Graphic Video: Stunning Moment as Child Is Coached on Self-Flagellation During Bloody Muslim Ritual at Alleged U.S. Mosque

Shia Muslims self-flagellate outside of a U.S. mosque (Photo Credit: YouTube)
On November 24, Shia Muslims around the world observed the “Day of Ashura,” an annual commemorative event during which adherents remember the life and legacy of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. TheBlaze brought you gruesome footage last Saturday of the mass self-flagellation that some Afghans engaged in to publicly lament Hussein’s 7th century death. Additional clips filled with blood and gore have emerged of similar events that purportedly unfolded in the U.S. as well.
The blog Creeping Sharia posted video of one such ritual that was uploaded to YouTube. While, on the surface, there is little information known about the video concerning when and where it was taken, its contents are certainly shocking. The clip, originally uploaded by a YouTube user named “Maveea,” contains no context or additional information aside from a title that reads, “Ashura in St Louis MO.”

Photo Credit: YouTube
In the video, men are first seen exiting a mosque, while chanting and singing (seemingly in Arabic). The group, which includes children, then makes its way to a grassy area, where some of the individuals remove their shirts and begin beating themselves incessantly. The video continues for more than 12 minutes and concludes with the group walking back towards the mosque.
There are a plethora of actions depicted in the clip, however the most disturbing moments include a child. The boy first appears toward the start of the video wearing a red coat and standing nearby as the adults hit themselves with makeshift whips (it looks as though he, too, has a whip of some sort in his hands — although it is not clear if it is the same as what the adult men use).

Photo Credit: YouTube
Later, the same boy (or another child from the group, as it is difficult to tell baed on the footage) appears to be shirtless, practicing and being coached in how to use the tool on himself and mimicking the men before him:

Photo Credit: YouTube
The video can be viewed in its entirety, below. An adult purportedly coaching the boy in how to use the whip can be watched around the 10:10 point (caution: violence/disturbing):
TheBlaze tried to substantiate that the event was, indeed, recorded in St. Louis, as noted in the YouTube header. As the men emerged from the building at the start of the clip, a number — purportedly an address — appears at the top of the doorway (721).
After a simple Google search, a house of worship called the Shia Islamic Education Center (the Dar al-Zahra Mosque and Education Center) was found (the building is located at 721 Strecker Road in Wildwood, Missouri). Wildwood is a suburb of St. Louis.

Photo Credit: YouTube
Based on construction images of the building, as shown on BaharBastani.com, the outer elements of the house of worship depicted in the video seem to match that of the Shia Islamic Education Center. If, indeed, the building is confirmed, there is still the question of when the event unfolded. While Ashura occurred just days ago, it is possible that this video is older and that it was recently uploaded.

Photo Credit: BaharBastani.com
TheBlaze reached out to the Shia Islamic Education Center to speak about the Ashura event via telephone, but was unable to reach a representative. The local Wildwood police department was also contacted to speak further about the mosque and the Ashura commemoration.
In a phone interview, Media Relations Officer Randy Vaughn said that he could not definitively say that the mosque in the clip is the Shia Islamic Education Center, as he is not located in the Wildwood area (he indicated, though, that he does believe it is the same house of worship). However, he and Capt. Kenneth Williams, who is the local precinct director, both reviewed the footage and determined that the activities surrounding the child are likely legal and covered under religious freedom provisions.
“We both looked at it and said…we don’t think…there is a crime,” Vaughn told TheBlaze. “I didn’t see a crime taking place based on the [legal] books we consult [and legislation].”
While an infraction is not visible in the clip, the media relations officer said that he wouldn’t want his kids to watch such a procession. But his personal views and what’s legal, at least in this case, are not mutually exclusive.
While self-flagellation may seem like a bizarre occurrence to most Westerners, the practice is somewhat common in Shia Islamic circles and is rooted in Hussein’s untimely death. The practice of beating oneself is generally not considered illegal if done for religious reasons, however the presence of children is, to a degree, curious (however, again, not necessarily illegal).
As TheBlaze’s Erica Ritz previous reported, in the 7th century, Muhammad’s grandson was said to have been brutally tortured before being killed; some express remorse for not saving him by inflicting a similar punishment on themselves. Ashura is observed by Shiites throughout the world, though not always in such a bloody manner.
–
Related:
Benghazi, IRS, AP...What's next? Only TheBlaze TV offers the truth from Glenn Beck, Andrew Wilkow, and Real News from TheBlaze. Get instant access and a free trial here.













































































































