A usually bustling area near a mosque in Kabul sits empty on Nov. 3, 2014 as the streets were cleared of traffic during Ashoura events. The holiday has been marked by violence in the past, but this year's events were largely uneventful. (Josh Smith/Stars and Stripes)
A usually bustling area near a mosque in Kabul sits empty on Nov. 3, 2014 as the streets were cleared of traffic during Ashoura events. The holiday has been marked by violence in the past, but this year's events were largely uneventful. (Josh Smith/Stars and Stripes)
An Afghan woman sits in the rain in Kabul on Nov. 3, 2014. The city saw no major acts of violence as thousands of Afghans gathered to commemorate the day of Ashoura. (Josh Smith/Stars and Stripes)
An Afghan boy serves hot drinks to residents of Kabul who gathered in the streets to observe the day of Ashoura, a Muslim holiday. Such booths were set up days in advance of the holiday. (Josh Smith/Stars and Stripes)
An Afghan man pours hot drinks for people gathered in the streets of Kabul to observe the day of Ashoura on Nov. 3, 2014. Such booths were set up on street corners around the city and served free drinks and candies. (Josh Smith/Stars and Stripes)
Afghan vendors prepare food for crowds gathered in the streets of Kabul to commemorate the day of Ashoura on Nov. 3, 2014. Heavy rain did not prevent hundreds of residents from attending the day's events. (Josh Smith/Stars and Stripes)
Afghan men sit outside a mosque in Kabul after a Ashoura event on Nov. 3, 2014. Security forces shut down streets around the city to prevent a repeat of the attack that killed 63 people at such a gathering in 2011. (Josh Smith/Stars and Stripes)
A crowd listens to a speech by an imam at a Muharram event in Kabul on Nov. 13, 2014. Seconds later dozens of men stripped off their shirts to flagellate their backs with chains and blades. (Josh Smith/Stars and Stripes.)
A man holds a candle during a Muharram ceremony at a mosque in Kabul on Nov. 3, 2014. The Day of Ashoura was commemorated across the city with gatherings, processions, and banners. (Josh Smith/Stars and Stripes)
An Afghan child watches as men flagellate themselves at a Muharram ceremony on the day of Ashoura in Kabul. Women and children watched from upper levels as the men cut their backs with knives and chains. (Josh Smith/Stars and Stripes)
Afghan Shi'ite Muslim men watch a Muharram ceremony in Kabul on Nov. 3, 2014. The ceremony included sermons as well as self-flagellation. ( Josh Smith/Stars and Stripes)
Afghan Shi'ite Muslim men flagellate themselves at a Muharram ceremony on the Day of Ashoura in Kabul on Nov. 3, 2014. The practice of drawing blood with chains or knives is viewed as a way to show mourning for the death of Husayn ibn Ali's in an ancient battle. (Josh Smith/Stars and Stripes)
Afghan Shi'ite Muslim men flagellate themselves at a Muharram ceremony on the Day of Ashoura in Kabul on Nov. 3, 2014. The practice of flagellation has become more controversial, with some religious leaders urging believers to donate blood instead. (Josh Smith/Stars and Stripes)
KABUL, Afghanistan — Thousands of residents gathered at events around Kabul on Monday to peacefully observe a holiday that has been marked by major attacks in the past.
The day of Ashoura is a day of mourning to mark the death of Husayn ibn Ali, a significant figure for Shi’ites, in an ancient battle.
Residents of Kabul put up black, green, and red banners around the city, while booths provided free drinks and candy.
The most famous event of the day involves flagellation, during which men whip their bare backs with chains and blades to draw blood.
The practice has become increasingly controversial, with some leaders in Afghanistan urging believers to donate blood instead.
Past days of Ashoura in Kabul have been marked by violence, notably in 2011 when an explosion killed 63 people at a shrine. But this year’s events went off peacefully for the most part.
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