See annual ritual done to mourn death of Prophet's grandson

This is the moment a baby screamed out as a relative sliced its head open with a kitchen knife as part of an Islamic self-flagellation ceremony to mourn the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson 1,300 years ago.    

 

In separate images, men can be seen crying out in pain as they use knives attached to chains to cut their own backs at a mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan. Pools of blood can also be seen on the floor of the building after the men performed the ritual to mark Ashura - one of the major fixtures of the Islamic calendar.              

The tradition is seen by some as a way of washing away their sins and is a national holiday in many countries with thousands taking part in the annual rituals. A national holiday in many countries, thousands take part in the annual rituals which include people whipping and cutting themselves with chains and knives.