A Washington Post correspondent explains `Ashura': On Tatbir

"Some Shiites in the processions ritually whipped their bodies with chains and knives in grief, drenching themselves in blood, which is part of Ashura."  Of course, this is not true. These practices that include knives and chains are not part of `Ashura'.  This is known as Tatbir: tatbir is a colloquial Arabic word (and not a classical Arabic word) which refers to the use of sharp objects in rituals that aim at mimicking the suffering and even injury of Husayn and his companions.  It is known by another term in Persian.  But what the author does not say is that this is more cultural-local than religious or sectarian.  In fact, Khamenei, Sistani, Hasan Nasrallah, and Muhammad Husayn Fadlallah all banned tatbir but it is still practiced.  In Lebanon, it is only known among the Shi`ites of Nabatiyyah but rate among Shi`ites of other areas.  But then again: since when do Western media bother with facts?