QUOTATIONS
The Ashura incident inspires many; Muslims as well as non-Muslims. That's what they said about Hussain.
I am more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam these days. It was the determined simplicity and complete ego annihilation of Hussain. The scrupulous respect for vows, and his intense devotion to his friends and followers, and his fearlessness. It was Hussain's absolute trust in God and in his own mission and not the sword that carried everything before it and overcame every obstacle.
Mahatma Gandhi, Indian freedom fighter (1869-1948)
One of the many freedom fighters who were inspired by Imam Hussain's tragedy was India's Mahatma Ghandi. He chose the same approach inhis struggle against the British colonial power. He had a wish about peaceful protest against injustice.
The struggle for social justice and dignity were some of the values that gave Ghandi a greater understanding of the peaceful resistance. Despite Britain's vast empiricism and infinite resources, which was no less than Hussain's then conditions based on Yazid's Umayyad Caliphate and its geographical availability.
A reminder of the bloodstained battlefield of Karbala where the grandson of God's prophet fell. He was first tortured in the form of thirst and surrounded by the corpses of his murdered relatives. At all times since then, he is a perfect example of evoking the deepest emotions and the most insane grief. A spiritual exaltation, in the presence of suffering, danger and death shrinks to an unconsidered trifle, even in the most lukewarm and reckless feelings.
Edward Granville Browne, British Orientalist (1862-1926)
As Professor of Arabic and Oriental Studies at the University of Cambridge, Edward Browne published numerous articles and books. He published primarily in history and literature. Browne wrote in areas that few Western scholars had studied and many of his publications related to Iran. They related either to Iranian history or within Persian literature.
He is perhaps best known for his documentation and historical narratives.
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What does Ashura mean?Ashura means "tenth" in Arabic and refers to the tenth day of the Islamic month of Muharram. It is a significant day for Muslims, when especially Shia Muslims commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at the Battle of Karbala. Ashura is associated with mourning, self-reflection and devotion to uphold justice and fight injustice. Read more here
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Who is Hussain?Hussain was a central figure in Islam and was the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. He was born in 626 AD. and played a vital role in upholding Islamic teachings and principles. His most famous act was his opposition to tyranny and injustice at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD, where he and his family were brutally murdered. Imam Hussain symbolizes courage, justice and sacrifice for the cause of faith. His sacrifice is a source of inspiration and a reminder of the importance of standing up against oppression and defending the truth. Hussain also called Imam Hussain was a revolutionary leader. In everyday speech, "imam" is used as a designation for a religious leader, while Imam (including Imam Hussain) designates the divinely appointed successors of the Prophet Muhammad. Imam Hussain was the youngest grandson of Prophet Muhammad and son of Lady Fatima. Hussain was the younger brother of Imam Hassan and elder brother of Mrs. Zainab. There are hundreds of accounts in which the Prophet publicly expresses his love for Hassan and Hussain.
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Why is Hussain remembered and why is it relevant in the 21st century?Shia Muslims in Denmark send a universal message of peace, love and justice. We encourage active participation in creating a better world for everyone and for Muslims and non-Muslims to stand together in a solution-oriented society and create harmony. It is through unity that we can defeat injustice and spread goodness and compassion in our common journey towards a better society for all people, regardless of faith or background. this year we have ta
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What are the Ashura rituals?The rituals of Muharram, the 10 days and nights marking the martyrdom of Hussain, include various practices. Mourning ceremonies are attended, where the tragedy of Karbala is remembered through the recitation of elegies and mourning poetry, speeches and weeping. In addition, there are also charitable acts such as sharing food and drink with others and giving alms to the poor, symbolizing solidarity and compassion for those in need. However, these rituals vary in practice and intensity among different Muslim communities. In the haunts in Denmark, the deceased are remembered through lectures, stories, plays and mourning poetry, and the programs end with the distribution of food. In parts of Nørrebro and Copenhagen, free food and drink are also distributed. There are also traditions that many Shia Muslims go on pilgrimage to Karbala in Iraq. (Karbala is the city where the massacre took place) Followers of several religions and sects see in Imam Hussain's rise and stand a theological and humanitarian connection between calling and action. Therefore, the visit of well-known Christian leaders in particular is not unknown in the Iraqi cityscape during the Ashura mourning ceremonies. Read more about the 10 nights here Read more about the various rituals and traditions here
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Who started the story of Hussain?The story of Imam Hussain begins with his grandfather, the Prophet Muhammad. Prophet Muhammad prophesied about the role of his family and said that Imam Hussain would be martyred to uphold justice and fight injustice. After the death of the Prophet, Imam Hussain spread the message of truth and justice in an age characterized by corruption and tyranny. His martyrdom at Karbala was passed down by his sons and successors, (among others Imam Hussain's sister Mrs. Zainab and Imam Hussain's son Al-Sajjad, who relayed the story of Imam Hussain's heroic struggle. Over the years, the story of Imam Hussain has been preserved and shared among Muslims , and it continues to inspire and touch the hearts of people around the world. The stories were also told through generations with mourning gatherings, poetry readings, speeches and processions as well as humanitarian and charity projects.
