World crying for Imam Hussein (AS)

Shii Muslims worldwide, including Iran, are today clad in black, mourning for the Lord of Martyrs" or Hadhrat Hussein Ibn Ali (AS), the third Imam of the Last Messenger Hadhrat Mohammad"s (PBUH) infallible household, on the eve of his 1,366th martyrdom anniversary, which falls on Saturday, the 10th day of the lunar month of Moharram, Ashura".

All Iranian cities and villages are draped in black and wear a look of grief today, i.e. Tasooa" (The ninth day of the mourning lunar month of Moharram), which precedes Ashura", the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS) and 72 others, including his family members and loyal followers.

The Imam and his companions were massacred by one of the wicked rulers, Yazid Ibn Muaviyah, at a heart-breaking historical event in Karbala (Iraq) in the year 61 A.H. (680 A.D.).

Imam Hussein (AS) refused to give allegiance to the evil ruler who was trying to obliterate the sublime values of Islam, and with his blood, succeeded in saving Islam in the form it was revealed to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) by the Almighty as the final message for mankind.

The faithful mourners worldwide take part in mourning processions on Tasooa and Ashura, beating their chests, singing songs in agony and weeping for martyrdom of the Prophet"s beloved descendent.

On the route of the mourning processions on the days of Tasooa and Ashura many usually offer soft drinks to mourners.

Some of the mourners are observing night vigil and citing special prayers for the infallible Imam.

In Iran, the mausoleum of the father of the Islamic Revolution and founder of the Islamic Republic the late Imam Khomeini at Tehran"s Behesht-e Zahra cemetery was packed by visitors and mourners.

Based on related reports, there have been ceremonies in Iraq, particularly in Karbala, where lovers of the Lord of Martyrs" managed to observe the occasion after more than 30-year ban.

Dispatches indicate glorious ceremonies, were held on the occasion in the Persian Gulf littoral states, Pakistan, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Lebanon, India, Italy, Kuala Lumpur, Turkmenistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Bahrain, and Jordan.

Participants in the ceremonies, held in religious centers, were briefed by a group of lecturers and eulogists on philosophy of Imam Hussein’s (AS) uprising and impact of his resistance and bravery on the true believers in the world of Islam.

Having witnessed the widespread corruption in the ruler"s court, and as a result of that in the Islamic society, Imam Hussein (AS) felt duty-bound to launch his reforms in order to revive genuine Islamic values.

It was equal for Imam Hussein (AS) either to defeat the corrupt ruler or to attain martyrdom while fighting the Yazid army.

If the Imam had won over the Yazid army, he would have established a genuine Islamic system.

Imam"s martyrdom, however, delineated the right path for the coming generations to follow true Islam.

It is left to the Muslims today to realize the right path in the crosscurrent of mischievous waves of change.