Yesterday I saw on the news some video of Iraqi ppl celebrating the Ashura holiday. To me it was the most cruel, bestial sight ever. A bunch of Iraqis were screaming and beating their heads with knives in some crazy "ecstasy" till bleeding. They said in the news how Saddam didn't let them celebrate this holiday and have this ceremony. When I saw it I thought to myself "maybe they're all crazy and he just knew how to get the power and protect himself from their madness, while he was mad as well". Even if this holiday has the purest value behind it, I just don't get it. What values have something to do with such a sick ceremony?! I don't know how their minds work, but this ceremony doesn't seem like a human habit.

I remember seeing a show about the Islamic culture about 8 months ago. They showed parts of this ceremony, too. Mothers said there how their dream was that their sons will grow to be shahids. What mother wishes her baby son will grow to be a killer and commit suicide "in the name of god"?!
And of course dear "god" would tell him "that's your mission, son, gotta do that..."