Why it matters:
Millions of Muslims worldwide mourn Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), during Muharram, honoring his stand against tyranny in Karbala. This year, processions in Nigeria and Pakistan underscored the universality of his message, with interfaith participation and strong political symbolism.
What happened:
Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, leader of Nigeria’s Islamic Movement, addressed thousands of mourners in Abuja, framing Imam Hussain’s struggle as a timeless resistance against oppression.
He explicitly compared Ayatollah Khamenei to Hussain and Donald Trump to Yazid, accusing the U.S. of global tyranny.
"In every era, there is a Hussain and a Yazid. Today, Khamenei is the Hussain leading resistance, while Trump embodies Yazid’s injustice," Sheikh Zakzaky said.
Zakzaky said that silence toward U.S.-Israeli actions equates to rejecting Imam Hussain’s legacy.
What happened:
Islamabad’s Muharram procession drew thousands, including Christians and speakers of Urdu, Persian, Arabic, Pashto, and Dari.
Participants carried symbols of Karbala (e.g., replicas of shrines, Dhul-Jinnah) and waved Iranian flags in solidarity.
The event transcended sectarian and national lines, with Christians affirming Hussain’s universal message of justice.
Portraits of Ayatollah Khamenei and Iranian flags highlighted ties to Iran’s "resistance axis."
Between the lines:
Both events framed Ashura as a call to action against modern oppression, explicitly linking it to contemporary geopolitics (e.g., U.S.-Israel policies) while celebrating cross-cultural unity.
What’s next:
Nigerian mourners will hold nationwide processions on Sunday.
Pakistan’s multilingual approach may inspire similar interfaith efforts elsewhere.
Hossein Amiri