Comments (277)
Small World
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:49amHopefully they will self destruct ! Can you believe they are here ion America ????
Report this comment
Go Glenn
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 12:19pmI thought it was entertaining to watch. It would only be better if I were the one doing the whipping.
Morons!!!
Report this comment
Carol in Indy
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 1:08pmYes, Smallworld it is all very sad that this is happening here.
But… does anyone think that it is real blood? It looks too perfectly red to me. Dried blood turns to a darker red, Does it not?
Perhaps we will get lucky and they will just die off but.. they seem to be multiplying very fast.
Report this comment
glassaudioguy
Posted on December 2, 2012 at 5:39pmThe only time they self destruct, at least to any point that matters, is when they’re trying to take infidels out with them. Would that it occur beforehand, but unfortunately it doesn’t.
Report this comment
csbaby
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:48amJust waiting for the day that all these groups working together to change the world have to determine who wins.
Report this comment
another pucker
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 12:04pmI’ve been saying the same thing! For now they just keep using each other.
XOXOXO
Report this comment
Captain Crunch
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 4:47pmIf they will do this to themselves they would have no problem doing worse to us. Just remember, it is no sin to put down a rabid dog trying to attack you.
Report this comment
TheOnlyConservative
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:47amThey are almost as bad as the CHRISTIANS that self-flagellate!
Or handle poisonous snakes.
Or beat their children.
Or foam at the mouth while beating rolling around church while talking to God in HIS language.
Or… well, you get the picture.
Report this comment
mewnani
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:58amThere’s bad in every religion or lacktherof. Bad Christians, bad Atheists, bad Muslims; you can’t label just one and consider that one totally evil.
Report this comment
Walkabout
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 12:00pmUser Profile: TheOnlyConservative
Member Since: November 30, 2012
Profession: Troll.
Report this comment
Caballosinnombre
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 12:02pmI don’t know of any church where christians self-flagellate. You may be confusing spanking with beating a child. One is for discipline the other is wrong. I’ve never witnessed one foaming at the mouth while speaking in tongues. As far is snake handling is concerned, thats their business not mine. Anyway, for all these things I’ll let God be the Judge. I don’t plan on strapping on a bomb vest any time soon.
Report this comment
Walkabout
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 12:04pmSome Baptists churches handle snakes or speak in tongues even among baptists they are a minority.
What was your point? Was it since you can find 2 or 3 unaffiliated Baptist churches that handle snakes that all Catholics do it too?
Maybe because some churches speak in tongues you believe that all Methodist do this.
Using your reasoning, I can conclude that since so many gays are atheist & anti-church, then from your anti-church comments, you must be gay.
Report this comment
Walkabout
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 12:09pmIn 2001 there were about 40 small churches
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_handling
350,000 religious congregations in the United States
http://hirr.hartsem.edu/research/fastfacts/fast_facts.html
The ratio is 4 : 35,000
But among the Shia I can find thousands if not tens of thousands doing this in Iraq, Lebanon & elsewhere.
So what is your point? That you are exactly like a seagull (except for the flying part)?.
Report this comment
TheOnlyConservative
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 12:52pmRight, but the people here seem to forget that.
Report this comment
TheOnlyConservative
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 1:07pmWow–you people are unaware that all this self-flagellation is also a Christian practice? Even done by good old Pope John Paul II? (http://articles.cnn.com/2010-01-27/world/pope.flagellate_1_vatican-radio-pope-john-paul-ii-vatican-insider?_s=PM:WORLD and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx0ncps77Ow)
Amazes me how many people point at Islamic practices and label them barbaric, and yet their own religions do the exact same thing…
So I guess everyone who calls these people barbaric and uncivilized for whipping themselves has the same view of the Catholics and Protestants that do the exact sane thing? (Not wanting to be hypocrites, I don’t see how they have a choice!)
Oh, BTW: When Christians do it the official term is “Mortification of the Flesh” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortification_of_the_flesh
Walkabout
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 2:10pmTheOnlyConservative
Wow–you people are unaware that all this self-flagellation is also a Christian practice? Even done by good old Pope John Paul II
***
You have pictures of him beating himself bloody?
