Today is the anniversary of Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram as Prophet Muhammad (saw) himself named it as “The Month of Allah (swt)” and Karbala that engraved especially year of Hijri 61 as year of sadness to our minds and hearts until the judgment day.

Karbala wounded deeply all believers who have iman for Allah (swt) and Prophet Muhammad (saw) and have love for his companions; exposed all Muslims regardless of their country, culture, sect and disposition to unutterable pains; and engraved Hazrat Hussain to the hearts of all believers and imprisoned those who treated him and his companions with such cruelty in history and conscience of all believers.

With this aspect, Karbala;

Is a fall season of our response to good wishes of Hazrat Hussain who was symbol of unity, obedience to the creator and mercy to the created and gave life to humanity with his martyrdom with our hearts and will.

Is a heart-wrenching sign of our loyalty to truthful, lawful, fair and merciful virtue of Hazrat Hussein who was a harbor for the oppressed.

Is the saga of mercy and love instead of oppression and hatred, and friendship and brotherhood instead of hostility and ill-will in the world.

Is always good news of martyrdom in the way of Allah (swt), nobility for humanity, stand against oppression and oppressor, and a direction for those who hold what is right superior to what is wrong. 

This painful incident that burned all our hearts in a time period when the need of an embodiment like Hussain has risen day by day, the heart of mankind became like Karbala and yezidi fire surrounded us wholly is actually a tragic testimony for consciousness, foresight and prudency.

The most vital and ancient duty on Muslims with hearts full of sadness caused by Karbala is to read and understand Karbala truthfully and take lessons from this. The greatest message that Karbala taught us in this aspect is unity, solidarity and brotherhood. Therefore, Karbala should unite every heart of Ummah and change this into one conscience. If we do not materialize this message, the saddest and the most painful events of agony and sorrow will continue to exist in Islamic geography. Already, the sorrowful events we see every day in Islamic lands such as Aleppo and Yemen make us feel like Karbala.

On the other hand, to understand Karbala is to know Hazrat Hussain well. Because his way is the way of Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw). To love Hazrat Hussain is to make efforts to live virtues of his and keep epic values that became solid with his name alive.

When this ideal materialized, an understanding that presents moral virtues such as loyalty, mercy and affection to mankind, considers justice as superior, never bow to injustice, and always stand for the oppressed and what is right will govern on the humanity.

With this feeling and opinions, I mourn for Hazrat Hussain and Karbala martyrs with all our martyrs of Badr, Gallipoli, Independence War and 15th July who sacrificed the most important possession of theirs, their lives in the sake of what is sacred and for the truth and right; and I request from Almighty Allah (swt) for our noble nation who is as one with the love of Prophet Muhammad (saw) and his companions for centuries to live in peace, security, and mutual love and respect.

Prof. Dr. Ali ERBAŞ

President of Religious Affairs