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What was the reason for Hussain's rebellion?Barely 50 years after the death of Muhammad (the last prophet of Islam), the Muslim empire suffered from corruption under the tyrant and monarchical caliph Yazid of the Ummayad family. The change and distortion of Islam under the then caliph Yazid reached a terrible peak where historical accounts suggest that the caliph openly displayed and exposed oppression and injustice. Hussain had a choice between either supporting the tyrant and living a comfortable and luxurious life, or refusing loyalty and most likely being killed for his decision and stand. Hussain could not live his life as a follower and supporter of tyranny and the choice for him was simple. Hussain refused, saying, "I only want to spread good values and prevent evil". This election Hussain is remembered for by millions of followers worldwide across countries and continents, among both religious, ideological and ethnic groups and individuals. We must learn from this experience and support the community in making a positive difference and change. It involves fighting oppression, promoting justice and creating an inclusive and harmonious society where all citizens can thrive and live in peace and equality.
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What significance does Hussain have for Muslims?Imam Hussain has a deeply significant role for Muslims. He symbolizes courage, justice and sacrifice. His tragic martyrdom at the Battle of Karbala is a source of inspiration and strength for Muslims and non-Muslims worldwide. Imam Hussain represents the struggle against oppression and injustice, and his resistance to tyranny stands as a timeless example of upholding principles and faith, even in difficult situations. Muslims remind each other of his legacy and values as a reminder to stand up against injustice and defend the truth, regardless of the consequences. He is a source of inspiration and a guiding star for the Muslims in their search for justice and peace.
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Why is there a peace march?Peace Procession: Since 1996, a group of less than 50 people have held the annual Ashura procession marking the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar. The day Imam Hussain and his followers were murdered in cold blood. It was not just their bodies that were under attack but their stand for righteousness that must not be allowed to exist. Millions of people today remember Imam Hussain's fight against tyranny and injustice. We are gathered here today, on an equal footing with other mourners around the world, dressed in the colors of mourning. Millions across the globe commemorate the loss of Imam Hussain as Shia Muslims, as Muslims and as non-Muslims. Imam Hussain whom millions of people remember, even after 1300 years and still remember, is the revolutionary justice fighter Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. Imam Hussein fought, among other things, for social justice and for the responsibility of an authority towards its people. Imam Hussein stood against the abuse of power and promoted objective and constructive criticism. In all continents around the world, Hussein's message is remembered annually, where it is relevant to religious as well as non-religious, and without limitation to gender, ethnicity or belief. Imam Hussein's human and humanitarian struggle reminds us to awaken the call to the good in ourselves and our fellow human beings. Hussein reminds us that evil must not be allowed to rule, and that we all have a responsibility to speak out against injustice, regardless of the outcome and regardless of who is in authority. Imam Hussein taught us that we must protect being able to live and think freely, and yet have respect for factual disagreements with our fellow human beings. The Koran: This year we bring our holy book the Koran, to demonstrate our devotion and love for our holy scripture, in a peaceful and positive way. We want to confirm our faith and identity, without resorting to confrontation or provocation. We do not want our social coexistence and unity to be exposed to destruction and unhappiness here in Denmark, simply to make room for the individual unreasonable individuals who are obsessed with scorn, hatred and unreasonable criticism. We want to emphasize Imam Hussain's message that with freedom comes responsibility, and that every prosperity and welfare in a society is maintained by respecting the religious identity of the citizens in a multicultural society, which we in Denmark have become. Each year Imam Hussein's universal message reminds Muslims, as well as non-Muslims, to distance themselves from oppression, tyranny and mockery at all times and in all places. We, as Muslims, also want to pass on this side of Islam by telling about Imam Hussein's beautiful message.
