"Mourning for Imam Ali" procession in central London
Every year during Ramadan Shia Muslims commemorate the death of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib who was assassinated in 661. He was the cousin and son-in-law of the prophet Muhammad and one of the greatest islamic scholars and rulers. For Shia Muslims Ali is the first Imam and second in importance after Muhammad. The main part of the commemoration is a procesion with a coffin symbolizing dead Ali. During the procession in front of the coffin some coals are constantly burning. The most impressive is beating of breasts. Men are lamenting and pounding at their chest. The beating lasts a few minutes and after short break it is repeated again. It’s going on during the whole procession. The beating is so intensive, that the men have big bruises on the chest at the end and some of them are even bleading.
Size: 3888px × 2592px
Location: Park Lane, London, UK
Photo credit: © Rastislav Kolesar / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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