The Ashura uprising embodies resistance. Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions exposed hypocrisy, rejected falsehood, and revived the spirit of martyrdom through their defiance. Historically, Ashura paved the way for movements like the Tawwabin Uprising, Mukhtar’s Revolt, and Zayd ibn Ali’s stand. Today, resistance remains a blueprint for confronting injustice-including struggles against the Zionist regime. As Francis Fukuyama noted: “Shiism is a bird flying beyond Western reach. It has two wings: green (Mahdism and justice-seeking) and red (Ashura and martyrdom), armored by Wilayat al-Faqih.”
Modern examples include Iran’s islamic Revolution triumphing over monarchy, Iraq’s imposed war against Ba’athist aggression, and the steadfastness of Hezbollah in Lebanon, Ansarullah in Yemen, Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad against Zionist occupation.
The Ashura spirit fueled Iran’s eight-year Sacred Defense victory despite enemy superiority. The late Imam Khomeini declared: “We entered battle like hussein (AS)-prepared for martyrdom.” American Professor Bill acknowledged during the war: “Martyrdom-seeking sustains Iran’s revolution.”
John L. Esposito highlights how Iran’s 1978-1979 revolution reshaped muslim/Arab worlds as an ideological catalyst. Southern Lebanese youth drew from both this revolution and Imam Hussein’s legacy to resist Zionist-American forces. Hezbollah’s late Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah asserted: “Karbala teaches eternal victory-we answer ‘Labbaik Ya Hussein!’ with our lives.”
Ahmad al-Imam of Ansarullah stated to webangah News Agency that Imam Hussein inspires global anti-oppression struggles-evident in Iranian-Lebanese-Yemeni-Iraqi-Palestinian resistance to US-Zionist hegemony.
Abdul-Malik al-Houthi credits ashura principles for Yemen’s resilience during Saudi-lead aggression backed by Washington-forcing Riyadh toward ceasefire talks after eight years.
Sheikh Akram al-Kaabi of Iraq’s PMF affiliates emphasized liberation theology rooted in Imam Khomeini’s teachings to free Muslim lands from imperialism.
beyond Shiism figures like Mahatma Gandhi studied Karbala as India’s independence model while Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah called it unparalleled bravery demanding emulation by all Muslims.
The tragedy transcends faith lines converting figures like Italy’s Eduardo Agnelli who embraced Islam before being martyred or American Diana Trongoso adopting Islam inspired by Husseini ideals.
“Husseini vs Yazidi fronts persist across eras,” notes Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei comparing swords past with AI-age battles today where Palestine mirrors Karbala’s moral clarity against oppression’s modern incarnations proving justice struggles remain timelessly relevant.
