Shias living in London from different nationalities have once again displayed the path of their Imams (pbut) by commemorating of Imam Hussein (AS) at the Islamic Centre of England to pay respect to the master and leader of the martyrs of Karbala.
The mourning ceremonies for Hazrat Aba Abdullah al-Hussein, peace be upon him, this year are being held separately in four languages at the Islamic Centre of England. The Centre has once again become a meeting place for many Shias living in England to honour the Prophet’s household (pbut).
Different nationalities, languages, and colours, united in integrated love, dressed in black and mourning at the Islamic Centre of England commemorated the oppression of the master of the martyrs of Karbala in their own culture and language, including Persian, Arabic, Urdu, and English.
Hojjat ul-Islam Wal Muslemeen Seyed Hashim Moosavi, the Imam of the Islamic Centre of England, in his first night of Muharram mourning this year, explained the philosophy of Ashura uprising to Persian speakers and answered the question of why Shias mourn in the first days of Muharram before the event of Ashura. The strict order and recommendation of Shia Imams, peace be upon them, was to observe the sanctity of the month of Muharram. Many of them considered themselves and their families obliged to hold mourning gatherings and crying for the master of the martyrs from the beginning of Muharram. Therefore, starting mourning from the first day of Muharram, not the day before Ashura, is the tradition of the infallible Imams, peace be upon them.
The Imam of the Islamic Centre of England also referred to the social and individual results of holding mourning for Imam Hussein (AS). He added that reviving religion and Islamic values, remembering oppression and sacrifice, strengthening unity and solidarity, promoting ethics and humanity, and teaching and transferring the culture of Ashura are the social results of raising the flag of mourning for Imam Hussein (AS), Among the individual results of holding this spiritual ceremony are approaching God and acquiring abundant reward and recompense.
Hojjat ul-Islam Wal Muslemeen Seyed Hashim Moosavi, on the second night of mourning at the Islamic Centre of England, also elaborated on the secret of recommending the constant recitation of Ziarat e Ashura (Special supplication recited for the Day of Ashura). The secret of recommending the continuous recitation of this Ashura supplication and loyalty to the Ahl al-Bayt, peace be upon them, is that it assists in the disavowal of their enemies. The thought line of the Ahl al-Bayt, peace be upon them, becomes popular and noticeable. In contrast, the thought line of their enemies becomes abhorrent so that society is safe from the thoughts and ways of Yazid and Yazidis of the era. Therefore, holding the mourning for Imam Hussein, peace be upon him, is to keep this thought alive, and because of keeping this thought alive, the spiritual life of man is strengthened, and he can reach his eternal happiness based on divine guidance that he receives through prophets (pbut) and divine saints.
In these mourning gatherings, the eulogists of the Ahl al-Bayt, peace be upon them, also recited their laminations and beat their chests in the sorrow and grief of the oppression of the martyrs of Karbala in different languages.
Simultaneously with the holding of this ceremony, cultural and educational programs were held for children to become acquainted with the uprising of Ashura are held from 18:00 to the call to Maghrib and Isha prayers.
Public donations and vows in the courtyard of the Islamic Centre of England are also special features of the mourning ceremony in the month of Muharram. Followers of other religions as passers-by are also greeted with a cup of tea and dates and are received as guests at the tablecloth of Aba Abdullah (AS) for a few minutes and are fascinated by this gathering and magnificent ceremony.