Iran, major tourism hub during Muharram ceremonies

Tehran, IRNA_ Every year thousands of foreigners flock to Iran to see with their naked eyes and record with cameras the Iranian fervor during Muharram that comes to a head on its 10th day, also known as Ashura. This all paves the way for a new sort of tourism opportunities in Iran called Muharram tourism. 

1,500 foreigners visited the central Iranian city of Yazd only this Muharram, according to local officials. 

Yazd, an ancient Iranian city, the cradle of Zoroastrianism, is now one of the unavoidable points of Islamic Iran.

Home to thousands of small and big mosques and Hosayniyas (places used for religious mourning ceremonies), Yazd has earned the title “Iran’s and world’s Hosayniya”. 

A Hosayniya is a congregation hall for Twelve Shiite Muslim commemoration ceremonies, especially those associated with the Mourning of Muharram, the month in which third Shiite Imam Hussein was martyred by the then ruler Yazid. 

“The Iranians’ love and enthusiasm for Imam Hussein is so much that you can’t record it with any device. You need to feel and experience it yourself on the ground to get a good sense of it,” said an Italian tourist who visited the Ashura ceremonies in Abarkuh, 140 kilometers in the southwest of Yazd. 

Yazd always attracts the special attention of foreigners due to its unique Muharram rituals where hundreds of men, all clad in black, congregate in Hosainiyas to beat on their chests according to the rhythm of a sung eulogy. 

The poem itself is of high importance, which nearly always includes long verses, describing the events of the 10th day of Muharram, also known as Ashura, when Imam Hussein was martyred by Yazid forces. 

“The fact that foreigners are present in Muharram rituals will help that Iran’s ceremonies and traditions spread to other countries more easily,” Vali Teimuri, Tourism Deputy at Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Ministry told IRNA on Tuesday. 

The Italian tourist, who spoke to IRNA, stressed that he had visited Iran during Muharram several times in the past. “I have read Imam Hussein’s uprising and now I have got to know another religious ritual during this month,” he added. 

"What has brought more tourists to Iran this year is the verbal advertisement of other tourists who took part in last year’s Muharram ceremonies,” Teimuri mentioned. 

Only in the city of Abarkuh (the grand mountain), there are 70 registered religious "heyat" (congregation of men and women to mourn Imam Hossein’s martyrdom). 

“I can’t describe the grandeur of this ceremony with words. It has impacted me very much,” said the Italian national. 

Last year, tourists from 22 countries, including France, Spain, Thailand and Taiwan, visited the city of Yazd, seeing for themselves the diverse Muharram rituals of the region. 

One of the other main features of Yazd Muharram ceremonies is “nakhl gardani”, the act of carrying the Nakhl from one place to another, resembling an Imam's funeral. Nakhl is a wooden structure used as a symbolic representation of the Imam's coffin. 

Mostafa Fatemi, a local official with the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Ministry told IRNA that several packages have been prepared for tourists who want to visit Yazd Province to see various Muharram rituals across the central region. 

Muharram is only one of the Muslims ceremonies that can attract foreigners to visit Iran. The country is home to thousands of mosques, shrines and other holy worship places that can be seized to kickstart the spiritual tourism, especially during Muharrram. 

Nasrallah to Israelis: It’s all over; You can’t imagine your fate in future war

Once again, Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary General of Lebanon’s legendry anti-terrorist movement, Hezbollah, reminded the illegal Zionist entity that the entire balance of power between the Resistance Front in Lebanon and Israel has changed.

Last Thursday, on the anniversary of the Ashura Uprising commemorating the martyrdom in Karbala of Imam Husain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny), Seyyed Nasrallah told the Zionists that all their attempts to prevent Hezbollah from possessing advanced and accurate missiles have been foiled, stressing that the issue “is all over” and that the Israelis themselves can’t imagine their fate if these missiles are used in any future war.

