‘Who is Hussain’ rebrands Ashoura for new generation

November 16, 2013 12:31 AM

By Elise Knutsen

The Daily Star

[img]http://dailystar.com.lb/dailystar/Pictures/2013/11/16/225815_mainimg.jpg[/img]
People donate blood during the Who Is Hussain campaign in Beirut, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013. (The Daily Star/Hasan Shaaban)

BEIRUT: What do Rosa Parks, Oskar Schindler and the Prophet Mohammad’s grandson Hussein have in common? According to the organization “Who is Hussain,” all were important historical figures who stood up for the rights of others. To honor the memory of Hussein on the occasion of Ashoura, the group held a blood drive in Hamra Thursday. Ninety-two people donated blood, which was donated then to the St. Jude’s Cancer Center at the American University in Beirut Medical Center.

On a day when many people ritually shed their blood to honor Imam Hussein, a tradition known as “tatbir” in Lebanon, the organization sought to aid others. “Instead of having your blood on the streets you can have it in another person’s veins,” said Riham Hijazi, who coordinated the drive.

Who is Hussain is hardly the first blood drive organized to coincide with Ashoura. Hezbollah has for many years actively discouraged violent self-flagellation and encouraged the devout to donate blood instead. Two hospitals in Beirut’s southern suburbs of Bahman and Dar al-Hawraa, also held blood drives this year.

What sets Who is Hussain apart is its targeting of a young, multinational and diverse audience. The international campaign, which was founded in London last year, seeks to educate the public about the historical figure Hussein bin Ali in part by comparing him to civil rights leaders such as Mahatma Ghandi and Martin Luther King. With a sleek website (www.whoishussain.org) and social media savvy, the organization hopes to cast Hussain in a new light for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Imam Hussein, said Hijazi, preached “being compassionate about other people, regardless of sect, religion, color, anything that separates us as human beings.”

“Some people don’t really know Imam Hussein like we know him. They think Shiites, all they do is wail and weep, shed blood. We’re here to change that image,” she said.

She, and many others in the Who is Hussain organization, are staunchly against the Ashoura practice of self-flagellation. “There is another way, a better way, to show your love,” Hijazi said. Over the past week, Who is Hussain has held blood drives in 17 cities, she added.

Dulfekar al-Mouswe, a member of the Who Is Hussain organization, said he used to self-flagellate during Ashoura commemorations.

“I saw it as something exciting, that you are a man, you’re not afraid,” he said. “We used to live in Denmark where we are a minority, so we liked to show ourselves.”

He later decided, however, that the practice was harming both him and the image of his community.

“I’m showing that we are uncivilized,” he said. “There are people that are afraid of us.”

Mouswe said he liked the idea that he didn’t know who would receive his blood, or what sect they adhere to. “I really know they are human and they have the right to live,” he said.

While many of the donors at the Hamra Street center donned black scarves, often worn by Shiites in honor of Ashoura, others said they were not drawn to the blood drive for religious reasons.

“I came without thinking about it,” said Georges, who identified himself as Christian. “It’s not about religion, its about humanity.”

Blood donors received bottles of juice with the names of important historical figures who, Hijazi said, “made a change.” Names included Alexander the Great, Albert Einstein, Che Guevara, Nelson Mandela, Jesus and, of course, Hussein.

“Please Recycle,” the label read. “Hussein would have.”


http://dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2013/Nov-16/238007-who-is-hussain-rebrands-ashoura-for-new-generation.ashx#axzz2knPA3Ahf

Rosa Parks, Schlindler compared to Hussein (RA)? That is like a downgrading now.

maclatunji: Rosa Parks, Schlindler compared to Hussein (RA)? That is like a downgrading now.

