(Photo: Al-Sudani's media office)
Monitor
Al-Sudani: ‘The martyrdom of Imam Hussein was a transformative moment in history’
BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Saturday commemorated Ashura with a statement highlighting the historical and moral significance of Imam Hussein’s martyrdom, calling it a moment that set a lasting standard for distinguishing truth from falsehood.
In remarks released by his media office, al-Sudani said, “The martyrdom of Imam Hussein and his companions was a transformative moment in history, establishing an enduring standard by which truth is distinguished from falsehood.”
He added, “Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) rose in revolt to demand reform, expose falsehoods promoted by the illegitimate ruler, and protect the religion of Allah and His Messenger from ruin.”
Imam Hussein, the son of Ali Ibn Talib and Fatima—the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad—was killed in 680 A.D. during the Battle of Karbala after refusing to pledge allegiance to Umayyad Caliph Yazid ibn Muawiya. His death, on the 10th day of Muharram, known as Ashura, is commemorated by Shia Muslims as a symbol of resistance to injustice and tyranny.
Mourning rituals began shortly after his death, first among his female relatives and later spreading across the Islamic world.
Statement from Al-Sudani’s media office:
Key Highlights from Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani’s Address Marking Ashura (the 10th of Muharram) and the Commemoration of the Event of Al-Taff, When Imam Hussein and His Companions (Peace Be Upon Them) Were Martyred
🔹 The martyrdom of Imam Hussein and his companions (peace be upon them) was a transformative moment in history, establishing an enduring standard by which truth is distinguished from falsehood.
🔹 The courage and values embodied in the Battle of Karbala have become a timeless source of inspiration for revolutionaries and reformers dedicated to resisting injustice and oppression.
🔹 The Event of Al-Taff serves as a genuine extension of the prophetic mission, representing a profound, faith-driven path to reform and correcting the deviations that had afflicted both the state and society under a corrupt authority.
🔹 Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) rose in revolt to demand reform, expose falsehoods promoted by the illegitimate ruler, and protect the religion of Allah and His Messenger from ruin.
🔹 The epic of Karbala was a pivotal test for the Muslim nation. With the Prophet’s grandson, his household, and his companions offering the ultimate sacrifice, no excuse remains for those who hesitate to stand for truth and justice.
🔹 We embrace the commemoration of the Day of Al-Taff as a guiding light, drawing from Imam Hussein’s (peace be upon him) example to defend the values for which he sacrificed his life, chief among them reform and the fight against corruption.
🔹 Since assuming executive responsibility, this government has worked according to principles that safeguard the rights of the state and the people, shielding Iraq from dangers and conflicts that once threatened the region.
🔹 We have advanced the construction of state institutions on solid foundations to enhance Iraq’s stature among nations.
🔹 Despite attempts to obstruct and misrepresent the government’s work, we have remained committed to the path of reform, reconstruction, and sustainable development.
🔹 Today, the Arab and Islamic peoples must rally around the name and sacrifice of Imam Hussein, uniting their voice to reject injustice and aggression, especially the brutal actions against our people in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the acts of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
🔹 Iraq holds the great honor of being the resting place of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him). Since that time, his loyal followers in Iraq have carried the responsibility of preserving and conveying the immortal legacy of Karbala to the world.