Today is the start of Islamic Hijri year 1448, the first Islamic lunar month being Muharram. Muharram has a very special significance for Shia Muslims as this month is strongly associated with the suffering and martyrdom of Imam Husain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, and his small band of associates and family who dared to stand up against the tyrant of the time, and paid heavy price by sacrificing their lives and their near and dear ones. Karbala taught us how to stand for our values and our self respect against the tyrants and bullies. Although I don’t agree with many aspects of Iranian regime but I also feel that the reason they could stand up to the imperialist and tyrant states of out times, USA and Israel, so strongly and admirably despite all the odds stacked against them is because of their deep rooted commitments and inspirations from the story of Karbala.
This new moon of Muharram has very emotional significance for Shia Muslims worldwide.