Fri 7 Oct, AT 08:55
Alexander Cockburn
Alexander Cockburn: There’ll
be little talk in Washington
of democracy in action if
Shia protests catch hold
Afghan Shia Muslims beat themselves with chains and blades during Ashura celebrations at a mosque in Kabul. In less radical celebrations, mourners fast for a day and beat their chests in honour of Imam Hossein who died in the 680AD battle of Karbala - a key moment in the Sunni-Shia schism – which took place in modern day Iraq.
