Sunday 25 November 2012

Day Of Ashura

Yaum Al Ashura (Day of Ashura) marks many important events to Muslims, both Shia as well as Sunni. Many Sunni Muslims, for example, observe a voluntary day of fasting to observe the day that Prophet Moses (AS) freed the Israelites from the bondage of the Egyptian Pharaoh.

Along with this Muslims also remember this day as one of the most tragic events in Islamic history. Yaum Al Ashura (Day of Ashura) commemorates the Battle of Karbala (in present day Iraq) on the 10th of Moharram (61 AH).

The battle marks the conflict between a small group of supporters and the family of Imam Hussein ibn Ali, son of Ali ibn Abu Talib and grandson of Mohammed (PBUH) and a much larger military detachment from the forces of Yazid I, the Umayyad caliph, whom Hussein had refused to recognise.

Hussein and all his supporters were killed, including Hussein's six month old infant son, Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn, and the women and children of Hussein's house were taken as prisoners. The dead are regarded as martyrs by Muslims, and the battle has a central place in Islamic history and is frequently referenced in  Islamic literature.

The events leading up to the tragedy at Karbala are at the heart of the schism that followed between the early Muslims. Even today, we are not free from the divisions; so whilst they exist and sectarianism continues to hurt the Muslims; let us remind ourselves that Moharram is both the blessed first month of the Muslim calendar and an official month of peace. 

Thursday 22 November 2012

A Family Is Like

A Family Is Like
© Nicole M. O'Neil

A family is like a circle
the connection never ends
and even if at times it breaks
in time it always mends

A family is like the stars
somehow there always there
families are those who help
who support and always care

A family is like a book
the endings never clear
but through the pages of the book
their love is always near

A family is many things
with endless words that show
who they are and what they do
and how they teach you so you know

But don’t be weary if it's broken
or if through time its been so worn
families are like that-
they're split up and always torn

But even if this happens
your family will always be
they help define just who you are
and will be apart of you eternally

  Dedicated to many many people ;)

Friday 16 November 2012

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