Hawzah News Agency- the event coincided with the unveiling of the book “Al-Hussein: Karbala, the Martyrdom of the Prophet’s Grandson” by Tunisian author Hichem Gacem. The gathering brought together a group of academics and intellectuals to examine the universal human values that the tragedy of Karbala continues to embody in the collective consciousness.
Karbala and the Question of the Human Conscience
Jafar Morvarid, the Cultural Attaché of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Tunisia, opened the session by stating that the book is not merely a retelling of historical events or a traditional biography. Rather, it strives to answer a profound question: How did Karbala transform from a historical incident into a global human symbol? And how is it that Imam Hussein (PBUH), after 14 centuries, remains more present in the human conscience than many kings, conquerors, and powerful rulers?
Morvarid stressed that the book’s significance lies in its publication within a cultural environment—the Arab Maghreb—unaccustomed to extensive writings about Imam Hussein. He noted that the Maghreb region, particularly Tunisia, lacks independent publications on this revered figure.
The Iranian cultural official explained that the book explores the views of the great poet and thinker Muhammad Iqbal, who believed that Imam Hussein (PBUH) restored the spirit of freedom and dignity to the Ummah. In this view, Ashura preserved not only the memory of Imam Hussein but the very moral soul of Islam. Morvarid drew a link between the book and the thought of Algerian intellectual Malek Bennabi, who stressed that civilizations are built not on material power, but on ethical ideas. In Morvarid’s assessment, Karbala represents the moment that safeguarded the ethical conscience of Islamic civilization. He added that the book raises questions about humanity's inner struggle between "truth" and "expediency."
A Resounding Cry for Freedom and Justice
For his part, Mir Masoud Hosseinian, Iran’s Ambassador to Tunisia, observed that a symbol is far stronger than a singular event.
In an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the forum, the ambassador noted that while he was invited as a listener, he shared insights from his five-year tenure as Iran’s Consul General in Karbala (2014–2018), where he was responsible for coordinating the presence of Iranian pilgrims and service processions (Mawakib) during the Arbaeen season. He highlighted the extensive coordination required to welcome millions of pilgrims and the immense organizational responsibility borne by the Iranian processions in Karbala.
The ambassador concluded his remarks by describing the Arbaeen march as one of the miracles of Imam Hussein (PBUH), stressing that Imam Hussein is not a figure of the past but an enduring cry for freedom and justice.
Author’s Perspective: Hichem Gacem on Karbala as a Transnational Human Symbol
Author Hichem Gacem affirmed that his work goes beyond historical narration, delving deep into the question of how the Karbala event became a “global human symbol.”
Speakers unanimously agreed that the commemoration of Karbala has moved beyond a purely ritualistic dimension, reaching a profound human depth where Karbala constitutes the "moral authority" of the Ummah.
The forum concluded with an emphasis on the necessity of continuing such cultural dialogues between Iran and Tunisia to foster a shared awareness of the lofty values embodied by Imam Hussein (PBUH).
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