A’adhamallahu ujurana wa ujurakum bi musaabina bil Hussain alayhis salaam
(May Allah make our reward and your reward great, for our grief for Husayn, peace be upon him).
“And do not speak of those who are slain in the Way of Allah as dead; nay, they are alive, but you perceive not.” Quran 2:154
In many parts of the world, including Africa the commemoration of the great martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) shall take place on Saturday night, November 24, 2012 and Ashura Day on Sunday, November 25, 2012. (10th of Muharram 1434 AH) according to the Islamic Lunar Calendar.
Imam Hussain (AS) mission was to reform the Muslim Ummah and save Islam as manifested clearly in his Will before he left Makah for Iraq – “Imam Hussain (A.S.) explains the mission of his sacrifice in his own words: “I have taken this stand not out of arrogance or pride, neither out of mischief or injustice. I have risen to seek reform in the community of my grandfather. I would like to bid good, forbid evil, and follow the tradition of my grandfather and my father ‘Ali bin Abi Talib.”
It is important to remember and publicize the tragedy event of Ashura, and expose the crimes and atrocities committed by despotic Yazid, son of Muawiya ibn Abu Sufyan an arch-enemy of Islam towards Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) his family members and companions in the plains of Kerbala, Iraq in 61 AH (680 CE).
The commemoration of this great epic event (Ashura) must be kept alive by our community members wherever they are in the world. Aza-e-Sayyidu’sh Shuhada Imam Hussain (AS) should be the platform and impetus to raise awareness and rekindle Islamic Values and Tableegh whilst also sending out clear messages to expose the crimes committed by the Bani Ummayyah caliphs towards the Holy Imams, their progenies and towards the faithful followers of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW).
Sir Muhammad Iqbal says:
Imam Husayn uprooted despotism forever till the Day of Resurrection. He watered the dry garden of freedom with the surging wave of his blood, and indeed he awakened the sleeping Muslim nation. If Imam Husayn had aimed at acquiring a worldly empire, he would not have traveled the way he did (from Medina to Karbala). Husayn weltered in blood and dust for the sake of truth. Verily he, therefore, became the bed-rock (foundation) of the Muslim creed; La ila ha illa’llah (There is no god but Allah).
We send our salutations – “Assalamu ‘alayk ya Aba ‘Abdillah, wa ‘alal arwahillati hallat bifina ik, ‘alayka minni salamullah, abadan ma baqitu wa baqiyallaylu wannahar, wa la dscha’alahul-lahu achiral ‘ahdi minni li-Ziyaratikum, assalamu ‘alal Hussain, wa ‘ala Aliyyibnil Hussain, wa ‘ala auladil Hussain, wa ‘ala Ashabil Hussain”.
Let us pray to Allah (SWT) that He grants us all an opportunity to visit the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussain (AS),
Let us all remember the oppressed people of the world wherever they are and pray for freedom from oppression, for their safety, peace and wellbeing.
SECRETARIAT