A SERIES of pictures shows the contorted faces of young boys screaming as they undergo ritual circumcision in Turkey.

An adult holds each lad down on a bed as a medic performs the surgery, which traditionally marks the first step to becoming a man.

15 A series of pictures captures the reactions of young boys being circumcised in Turkey Credit: Getty Images

15 The screaming boys' contorted faces were photographed at a clinic in Ankara Credit: Getty Images

15 An adult holds each boys arms while a licensed practitioner makes the incision Credit: Getty Images

15 Circumcision is an important religious and traditional custom across Turkey Credit: Getty Images

15 The procedure is usually carried out when boys are aged between five and 12 Credit: Getty Images

15 This youngster clutches a lollipop, which he will have to sooth him after the painful op Credit: Getty Images

Photographer Ahmet Izgi recorded the reactions of a number of boys - all aged around six or seven - at a clinic in the capital Ankara.

The sünnet ritual, usually held when boys are aged between five and 12, is an important religious and traditional custom across Turkey.

The name literally means "busy path" and refers to adherence to the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed.

The ritual signals the transition to adulthood and has deep religious significance for followers of Islam.

MOST READ IN WORLD NEWS CREEPY CRAWLERS Dozens of horrifying 3ft-long robber crabs invade family's campsite BBQ Breaking POOL TRAGEDY Brit holidaymaker dies after she was pulled lifeless from Lanzarote hotel pool GANGSTER NO 1 New 'El Chapo' seizes control of Mexico gang that sets rivals' heads on fire OUT OF THIS WORLD Man transforms into 'alien' after having nose REMOVED & splitting tongue FIT AND FIFTY 'World’s hottest gran' celebrates 50th as fans praise her youthful looks LASHED TO BITS Paedo collapses as he’s caned 52 times after being sentenced to 169 lashes COV-ER & OUT Lockdown-free Sweden 'on brink of BEATING Covid after achieving herd immunity' SNAKES ALIVE Snake farm owner ‘pretended to adopt puppies before FEEDING THEM to serpents INCEST RAPIST Evil dad impregnated daughter, 12, while mum & baby slept in next room RATS TO THAT Workers find 'rat the size of a CAR’ in sewer - but all isn’t what it seems

Some families throw huge parties with food and music to celebrate the occasion in homes, restaurants or banqueting halls.

Feasts can last several days as relatives gather and give the boy gifts such as money, sweets and clothes.

In grander ceremonies the boys dress up in silk Ottoman costumes and parade around the town on horseback.

15 Many families throw a huge party for family and neighbours to celebrate the child's rite of passage Credit: Getty Images

15 Feasts for the traditional sunnet ritual can last days, especially in more traditional areas of Anatolia Credit: Getty Images

15 The religious custom signals the boy's first step to adulthood Credit: Getty Images

15 Verses from the Koran are often recited during the procedure Credit: Getty Images

15 Family members gather close round the bed to watch the procedure being done Credit: Getty Images

15 Virtually all boys in Turkey are circumcised and is expected of all Muslim men Credit: Getty Images

15 In Turkey it is traditionally done when boys are of primary school age, before puberty Credit: Getty Images

15 More recently some parents in cities are opting to have sons circumcised at birth to avoid fear and pain at a later age Credit: Getty Images

15 The operation leaves the children in tears but it lasts only a few seconds Credit: Getty Images

Istanbul has a huge "Palace of Circumcision" where wedding-style banquets are thrown with clowns hired to entertain groups of boys who are circumcised together on the same day.

When it is time for the procedure itself - which lasts a few seconds - family members gather close round the bed to watch.

A close friend or family member called a kirve - similar to a godparent in the Christian tradition - will hold the lad's arms while a licensed practitioner makes the incision.

As in other Islamic nations, Turkish men who are not circumcised are often made to feel ashamed or dirty and virtually all boys have it done.

But in some areas the traditional sünnet ceremonies are dying out as parents opt to have sons circumcised in hospital at birth to prevent pain and fear when they are older.

Today we told how a British mum was horrified to find her baby son had been circumcised against her will while he was staying with his grandparents in Nottinghamshire.

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368