Addressing attendees of the grand Ashura march in Beirut’s southern suburb of Dhahiyeh, he voiced Hezbollah’s stances on several regional and local issues.

He started his speech with a discourse on the tragedy of Karbala and the impact of the Ashura epic till this day on all conscientious people. Seyyed Nasrallah offered condolences to the Lord of the Age, Imam Mahdi (AS) the Promised Saviour of mankind, on the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Husain (AS).

He saluted all those who took part on the Ashura march and ceremonies in the last ten days in Dhahiyeh and in other areas across Lebanon. He reiterated Hezbollah and the resistance’s commitment to the path of Imam Husain (AS), as the path of dignity, stressing that all sacrifices and victories were achieved due to the commitment to this path and this school.

Seyyed Nasrallah said: “the famous saying of Imam Husain (AS) “Never to Humiliation” will last forever. Today, the presence of all people in Lebanon’s Dhahiyeh, south, Bekaa and in the entire region is an indication that the Martyr of Karbala’s sacred blood indeed triumphed over swords.”

Seyyed Nasrallah stressing that the tenth of Muharram is the “day of stances”, reiterated Hezbollah’s firm position in supporting the oppressed people of Palestine, Yemen and Bahrain.

He hailed the ‘Return Marches’ at the border between Gaza and Zionist usurped Palestine, saying: “First, we reiterate our ideological commitment to Palestine and al-Quds. We reiterate our support to the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights to confront the so-called ‘deal of the century’ touted by the US.

“Second, we stress our firm stand by Yemeni people who have been witnessing Karbala for nearly four years. This oppressed people have been demonstrating all forms of steadfastness, courage and patience, just like Karbala… It is the duty of all Muslims including the Arabs to denounce and act in order to prevent the Saudi war in Yemen. This is a moral responsibility.

“Third, we reiterate our support to the peaceful people of Bahrain whose scholars and youths have been jailed and suppressed by the regime.”

Seyyed Nasrallah lashed out at Bahrain’s repressive Aal-e Khalifa minority regime’s policy of naturalization of foreigners in the country in a bid to make demographic changes in the Persian Gulf Island state.

He stressed that “it is our duty to stand by” the Islamic Republic of Iran in the face of all kinds of pressures. Iran is being punished by the US for a clear reason: it refuses to subdue to the Americans like other states. It wants to stay independent as a sovereign state. We have to recall Iran’s support to the resistance in Palestine and Lebanon, its support to Iraq and Syria in face of the Daesh terrorists.”

On Lebanon, Sayyed Nasrallah reiterated the call for calm and dialogue, as well as the call to hasten the formation of the new cabinet.

Turning to the struggle with the illegal Zionist entity, he said the resistance has to stay on alert, noting that the Israeli enemy has been furious because its scheme in the region has failed.

He said: “They (the Israelis) were betting on the events in Syria and Iraq. But now they know well that the axis of resistance is more powerful and that more sides joined this axis. Israelis are concerned, and we have to be vigilant… We should not be at ease. The enemy fears any future confrontation in the region, especially with Lebanon. The enemy knows well that any future war will have massive repercussion, and that his points of weakness are known to us.”

Seyyed Nasrallah referred to the recent remarks of the Zionist war minister, Avigdor Lieberman, who talked about what he called strategic changes in West Asia.

Seyyed Nasrallah said: “Few days earlier, the Zionist war minister said that in West Asia strategic changes took place, noting that the first change is that the opponents of Israel have acquired accurate missiles and that the Israeli home front has now become the main theater in any future war. The Zionist war minister said that in the 1973 war Israelis in Tel Aviv were at calm, they were taking coffee and reading newspapers. But he noted that now, everything has changed.”

 Seyyed Nasrallah said: “Yes, I tell the Zionist minister, everything has indeed changed.”

