Sanaa: The Ministry of Culture and Tourism, along with its affiliated bodies, organized a commemorative event on Saturday on the occasion of Ashura, marking the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), funded by the Heritage and Cultural Development Fund. The event was attended by Ambassador Abdul-Ilah Hajar, Advisor to the President of the Supreme Political Council.
According to Yemen News Agency, Dr. Ali Al-Yafai, Minister of Culture and Tourism, emphasized the importance of commemorating Ashura to draw lessons from the life of Imam Hussein (pbuh) and follow his path. He addressed the tragedy of Karbala and the deviations that afflicted the Muslim nation, as well as the attempts by its enemies to undermine its symbols, leaders, and sanctities. He stressed that the reason for the Muslim Ummah's deviation from the true religion was its distance from the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his pure household.
Minister Al-Yafai noted that without the revolution of Imam Hussein, uprisings against injustice, arrogance, and tyrants might not have occurred. He highlighted that the tragedy of Karbala was a profound calamity for Imam Hussein and his family, emphasizing that the Yemeni people's commemoration of this event embodies their loyalty to God, His Messenger (pbuh), Imam Ali (pbuh), and the guiding leaders.
The Minister reviewed the virtues of Imam Hussein and the values he upheld through his sacrifices in the face of injustice, as well as the principles he established to revive the religion of God and resist deviations from Islam. He pointed out that Imam Hussein's approach in revolting against tyranny is being renewed today in confronting the aggression coalition, resisting colonial, hegemonic projects, and standing against invasion and occupation.
Minister Al-Yafai asserted that the oppression faced by the descendants of the Prophet (pbuh) cannot be erased from the memory of generations, as their sacrifices represent a spirit of jihad and a path for Yemen's heroes in achieving victory and thwarting the plots of aggression and its mercenaries. He explained that commemorating Ashura reflects the Yemeni people's love for Imam Hussein and their connection to him.
He affirmed that Imam Hussein was a guiding light for the nation, not seeking worldly positions but rather striving for the reform of the Ummah and sacrificing for the sake of truth. The commemoration is seen as an opportunity to reinforce the values of patience, steadfastness in truth, and confronting falsehood.
Dr. Issam Al-Sanini, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, also attended the event. Cultural activist Muhammad Sharafuddin underscored the importance of commemorating Ashura to recognize the injustice suffered by Imam Hussein and to draw lessons from it. He noted that Imam Hussein's revolution immortalized values that are evident today, as they embody principles carried forward with unwavering resolve.
Sharafuddin highlighted the virtues and sacrifices of Imam Hussein, his defense of truth against tyranny, and his Quranic and jihad-oriented path, despite the injustices he faced. He emphasized that commemorating his martyrdom sends a message of the greatness, resilience, and steadfastness of the Yemeni people, who continue to follow the path of the revolution upheld by the descendants of the noble Prophet.