Imam Hussein was killed by armies of the Yazid near Karbala in 680 AD. Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Azerbaijan have day as national holiday. Blood-covered young men swarm into the streets as part of a religious procession in Pakistan. Children also take part in the gory ritual self-flagellation which is held ahead of Ashura on the ninth day of Muharram in Peshawar. Shi'a Muslims all over the world pay their respects with the flowing of their blood as they mourn the slaying and martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad.