Some background on Karbala
From Pak Tribune:
it is important to have a look at the history of the Shiite community. This nation, which accepts “Hazrat Ali” as its First Imam, takes inspiration from he and his sons “Hasan” and “Hussain.” Every year on the eve of “Moharram,” remembering the sacrifice of its Third Imam, Hazrat Imam Hussain in Karbala, Shiites undertake astonishing deeds [SEE PHOTOS, left]. Such as the shedding of his own blood and walking on burning coals, following the ideal of Hazrat Ali that “Death with dignity is better than life with humiliation.”
Following this policy, Imam Hussain fought against the cruel Syrian Caliph Yazeed, and sacrificed all the members of his family to keep Islam alive. He didn’t accept Yazeed as an Islamic Caliph. It seems that this nation [the Shiites] will have to undergo the same type of test, and that another “Karbala” is coming its way. There is an assumption in the Shiite community: “In incidents like Karbala, martyrs live forever and no one remembers those that were cruel.”
[Editor’s Note: In 680, Imam Hussain, grandson of the prophet Muhammad, lead a revolt against the new Caliph, Yazeed. In the Battle of Karbala, the “large and professional army” of Caliph Yazeed squared off with Imam Hussain, whose forces are said to have consisted of 72 men and boys, 2 of whom were Hussain’s sons. Yazeed prevailed and Hussain and his sons were killed. Hussain was decapitated and his head was brought to Yazeed. It is one of the most important events in the Shiite calendar, and symbolizes a devotion to faith, even when facing tremendous odds and inevitable martyrdom.
But will the Shiite community in Iran be able to fight America as Imam Hussain fought Yazeed, and summon the courage to face the cruelty?
And the goings on in Karbala today.