…
I thought not.
“In actual Catholic self-flagellation, “there is no blood, no injury, nothing to harm a person’s health, nothing traumatic. If it caused any harm, the Church would not allow it,” he wrote on Opus Dei’s Web site when the movie came out in 2006.” -CNN
Try Again Harder.
In my denomination we don’t handle snakes, don’t speak in tongues, don’t flagellate, don’t espouse child abuse, have interfaith dialogue with the local Jewish community going back to 1973.
Now what were you saying troll?
Report this comment
skiz
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 2:16pmThere is one little thing wrong with your attack on CHRISTIANS. The one’s you describe might think they are CHRISTIANS, but they are NOT! CHRISTIANS are peaceful, loving and forgiving people. I would never beat my children, I spanked them when they were young, but all that is required now is a look! And I would most DEFINITELY not handle snakes! My saviour does not require me to beat myself or anyone else. Sorry to disapoint.
Report this comment
Cibolo
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 3:09pmWalkabout,
User Profile: TheOnlyConservative
Member Since: November 30, 2012
Profession: Troll.
I agree 100%
Also, Child Protective Services, (These are the case workers, and then they are not beating themselves they are either selling kidnapped children or molesting them!!!!!!)
Report this comment
DannyBoy13
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 3:42pmI’m a recent convert to Islam and I have a question: Can I behead my daughter straightaway, or is there a waiting period?
Report this comment
TheOnlyConservative
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 5:02pmWALKABOUT
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 2:10pm
You have pictures of him beating himself bloody?
…
I thought not.
—-
Wow, had you followed the links I supplied you would have seen the fact that John Paul’s act of self flagellation was NOT considered weird! One of the people reporting him doing it was nun who was his assistant. Another is a Bishop. He did it before he would ordain priests. That several people were witness to it. That it is a common Catholic practice, and that even Mother Theresa practiced it.
Wow! Those Muslims whipping themselves are as bad as Mother Theresa and Pope John Paul II!
Here are some more links for you to educate yourself with:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/februaryweb-only/16-11.0.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-202_162-6143579.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8375174.stm
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2009/11/john-paul-ii-flagellation-before-he-ordained-priests/
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/International/pope-john-paul-whipped-belt/story?id=9674114#.ULkrm4PAfas
http://rome-with-a-view.blogspot.com/2009/11/john-paul-iis-self-flagellation-and.html
http://www.renewedpriesthood.org/ca/page.cfm?Web_ID=1359
http://www.spiritdaily.net/flogging.htm
http://whosoeverdesires.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/on-self-flagellation-and-whether-you-can-do-penance-this-lent/
OH, BTW: I made sure a lot of those links are Catholic so you could see how they praised the Pope for beating himself :)
Report this comment
TheOnlyConservative
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 5:15pmSKIZ
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 2:16pm
There is one little thing wrong with your attack on CHRISTIANS. The one’s you describe might think they are CHRISTIANS, but they are NOT! CHRISTIANS are peaceful, loving and forgiving people.
===============
I will agree with you that a FOLLOWER of Christ is peaceful and forgiving. But about 95% of all Christians are anything but. Yeah, they claim their religion is peaceful and loving–and on paper it is–but they themselves back wars and the death penalty and favor the Bush doctrine of preemptive wars against all possible threats, no matter how many innocent children get slaughtered in the process.
If Jesus was so furious with the money changers in the temple to whip them, I wonder what he would be angry enough to do to the people that wage war. (Let alone the ones waged in his name!)
Jesus was willing to die on the cross, if you believe the stories, to save our souls. And yet most Christians take that whole “forgiveness and cheek turning” core lesson with as much conviction as a teenager who is told by their parent, “Now no drinking at the party!”
Hypocrites. Who are willing to drop bombs on children as collateral damage. Calling themselves Christians.
So I must disagree with you. The Bible, at least the NT, is peace-loving and forgiving. But Christians? Not even close.
Report this comment
Leveraction3030
Posted on December 1, 2012 at 10:52amYes I admit as an elder Christian I flalgelate(sp?), but so does Chris Matthews on live TV so I guess it is OK? It happens a lot after I eat beans.
Report this comment
NOTMYPROBLEM
Posted on December 1, 2012 at 12:10pm@THEONLYCONSERVATIVE
Persons that violate the terms of use are subject to being banned. As your account is exactly one day old, taking into account the nature of nearly all your posts, I am sure that you know all about this policy and have been subjected to it many times. You have been reported for violations of the comment-policy as well as the terms-of-use policy.
