Muharram November 05

Hussain: What’s in a name?

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The name “Hussain”  is a young child sitting in a crowded mosque and seeing her parents cry for the first time at the tale of a far-off event that seems impossibly remote. It is emotional, black-clad multitudes in grim processions, shaking with sorrow for the household of the Prophet killed nearly fourteen centuries ago. Hussain […]

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Imam Hussain November 03

Preserving Islam : Karbala A Universal Paradigm

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On the day of Ashura, Imam Hussain called out “Is there any helper to help us?” This call extends to us to the present day, since the larger struggle of Good vs. Evil that Imam Husayn fought on the tenth of Muhurram 681 AD is still an on-going struggle to this day.  Imam wasn’t looking […]

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October 30

Have You Got What It Takes?

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What Do You Stand For? What Do You Believe In? Who Would You Stand Up For? These are the most important questions you’ll ever ask yourself–what rouses your soul and speaks to your heart? Justice? Equality? Freedom?…fair enough. But ask yourself, at what point would you take a stand–when your own rights are ignored? What […]

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October 24

Divine Inspiration: Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain

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Inspiration flows like a river;  rivers flow through the earth into the enormous and powerful depths of the sea, similarly inspiration flows through our bodies and becomes a central part of our being, giving rise to wisdom, insight, and beauty. Throughout our lives we are nourished emotionally, psychologically and most importantly motivated by the things […]

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October 22

Remembering Hussain: A Tear is an Intellectual Thing

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In the United States, the ‘self-help’ industry brings in over $10 billion annually. Year after year, thousands of books, life coaches, self-help gurus, and workshops emerge, promising pathways to happiness and fulfillment. Amid this maze of transient quick-fixes, however, there is one means of personal growth that has withstood the test of time. The commemoration of […]

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October 03

Omid Safi: Martyrdom of the Prophet’s Family, then and now

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  Less than 50 years after the passing away of the Prophet Muhammad, a small remnant of his family found themselves captives of the rulers of the Muslim state. They had been dragged through the Iraqi desert, with the women dishonored and most of their men killed. Among those martyred was the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, known […]

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September 30

A Journey to Karbala : Searching for Hussain

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“They come from everywhere!” I grinned at Zainab as she smiled infectiously. I was taken by her excitement. She was so thrilled by the various stations set up along the path to the shrine of Imam Hussain, and so humbled by the people who lined the streets to serve refreshments to the pilgrims… to serve […]

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What is Muharram?

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What is Muharram?  The months of Muharram and Safar offer the yearly opportunity to commemorate the martyrdom of al‑Husayn ibn `Ali (A), the grandson of the Prophet (S) and the third Imam of the Shiite Muslims, at Karbala’ on the tenth of Muharram in the year 61. The tragedy and heroism of the event, the […]

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