MUHARRAM: THE FESTIVAL OF FLAGELLATION

Muharram, The Festival Of Flagellation

CULTURE BUZZ Ouch. The Muslim world this past week observed Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. The 10th day of Muharram is Ashura, when Shi'ite Muslims mourn the death of the grandson of the Prophent Mohammed. Very devout Shi'ites cut and whip themselves into a bloody froth in observance. Here are photos of Ashura from Pakistan, Afghanistan and India. WARNING: Graphic images.

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(AP / Anjum Naveed)

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(AP / Anjum Naveed)

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(Getty Images / TAUSEEF MUSTAFA)

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(Reuters / MOHAMMAD ISMAIL)

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(Reuters / AHMAD MASOOD)

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(Reuters / FAYAZ KABLI)

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(AP / Anjum Naveed)

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(AP / Anjum Naveed)

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(AP / Ajit Solanki)

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(AP / Musadeq Sadeq)

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(AP / Anjum Naveed)

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(AP / K.M. Chaudary)

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(AP / K.M. Chaudary)

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(AP / Dar Yasin)

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(AP / Dar Yasin)

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(Reuters / Fayaz Aziz)

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(Reuters / Adnan Abidi )

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(Reuters / Adnan Abidi )

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(Reuters / Adnan Abidi)

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(Reuters / Adnan Abidi)

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(Reuters / Adnan Abidi)

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(Reuters / Adnan Abidi)

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(Reuters / Fayaz Kabli )

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(Reuters / Mohammad Ismail)

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(Reuters / Ahmad Masood)

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(Reuters / Danish Siddiqui)

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(Reuters / Danish Siddiqui)

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(Reuters / Fayaz Kabli )

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(Reuters / Fayaz Kabli )

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(Reuters / Fayaz Kabli )

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(Reuters / Fayaz Kabli )

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(Reuters / Krishnendu Halder)

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(Reuters / Krishnendu Halder)

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(Reuters / Soe Zeya Tun)

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(Reuters / Babu)

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(Reuters / Andrew Biraj)

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(Reuters / Andrew Biraj)

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(AP / Dar Yasin)

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(Reuters / Fayaz Kabli )