug money and the profit from other similar covert action is the backbone of terrorism. Pointing fingers is not my style, but corporative behaviours that favour cheap-labour instead of more humane work conditions in third world countries also represent a cause for terrorism.

[RIGHT IN LAS VEGAS]

If they want to draw blood, why don't they sever their carotid artery?

[Bon mots]

Now this sick society wants nuclear weapons.

We should send them ours.

[manic4organic]

Archeus: Member since TODAY

As a "religious rights activist," know this: they have the right to injure themselves and I have the right to believe they are stark raving lunatics. But nobody should hurt innocent children.

[Embarassed American]

I stumbled across this site as a high school teacher working on a comparative world religions unit this afternoon. I, too, was pretty shocked by the pictures but likened them to a Christian ceremony in which people pound nails into their hands to recreate Christ's last hours (or the millions who've been entertained by Mel Gibson's version).

But more importantly, I was disappointed by the ignorant over-generalizations made by many of the contributors to this message board. The reason why America IS vulnerable to attacks such as 9/11 (mentioned earlier) is because of this ever-prevalent "us" vs. "them" mentality!

People need to realize that "we" are part of a global community. We may not understand nor condone each others' cultural differences... but these pictures come from a fringe sect. Clearly this is NOT what the majority of Muslims support. Do your homework people! Islam grew out of Christianity at a time when the church leaders were corrupt and Muhammad rightly believed that they'd strayed from God's message of kindness, patience, humility & charity.

I commend the Shi'a Muslim student who wrote earlier for his even-headed response to these attacks. Unfortunately, I think most people will only remember the pictures they've seen here & not your response. :(

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I won't be back to check for responses.

[Deisel denim]

I cant believe how naive some people could be.. acting like kids.. shows how uneducated humans can be.. please dont talk about something unless u know about it, i can get thousands of images about america and israels terrorist acts.. and masacres you naive brain washed majority never saw or heard of. but still i wont go arround saying ooooh look at christainity and judaism terrorist religions.. but what can i say.. the only education u get is hollywoods and Fox news.. so i dont blaim Americans to be terrorist and i never did.

about shiite's.. orthodux muslim are muslims who follow the quran and the profit mohammed's(pbuh) saying and doings.. since humans are not perfect(they do mistakes) some minority decided to follow their own rituals.. and ADD-ONs.. thats doesnt mean they are representing islam.. hurting urself is like hurting anyone else in islam.. its a forbidden sin even swearing at your self..
and Mr. religion teacher you too should read more, if ur a teacher u should give the correct information.. people you teach will believe what you say because ur their tutor i cant imagine how many are misleaded so far by ur teachings. islam didnt grow from christanity.. in fact Jesus is muslim.. muslim is from the word islam (to give up or submit" which means "un conditional submission to god" and only one god the one who created everything we see and dont see. Jesus had the same message of islam as a believe but different rules.. and part of the muslims creed is to believe in jesus as a profit and the bible. MR. teacher all profits came for certain people and countries they all told there followers about a profit coming after with the universal message to all human beings and the rule of god for all time. unfortunately no one is applying islam.. the rule of god. the perfect socail system and political system, economic system, punishment system...
replying to cutting hands... in 400 years of islam rule 1400 years ago.. 6 hands were cut... only three rubberies were made.. image what security they had.. i bet u americans cant wall in most of the cities alone when the sun goes down. and i think that jail is a reward for a criminal.. americans pay for each crimal $30000 in taxes for his sleep and food and warmth as a reward for killing someone.. while civilians sleep in fear and face financial trouble.
finally i want to clarify that no country is applying islam or represents islam not even saudia arabia.. and yes there are muslim who are bad like qa'eda and bin laden.. does that mean islam is bad and a terrorist religion? NO it means they are.. and if u read quran u'll see how far they are from islam... islam doesnt address war as holy thing like most people think.. islam condemns war and tries to avoid it by all means.. worst gets worse if it happens soldiers are orders not to harm no woman no child no preist no old man.. only fight who wants to kill you.. not only that they are not allowed to cut a tree or destroy a building or even a wall.. (9/11 is not accepted by all means in islam) and read history books.. once islam was applied.. sciences grew and a lot were invented.. there was a period were people didnt know what to do with donations, could find poor people. everyone was educated that was 1400 years ago.. when europe and church were against science and the smallest crime such as stealing bread would result in the cruelest torture ever (i went to scotland and learned a lot about there underground torture dungeons)

Please people Read and dontjudge without knowing
islam is the religion of mercy and self respect
the relgion of hard work and science
the religion of nature and modesty
the religion of passion and giving more than taking

read about islam from non baised sources read the quran, read about the profit.. no human can ever come up with such maaners and acts of generosity.. even pows are treated like own people.. and dont blaim islam blaim those governments who chose to give up islam for human rules.. blaim countries and people who by the name of islam committed the worst crimes and islam is innocent of all this.
WE HAVE ONLY ONE QURAN NEVER CHANGED A LETTER SINCE 1400 YEARS.. NOT EVEN SPELLING OR A VOWEL.. READ IT.(translations may vary and they are explanations not translations depending on the scientist who worked on the explanation)

sorry for my spelling and irrational why im at work.
take care and may god lead you to the path of righteousness

Al Salamo a'ala man itaba'a al huda (peace be upon those who follow righteousness)

[KKing]

Your passion and statements were appreciated by me.

Apologizing for the hate-filled and ignorant rants of some of this forums members would be like you apologizing for the rhetoric Al-Queda or Osama Bin Laden.

Why is it no one posts pictures of the annual self floggings of Catholics in the Philippines? I've seen it live and its just as horrible as these pictures.

I do hope some of the Freepers here start to learn to show a bit of understanding and tolerance.

[shazza]

I am a MUSLIM I follow ISLAM, these are NOT MUSLIMS and are NOT following ISLAM...

Child abuse and self mutilation go against the teachings and belief of Islam.

Sadly these crazies are following man made rituals.....

These images made my stomach turn.

This is not religion it is insanity!!!!!

[Marney]

As long as they aren't hurting me or other people they can practice what they believe.

[ApesForEvolution]

Could you please cite all pertinent verses in the Koran so as I might be able to verify your claims, please? Thanks in advance...

[dennisw]

We just call him the pedophile prophet. That's the dirty old pervert named Muhammad.

[dennisw]

Peace be upon the sand fleas in the prophet's beard and the maggots burrowing into his brain.

[AmericanVictory]

It would be very helpful if a good summary of this with pictues were distributed along with everyone of those "Islam is just another religion" pieces of propaganda that are distributed in our nation courtesy of oil wealth.

[Sepehr]

I have always felt uncomfortable agreeing with the left. I would describe myself as the extreme left of liberal, not quite socialist. What really upsets me, though, is how uninformed people are about what they argue. This is true for both the right and the left.

I proudly claim heritage from the Muslim Middle East. Having lived there, and coming from a Muslim family let me clarify some things...

Islam IS a very aggressive religion. It had to be from the beginning, in order to survive in the violent world of the bedouins at the time. It hasn't rid itself of that violence yet.

The Middle East is a backward place. This is perhaps due to the fact that widespread literacy hasnt been around for that long. There are unsavory traditions that remain from long ago that haven't been abandoned yet, since people don't see a reason to leave them behind. Modernization of the PEOPLE will take decades yet.
The Middle East is a very confused place right now. Think 18th century Catholic rural Italy or Spain, with some Puritan thrown in, except with modern technology.

I hope that explains things a bit. You are right. It is a disgusting barbaric ritual. It IS NOT A CELEBRATION though. Its MOURNING the martyrdom of Imam Hussein.