Report this comment
Dr Vel
Posted on December 1, 2012 at 8:54pmOnly a true psychopath would justify one evil by pointing out another.
Report this comment
DirtyHarry7
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:42amAnd these barbarians are being invited, by Diane Feinstein, to come from Gitmo to US prisons to recruit and train more militants?????????????
Report this comment
DesertRose1960
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 1:00pmThe convicted terrorists housed in the Supermax facilities around the country aren’t allowed contact with other prisoners. They spend 23 hours a day in their cells. They are allowed to exercise in a room by themselves. They can’t even look out a window, all the windows allow light in with no view of the outside world.
Report this comment
whatthecrazy
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 8:02pm@ desertrose aww poor murderous babies,hard to feel sorry for animals who kill women and children at will for doing absolutely nothing and i don’t care what religon you are keep you Da$% hands to youself.
Report this comment
RobbieTLHughie
Posted on December 1, 2012 at 9:43amI think the point was, buddy-boy that you were freaking the f*** out in that thread about how they are going to ‘infect’ other prisoners, when someone comes at you with a logical answer to that you change your story, that’s pretty childish.
Report this comment
tnman65
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:37amExactly. That is what should be done, but our spineless leaders would never consider doing it.
Report this comment
PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:35am3rd that !
Report this comment
RetUSAFVet
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:27amOfficer Randy Vaughn and Capt. Kenneth Williams are cowards of the first class. Their lame excuse that they think this falls under religious freedom is just an excuse to keep themselves from confronting this islamist idiots. The real story here should be “child endangerment” and/or “child abuse”. Where are the do-godder Children Welfare and Family Service people who will come into your home and remove your child because you spanked him/her. This seems to fit in their agenda – but are they, too, afraid of being politically incorrect when muslims are involved? We need police who are willing to uphold the LAW, not cower to the fear of political correctness.
Report this comment
hi
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:34amI agree. Remember they took that kid because he was too fat, but they won’t take a kid whipping himself to a bloody pulp? Also, this seems like a sure fire way to spread HIV and Hep C.
Report this comment
chips1
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 12:36pmNo doubt about it. I’m going to need a bigger whip!!!
Report this comment
lpharless2000
Posted on December 1, 2012 at 5:59pmYou are correct. Those two are cowards! That being said, there is hardly a sane person in the world not afraid of a Muslim. They have proven time and time again, and continue to do so, that they are cold-blooded, merciless murderers.
You may or may not have noticed the two movies 2012 that came out in the last couple of years? Both showed the descruction of everything on earth, including every religeon, EXCEPT the Muslim faith. When questioned as to why, the studios replied that they, ” . . . didn’t want to make the Muslins mad.”
Report this comment
poker4livin
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:26amThis reminds me of the creepy scene in Indian Jones Temple of Doom right before the guy chanting CALIMAR pulls he heart out of your chest. Is this why Obummer is pushing Healthcare for all so that these devout men can get help on my dime after their own self mutilation? Did your god tell you to do this or for once were you hearing the God telling you to punish yourself?
Report this comment
WatchingThePuppetShow
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:25amAll in the name of Peace and Love…Friggin’ idiots.
Report this comment
marathonman
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 4:35pmBloody idiots!
Report this comment
lpharless2000
Posted on December 1, 2012 at 6:26pm“Islam, the religeon of peace.” Yeah, right.
Report this comment
Doctor Bulldog
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:25amYes, this is the Shia Islamic Education Center in Missouri. However, I think it’s actually in Ballwin, MO. I’ve driven by it on several occasions.
Report this comment
thegreatcarnac
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:15amyou are right
Report this comment
edmundburk
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 6:05pmwhip it!!………….whip it real good!!
Report this comment
spfoam1
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:13amIf they teach their children to do this, then they teach their children to prepare for violent jihad here in the USA.
Report this comment
GuruMeditation
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:33am@oldguy49: Roger that!
Report this comment
kapnkd
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 1:14pmGiven their religious philosophies and rising trend towards radicalization, your comment is the MOST astute and logical assumption we can gain from this.
Behold – our future terrorists, here in the US, engaging in Muslime/Pislamist “Terrorism 101″ and taught at a local mosque near YOU!!
