Young boys beat themselves with blades on the streets of Baghdad to 'mourn the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson' (photos)

Every year, Shi'ite Muslims all over the world take part in these bloody self-flagellation ceremonies to mourn the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson. Photographs show young boys parading down the streets of Iraq's capital Baghdad (pictured) with blood dripping from their wounded heads and onto their white robes. They are flanked by their mothers dressed entirely in black. Some Muslims commemorate the day by carrying out brutal acts of self-flagellation, others slap their chests and chant, and some take part in 'street plays'. The Day of Ashura has become a national holiday in some predominantly Muslim countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain and Pakistan.(mailonline)