I have not seen in the website (www.whoishussein.org) the comparison been made by the campaign group.this is most likely the view expressed by the writer of the article who isn't Muslim.

however,there are many sides to know about Imam Hussein (as).there is the Islamic side and also the human side.often we read quotes from prominent non-muslims expressing admiration for Imam Hussein (as).for instance,there is the popular quote of Mahatma Gandhi who said: "I learnt from Hussain how to achieve victory while been oppressed".this statement alone have it that Gandhi and his non-violent approach succeeded in winning independence for india from the british thanks to Imam Hussain (as) and the lessons Gandhi learnt from him.there is also the quote of Imam Hussain (as) that have to do with humanity and freedom to choose: "If you don’t believe in any religion and don’t fear the Resurrection Day, at least be free in this world".

of course to a Muslim (regardless if you are Shia or Sunni),the idea of comparing Imam Hussain (as) to any leader (be it Gandhi or rosa parks) is "downgrading".but we have to understand too that the idea is aimed at going down also to the level everyone (even non-muslims) can understand,accept and appreciate in principle.it is simply sending the message that if you appreciate humanity and you celebrate world leaders like Gandhi,mandela,parks and co for their fight for freedom and humanity,then if you do not know Imam Hussein (as) you have missed a lot !

LagosShia:

I have not seen in the website (www.whoishussein.org) the comparison been made by the campaign group.this is most likely the view expressed by the writer of the article who isn't Muslim.

however,there are many sides to know about Imam Hussein (as).there is the Islamic side and also the human side.often we read quotes from prominent non-muslims expressing admiration for Imam Hussein (as).for instance,there is the popular quote of Mahatma Gandhi who said: "I learnt from Hussain how to achieve victory while been oppressed".this statement alone have it that Gandhi and his non-violent approach succeeded in winning independence for india from the british thanks to Imam Hussain (as) and the lessons Gandhi learnt from him.there is also the quote of Imam Hussain (as) that have to do with humanity and freedom to choose: "If you don’t believe in any religion and don’t fear the Resurrection Day, at least be free in this world".

of course to a Muslim (regardless if you are Shia or Sunni),the idea of comparing Imam Hussain (as) to any leader (be it Gandhi or rosa parks) is "downgrading".but we have to understand too that the idea is aimed at going down also to the level everyone (even non-muslims) can understand,accept and appreciate in principle.it is simply sending the message that if you appreciate humanity and you celebrate world leaders like Gandhi,mandela,parks and co for their fight for freedom and humanity,then if you do not know Imam Hussein (as) you have missed a lot !

That's it brother. Excellent reply!
Talk about reading with intent of criticism. This narrow one's mind to a fixed understanding. May Allah soften people's heart in reading to understand.

Truly "Everyday is Ashura and Every land is Kar'bala"~Imam Zaynul abeedin (a.s)!

This alone many ill-heart would say its an over statement or over praising. Some might even assert what about the day prophet (saws) died and blah blah blah...

Had people know the meaning (hadith above) as Gandhi understood Imam's victory even while being defeated, they would have appreciate the day of Ashura and the land of Kar'bala the more.

Appreciate your efforts brother.
Allahuma shafa'atal hussain yaomul wurud.

LagosShia:

of course to a Muslim (regardless if you are Shia or Sunni),the idea of comparing Imam Hussain (as) to any leader (be it Gandhi or rosa parks) is "downgrading".but we have to understand too that the idea is aimed at going down also to the level everyone (even non-muslims) can understand,accept and appreciate in principle.it is simply sending the message that if you appreciate humanity and you celebrate world leaders like Gandhi,mandela,parks and co for their fight for freedom and humanity,then if you do not know Imam Hussein (as) you have missed a lot !

Yes dear brother! They have missed a lot for not knowing Imam Hussain, what he lived and die for. They have missed a lot for not knowing the ahl al-bayt (a.s), the ark of salvation.

The myth they know much about Imam Hussain was "being an alledged twin brother of Imam Hassan" and an "individual who died at a younger age".

What do they know about al-Zahra other than being daughter of Muhammad (saws) and wife of Ali and mother of Hassan and Hussain, despite being "Leader of ALL women of paradise"?.

How could it not be even when the belief is that their prophet (saws) was a sinful, womanizer, lust full...prophet (nauthubillah) as reported by their most revere books.

Labayka Ya Muhammad...Labayka Ya Hussain...Labayka Ya Zahra...Labayka Ya madhi.