The tradition of holding Hussein Day started in 1940s in Zanzibar, Mombasa and Dar es Salaam. The aim was to propagate the tragedy of Karbala and the mission of Imam Hussain (A.S.) to the general masses. In Zanzibar the first Hussein Day was held in Victoria Garden under an ad-hoc committee appointed by the Jamaat.
The Hussein Day was attended by high government officials, diplomats, non-Muslims and Muslims of all denominations. The speakers were mostly outsiders who presented their views about the Karbala tragedy. This was a unique way of propagating the message of Imam Hussain (A.S.) outside the community. In Zanzibar the chief guest was always the Sultan of Zanzibar. The popular venue was the Portuguese Fort (Ngome Kongwe) at Forodhani which exists till today being used for Cultural Centre.
In Mombasa the venue was Ithna Asheri Sports Club, organized by Ithna Asheri Young Men’s Union. In 1952, the Governor of Kenya, Sir Phillip Hitchell was the chief guest. Many dignitaries attended the program. Hussein Day used to be a very important annual event.
In Dar es Salaam, the first Hussein Day was held in 1945, in the open ground outside present mosque. Later in 1948, a building was built by Kanji Damani on this plot and the venue was shifted to Bohora School on Ring Street (Now Jamhuri School on Jamhuri Street). In 1960s the Hussein Day was organized jointly by all the Muslim Communities jointly under the name of “All Muslim Hussein Day Society”. Alhaj Mohamedbhai Dhirani served as Hon. Secretary for many years under this Society.
After a lapse of many years, in 1970s the Hussein Day was revived in Dar es Salaam by the newly formed Ithna-Asheri Union Volunteers Corps (IUVC) with the support of Ithna-Asheri Union and the Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat of Dar Es Salaam. Over the years, Hussein Day grew in popularity under the patronage of IUVC and was well attended by high ranking Government officials, Diplomats, Dignitaries, Leaders from various Communities, Sheikhs from different Mosques and Religious Institutes and students from various Madrassahs and the general public.
In the later years in 1990s; in smaller Jamaats in Tanzania, due to migration of members to bigger cities like Dar Es Salaam, Arusha and Mwanza, the tradition of Hussein Day has sadly disappeared. However, some Bilal Muslim Mission Centres in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda are organizing Hussein Day in their districts and villages.
We are hopeful that this tradition of Hussein Day will be revived again as it provides important platform to carry out Tabligh and to relay the message of Imam Hussein (A.S.) and the martyrs of tragedy of Karbala to the masses and also is an effective platform for interfaith congregations.
Prepared by: Murtaza Jivraj (Kerbala)
SECRETARIAT
AFRICA FEDERATION ARCHIVES SECTION
23rd October 2020 (6th Rabi ul Awwal 1442 AH)