Why it matters:
The statement from a prominent African resistance figure demonstrates that the message of Imam Hussain's stand at Karbala has transcended religious and geographical boundaries, inspiring anti-colonial movements across Africa and beyond—proving that the resistance discourse is now a truly global phenomenon.
The big picture:
As the U.S. and its Western allies intensify their recolonization of Africa through economic and political domination, resistance movements across the continent are drawing inspiration from the historic uprising of Imam Hussain (AS) against Yazid's tyranny. The symbolism of 72 martyrs defeating an army of 100,000 serves as a powerful reminder that numerical and material superiority does not guarantee victory against those who stand for justice.
What he's saying:
Alhaji Isa Garba, spokesperson for the Arbaeen Committee and Coalition of Resistance Supporters in Nigeria's North-Western states, stated: "Ashura and Arbaeen are events that reawaken the global spirit of resistance against Western imperialism and hegemony."
He emphasized that "the world has now been divided into two: the world of the oppressed and the world of the oppressors." He added: "The resistance is not only about the (Persian) Gulf states or West Asia, not only in Iran, Lebanon, Iraq or Yemen. This is a resistance against all forms of oppression, including our resistance against the West, which is recolonizing Africa."
What they're saying:
Garba further noted that "since Imam Hussain, with only 72 people, was able to resist and defeat an army of 100,000 soldiers under Yazid, this shows that no matter how few the oppressed may be, if they resist, they can stand up against the oppressors. This is also a message to the global oppressors that the world has now reawakened."
Key points:
· Ashura and Arbaeen have evolved from religious events into cross-religious and cross-border resistance movements.
· The commemoration reawakens global resistance against Western imperialism and hegemony.
· Imam Hussain's stand symbolizes the victory of the oppressed over the oppressors despite numerical inferiority.
· Nigeria's resistance movement draws inspiration from Karbala to oppose Western recolonization of Africa.
· The Axis of Resistance is expanding beyond West Asia to include African anti-colonial struggles.
Go deeper:
The Nigerian leader's words reflect a profound evolution in the global resistance movement. What began as a Shiite religious commemoration has now become a universal call for justice, echoing across continents and faiths.
The martyrdom of Imam Hussain in Karbala is no longer merely an Islamic narrative—it has become a blueprint for resistance against all forms of oppression.
In Africa, where Western powers continue their economic and political recolonization through debt, resource extraction, and proxy conflicts, the message of Ashura resonates deeply.
ahmad shirzadian - H.Hakimzadeh
