Director of the Women’s Islamic Seminaries of Iran:‎

Arba’in: An opportunity to convey the message and culture of Ashura

Rasa – Hujjat al-Islam Abdolkarim Bahjatpour described Islamic Iran as the “flagbearer of ‎the fight against the oppressors” and stressed that we will never abandoned this flag.” ‎

News ID: 440930

Date: 10 October 2018 - 11:02

RNA – Speaking during a meeting with two organizations managing mawkibs [mourning ‎organizations] for the upcoming Arba’in pilgrimage to Karbala, Iraq, Hujjat al-Islam ‎Abdolkarim Bahjatpour referred to the lofty status of Arba’in pilgrimage, stated, “One of the ‎greatest manifestations of the religious presence of the people is the magnificent Arba’in ‎pilgrimage and the enemies have repeatedly tried to prevent this movement and ‎phenomenon but have never succeeded and have failed.”‎

The director of the Women’s Islamic Seminaries of Iran added that the culture of Imam al-‎Husayn can change views and perspectives and eliminate ignorance. Imam al-Husayn ‎changes the elements of the personality of the people in the society and makes these ‎individuals saviours of their country and society.”‎

He said, “Our biggest concern in the days of Arba’in is that all the people and pilgrims are ‎completely in line with Imam al-Husayn and the presence of both female and male ‎missionaries in the mawkibs means that Islamic Iran gives much consideration to this lofty ‎peak.”‎

Hujjat al-Islam Bahjatpour continued, “During the Hajj pilgrimage, about three million ‎Muslims from all over the world are present in Makkah and we have always regretted not ‎using this huge capacity and opportunity but the Arba’in pilgrimage and Imam al-Husayn ‎have given us a great opportunity and capacity and we must use this great opportunity and ‎capacity as best as possible to convey the culture and message of Ashura.”

The renowned teacher in the Islamic Seminary of Qom said, “One of the important issues ‎that we must give attention to is that we must not weaken the culture of providing for ‎guests and it’s not such that providing for guests is of little importance. Although, the ‎message and culture of Ashura are great, but providing for guests and serving the pilgrims ‎also has a great deal of importance.”‎

He said, “During the Arba’in pilgrimage, we must be very careful about religious and ethnic ‎differences and we must not engage in actions that cause divisions among Muslims and ‎pilgrims under any circumstances.”‎

Hujjat al-Islam Bahjatpour stated that the Islamic Revolution and Iran are the servants of the ‎Ahlul-Bayt and Imam al-Husayn and added, “Islamic Iran is the epicentre of the Islamic ‎Resistance and will never abandon the flag of the struggle against the oppressors and will ‎stand against the oppressors. This culture must be conveyed to all people.”‎

The prominent commentator of the Holy Quran emphasized on precise planning to carry out ‎cultural activities during the Arba’in pilgrimage and added, “During the Arba’in pilgrimage, we ‎must pay special attention to cultural issues and anticipate different plans for the pilgrims. In ‎addition, we must avoid political activity and any activity that causes divisions, and everyone ‎must pay attention to this important issue.”‎

It must be noted that Arba’in marks forty days after the Day of Ashura, the day Imam al-‎Husayn ibn Ali, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, was martyred in the Battle of Karbala in ‎‎680 CE. ‎

On the day of Arba’in, the Shi’ah faithful traditionally walk for several days or longer to reach ‎the Iraqi holy city of Karbala where crowds chant and march around the Holy Shrine of ‎Imam Husayn. This year, Arba’in will be commemorated on October 30th. ‎

Rasa News Agency

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