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What is Arbaeen Peace March - (Hundige -Nørrebro)?"Arbaeen fredsmarch" is the name of the annual march which started here in Denmark in 2005 by individual mourners. The wish was to walk a symbolic distance, like the million march that takes place annually in Iraq, in memory of Imam Hussein's family, who were taken hostage after the Karbala tragedy in 680. "Arbaeen Fredsmarch" is on Wednesday 6 September in Zealand. The march stretches approximately 20 kilometers from Hundige to Nørrebro and takes place from 06:30 to approximately 14:00. The course of the route and rest stops are as follows: - 06:30: Hundige st. (start) - 07:00: Ishøj st. - 07:30: Vejlegårdsparken. - 08:30: Strandesplanaden, Brøndby beach. (rest break, Arbaeen peace greeting and food and drink distribution). - 10:30 a.m.: Friheden st. (rest break and food and drink distribution). - 11:30 a.m.: Valby st. - 12:30 / 14:00: Nørrebro st. (final destination). Arbaeen / 40th Day: Around the world, several million Shia Muslims and freedom lovers mark the Arbaeen event year after year by walking a symbolic distance to commemorate this tragedy. On par with the pilgrimage to Mecca, the Arbaeen peace march has become one of the biggest Muslim holidays ever. Where both Shia, Sunni, Christians and non-Muslims visit Imam Hussain in Karbala in Iraq. A crowd of growing 20 million visitors at this international event cannot be overlooked or underestimated, especially in times when the SoMe movement and the media in general make it easier for followers to explore all the world's geographies, cultures and nations. The visitors gather in these huge numbers to empathize with and recall the horrors and horrors the captives among the Prophet's family and children have been through. This remembrance of humiliation and inhumane treatment reminds all societies of their role in enjoining the good and forbidding the evil which can also be manifested in a symbolic footing.
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What does Arbaeen mean?Arbaeen is an important religious event within the Muslim world, marking the 40-day mourning period following the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at the Battle of Karbala. It is a time when millions of Muslims, regardless of nationality or background, gather in Iraq to take part in a pilgrimage to Hussainiyah, the tomb of Imam Hussain. Arbaeen is the world's largest annual human gathering that symbolizes unity, solidarity and tribute to Imam Hussain and his sacrifices. During this event, important values such as mercy, compassion and love are practiced in an impressive display of devotion and faith. The collection point is Iraq's various cities; primarily Najaf or Baghdad and the destination is the city of Karbala where the Ashura incident took place. The grave site of Imam Hussain and Abbas can be found in the center of Karbala. Up to 20 million people gather for Arbaeen (the 40th day) after the Ashura tragedy to mark the mourning ceremony. The visitors from all corners of the world show their compassion and support for the Prophet's family by walking long distances of up to 90 kilometers spread over a few days with Karbala in sight. On par with the pilgrimage to Mecca, the Arbaeen peace march has become one of the biggest Muslim holidays ever. The visitors proudly raise their country's flag and flaunt their national identity in order to illuminate the obvious love for the Prophet's family. They show their loyalty to the Prophet by mourning and remembering the prisoners of Karbala, their journey and sufferings from the then destination from Kufa to Damascus. Read more about Arbaeen here
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Where can I read more about Hussain?1. Read more about Hussain here
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Quotes by HussainHere are some quotes from Imam Hussain: 1. "Death with dignity is better than life in humiliation."2. "I prefer to die with honor than to live under oppression."3. "If you don't believe in anything, you will fall for everything."4. "No one fights for God without experiencing victory."5. "The goal is not to live long, but to live meaningfully."6. "True heroes don't die, they always live on in the hearts of those they touched."7. "Stick to the truth is not always easy, but it is always the right thing."8. "Do good deeds even if you are surrounded by evil.
