Don't people get hurt during Shi'ite religious festivals like Muharram, where people apparently hit themselves with knives?
Answers
Shia Muslims mourn the death of Imam Hussein – grandson of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, and his family, during Muharram. They observe mourning and show sympathy by enduring pain.
Muharram is the first month in the Islamic calendar and the second holiest month after Ramadan. Since the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, the date of Muharram moves every year. The tenth day of Muharram is called Ashura and the day for mourning.
The muslims in general and the Shia muslims in particular celebrate this festival of Muharram, and many also hurt themselves.
This is way they pay their homage and condolences to Imam Hussain and his 72 companions who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Islam.
They do get hurt and they believe that by this why they can pay their respects to their leader.