More than 2 million Shiite Muslims from across the Middle East have swarmed the shrine city of Karbala in central Iraq for the climax of the annual Ashura ceremonies amid tight security.
Weeping men and even young boys in flowing white robes marched with blood streaming down their faces after slashing their scalps open with knifes in a ritual that commemorates an imam slain 13 centuries ago.
Accompanied by drummers and horn players, other pilgrims pounded on their chests and whipped their backs with metal chains as part of the devotional self-flagellation that characterises the dramatic annual rite.
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Tradition holds that Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed and the third of 12 imams in Shiite Islam, was decapitated and his body mutilated by Yazid's armies in Karbala, revenge for refusing to pay homage to the caliph.
To show remorse for not saving Hussein, Shiite volunteers whip themselves with metals chains while some cut their scalps with knives as they chant his name on the way to the two shrines.
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In reading and studying different faiths I find much beauty. In the Jewish faith they celebrate a miracle that occured over 2000 years ago, after the Syrian-Greek leader, Antiochus IV, attempted to force the Jews in Israel to assimilate completely and to renounce their religion and culture. The miracle was a vial of oil burned for eight days until pure oil could be obtained for the holy Temple. In gratitude, the Jews began lighting small menorahs in their homes to commemorate this miracle.
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In the life of Buddha, the three most significant events in the life of Gautama Buddha occurred on the same day. His birth, enlightenment and death (nirvana), all happened on a full moon night in April/May. Buddhist celebrate this on the day that falls in the Vaishaka month of the Indian calendar. For the Tibetans, it is the full moon day in the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar. On Buddha Jayanti, the buddhist monastries all over the world echo with prayers, sermons and recitations of Buddhist scriptures. In monasteries, religious halls and homes, Buddhist monks and followers do readings of the holy scriptures through out the day before the Buddha's statue. Some of the people just listen to these holy prayers and sermons and give alms to the monks. On the next day, it is a Buddha Jayanti custom to display a gigantic figure of Lord Buddha to all the followers. Hundreds of small shrines are visited and worshipped. People form large groups and parade through the streets, chanting prayers in the praise of the Lord for that He has given us. The buddhist households put red, white, yellow and blue flags flyings on their roof tops.
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There is no single text which can sum up Hinduism. The Vedas are hymns praising different Gods. While the Upanishads are discourses between a guru (spiritual guide) and a shishya (disciple), stressing upon the unity of the God, the concept of atma (soul), life after death and karma, emphasises on the fact that happiness in this life has been achieved due to good deeds performed in the previous one. The ultimate goal of every Hindu is to attain moksha which is deliverance from the cycle of birth & rebirth. One can believe in either Shiva, Brahma, Vishnu or the Planets or the Rain God, or heroes based on the epics, all of them or none of them. Thus Hinduism is more of a way of life, rather than a religion. Its tolerance and flexibility has helped to preserve its sanctity under successive invasions and to embrace alien beliefs. The main divine principle of Hinduism is that God is one, but his avatars or incarnations are many.
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I don't think I have to describe Christian faith and tradition here. Prayer, fasting, worship, and miracles are something we are all familar with.
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What's my point? The beauty I see in other faiths that relates to God are uplifting and poignant. What is it with Islam? Slashing one's scalp? Letting blood run down your face and clothes? And for what? Not for God. For Mohammed and Hussein. Excuse me while I say, I see no beauty whatsoever in that.
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