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| | (WASHINGTON DC - August 5, 2008) The Islamic Information Center marks the celebration of the "Wiladat" or Birthday celebration of Imam Husain today. Imam Husain was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, through his daughter, Lady Fatima Zahra (Peace Be Upon Them). Hundreds of millions of Muslims around the world are commemorating this event by holding family gatherings, celebratory programs at mosques, and offering prayers to God. Pictured below is the mosque of Imam Husain, located in Karbala, in modern day Iraq.
Imam Husain is well known for his life long struggle for peace and justice, and his focus for supporting the downtrodden. His exceptional focus on giving charity to the poor, supplicating to God, working to create a better society, and exhorting others to do the same have earned him the admiration of countless generations of Muslims. Throughout both his youth and adulthood, he was an exemplar of piety and nobility, treating everyone with dignity and honor. Tragically, his efforts to restore Islam as a religion of peace, prayer, and improving the world earned the wrath of repressive rulers. While on route on a mission of diplomacy, Imam Husain and his family were intercepted by the army of the ruling state, and mercilessly killed, leaving only a few women and children survivors, who were then subjected to imprisonment and humiliation. Because Imam Husain both lived and died in his devotion to promoting positive values in the way of God, he is considered one of the greatest heroes in Islamic history, inspiring many people even today.
In fact, Imam Husain is the source of the common name "Husain" today, and is one of the most common names in the entire world. Currently, many major celebrities, politicians, and even sports players are named after Imam Husain - including United States Presidential candidate Barrack Obama. Of course, there have been negative examples of people adopting the name of Imam Husain, while completely contradicting his message, as in the case of former Iraqi ruler and despot, Saddam Hussein Al Tikriti. Due to Saddam's horrific efforts to harm innocent people, his unyielding support of tyranny, and his opposition to peace - the world's Muslim population is offending at the idea of allowing the name Husain to be associated with him, opting instead to refer to him as "Saddam Al Tikrit", his original tribal name.
Twentieth century leaders have looked to Imam Husain as one of their main sources of inspiration, with both Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Junior openly indicating that the story of Imam Husain was one of their main motivators in their civil rights movements. Gandhi is quoted to have said "I have learned from [Imam] Husain how to be oppressed, yet victorious".
To learn more about Imam Husain's life and mission, feel free to consult the IIC "Imam Husain" information packet. This packet is a learning tool that supplies important facts and information about who Imam Husain was, why he is so revered more than a thousand years after his death, and what impact Imam Husain has on the world today. Please click here to read this packet!
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The IIC provides accurate information about the Islamic faith and Muslim community to government offices, media outlets, and civic organizations. Through educational and interfaith programs, The IIC promotes understanding, community, and trust among people of all faiths and cultures.
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