Hawzah News Agency (London,  UK) – Statement of the representatives of the Grand Ayatollahs and leaders of the Shia centres in England for the mourning ceremonies of the martyrdom of Hazrat Aba-Abdillah al-Hussain (AS) in the month of Muharram 1442 AH.

Once again, the month of Muharram has arrived, the tragic month of oppression that has always reawakened the conscience of history.

The followers of Imam Hussain (AS) from all over the world through flying the Hussaini flag mourn the martyrdom of the master of masters, Imam Hussain (AS) and his loyal companions

Preserving and keeping alive the annual mourning ceremonies for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and his comrades in Karbala alive is essential in transferring the Ashura culture our future generations in transmitting the voice of the oppression of the Ahlulbayt (AS) to all corners of history.

Throughout history, the mourning ceremonies for Imam Hussain (AS) have grown year on year due to the importance of the personality of Imam (AS) himself and the tragedy that he endured.

In other words, due to the lofty position and personality of Imam Hussain (AS) in the ummah of Rasulullah SAWA, his martyrdom with his companions and the heart-rending calamity of the imprisoning of the family of Rasulullah SAWA; the mourning ceremonies in various historical eras would be increasingly passionate and effective in commemoration for such an esteemed personality.

Bearing in mind the necessity to revive the tragedy of ashura in the annual muharram mourning ceremonies for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) on the one hand, and on the other hand, the special conditions due to the covid-19 pandemic, we advise everybody to take the following precautions:

1- To prevent the spread of illness caused by the COVID-19 virus, everybody must act according to the related rules.

2- According to the edicts, fatwa, of most of the esteemed Maraji' HA, causing reinfection of the COVID-19 illness through breaking the related rules is impermissible according to Islamic law.

3- According to the new rules issued, it is prohibited to hold an indoor gathering of more than 30 people.

 4- Doctors and specialists have persistently stressed the importance of social distancing and the duty to act according to the related rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

 5- Specialists have forecasted a very high likelihood for a second wave of the COVID-19 illness.

Following the above, it is advised that the special programmes for the month of Muharram in the coming Hijri year 1442 AH, as was in the month of Ramadhan, are held online. We, therefore, invite our dear brothers and sisters in faith to abide by the medical advice and to follow the special programmes of Muharram through social media platforms:

Seyed Mortaza Keshmiri

Seyed Fadhil Milania

Shaikh Ali Alemi

Seyed Muhammad Al-Mousavi

Seyed Ali Reza Razavi