THIS shocking image shows a helpless baby crying out in pain as a man slices into its head with a kitchen knife as part of an Islamic ritual.

The harrowing scene is just one of many taking place around the world as Muslims mark the religious day of Ashura.

11 A baby cries as a male relative cuts into its head with a large knife in Ahmadabad, India Credit: AP:Associated Press

11 Shia Muslims self-flagellate to mourn the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson Hussein Credit: Getty Images

11 Participants use chains and blades to hurt themselves in the ritual Credit: Getty Images

11 Even children take part in the gruesome practice, copying their elders Credit: AP:Associated Press

11 Blood can be seen pooling on the floor during the ceremony in Afghanistan Credit: Getty Images

The day is important for the global Muslim community as a whole, many of whom fast to commemorate the day Noah left the Ark, and the day God saved Moses from the Egyptians.

But it is a day of sorrow for followers of the Shia branch of Islam, who mourn the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson Hussein 1,300 years ago.

The event led to the great schism in Islam when the split between Sunni and Shia first appeared.

Many Shia men emulate the suffering of Hussein by flagellating themselves with sharp objects in a ritual bloodletting.

Shocking pictures taken in Ahmadabad, India, and Afghanistan show participants screaming in pain as they whip themselves on the back with knives on chains.

Blood can be seen pooling on the floor as others cut their foreheads with the medieval-looking instruments.

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Teenagers and even young children can be seen participating in the gory ceremony.

Some Shia leaders discourage the bloodletting, saying it creates a negative image of the sect.

These groups encourage followers to donate blood instead, but many still engage in the practice.

11 Some Shia leaders discourage the bloodletting, saying it creates a negative image Credit: AP:Associated Press

11 Progressive groups encourage followers to donate blood instead of hurting themselves Credit: Getty Images

11 Hussein was killed in 680AD at the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq Credit: Getty Images

11 Some Shia men self-flagellate to emulate the suffering of the Prophet's grandson Credit: Getty Images

11 The bloody ritual sees followers whip themselves on the back with knives on chains Credit: Getty Images

11 Ashura ceremonies are often the target for attacks by Sunni extremists Credit: Getty Images

Hussein was killed in 680AD at the battle of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, along with many of his followers.

His death gave rise to the Shia cult of martyrdom and their sense of betrayal and struggle against oppression.

Ashura ceremonies are regularly the target for attacks by Sunni extremists such as ISIS who see the Shias as heretics.

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