Report this comment
lpharless2000
Posted on December 1, 2012 at 6:10pmOf course they prepare their children for violent jiihad here in the USA!!! The goal of Islam is to conquer and takeover the entire world.
What I fail to comprehend is, since America is The Great Satain, and infedels (Americans) why did we ever think it was a good idea to let them come into this country? So they could make more beheadings of innocent Americans and post them on the net?
Report this comment
OurFoundingFather
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:12amWtf?
Report this comment
Displacedsoutherner
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:07amIf Obama had a son he’d be just like the kid in the video.
If a Christian based sect believes public spanking is ok, they’re branded as “barbaric”, but substitute “Muslin” for “Christian” and it’s anything goes from beatings to beheadings…”religious freedom” knows no bounds under the banner of Islam.
Get used to it.
Report this comment
HairRazor
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:06amI’ll 2nd that.. Well said.
Report this comment
HairRazor
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:03amI want to thank my God, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for being born in the United States of America and to my God fearing parents.. otherwise, that could have been me.
Report this comment
Small World
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:52amPray that America will win and stay free.
Report this comment
forthepeople
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 10:59amWhat an IDEOLOGY ( do not even call it the ‘R’ word. !!!
Whip yourself bloody
take 14-year old brides
have your bother & sisters blow them selves up in its name of your cult
treat Women like an consumable
oh and whack peoples head off ………….. I would be so proud of you cult lives .
Report this comment
bigsdawg
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 10:57amWhat is with the Giant Nipple building?
Report this comment
ZAP
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:04amit’s to breast feed satan,,,,,,,
Report this comment
biohazard23
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:05amIt’s a booby trap.
Report this comment
thetruthlives
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 10:48amwhip it, whip it real good, whip harder
Report this comment
dealer@678
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 10:45amDumbasses
Report this comment
tuchux
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 2:17pmAnimals
Report this comment
GhostOfJefferson
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 10:44amQuite barbaric. Keep in mind that self flagellation was a big hit with medieval Christians as well who, mostly, grew out of the practice in time. I personally don’t understand how one can twist a message of peace and love into an edict to harm yourself. If you are to love others as you do yourself, then it seems that flagellation is a firm statement that you despise yourself, and the treatment of others can thus be justified if one treats others cruelly.
Report this comment
Dismayed Veteran
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:33amI recall that Christians committed self flagellation during the Bubonic Plague. They thought the end of the world was immenent. Their self flagellation was mimicing Christ’s whipping. They felt closer to God.
Report this comment
GuruMeditation
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 11:40amIt’s called being more about self, seeking attention and attempting to absolve guilt via ones own actions than it is devotion to your god. It’s some kind of guilt complex, that’s probably warranted, but a Christian should know that Christ already paid the price. All the Christian has to do is accept the gift, believe, admit the sin, repent and receive God’s mercy. These self flagellation acts only prove they really don’t get it in the case of Christians and in the case of Muslims… There god doesn’t offer such a means of salvation.
Report this comment
Cronpolis
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 12:21pmThese people do not love themselves at all. They love death more than life. That is a huge difference between any other religion and is the most powerful when it comes to war.
Report this comment
TEXASGRANNY73
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 12:52pmGood point. According to the gospels Saul killed (murdered) Christians before he became Paul and a Christian. How horrible for him to have to deal with the rest of his life. However he was forgiven by God so who judges who?
Report this comment
jerryod1627
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 10:39amI’ll bet obama understands and admires all these barbaric rituals!
Report this comment
lpharless2000
Posted on December 1, 2012 at 6:22pmAll liberal progressives do, not just Obama! Furthermore, the people who see Islam as a threat to world peace, especially ours, are branded “haters, non-educated red-necks, islamaphobes, the radical right, Republicans, etc.”
Report this comment
FaithfulFriend
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 10:38amYou don’t have to worship satan, to worship satan.
just sayin.
Report this comment
ellietoo
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 10:35amYeah, lets allow some more multimillion dollar mosques to be built in the US so the “religion of peace” can grow a few more generations of mind controlled murderous children.
Report this comment
ZAP
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 10:35amCheck it out.At 00:40 the tall priest with the brown coat, picks his **** ……
Report this comment
RightUnite
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 10:42amGee, ahhh…. I think I’ll pass on that….. Thanks anyway!! Hehehehehe!! Sheeesh!
Report this comment
M13
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 12:12pmIf that was Encinom in that video, you could say he was just picking his brain.
Report this comment