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20:10 GMT, Thursday, 9 February 2006

In pictures: Ashura festival

Shia Muslims in the Iraqi city of Karbala

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Shia Muslims around the world have been celebrating the religious festival of Ashura.

A Lebanese boy looks on at an Ashura ceremony in southern Beirut

A Lebanese boy looks on at an Ashura ceremony in southern Beirut

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Ashura commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Mohammad, in 680. The event led to the split in Islam into two main sects - Sunnis and Shias.

Shia Muslims in the Iraqi city of Karbala hold up knives used to beat themselves

Shia Muslims in the Iraqi city of Karbala hold up knives used to beat themselves

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Some Shia beat themselves with chains and blades to emulate Hussein's suffering - though this is frowned upon by others.

An man in Tehran performs the traditional re-enactment of the battle of Imam Hussein

An man in Tehran performs the traditional re-enactment of the battle of Imam Hussein

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Celebrants around the world re-enact Imam Hussein's death in a battle near the Iraqi city of Karbala.

A Shia Muslim in Indian-administered Kashmir beats himself with blades

A Shia Muslim in Indian-administered Kashmir beats himself with blades

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Ashura falls on the 10th of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

Women watch Ashura commemorations from a rooftop in Baghdad

Women watch Ashura commemorations from a rooftop in Baghdad

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Security was stepped up in Iraq, where pilgrims have flocked to mark Ashura despite the threat of insurgent attacks.

Shia Muslims pray in the Pakistani city of Karachi as they mark Ashura

Shia Muslims pray in the Pakistani city of Karachi as they mark Ashura

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Pakistan has a history of tension between its majority Sunni and minority Shia Muslims.

A Pakistani soldier stands by a burning shop in the town of Hangu, where violence erupted

A Pakistani soldier stands by a burning shop in the town of Hangu, where violence erupted

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At least 23 people died in a suicide bomb attack and ensuing violence in the north-western Pakistani town of Hangu.

Shia Muslims in Kabul beat themselves during Ashura

Shia Muslims in Kabul beat themselves during Ashura

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Hundreds more were caught up in fighting between Sunnis and Shia in Afghanistan, which left several dead.

Women in Beirut mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussein

Women in Beirut mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussein

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But for most, the Ashura festival was marked peacefully as a solemn day of mourning and commemoration.

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Related to this story:
High security in Iraq for Ashura (09 Feb 06 | Middle East )
Worshippers die in Pakistan blast (09 Feb 06 | South Asia )
Afghan clashes 'leave five dead' (09 Feb 06 | South Asia )
Viewpoint: Ashura, festival of devotion (09 Feb 06 | Special Reports )