ABNA interviewed the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, on this year’s Arbaeen Walk.
ABWA Official Website – In this interview, Ayatollah Reza Ramazani stated, “We thank God for giving us the opportunity to participate at the Great Arbaeen Walk this year with the waves of enthusiasts of Imam Hussain (a.s.).”
Regarding the beautiful aspects of Arbaeen, he said, “We see a very beautiful atmosphere in Arbaeen walk in terms of knowledge, ethics, sacrifice, dedication, sincerity, and many other issues. When we enter this atmosphere, we see an educational environment provided for us to be adorned with human values.”
“If Ashura is carefully evaluated and analyzed, it will be understood that this event is a historical miracle,” he added, “The effect of this miracle still exists. Ashura is a miracle in terms of purity and stability.”
Regarding the manifestations of the glory of the Majlis for Imam Hussain (a.s.), the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “The world is fascinated by the Ashura uprising, and the people of the world have the love for Imam Hussain (a.s.) in their hearts. Every year the crowd of mourners for Imam Hussain (a.s.) becomes more magnificent. Not only in Iran, Iraq, and Shiite countries but also in the Western world, a big event has happened. When the month of Muharram comes, they hold mourning meetings for Imam Hussain all over the world and analyze his uprising. They shed tears and cry over the oppressed Imam Hussain (a.s.) and try to follow this important event as an example.”
“Muslims and non-Muslims, Shiites, and non-Shiites from all over the world participate in the Arbaeen Walk, and all these sights are beautiful. You must come and see these sights because they cannot be described in words. Sometimes a small part of this glory is shown by IRIB, TV channels, and media outlets, which is really a very small part of the event,” he said on the glory of Arbaeen Walk.
“Everyone analyzes Arbaeen with their own perspective. Some have a doctrinal point of view. Because Arbaeen puts a person on the path of monotheism, to make him realize the truth. Because Imam Hussain (a.s.) revived the truth of monotheism, so that Ma’arifah is revealed to man, and he observes the beauties mentioned in Dua Arafah. Man finds his way to his beloved, that is, God, through Imam Hussain (a.s.); the God that Imam Hussain (a.s.) addressed to him in the last moments of his life while prostrating: “O Lord! There is no god but You! O the helper of those who seek help!” This is the peak of Imam Hussain’s monotheistic view. Or when Imam Hussain (a.s.) placed his son Hazrat Ali Asghar (a.s.) in his arms, he said, “O God! This grave incident is easy for me, because it is in your presence, because you are the witness of it.” With these words, he gives the greatest lesson to humanity,” Ayatollah Ramazani continued.
In the analysis of Arbaeen from the perspective of value and humanity, he said, “Human values are fully observed in the Arbaeen ceremony. Giving service, helping, and sacrificing to others is one of the spectacular scenes that cannot be described. Mowkeb owners save their money throughout the year and spend it during the Arbaeen ceremony for the guests and pilgrims of Imam Hussain (a.s.). This action is very valuable. They forcibly take pilgrims to their homes to receive and welcome them in the best way! They wash the pilgrims’ feet, prepare food for them, and make a bed for them to rest. If a pilgrim does not use the host’s services, the host will be upset. All of these are very beautiful scenes in which morals and human virtues emerge. Of course, these are beyond the understanding of reason. So apart from love and affection for Imam Hussain (a.s.), man cannot have any other interpretation and meaning for them.”
Regarding the cultural measures in the Arbaeen procession, the seminary professor stated, “In various sections and subjects of the Quran, Islamic Ma’arifah, the Resistance, etc., Mowkebs do artistic and noble works in various ways. The movement of Imam Hussain (a.s.) was an epic movement for the Islamic Ummah. This huge gathering should be analyzed from this point of view. This great walk is under the management of divine guidance. The Almighty God guides people’s hearts to participate in this great event. We are facing the biggest spiritual gathering in every sense and with a monotheistic and rational view. Throughout history, such a gathering has not been, and we have not observed.”
“Almighty God saved Imam Hussain (a.s.) for the end of time,” he added, “Throughout history, we have benefited from Imam Hussain (a.s.), his Majlis and words. But today this culture has become a global movement. Therefore, we should follow its example.”
About the functions of Arbaeen, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “From one aspect, Arbaeen can provide the ground to remove ignorance and confusion from the society. Imam Hassan Askari (a.s.) said that Ziyarat Arbaeen is one of the five signs of a believer. Imam Hussain (a.s.) offered the conclusive argument for everyone and advised everyone. The Imam sacrificed his life so that people would be freed from confusion and know their duties. This is a kind of awakening for humans.”
“Many people of different nationalities participate in the Arbaeen Walk, and because of this common cause, a large global gathering is created. It means Arbaeen is an international movement. Therefore, we should have an international view of Arbaeen. Because many people from different nations participate in this ceremony, and during it, they undergo a spiritual transformation,” he added.
Regarding the necessity of media and artistic activity for Arbaeen Walk, the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly said, “People have written their memories about this huge gathering. We need to collect and aggregate them. Artists also need to get involved with the artistic view. It is also necessary to look at this phenomenon from the aspects of photography, documentation, and interviews with dignitaries from different nationalities.”
“Arbaeen is a historical miracle. No one is paid for participating in the Arbaeen Walk. Everyone pays to attend this huge gathering and conference. What factor has caused a large number of people from the farthest parts of the world to attend Arbaeen Walk? Can this be called anything other than a miracle? Arbaeen Walk is a miracle,” he continued.
“Arbaeen is a great educational school for humans. We saw people who did not eat on the Arbaeen Walk, and in memory of the thirst of Imam Hussain (a.s.), and in memory of the tragic events that occurred in a period of history, they sufficed themselves to the minimum amount of water, food, and rest,” emphasized the professor of higher levels of the seminary.
“We can examine and analyze Arbaeen from educational, monotheistic, social, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and huge gathering aspects in the international arena,” he stated in the end.
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