Shi'ite Muslims around the world commemorate Ashura and mourn the death of Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson. A small minority in Lebanon practices ritual bloodletting to mark the event.
Shi'ite Muslims Commemorate Ashura in Nabatieh
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Families gather together to watch a re-enactment of the battle of Karbala. (J. Owens/VOA)
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A re-enactment of the battle of Karbala, in which Hussein was killed. (J. Owens/VOA)
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Ali Saeed, from Nabatieh, wears a pendent of the sword of Ali, father of Hussein. Named Zulfiqar, it was said to have been given to him by the Prophet Muhammad. (J. Owens/VOA)
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Often done with a knife stroke to the head, the act of bloodletting is called tatbir. (J. Owens/VOA)