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Ashura Ritual: Muslims Slice Open Their Heads with Blades in Bloody Self-Flagellation.Millions of Muslims are observing Ashura, but the extreme ritual known as Tatbir is once again going viral — participants repeatedly striking their heads with swords and blades, causing heavy bleeding to mourn the death of Imam Hussein.While only a small minority engage in this graphic self-harm, and many Shia leaders discourage it, the disturbing images continue to shock people around the world every year.This remains one of the most controversial and visceral practices in parts of the Islamic world.