Seminar on IMAM HUSAIN (AS) held at the IBA City Campus on May 19, 2011 in APWA’s Auditorium

1. Tilawat by Ali Hyder Zaidi

Ali Hyder Zaidi recited Surah Juma (62: 1—11) with translation,

“Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth declares the Glory of Allah, the King, the Holy, the Mighty, the Wise………..the death from which you flee will surely overtake you……and He will inform you of that which you did…….O you who believe! when the call is made for prayer on Friday, then hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trading………..but when the prayer is ended, then disperse in the land and seek of Allah’s Grace and remember Allah much that you may be successful……….Allah is the best of sustainers”

2. Naat was recited by Imran Hemani

      “Rasool e Khuda ki ghulamee mein kia hai

       Tum unki ghulami mein aa kar tho dekho”

3. The first Speaker was Allama Ali Murtaza Zaidi

Allama Ali Murtaza started by emphasizing the importance of history. He said that there is a lot of history in the Quran and with a purpose. Pharoah and Hazrat Moosa AS typify the characters found in all times and knowing the history helps us prepare responses to similar situations in all times. He said that the battle of Imam Husain (AS) with Yazid aimed at saving Islam.  Imam Husain (AS) emerged victorious. For, victory is gauged by the popularity of Imam Husain’s (AS) thought in all times to come and total rejection of Yazid and Yazideeat. He cited a Hadith of the Holy Prophet SAWW according to which the Prophet SAWW had said that Hasan AS and Husain AS would guard the Message of God that Imam Husain (AS) –SyeduShuhada guarded by giving a Supreme Sacrifice.

       Allama Ali Murtaza communicated two of Imam Husain’s (AS) very meaningful messages for the people in which there are immense lessons for the youth of today:

·         Everything that you do should be reinforced with character

·         A last message of  Imam Husain’s (AS) to Yazidi Lashkar was, “If you do not believe in Deen and if you do not believe in Qiamat, then at least be free men.”

And, this was Allama Ali Murtaza’s message to the students of IBA. He said that IBA graduates should not become an identical part of systems not functioning too well. Rather, IBA graduates should be known and remembered for the reform they should be undertaking in their zones of influence as free souls in our society.

4. The second Speaker was Maulana Kaukab Noorani Okarvi

Maulana Kaukab Noorani paid glowing tributes to Imam Husain. He said that the name Husain was given by his grandfather who was none other than the Prophet Muhammad SAWW himself. The Prophet SAWW said that the new born would be kind and thus the name Husain. Maulana Kaukab informed that the new born Husain sucked the Prophet’s SAWW tongue immediately after birth and it was little wonder then that “Imam Aali Maqam,” ala Maulana Kaukab, reflected the traits of his grandfather Prophet SAWW, that is, Jamal e Rasool. Maulana Kaukab elaborated on the Prophet’s SAWW Hadith, “Husain is from me and I am from Husain.” Maulana Kaukab said that Yazid was hell bent on obtaining allegiance from Imam Aali Maqam so that he could then rule in peace. The Maulana accepted that Yazid had been violating Shariat that included drinking and permitting marriages with mehrams.

       Maulana Kaukab said that people want to know why there has not been another Husain. And, the answer, he said is that there hasn’t been another Janaab e Sayyada to raise another Husain. Imam Aali Maqam is the only one who has left an indelible mark on history and on the future of humankind. Imam Husain gave this sacrifice even though his compatriots were advising him to the contrary. He thus passed the test that God had laid down for him. Maulana Kaukab said that some people are tested with hunger, some with thirst, some with fear, and some with loss of life and property. But, Imam Aali Maqam, the Maulana said, was tested with all inspite of which the Imam emerged victorious. After Imam Husain’s martyrdom, the ladies remained steadfast and Imam’s sister Bibi Zainab communicated the Truth in the Darbar of Ibn Ziad (in Kufa) and that of Yazid (in Damascus).

5. Maulana Kaukab Noorani’s speech was followed by a stimulating Q & A session.

6. Q & A were followed by the address of the Chairperson Prof. Shabih Haider

who also presented his poetic tribute entitled “SAJDA”. His Marsya is given below:

7. The Registrar, IBA, Captain (R) Ahmed Zaheer presented his concluding remarks:

Captain (R) Ahmed Zaheer was very pleased with the high intellectual level at which the Seminar was conducted. He was particularly impressed by the level of patience and tolerance shown towards difference in opinion. He was impressed by the large number of audience. The Registrar said that this was the first time that he had seen the upper gallery also occupied.

8. The Registrar’s address was followed by a vote of thanks and plaques were presented to the two speakers and the chairperson.