Indian Muslims flagellate themselves on Ashura, in Mumbai, India, Monday, Dec. 28, 2009.

A Muslim girl participates in an Ashura procession in Mumbai December 28, 2009.

"The message is for all people," Baydoun said of Ashura. "It's about the
universal cause of justice."

Detroit News has a piece entitled: Muslim holy day Ashura grows more popular worldwide

Just look at what these clowns are selling:

The traditions of Ashura -- a holy day Shi'ite Muslims will observe Sunday -- started in the Middle East and spread to Iran and South Asia, where they have been practiced for centuries.

But in recent years, the ceremonies have become more popular in other parts of the world as populations of Shi'ite Muslims grow elsewhere.

From metro Detroit to Europe and Japan, some people cross national boundaries to commemorate the 10 days that lead up to Ashura.

Ashura commemorates the 7th-Century death of the grandson of Islam's prophet. Imam Hussain died in Karbalaa, Iraq, at the hands of an unjust ruler.

"It's about standing up for justice, standing up for democracy, standing up for peace and equality," Mohamed Al-Najjar explained at the Karbalaa Islamic Education Center in Dearborn. The center is named after the city in Iraq.

 Millions throng Karbala for Ashoura

Ashoura in Mumbai

Here's a glimpse of Ashoura images around the Muslim world. Ashoura commemorates the death of Imam Hussein, grandson
of the Prophet Mohammad, in the 7th century battle of Kerbala. Atlas covers it every year - go here.

Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)
Secretary General Addresses The Muslim World On The Occasion Of Ashura

Afghan Muslims flagellate themselves during Ashoura in Kabul, Afghanistan

Ashura blades: An Afghan Shiite Muslim man beats himself with blades during Ashura at a Shiite mosque in Kabul

A Lebanese child cries as he is cut in the head during Ashoura day in the southern market town of Nabatiyeh, Lebanon

 
Ashoura India 12/28

Muslims flagellate themselves during an Ashura procession in Hyderabad, India,

 Tens of thousands of Hizbullah supporters gathered in the southern suburbs of Beirut for the Shiite festival of Ashoura on Sunday.

The ceremony came after a mysterious explosion rocked Dahiyeh overnight, targeting Hizbullah's ally in Lebanon, Hamas.

Ashoura caps a 10-day period of self-flagellation and mourning for the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Imam Hussein, killed in 680 A.D. during a battle that sealed the split between Shiites and Sunnis.(more here)

A Lebanese child cries as he is cut in the head during Ashoura day in the southern market town of Nabatiyeh, Lebanon

Muslims gash their heads with blades during a ceremony marking Ashura in Basra, about 420 km (260 miles) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq.

Ashoura Baghdad


 

Muslims who live in Greece participate in a Shiite Muslim religious
procession using swords and chains to self-inflict cuts in Athens






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