Nicholson was educated at Aberdeen University and at the University of Cambridge. He was lecturer in Persian from 1902–1926 and professor of Arabic 1926–1933 at Cambridge.
He was a leading researcher in Islamic literature and mysticism. His 1907 History of Arabic Literature remains a standard work on the subject in English; while his many text editions and translations of Ṣūfī writings, culminating in his eight-volume Mathnawi of Jalalu'ddin Rumi (1925–40), greatly advanced the study of Muslim mystics.
Some of his versions of Arabic and Persian poetry entitle him to be considered a poet in his own right. His deep understanding of Islam and the Muslim peoples was the most remarkable in that he never traveled outside of Europe. Despite being shy, he proved to be an inspiring teacher and an original thinker.
Born in Scotland, Muir and older brother both served with the Indian civil service and were introduced to Oriental languages as part of their training.
While John specialized in Sanskrit and Hinduism, William concentrated on Arabic and Islamic studies. Both put their learning to good use as educators and supporters of Christian missions in India. William Muir's posts included intelligence at Agra Allahabad and the governorship of the North-Western Provinces (1868-1874). During his years in India, he befriended the CMS missionary Karl Pfander (1803–1865), who encouraged him to undertake his first major piece of academic writing, The Life of Mahomet (4 vols., 1858–1865).
After retirement from political service, both Muirs returned to Edinburgh, where they continued their involvement in Oriental studies and comparative religion at the university. As Edinburgh University (1857), as educational development in principle, William Muir produced further works on the Qur'an and Islamic history and wrote several studies of Christian-Muslim encounter, reflecting his sympathy with the controversial apology of Pfander and others.
Charles Dickens, Victorian author (1812–1870)
Charles John Huffam Dickens a English, Victorian author and social critic, born in Land port at Portsmouth. In 1814 moved the family to London and later to Chatham. He did not receive much formal schooling, but learned a lot on the streets of London, which came to play a large part in his novels.
Dickens wanted to be a journalist, and at the age of 22 he was employed by a London newspaper. Abroad, he wrote novels such as David Copperfield (1850), Two cities (1859) and Great expectations (1861). He used his great popularity to attack courts and boarding schools that exploited the poor. He died in 1870 in London.
During his lifetime, his works enjoyed unprecedented popularity. He is now considered a literary genius because he created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is considered the greatest novelist of the Victorian era.
Imam Hussain's revolution is one of the unique revolutions in history that has not been seen like it, be it religious calling or political revolutions. The Umayyad state did not last long, and not even in the lifetime of a normal person. The period between Hussain's revolution and the fall of the Umayyads was not more than sixty years or a little more.
Abbas Mahmud al-Aqqad, Egyptian journalist (1889-1964)
Born on 28 June 1889 in Aswān, Egypt, Abbās Maḥmūd al-Aqqād was an Egyptian journalist, poet and literary critic who was an innovator of 20th-century Arabic poetry and critic.
Born into modest circumstances, al-ʿAqqād continued his education through reading when his formal schooling was interrupted. He supported himself throughout most of his career by writing. An outspoken political commentator, he was imprisoned for a few months in 1930–31 for remarks that were against the government. In 1942, with the advance of German troops, al-ʿAqqād sought refuge in Sudan as a precaution against German reprisals for his criticism of Adolf Hitler.
Al-ʿAqqad's literary works included poems; a novel, Sarāh (1938), based on one of his own romances and criticism of classical and modern Arabic writers. His essays show the influence of 19th century Englishmen, especially Thomas Carlyle.
