Canada:Ashoura in Canada: Reviving the Meaning of Humanity t...

Ashoura in Canada: Reviving the Meaning of Humanity through a Simple Message

Fatima Rida

Selflessness. Patience. Determination. Resistance. Humanity.

Such are the qualities that are not necessarily specific to religion but are an integral part of what it means to be a good person- and such were the same qualities held by a unique martyr figure whose universal message has never faded away.
His message has outlived past all the years and troubles of trying to carry on its heated spirit up until this very day.

In Canada: Reviving the Meaning of Humanity through Imam Hussein's (as) Message

It was a solid message for all of humanity back then, throughout the generations, and now to learn core lessons from the tragedy of Imam Hussein (AS) that took place and that can be incorporated into our own lifestyles beginning from this moment on.

As this minute ticks by, how much do we hear of so many people here and there dying of hunger, thirst, cold, fatigue, neglect, wounds, and disease in each corner of this world that is so interconnected? But, many of these people are not dying a normal death, which is part of the reality of life. They are dying out of the reality of the dire circumstances caused by unjust leaders and politicians today who have chosen to satisfy their egos at the expense of subjecting many and many innocent people to oppression in all its forms. These people are still living under oppressors when to start with, they were born free. Do we really need to wait for the harm of our freedom and dignity being taken away from us to actually reach us before we decide to act?

Something can always be done.

Currently, as some attempt to blur the line between righteousness and wrong, fairness and injustice, freedom and oppression in countries like Iraq and Syria- countries that happen to relate to the tragedy of Ashoura itself (as well as in other places: Occupied Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, Bahrain)- we can see a mix of stances and feelings toward the issues in these two places. Being able to differentiate what is indeed right and wrong takes some effort, yet it is possible to discern such a matter when viewing the life of Imam Hussein (AS) and the deep values and principles he stood for. Yet, being able to take a firm stand for rights against the wrongs demands even more effort and greater responsibility-and also a much larger threat to an individual and sometimes even dear ones.

This is the story of Imam Hussein (AS).

Imam Hussein (AS) led an eternal revolution for truth: He sacrificed his own life, along with members of his family and closest companions, for the sake of not submitting to suppression and oppression by the wrongful rulers. His message was clear:

Imam Hussein (AS) has said:

"Yazid, the natural son of an illegitimate has cornered me between two options, either death with honour, or accepting disgrace and contempt! How far disgrace is from us. God, His Messenger, the believers and my respectable family would not prefer obedience of mean people to dying with glory."

He also said:

"Don't you see that the truth is not followed and the falsehood is not discouraged? (The situation is so severe) so that a Believer wishes to meet Allah (i.e., to die). And today I do not see death but prosperity, and living with the oppressors nothing but condemnation."

Therefore, Imam Hussein's (AS) sacrifice is one in which people have and will continue to revive for years to come.

Today in 2014, the vibrant heat of the tragedy of Ashoura has not burned out of the hearts of people even though years have passed. Despite it being an event that happened in 61 A.H. on the plains of Karbala, Iraq, it is still so intensely revived over and over again, reaching all the way into the hearts and minds of people through its eternal message-all that as if it were happening right now.

It is being brought to the forefront of priorities at this time for many around the world, particularly in Canada.
Ashoura has brought several citizens and people together in Canada to commemorate this event.

In the heart of the capital city, Ottawa, the event of Ashura has brought a range of communities with different nationalities together to centers and mosques in the capital to commemorate the tragedy, allowing them to sense the vibrance of one united, whole community

Beginning in the UK, the large-scale campaign known as "Who is Hussein" will kickstart in the capital city for the third-time round this year. The campaign's aim is to share some knowledge and provide a better understanding to the public about Imam Hussein (AS), who alongside his own family and companions, was martyred for standing up for rights that each and every human being deserves to have.

The "Who is Hussein" team last year handed out nearly 2000 cups of warm hot chocolate during the cold winter day-long event. In addition, several ads appeared on 200 OC Transpo buses, in editions of the Metro newspaper, and on a giant billboard in the city.

The team also arranged to feed nearly 300 homeless people at the Ottawa Mission in November last year. They collected non-perishable items in specially designed "Who is Hussein" 'life bags' from different centers and mosques around the city to give to the Goodwill Community Store.

The campaign also received a fair bit of media attention as well last year, with CFRA 580, the National Post, and CBC Ottawa running stories on the "Who is Hussein" campaign in Ottawa.