Millions of Shi'ites express suffering in Ashura ritual in Iraq

A Shi'ite man flagellates himself alongside fellow pilgrims gashing their foreheads with swords while commemorating Ashura in Najaf, Iraq September 20, 2018. REUTERS/ Alaa Al-Marjani

KERBALA, Iraq (Reuters) - Millions of Shi’ites Muslims gathered at shrines and mosques in Kerbala and other parts of Iraq on Thursday to mark the climax of the annual ritual of Ashura with expressions of suffering.

Huge crowds came from all over the world to commemorate the slaying of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.