A Iraqi Shi'ite muslim strikes himself on the head with a sword during a procession...

A Iraqi Shi'ite muslim strikes himself on the head with a sword during a procession to the holy shrine of Iman Hussein in Kerbala, April 23, 2003. For the first time in more than a quarter of a century, Iraq's majority Shi'te Muslims -- long oppressed by the now-ousted president -- were celebrating openly in huge numbers one of the most sacred events of their calendar. The pilgrimage to the holy city of Kerbala, commemorates the 40th day -- the end of the traditional mourning period -- after the death in 680 AD of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammad and one of the first Shi'ite leaders.