Ashura is the Shia festival that w3as celebrated in Iraq 18/ 19 Jan. Obviously I couldnt attend; however one of our local staff attended and I gave him my camera to record the festival. He took some really goodpictures, including of the men after they had cut themselves.

Below is a text from Wikapedia which explains what this festival is about.

The Day of Ashura (عاشوراء transliteration: ‘Āshūrā’, Ashura, Ashoura, and other spellings) is on the 10th day of ... (more)