AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The chants of “Labbayk ya Hussain” (We are present, Oh Hussain) reverberated through the streets at the southern-most tip of Africa in commemoration of Ashura, marking the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS).
People braved the wet, cold weather to march through the streets, raising awareness of the sacrifice of the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Speaking at the Ahlul-Bayit Mosque in Cape Town, South Africa, a member of the Roman Catholic community Wesley Seale noted that Muslims have become the largest religious group in the world today, which brought the responsibility on Muslims to uphold the values which Imam Hussain (AS) fought for in Karbala, such as justice, and caring for the oppressed.
Meanwhile, Hojjatoleslam Aftab Hayder, head of the Ahlul-Bayt Foundation of South Africa (Afosa) demonstrated the intrinsic link between the holy Qur'an and the Household of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Referring to the European states' attempts to desecrate the Holy Quran, Moulana Hayder explained how Imam Hussain’s struggle for justice was based on Qur'anic principle:
“Hussain ibn Ali was a defender of the Quran, stood supporting for the Qur'an, sacrificed his life and the lives of his family members and companions for the Qur'an, for the message of the Qur'an, for the values of the Qur'an.”
“This year, with the background of what has happened in various parts of the world, the Muharram commemorations were dedicated to the dignity and respect of the Qur'an. You cannot separate Hussain from the Qur'an, and the Qur'an from Hussain," he added.
He further noted that the message of Imam Hussain’s struggle is a universal one, and societies such as South Africa can overcome their challenges by adopting the values of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson.The cleric said the issue has a strong message for politicians to steer away from corruption and self-enrichment at the expense of the oppressed.
He concluded by urging unity of the Muslim Ummah.
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