No battle in the modern and past history of mankind has earned more sympathy and admiration and taught more lessons than the martyrdom of Hussain in the Battle of Karbala.
Antoine Bara, Lebanese Christian writer (1943- )
These are the words of the Christian writer Antoine Bara, whose book "Hussain in Christian Ideology" had provoked both praise and provocation after its publication. In particular, his remarks that Jesus Christ had predicted the appearance of Imam Hussain had dropped a bombshell in the Christian world, and Bara had had to defend his claim.
He describes Imam Hossein with "the living and awake conscience of all religions forever". In his opinion, Imam Hossein's life is most comparable to the Prophet Jesus. Bara believes that Ashura's mourning ceremonies and rituals keep the event alive in people's minds.
Imam Hussein's role and dared to say that the Muslims did not know Hussein's worth and importance to not have learned enough from him and about him.
Instead, in line with trends in the Middle East, South Asia and the West, blood donation campaigns have become more popular. The idea is to support Imam Husayn's fight for justice by sharing one's blood for a humanitarian cause. While campaigns in the UK have been co-ordinated since 1987, the blood donation campaign in Norway has been increasing over the last ten years.
Ingvild Flaskerud, Professor of Theology (1962-)
A lack of studies within Shia Islam a little over 20 years ago attracted the interest of Norwegian students at the time.
Her research into the field of theology led to a post-doctoral degree in several prominent universities, including the University of Oslo, the Université de Tromsø and the University of Bergen.
Some of her known works include; "Mediating Pilgrimage in Europe: Pilgrimage remembered and desired in a Norwegian home-community", "Ritual creativity and plurality: Denying Twelver Shia blood-let practices", "Visualizing Belief and Piety in Iranian Shiism" and "Gender, Religion and Change in the Middle East".
"The model of social justice, the example of struggle, is something we can find in all faiths, but there is a wonderful illustration in Islam".
Edward Kessler, British thinker and academic (1963 - )
Edward Kessler is a leading thinker in interfaith relations, primarily in Jewish-Christian-Muslim relations, and is a Fellow of St Edmund's College, Cambridge, as well as Principal of the Cambridge Theological Federation.
Dr. Edward Kessler co-founded The Woolf Institute with Rev. Martin Forward in 1998. Their goal was to create an academic framework and space where people could tackle issues of religious difference constructively.
Beginning as the Center for Jewish-Christian Relations, the institute later expanded to include the Center for the Study of Muslim-Jewish Relations - the first and only center in Europe dedicated to promoting a better understanding of Muslim-Jewish relations. Later, the center became a center for politics and public education. In 2010 these centers were merged under the name "Woolf Institute" in honor of Harry, Lord Woolf, former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales.
Outside of Islamic traditions, very little is known about him. Here is an example of a spiritual leader, religious leader, political leader who I think could actually speak much more broadly to the world. It would be nice to include Hussain in the kind of pantheon of religious greats that people often talk about; Moses, Jesus, Buddha, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King. These names that people regularly know.
Joshua J. Ralston, Professor of Theology (1969-)
Dr. Joshua Ralston teaches Christian-Muslim relations at the School of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh and is director and co-founder of the Christian-Muslim Studies Network funded by the Henry Luce Foundation.
Before moving to Scotland, he was associate professor of theology at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. He earned his bachelor's degree in philosophy at Wake Forest University before studying world Christianity at Edinburgh, divinity at the Candler School of Theology, and Christian theology and Islamic thought at Emory University.
He has published widely on Reformed theology, Christian theological engagement with Islam, Arab Christianity and on political theology. His monograph, "Law and the Rule of God: A Christian Engagement with Shari'a" was published by Cambridge University Press (2020) and he has edited two books, "Church in an Age of Global Migration: A Moving Body (Palgrave , 2015)" and "religious diversity in Europe: comparative political theology" (Ferdinand Schöning, 2020).
He is currently working on a monograph: "Witness and the Word: An Approach to Christian-Muslim Dialogue".