Munir Uz Zaman / AFP - Getty Images
A Bangladeshi Shiite Muslim performs a fire-breathing act as he takes part in a religious procession during the Ashoura mourning period in Dhaka on Dec. 17, 2010. The religious festival of Ashoura, which includes a ten-day mourning period starting on the first day of Muharram on the Islamic calendar, commemorates the seventh-century slaying of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein in Karbala.
Munir Uz Zaman / AFP - Getty Images
The top of a Ta'zieh is seen during a religious procession in the Ashoura mourning period in Dhaka, Dec. 17.
Looking at our photo database now, I'm seeing a lot of Ashoura-related images continuing to move. Read more on this incredibly visual religious festival HERE.
BEIRUT (AP) — Shiites across the Muslim world commemorated their most somber day of the year Thursday with solemn processions where some beat their chests or cut themselves with swords and chains to mourn the death some 1,300 years ago of one of their most beloved saints.
Morteza Nikoubazl/Reuters
A Shiite man covered in mud uses his mobile phone during the Ashoura religious festival in Khorramabad, 305 miles southwest of Tehran on December 16, 2010.
Mourners cover themselves in mud to commemorate the death of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammad, in the 7th century battle of Kerbala.
Joseph Eid / AFP - Getty Images
Lebanese Shiite Muslim men and supporters of the Amal Movement take part in Ashoura commemorations in Beirut on December 16, 2010.
The Day of Ashoura commemorates the 7th century killing of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, in the Battle of Karbala, in central Iraq. According to Sunni Muslim tradition, Muhammad fasted on this day and asked other people to fast. Mourners slit open their heads with swords, big knives and razor blades streaming their blood to signify their grief over the martyrdom of Imam Al-Hussein.
Reuters moved these striking photos shot today on the Day of Ashoura, an ancient Muslim religious observance. Ashoura-related images have been moving all week, and I found this set interesting seeing the women's reaction to men walking on fire.
Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters
A Shiite Muslim walks on fire at a ceremony during the Ashoura festival at a mosque in central Yangon on Wednesday, Dec. 16. Ashoura, the most important day in the Shiite calendar, commemorates the death of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammad, in the 7th century battle of Kerbala.
Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters
A Shiite Muslim boy walks on fire at a ceremony during the Ashoura festival at a mosque in central Yangon on Wednesday.
Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters
Shiite Muslim women react as they look at Shiite Muslim men walking on fire at a ceremony during the Ashoura festival at a mosque in central Yangon on Wednesday.
Mohsin Raza / Reuters
A Shiite Muslim boy walks on burning coal during commemorations of the Ashoura festival in Lahore, Dec. 15, 2010. Ashoura falls on the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar and commemorates the death of Imam Hussein, grandson of Prophet Mohammad, who was killed in 680 A.D. during the battle of Kerbala.
Ahmad Masood / Reuters
An Afghan Shiite Muslim man prays during a Muharram procession to mark Ashoura in Kabul Dec. 13, 2010.
Ahmad Masood / Reuters
Afghan Shiite Muslim men flagellate themselves during a Muharram procession in Kabul Dec. 13, 2010.
Shah Marai / AFP - Getty Images
Afghan Shiite devotees beat themselves with chains and blades during a Muslim ritual as part of Ashoura celebrations at a mosque in Kabul on Dec. 13.
From Getty: Ashoura is a period of mourning in remembrance of the seventh century martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein who was killed in a battle in Karbala in Iraq, in 680 AD.
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