10. Self-Flagellation During Ashura
Every year, many Shi’a Muslims commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein during Ashura by engaging in rituals of self-flagellation. Participants use chains or blades to express their intense grief and solidarity with Hussein’s suffering. For outsiders, the sight of public self-inflicted pain can be deeply shocking or misunderstood as unnecessary extremity. Yet, within the faith, these acts are profound demonstrations of devotion, sacrifice, and communal mourning. Discover more at Al Jazeera.
