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Umm Al Banin Feast, a Charity that Remains

Umm Al Banin Feast, a Charity that Remains
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Siraj Kobeissy

For the fifth year in a row, a group of young men and good doers have been planning a feast in which they serve "Hriseh" for some hundreds of people.

A Hriseh is a traditional dish that constitutes of wheat and chicken for its main ingredients. This dish is mainly served in Lebanon during the ten days commemorating Ashura, in memory of Imam Hussein and his household.

Umm Al Banin Feast, a Charity that Remains

On Sayyed Hadi Nasrallah street in the Beirut southern suburb, a group of young men volunteer everyday in Ashoura'a to cook the dish which takes the whole day to be served.

For the fifth year, it has been known as "Umm Al Banin Feast", named after Umm Al Banin, one of Imam Ali's wives, who also happens to have a great effect on the people who believe in Imam Hussein's path.

Around 4 in the afternoon, people start to gather around the fenced outdoor site, where organizers take part in cooking the Hriseh.

Umm Al Banin Feast, a Charity that Remains

In an interview with moqawama.org, Sadeq, one of the young men who came up with the idea of establishing a charity feast, said that the wheat, chicken, and all other ingredients used are merely donations from different people, adding that no specific side runs this charitable project.

Sadeq referred that this feast usually takes place on all Islamic occasions, including the 30 days of the holy month of Ramadan, and especially on occasions related to Prophet Mohammad and his household.

He also said the feast only represents a small gesture in return for the sacrifices Imam Hussein and his household (including Um Al Banin) presented on the day of Ashura'a for the sake of Islam.

Umm Al Banin Feast, a Charity that Remains

Right next to the outdoor site where the food is prepared, elegies take place in memory of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, also scheduled as part of Umm Al Banin feast.

Families gather to take a meal from teh feast prepared for the love of Imam Hussein.


Umm Qassem Shaheb, an old lady who comes daily to the Umm Al Banin feast, and waits for her turn to get a scoop of the charitable blesses, expresses to moqawama.org her excitement about this exceptional event.

Umm Al Banin Feast, a Charity that Remains

Umm Qassem believes that this charitable feast reflects the importance of these occasions in the hearts of Imam Hussein's followers.

 The lady stressed that everyone should realize if it weren't for Imam Hussein and his household, people wouldn't have had the chance to take part in such a blessing.

Every year passes with new forms of charity served in the love of Imam Hussein (PBUH) and his blessed household.

Umm Al Banin Feast, a Charity that Remains

They are the reason why young efforts think of charity and its deeds on people. It is because of Imam Hussein, Umm Al Banin, and the rest of their household, prayers are responded.

Umm Al Banin charitable feast plans to remain part of the Ashoura'a rituals and traditions in Lebanon, in addition to other Islamic occasions, in order to remind people of the blessings surrounding them, and the spirit of faith in Prophet Mohammad and his household.

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