Shia Muslims perform Zanjeer Zani to commemorate Ashura in Athens

Approximately 650 Shia Muslims gather to commemorate Ashura in Athens. Some of them, perform the traditional self - flagellation ritual called 'Zanjeer Zani’ in solidarity to the martyrdom of Husayn, the grandson of Muhammad.

Shia Muslim man repents after performing the ritual of 'Zanjeer Zani’ a practice, in which he flagellates himself with blades attached to chains.

Worshipers holding 'zanjeers' (a chain with blades) mourn on the day of Ashura.

Shia Muslims perform 'Zanjeer Zani’ by hitting themselves on the back with blades attached to chains.

Shia Muslim men beat themselves with their hands to mark Ashura. Some of them are covered with blood as a result of 'Zanjeer Zani’ a practice, in which they flagellate themselves with blades attached to chains.

Shia Muslim men touch a decorated horse during the Ashura commemoration in Athens. The horse is symbolically representing in Ashura ceremonies as Imam Hussein's horse Zuljina.

Shia Muslim men perform 'Zanjeer Zani’ by flagellating themselves on the back with blades attached to chains.

Shia Muslim man flagellates himself with blades attached to chains. The decorated horse that is symbolically representing Imam Hussein's horse Zuljina can be seen.

Shia Muslim men beat themselves with their hands to mark Ashura. Some of them are covered with blood as a result of 'Zanjeer Zani’ a practice, in which they flagellate themselves with blades attached to chains

Shia Muslim men beat themselves with their hands to mark Ashura. Some of them are covered with blood as a result of 'Zanjeer Zani’ a practice, in which they flagellate themselves with blades attached to chains

A child seen while watching the ritual of 'Zanjeer Zani’ a practice, in which Shia Muslim men flagellate themselves with blades attached to chains

Shia Muslim men beat themselves with their hands to mark Ashura. Some of them are covered with blood as a result of 'Zanjeer Zani’ a practice, in which they flagellate themselves with blades attached to chains.

Shia Muslim men touch a decorated horse during the Ashura commemoration in Athens. The horse is symbolically representing in Ashura ceremonies as Imam Hussein's horse Zuljina.

Shia Muslim men chanting hymns during the Ashura commemoration in Athens.

Shia Muslim men chanting hymns during the Ashura commemoration in Athens.

Shia Muslim men beat themselves with their hands to mark Ashura. Some of them are covered with blood as a result of 'Zanjeer Zani’ a practice, in which they flagellate themselves with blades attached to chains.

Signs of blood can be seen on the hands of a Shia Muslim man, short after he has performed the ritual of 'Zanjeer Zani’ a practice, in which he flagellates himself with blades attached to chains.

Pilgrims who have gathered to watch the ritual and commemorate Ashura in Athens.

Approximately 650 Shia Muslims gather to commemorate Ashura in Athens, outside their society place. Some of them, perform the traditional flagellation ritual called 'Zanjeer Zani’ in solidarity to the martyrdom of Husayn, the grandson of Muhammad.
The practice of ' Zanjeer Zani’ (also known as Tatbir) includes hitting oneself on the back and/or chest with blades attached to chains, causing blood to flow in remembrance of the innocent blood of Imam al Husain ibn Ali which was shed by Yazid's forces in Battle of Karbala.
I talk with a flagellation performer named Sayed Ashir, who is 30 years old, and has migrated from Pakistan to study in Greece, many years ago, and now he has a good living and work. He has been taking part to the ritual of ‘Zanjeer Zani’ since he was teen and although he is covered in blood, he says that he feels no pain.
Shia commonly believe that taking part in Ashura is to be absolved of sins. A popular Shia saying has it that, 'a single tear shed for Husayn washes away a hundred sins'.

Video: Muslims in Greece self-flagellate to mark day of Ashura

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48-hour unions strike begins with protests in Athens

Tens of thousands of Greek workers protest a new round of austerity cuts in Athens center, on the first day of a 48-hour general strike, that was called by the biggest unions of the country.

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"Troika Get Out" reads a banner of grassroots unions in front of the Greek Parliament during the rally.

Members of Taxi Drivers Unions shout anti-government slogans in Syntagma Square.

A female protester writes a slogan on the advertisement that depicts Kate Moss, that reads: "Sex and strike must have duration".

Male protesters march and shout slogans in Syntagma Square.

Male protesters march and shout slogans in Syntagma Square.

Male protesters march and shout slogans in Syntagma Square.

Syriza members and among them Syriza MPs: Maria Bolari, Nikos Voutsis, Dimitris Tsoukalas, march in Syntagma Square. Banner reads: "You (Government) destroy the country. Go away!".

Members of GSEE and ADEDY, two biggest unions of the country, march in Syntagma Square. Banner reads: "People above all. Not numbers and measures!".

Anti-fascist and anti-austerity banners, hold by protesters during the rally, near Syntagma Square.

Protesters in Syntagma Square during the protest holding anti-austerity banner.

"Troika Get Out" reads a banner that hold members of grassroots unions in front of the Greek Parliament during the rally.

A protester holding a banner that reads: "Continuous strikes, lasting until the victory", while marching and shouting slogans in Syntagma Square.

Female protesters shouting slogans during the rally in Syntagma Square.

Youth protesters shouting slogans during the rally in Syntagma Square.

Groups of protesters that belong to Syriza party, march and shout slogans in front of the Greek Parliament, during the rally.

Tens of thousands of Greek workers protest a new round of austerity cuts in Athens center, on the first day of a 48h general strike, that was called by the biggest unions of the country.
The strike is called by Greece’s two biggest labor organizations of public and private sector (GSEE and ADEDY), All Workers Militant Front (PAME, KKE, and taxi drivers associations. Thousands of of Small Business and Industry Association (GSEVEE), also joined the rally, that ended peacefully in Syntagma Square, in front of the Greek Parliament.

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Pictures belong to the story on this link, where the full resolution images can be found:
http://www.demotix.com/node/1576621/

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