Speaking to Hawzah News Agency, Hojatoleslam Ebrahim Bahari described the Ashura event as an unparalleled occurrence in human history, one that provides a comprehensive blueprint for truth-seekers battling the forces of oppression and global arrogance.
"The confrontation between Imam Hussein (PBUH) and the camp of Yazid is not confined to Karbala; it extends throughout history and is more visible than ever in the present age," Bahari stated.
Karbala: Where All Rules of War Were Shattered
The seminary professor drew sharp contrasts between pre-Ashura battles and the tragedy of Karbala, noting that even in warfare, certain codes of chivalry were traditionally observed. He cited the duel between Imam Ali (PBUH) and Amr ibn Abd Wudd, where despite unequal conditions, a measure of fairness prevailed on the battlefield.
"In Ashura, however, every unwritten rule was broken," Bahari emphasized. "The enemies not only discarded the ethical principles of war but trampled upon the most basic human rights. Denying water to a six-month-old infant—Hazrat Ali al-Asghar (PBUH)—stands as a glaring testament to the depth of cruelty unleashed at Karbala."
He added that this very injustice has become the yardstick by which all oppression is measured, with the oppressed and the free being likened to figures such as Qasim, Ali Akbar, and Abbas ibn Ali (PBUH).
Global Reach: From Christian Thinkers to Zionist-Occupied Jerusalem
Bahari underscored the growing global resonance of Imam Hussein's (PBUH) movement, noting that even non-Muslims have acknowledged its moral grandeur.
"Christian scholars and Western intellectuals who have studied Imam Hussein speak of the majesty of his uprising and present it as an ethical model for all humanity," he said.
He pointed to a Shia studies conference held in occupied Jerusalem—attended by Jewish and Christian thinkers—where participants identified Ashura and the concept of Awaited Savior as the twin engines of Shia Islam, driving the community forward through centuries.
Battle for Narrative: Distortion Efforts vs. Expanding Discourse
The scholar warned of ongoing attempts to distort or dilute the message of Ashura, yet stressed that such efforts are failing.
"While certain quarters work to sanitize or falsify what happened at Karbala, the Ashura discourse is in fact expanding—not only across the Islamic world but beyond it," Bahari declared.
He pointed to the millions-strong processions, the rising tide of converts drawn to the Imam's message of steadfastness, and the growing academic interest in Karbala as evidence of this irreversible momentum.
Islamic Republic: Ashura in Practice
Turning to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Bahari argued that the country is actively translating Ashura's concepts into social reality.
"The culture of sacrifice, resistance, and solidarity we witness in Iranian society is directly drawn from this school," he said. "It is the same culture that reveals itself in times of hardship and crisis, where people, despite economic pressures, maintain a spirit of mutual aid and collective resilience."
He noted that from the eight-year Sacred Defense to the recent imposed wars and the popular mobilization that followed, the Iranian nation has consistently drawn from the wellspring of Karbala.
Struggle Continues Until Arrogance Is Vanquished
Echoing the words of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Bahari concluded: "Imam Khomeini said that as long as disbelief and oppression exist, the struggle continues. Today, that path persists—anchored in the culture of Ashura and the faith of the people."
He reaffirmed that the front of truth, armed with the lessons of Karbala, remains unbowed in its confrontation with the Yazidi powers of the contemporary world, asserting that this sacred struggle will press forward until justice prevails.
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