The coming

I know the month of Muharram and the various rituals and ceremonies therein are thought of as "Shi'a things" but it pays to do a little research from Shi'a sources itself to know that the essence and reality of the day of Ashura (the 10th of Muharram wherein the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (s) along with his companions and members of family were brutally martyred by the evil forces) takes place here, right now, and is a message to pay heed to at all times, and a lesson to salvation. It's ironic how right now in different parts of the world- especially Gaza that's under atack AT THE MOMENT- injustice and oppression mould themselves into the day of Ashura. Aptly said then, every day is Ashura; every land is Karbala.

Following is a message by Ayatollah Khomeini on the Message of Ashura.

"With the appearance of the new moon, Muharram, the month of heroism, bravery, and sacrifice has commenced. It is a month wherein the blood conquered the sword; it is a month in which the power of truth rescinded the wrong forever and stamped the forehead of tyrants and the satanic governments with its stigma. It is a month which has taught the generations throughout history the path of victory over the lances; a month that witnessed the downfall of big powers against the word of truth.

Indeed, it is a month in which the Imam of the Muslims has taught us the way of campaigning against the oppressed in history- a way wherein the closed fists of freedom-wishers, independence-seekers, and the truth-tellers should overcome the tanks, machine-guns, and the array of Iblis] Satan [. Falsehood should vanish before the word of truth. The Imam of the Muslims has taught us to rise against a tyrant, in any age, who rules ruthlessly over Muslims- even though your strength happened to be inconsistent, you should display your disdain and denial. If you see the prestige of Islam in peril, do make sacrifices and ever forges your blood.

Now that it is the month of Muharram, the month which is like a divine sword in the hands of the Muslim soldiers, esteemed clergy, respected orators and dignified Shi`ah of the Doyen of the Martyrs)`a (, it must be made full use of; and by depending on divine power, they must sever the remaining roots of this oppressive and treacherous tree, because the month of Muharram is the month of destruction of Yazidi forces and satanic deceit. Meetings in commemoration of the Master of the Oppressed and header of the tree are meetings commemorating the victory of knowledge over ignorance, justice over oppression, honesty over treason and Islamic government over a satanic regime and should be undertaken in a more compact fashion and with great splendor. The bloody flag of `Ashoura' should be flown high as a sign of the coming of a day of revenge for the oppressed over the oppressors."