Seyyed Nasrallah pointed out to Israeli attempts to prevent Hezbollah from acquiring advanced and accurate missiles in Syria, saying: “They (the Israelis) have been working hard to cut off the road and prevent us from possessing accurate missiles. I say whatever you do to cut off the road on us, it’s all over, we are now in possession of accurate missiles that if used in any future war you can’t expect what your fate will be.

“The Zionist enemy knows well that technology alone cannot have the final word in the battle without the human capabilities.”

He furthermore hit back at Israeli remarks that the Hezbollah Secretary General “threatens from a shelter,” by saying: “Allah has elongated my lifespan and you have been trying in day and night to kill me but I’m still alive. Staying alive is an indication for your failure.”

The Resistance Leader concluded his speech by saying that all of Hezbollah’s power and steadfastness “is from Imam Husain (AS),” stressing that: “All our days are Ashura and we have written ‘At Your Service O Imam Husain’ with blood and patience.”

http://parstoday.com/en/radio/middle_east-i93391-nasrallah_to_israelis_it%E2%80%99s_all_over_you_can%E2%80%99t_imagine_your_fate_in_future_war

Ashura Uprising Inspires Islamic Movements

In the name of God. Throughout history, many movements have occurred in different regions of the world. Some of these movements have been so great that they have impacted not just their own people but the people of other regions and even the next generations.

However, nearly all movements have declined and lost their impact and significance after a few years. But the uprising of Imam Hussein (AS) on the day of Ashura in the year 61 AH, is the only movement in history that has had huge impact on next movements and revolutions throughout the world. This movement not only has not weakened but has impacted one generation after the other and has indeed gone beyond the Islamic realm. This great movement, despite the lapse of 14 centuries, has remained powerful and effective and beckons as the best model for the seekers of truth and justice.

By the way, why has the tragedy of Ashura been so important and effective?

This movement has specific features which have made it a perpetual model for all. The uprising of Imam Hussein (AS) was launched with a purely divine intention to safeguard the religion of God. This uprising was launched with the leadership of a unique personality, Imam Hussein who was the grandson of the last divine Messenger. Moreover, prominent personalities sacrificed their life before him, who were the most pious and courageous people of their time. In addition, they were killed in the most savage manner and utter loneliness. What adds salt to the injury is that their women and children were also put in chains and taken as captives.

Another feature of Imam Hussein's unique movement was that he fought oppression and corruption which were embodied in the Umayyad ruling system and the person of Yazid. Seeking of truth was another feature of Ashura uprising. In defence of truth and fighting falsehood, Imam Hussein (AS) was not scared of the fact that his small army of 72-strong men was going to confront the 30,000- strong hordes of the enemy; and that he was just preoccupied with his sacred goal.

The faith, piety and valour of Imam Hussein (AS) and his loyal companions indicated their firm belief in the truthfulness of their path and the divine assistance.

The everlasting movement of Imam Hussein is confirmed by both the intellect, logic and the innate nature. Thus, it has been taken as role model by even non-Muslim nations and figures. Another feature of this uprising was that it was in pursuit of freedom and dignity. The younger grandson of the Prophet of Islam, in spite of threats and temptations, stood fast on his sacred goal and proved that one must pay whatever price for his correct belief.

These outstanding features of Imam Hussein's movement caused it to affect other movements such as the uprising of Tawwabin (penitents), led by Mukhtar Saqafi to avenge the blood of Imam Hussein and his companions and overthrow the Umayyad oppressive rule. Fourteen centuries after the tragedy of Ashura, the blood of Imam Hussein and his companions keeps moving the nations and free-spirited humans against oppressors and tyrants.

The Islamic Revolution in Iran, as the greatest movement in the present era, is a very clear and irrefutable example of the impact of Imam Hussein's movement. The initiator of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini, and the present leader of the Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei, have always emphasized on the radian path of Imam Hussein (AS). Other prominent persons of the Islamic Republic have also repeated the clear remarks and stances of Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei. Imam Khomeini said, "The Islamic Revolution of Iran is a ray of Ashura and its great divine revolution."               

