Muharram has returned The dust of Karbala stirs once more As hearts across the world echo ‘we are with you Husain’.
ASHARA HUSSEINIYA
With generous support from a compassionate global community, Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya facilitated Majalis al Husain over the first 10 days of Muharram at 46 community centres in Kwale, Mombasa, Makueni and Taita Taveta counties of Kenya.
Ashara Husainiya commemorations in Rural Kenya
Whilst the majority of majalis were held at community centres, a handful were organized in small villages located in the close vicinity of the centres – at the homes of community members who wished to host the gatherings and welcome Imam al Hujjah and Lady Fatima Zahra into their humble abodes. Sunni Shiekhs were invited at some centres and they not only obliged, but fully participated in the azadari.
Tabarruk was provided daily by way of juice and biscuits and on Ashura Day, meat pilaw was served, having been kindly prepared by enthusiastic volunteers.
Other noteworthy initiatives included special supplications of the Day of Ashura, Qur’an recitation and tafseer sessions, Youth dialogue circles and charity drives. To further engage children and youth, coloring books were handed out at all madaris and other activities included quizzes and essay writing. Social and humanitarian outreach programs included large peaceful processions, mawkibs handing out drinks and charity drives for needy community members.
A session comprising some of the recommended duas and prayers for the Day of Ashura was captured live at Ar-Ridha Centre in the semi-rural town of Mtongwe. The session continued with maraathi, a heart wrenching recitation from the maqtal and latmiyat, as cries of ‘Ya Hussain Habibi’ and ‘Labbayka ya Shaheed’ resonated through the centre – all of which was livestreamed on our YouTube channel.
