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THESE incredible photos show children forced to walk on red hot coals and holy day devotees slicing open their own backs in Pakistan.
They are among the millions of Shia Muslim worshippers currently taking part in annual ceremonies to mourn the death of Imam Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.
A Pakistani Shiite Muslim man stands his son over burning coal during a commemoration of the martyrdom
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A Pakistani Shiite Muslim man stands his son over burning coal during a commemoration of the martyrdomCredit: AFP or licensors

Processions and services held this week mark the holiest days in the Shia calendar, Tasua and Ashura.

During 10 days of mourning many of the devotees whip and cut themselves with chains and knives.

Others drive knives into their scalps as a way of washing away their sins.

Remarkable photographs show men and boys covered in blood after slashing themselves.

Walking on hot coals is another way of cleansing yourself with young children being encouraged by their parents to take part in the ritual.

Boys are literately hauled over the hot coals as they learn to take part from an early age
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Boys are literately hauled over the hot coals as they learn to take part from an early ageCredit: AFP or licensors
Some ramp it up by fanning the coals so they reach thousands of degrees
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Some ramp it up by fanning the coals so they reach thousands of degreesCredit: EPA
Severe burns to the soles of the feet are part and parcel of the ceremony
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Severe burns to the soles of the feet are part and parcel of the ceremonyCredit: EPA
A Kashmiri Shiite Muslim mourner flagellates himself during a religious procession held on the seventh day of Ashura
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A Kashmiri Shiite Muslim mourner flagellates himself during a religious processionCredit: AFP or licensors
A Pakistani vendor sharpens a knife mounted on chains used in the ritual self flagellation
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A Pakistani vendor sharpens a knife mounted on chains used in ritualsCredit: AFP or licensors
Rows of the chained razor sharp knives are ready for those to purge themselves of their sins
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Rows of the chained razor sharp knives are ready for those to purge themselves of their sinsCredit: AFP or licensors
The knives are chained up and then used to self-inflict wounds to the back
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The knives are chained up and then used to self-inflict wounds to the backCredit: AFP or licensors
This Shia muslim begins to use the chained up blades as he parades through the streets in Kashmire, Paskinstan
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This Shiite Muslim begins to use the chained up blades as he parades through the streets in Kashmire, PaskinstanCredit: AFP or licensors
Wounds are cleaned on a man's back after he is cut to ribbons
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Wounds are cleaned on a man's back after he is cut to ribbonsCredit: AFP or licensors
A worshipper clutches his blood soaked chest after a bout of self-flagellation
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A worshipper clutches his blood soaked chest after a bout of self-flagellationCredit: AFP or licensors
People look on a the gruesome public spectacle
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People look on a the gruesome public spectacleCredit: AFP or licensors
Women are spared having to harm themselves during the processions
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Women are spared having to harm themselves during the processionsCredit: AFP or licensors
Bleeding babies! Kids have heads cut to mark Ashura in India

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Indian Shia Muslim beat their chests during the religious procession on the sixth day
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Indian Shia Muslims beat their chests during the religious procession on the sixth dayCredit: AFP or licensors
The ritual helps Shia Muslims mourns the death of Imam Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Mohammed
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 The ritual helps Shia Muslims mourns the death of Imam Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet MohammedCredit: AFP or licensors
A young Myanmar Shiite Muslim boy runs over a burning coal fire
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A young Myanmar Shiite Muslim boy runs over a burning coal fireCredit: EPA

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