RNA – Ayatollah Sayyed Hashem Hoseyni-Bushehri, the Friday prayer leader of Qom, told worshippers gathered at Qom’s Holy Shrine of Lady Fatimah al-Ma’sumah that the proper coverage of the sorrowful Tasu’a and Ashura mourning ceremonies broadcasted from the Holy Shrine were appreciated.
He explained that the participation of the people in the mourning ceremonies for Imam Husyan has led to their lasting endurance throughout history. This has been despite the threats and plots of the enemies against the mourning ceremonies in various countries throughout the Muslim world. The Shi’ites have always participated with the utmost vigour and glory. This is the result of passion, love and devotion for Imam Husayn.
Ayatollah Bushehri gave an example of the plots against the Ashura commemorations, saying that despite the Bahraini Al Khalifah regime’s insulting attitude towards these ceremonies, the nation’s people still flocked to the husayniyahs and mosques to mourn for Imam Husayn.
This week marked the 35th anniversary of the 1979 Iranian takeover of the US embassy in Tehran, and Ayatollah Bushehri stated that the massive rallies Iranians have held this week show that the slogan of “every land is Karbala and every day is Ashura” still rings true in the hearts of Iranians. Iranians also shouted “we shall never accept humiliation!” “down with the arrogant [powers]!” and “down with America!”
Ayatollah Bushehri explained that all of the news agencies of the world broadcasted the news of the great Islamic Revolution against the arrogant powers throughout the world and showed them that the Iranian nation stood against the United States which claims it is a superpower. “But,” he said, “the [Islamic] movements of the people of this region have broken America’s back.”
The renowned scholar added that the Iranian people are vigilant and aware of who the unjust oppressors of the current era are – they are the United States. “The enemies do not like the events which occurred on Ashura but due to the will of God, it has survived all these centuries because the Infallible Imams are the lights of God,” he explained.
In his first part of his Friday prayer sermon, Ayatollah Bushehri emphasized the preservation of piety. Referring to the Quranic verses and narrations on this topic, he said: “Virtue is the best thing that a Muslim can recommend to another Muslim. Our happiness in this temporal world as well as in the eternal afterlife is due to the light of our piety.”
Regarding the principles governing social relations, His Eminence stated: “If you have faith, righteousness, modesty, chastity, good thinking, knowledge and wisdom in your life, you will always be happy. Turning away from God causes the degeneration and destruction of the individual and those who turn away from Him will face stress and anxiety. The path to the perfection of man involves worshiping God alone.”
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