Acclaimed Pakistani Essay Calls Ashura a Global Test of Conscience
Acclaimed Pakistani Essay Calls Ashura a Global Test of Conscience
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In a thought-provoking piece published by Pakistan’s semi-official Express Tribune, renowned academic and journalist Syed Jalal Hussain argues that Ashura is more than a historical tragedy — it is an enduring moral challenge for humanity.
Titled “The Crimson Sky of Muharram,” the widely shared essay questions whether people today truly stand with Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) or remain silent spectators. Hussain describes Karbala as a pivotal human moment where swords were met not by armies but by moral conviction, framing it as an annual ethical mirror for individuals and institutions alike.
Connecting Karbala’s message to modern crises — from refugee camps to political silence — Hussain warns that neutrality in the face of injustice is itself complicity. He calls for a rethinking of silence, power, and responsibility, reminding readers that the tragedy of Karbala was shaped not only by swords but by voices that chose silence. His closing question resonates: Who will you become when your moment comes?
