Updated 10 March 2010

In the footsteps of Sayyida Zaynab and the family of Imam Husayn (as), lovers of the Ahlal Bayt world-wide commemorated the Arbaeen of Aba Abdillah (as) with intense sincerity and courage. Some of the Qum community members too were blessed by Ziyarat and thus joined the sea of pilgrims who renewed their allegiance to Imam al-Husayn (as) in Karbala on the day of Arbaeen.

At Dar al-Zahra (sa), a total of 6 majalis sessions were organized. Ladies of the community requested a series of three Majalis in Urdu recited by Sr. Taskeen and Sr. Wahiba in the afternoons beginning on the 16th of Safar running till the 18th of Safar. Meanwhile, there were three other Majalis programmes held in the evenings which were addressed by renowned scholars and distinguished students of the Hawza.

       

Safar 18 – Majlis was recited by Syed Agha Mahdi Ali, who spoke about the Sacrifice of Imam Husayn (as) and its effects on the wider Muslim society at that time and today. He explained different aspects of the sacrifice in terms of the goals of Imam, the historiographic analysis of Ashura, impact of the Sacrifice and the distortions that have crept into the commemoration of this event.

Safar 19 – Majlis was recited by Shaykh Nadir Jaffer,  who discussed the spiritual dimension of the sacrifice of Imam Husayn (as), which inherently would lead one to the ultimate recognition of the Almighty. He employed various sayings of Imam Husayn (as) and Sayyida Zaynab (as) and further dissected them to explain the depth of Ma’arifat of the Almighty in their Pure words.

Safar 20 – Majlis was recited by Shaykh Murtadha Alidina, who shared his deep reflections on the spirit of the Arbaeen ‘movement’ – literally and figuratively. Referring to the Hadith of the Signs of a Shia, one of which is about Ziyarat of Imam Husayn (as) in Karbala on Arbaeen, he discussed the impact these words have had on the geo-political and strategic power of Shias worldwide, and especially in Iraq and the spiritual effects of the words of the Ziyarat on the aware recitor.

A few days later on 30th Safar, a joint majlis for the Shahadat of the Prophet (S) and Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba(as) and Imam Raza (as) was held at Dar al-Zahra (sa). The majlis was recited by Shaykh Tahir Ridha Jaffer on the topic of morality and the nature of ethical relativism in the West. He went on to discuss the consequences of 'judging' others and keeping an 'eye' on our ownselves and building on our Taqwa.

Dar al-Zahra (sa) expresses its sincere gratitude to the Almighty for once again granting an opportunity to commemorate these Sacred nights and thanks the speakers for their eloquent lectures.

For further information email islamiceducation@world-federation.org