Before and after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, people showed in words and deeds that they were following the model of Ashura. Resistance, self-sacrifice, fighting oppression, freedom-seeking and other features of the Islamic Revolution have all been adopted from Ashura uprising. The point to ponder is that, although this Revolution considers itself inspired by the movement of Imam Hussein, it has turned into a motor to inspire other grassroots movements in different parts of the world, especially the Islamic world. In other words, every uprising that is staged on the model of Ashura, will turn into a center for promotion of the ideal and values of Ashura.

When speaking on oppressive and usurper systems the name of the Zionist regime of Israel comes to the mind as the most bestial system in the current era. The regime has occupied Palestine through brute force and massacre of its people. The fabricated regime has imprisoned thousands of Palestinian s in its dungeons and expelled millions of them from their ancestral land. The oppressed Palestinian nation, like Imam Hussein, has embarked on defending their land and identity with bare hands. But some of the cowardly leaders of Palestine have connived with the Zionists and granted them ample concessions. This is the way that Imam Hussein decisively rejected compromise and submission, saying, "Beware that the mean (Yazid) son of the mean (Muawiyah) has put me in a dilemma; to choose either the sword or humility' while too far from us is humility."

The Palestinian people have rejected any submission to the fake Zionist regime and started their Intifada years ago. This great uprising is similar to Ashura from numerous aspects. First, it is uncompromising against the oppressive and usurper Zionist regime. Secondly, it seeks truth. Thirdly, it is in pursuit of justice.

Another feature of the Palestinian Intifada is that it has firmly stood, with bare hands, in the face of the armed-to-the-teeth enemy who enjoys the full support of the world powers, especially the Great Satan (the US). What is more regrettable is the fact, except few Arab countries, all of them have betrayed to the Arab cause and become the boot-lickers of the Zionist enemy. This reminds us of Imam Hussein (AS) who fought the enemy with a handful of companions while those who had invited to Iraq breached their covenant, and in violation of their signatures, joined the godless Yazid to fight the Prophet's younger grandson and third infallible successor. The divine uprising of Imam Hussein (AS) achieved its lofty goals with trust in God and in pursuit of His satisfaction. The Palestinian people, too, consider God as their support and refuge and have little trust in foreign support.

The pressures and hardships inflicted by the enemy, like the siege and banning water for the family and troop of Imam Hussein, failed to deflect him from his uprising and surrender. Palestinians, too, have endured carnage, imprisonment, torture, destruction of homes, burning of farms, and myriads of other crimes by the Zionist regime; but have not kowtowed to the illegal demands of the regime.

Another movement that has been shaped on the pattern of the Ashura against usurpation and bullying of the brutal regime in Tel Aviv, is the Islamic Resistance of Lebanon which has been directly inspired by the Islamic Revolution in Iran.

Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, Leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah, has repeatedly stressed, "We recognized Imam Hussein and loved him and pledged allegiance with him via our resistance in the battlefield."

When the combatants of the Lebanese Islamic Resistance started their fight in their country, in the form of Hezbollah, against the Zionist military, they were small in number and had few outdated arms. Yet, marching in the footsteps of Imam Hussein, they continued fighting the enemy so that in 2000, they expelled Zionist usurpers from their soil. The faith and bravery of the Hezbollah combatants spring from the faith and valour of Imam Hussein's companions. That's why the Zionist have so far shunned to confront them directly. The anti-terrorist movement of Hezbollah has proved that it marches in the footsteps of Imam Hussein (AS) and will never accept compromise and humility as its support is the source of every power, God. In view of this, Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah expressly says, "I say to all who plan for killing us that, so far, we have emerged with full strength because we have the spirit of intransigence and this is the very spirit that Imam Hussein showed on the day of Ashura while saying, 'Too far from us is humility.'"

These features have made Hezbollah an effective and popular power both in Lebanon and abroad.