I Have a Dream...

I learned from Hussain how to be wronged and be a winner, I learnt from
Hussain how to attain victory while being oppressed

My Dear friends,

As the new year of 2010 approaches, I want to wish all of you a year full of happiness, success, joy and health. I also want to congrats my dear Christian friends on the birth of Jesus Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH) as Allah says in Quran: "And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allâh)"1

This new year is different for us Muslims as it coincides with the Islamic new year of 1431. Muharram is the first month of Islamic calendar (which is a lunar calendar) and it's one of the months of "Haram". It means that it's forbidden to fight in this month.2

Every year with the start of Muharram we remember the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (PBUH) and his companions. 1370 years ago in the month of Muharram in the land of Karbala, Iraq, Hussain the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and 72 of his companions were killed by the army of the tyrant ruler of Yeman "Yazid". 3 They were prevented from drinking water for days. There were women and children with Hussain as well. Yazid's army even didn't have any mercy upon a 6 months old baby and killed him when he was crying from thirst and hunger.

We not only mourn in the remembrance of Martyrs of Karbalaa but also we remember Hussain and his companions for their fight against oppression, dictatorship and terrorism and standing up for justice, righteousness, morality and freedom.4

The event of Karbala is also about equality. The companions of Hussain were of all ages and races. White, black, yellow it didn't matter. They were united in their faith in justice and righteousness. There were also a Christian couple who were companions of Hussain and both were martyred in Karbala. 5
It's about the women who were taken as detainees with their children after the martyrdom of their husbands brothers and sons and tortured in a barbarian way. About their strength and courage when they stood up to Yazid. Zainab (PBUH) , the sister of Hussain is a role model for Muslim women. She is a figure of patience and strength in Karbala. She stood up in the court of Yazid and gave a very brave historical speech. 6

We begin our new year in support of the justice and righteousness, equality and freedom and denouncing oppression, cruelty and terrorism. The story of Hussain teaches us courage and constancy in the right path.7

Hussain, is not only a man who stood against the unjust ruler of his time, and does not only belong to Muslims, but indeed he thought the human being of all the times, throughout his life and by his blood, the lesson of freedom, purity, love and submission to the God.

My dear friends,

I wish you a life with love and happiness and peace. I wish a day comes that there is no war or bloodshed and people of different races and faiths not only live peacefully together, but also respect the differences and love each other, as the Persian poet Saadi says in one of his poems which is also written on the entrance to the Hall of Nations of the UN building in New York:

Of One Essence is the Human Race,
Thusly has Creation put the Base.
One Limb impacted is sufficient,
For all Others to feel the Mace.
The Unconcern'd with Others' Plight,
Are but Brutes with Human Face.8

And is said in Quran, Surah Al-Maedah, Verse 32:

Whosoever kills a human being for other than manslaughter or mischief in the
land,it shall be as if he has killed all humankind, and whosoever saves the life
of one,it shall be as if he has saved the life of all humankind.

Hope to see you all soon in the year of 2010.

Best Wishes,
Maryam



References:

[1]Quran, Surah Maryam, verse 21, also see Surah Maryam verses 16-35: “And mention in the Book (the Qur'ân, O Muhammad SAW , the story of) Maryam (Mary), when she withdrew in seclusion from her family to a place facing east (16) She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our Ruh [angel Jibril (Gabriel)], and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects. (17) She said: "Verily! I seek refuge with the Most Gracious (Allâh) from you, if you do fear Allâh." (18) (The angel) said: "I am only a messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son." (19) She said: "How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?" (20) He said: "So (it will be), your Lord said: 'That is easy for Me (Allâh): And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allâh), and it is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allâh).' " (21) So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place (i.e. Bethlehem valley about 4-6 miles from Jerusalem). (22) And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said: "Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!" (23) Then [the babe 'Īsā (Jesus) or Jibril (Gabriel)] cried unto her from below her, saying: "Grieve not! Your Lord has provided a water stream under you; (24) "And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon you." (25) "So eat and drink and be glad, And if you see any human being, say: 'Verily! I have vowed a fast unto the Most Gracious (Allâh) so I shall not speak to any human being this day.'" (26) Then she brought him (the baby) to her people, carrying him. They said: "O Mary! Indeed you have brought a thing Fariyy (a mighty thing). (27) "O sister (i.e. the like) of Hârûn (Aaron)! Your father was not a man who used to commit adultery, nor your mother was an unchaste woman." (28) Then she pointed to him. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?" (29) "He ['Īsā (Jesus)] said: Verily! I am a slave of Allâh, He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet;" (30) "And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Salât (prayer), and Zakât, as long as I live." (31) "And dutiful to my mother, and made me not arrogant, unblest. (32) "And Salâm (peace) be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!" (33) Such is 'Īsā (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). (it is) a statement of truth, about which they doubt (or dispute) (34) It befits not (the Majesty of) Allâh that He should beget a son [this refers to the slander of Christians against Allâh, by saying that 'Īsā (Jesus) is the son of Allâh]. Glorified (and Exalted is He above all that they associate with Him). When He decrees a thing, He only says to it, "Be!" and it is (35) ['Īsā (Jesus) said]: "And verily Allâh is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him (Alone). That is the Straight Path. (Allâh's religion of Islâmic Monotheism which He did ordain for all of His Prophets)."
[2] Muharram- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[3,4] We are fighting with terrorism for the last 1370 Years
[5] Rajabali, Hassanein, lecture in Iman Center of Kirkland, 12/26/2009
[6] Lady Zainab (as) Speaks in the Court of Yazid
[7] 11 Sunni Masaajid in GTA holding Ashura Programs
[8] Saadi (poet)