Muslims are left drenched in blood as they cut themselves with knives to mark Islamic festival

During the holy Day of Ashura, a significant event in Shi'ite Islam, some devotees engage in a ritual where they self-harm with knives to express their mourning for the death of Imam Hussein in the 7th century. This act, steeped in tradition, underscores the deep emotional and historical connections of the faith to this pivotal moment. The practice highlights the intensity of religious devotion and the lengths to which followers will go to honor their beliefs and history. The ritual's vivid imagery underscores the powerful ways in which religious traditions are preserved and celebrated across centuries.