Explore every episode of the podcast Standwithdignity: Hussain Podcast

Concealed behind his half-brother al-Hussain , elusive and enigmatic, as though reluctant to draw attention to himself, Abu al-Fadl al-Abbäs would eventually be propelled into pre-eminence by history, revered by millions as 'the water bearer', the father of excellence, and the moon of the Hashemites.

Dr. Sayed Moustafa Qazwini will take us on a journey to The Path of Imam Hussain (a) that led to the events of Karbala.

Dr Noor Zaidi: Imam Hussain

Pastor Kenneth J Flowers: Senior Pastor, Detroit, MI - Imam Hussain Day

The Zaynab-Ibn Ziyād Dialogues | The Chronicles of Karbala | Father Clohessy

al-Saqqā’. al-Abbās at the Euphrates’ | The Chronicles of Karbala | Father Clohessy

Nothing but beauty. Zaynab at Karbalā’ | The Chronicles of Karbala | Father Clohessy

The Writing on the Wall | The Chronicles of Karbala | Father Clohessy

Predicting Karbalā’ | The Chronicles of Karbala | Father Clohessy

SPACE, TIME & THE HUSSANI MOVEMENT

While having Imam Bargahs assigned within homes is a fairly common practice, the pandemic and high inflation has

ASHURA: A MOTIVATIONAL FORCE FOR ACTIVISM

The story of Imam Hussain and Sayeda Zainab has moved individuals and communities to fight for justice and

ASHURA WORLDWIDE: ASSESSING CHANGING NOTIONS OF JUSTICE

European grassroots NGO called Ashura Worldwide, which was launched in Milan in 2014. This NGO has members in

A REVIEW OF HUSSAINI POETRY

At the center of commemorative engagements is the use of poetry. Karbala has been narrated through poetry in

LESSONS IN MENTAL STRENGTH & RESILIENCE FROM KARBALA

THE GREEN PILGRIM: A STEP TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE ARBAEEN

Iraq has witnessed a significant increase in participation in the Arbaeen March, one of the world's largest peaceful

ASSESSING RISK AND LADY ZAINAB'S ACTIONS BEYOND KARBALA

in the 7th Century AD Zainab bint Ali, the granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad asked her nephew Imam

THE IMPACT OF KARBALA ON TRAVEL & TOURISM

With visitors from across the globe, Karbala generates some of the most significant movements of people 

GEOMORPHOLOGY OF NAJAF & KARBALA

Exploring the study and evolution of landforms that were both directly and indirectly caused by humans over centuries. Exploring the study and evolution of landforms that were both directly and indirectly caused by humans over centuries, and in turn, influenced the region’s cultures. In this panel, Aliya speaks about its redesign and technologies that can be used to study the region.

Join Moderator Raza Jafri & Aliya Karmali, MLA, University of Toronto.

HUSSAIN FOR ME, HUSSAIN FOR YOU, HUSSAIN FOR EVERYONE.

FLUIDITY IN COMMEMORATION  

The mourning for Karbala takes on radically different versions across cultures. By all definitions, culture provides a design.The mourning for Karbala takes on radically different versions across cultures. By all definitions, culture provides a design for living, and studies reveal a significant role of culture in how Karbala is mourned – from the “Creolization” of mourning in the Caribbean to the propagation of blood donation drives, the space for Hussaini commemorations is both fluid and contentious. This panel studies how and why culture remains such a key influence in commemoration.  Join Moderator Ali Al Nijjar , Lecturer & Fizza Joffery, Ph.D., University of Oxford.  Ali Al Najjar: Ali Al-Najjar is one of the youngest and most influential Islamic lecturers in the west. He has lectured internationally in countries including Africa, UK, Canada and the United States of America. His father Islamic scholar Husham Al-Husainy is the director and founder of the Karbala Islamic Center in Dearborn, Michigan. Al-Najjar currently resides in Dearborn, MI. He is completing his academic studies in Islamic Studies and Psychology, at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.  Fizza Joffery: Graduate student of religion and anthropology, I'm a doctoral student in the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford. My research interests lie at the intersection of religion, politics, and culture. My focus is specifically on Pakistani Shiism. Writer + Researcher + Accumulator of Endless Projects

BEYOND THE PARTITION: HOW LAHORE SHAPES AZADARI IN THE DIASPORA 

 Although the Partition of India and Pakistan is often seen to have created a boundary between the two  Although the Partition of India and Pakistan is often seen to have created a boundary between the two countries, Azadari rituals have created bridges for sharing and exchange. From the cross-border sharing of eulogies and mourning patterns to the movement of clerics and recitors, Azadari has built a bond between the two countries. In this session, we explore these bonds and examine the impact this has had on relations between the two countries and how that shapes Azadari in diaspora communities.  Keynote: Sadia Uddin, Ph.D Candidate, York University   Sadia Uddin is a Ph.D. candidate in the Humanities programme at York University. Her doctoral research examines how Muslim women are morally regulated and omitted from sociopolitical and narrative discourses using policies that are justified through cultural, religious and gendered politics in Pakistan. She has completed her Honours Bachelor’s in Political Science and South Asian Studies and also holds a Professional Certificate in Public Administration and Law, a diploma in Asian Studies and a Masters in Humanities from York University. Sadia’s research interests include postcolonial literature, public policy, human rights, religious minorities and extremism, gender violence, cultural studies, Islam and Pakistan.  HUSSAIN FOR ME, HUSSAIN FOR YOU, HUSSAIN FOR EVERYONE.

NEUROSCIENCE OF AZADARI: HOW AZADARI HAS SHAPED OUR BRAINS

  Our brain is now trained to recapitulate the events of Karbala by activating some specific networks that promote it. Our brain is now trained to recapitulate the events of Karbala by activating some specific networks that promote empathy, a sense of sacrifice, righteousness, courage to stand up to a tyrant and support for the oppressed. It is important to note that the same networks are activated when we recall the attributed names of the Almighty.  Keynote by Dr. Naweed Syed, Neuroscientist   In his research, Dr. Syed utilizes modern, state-of-the-art electrophysiological, patch clamp, time-lapse video and fluorescence imaging, cell culture and molecular biological techniques. His prime interest is in the cellular and molecular basis of rhythm generation and specific synapse formation. Dr. Syed specifically studies the intrinsic and network properties of various neuronal ensembles which underlie rhythmic behaviours. He is also interested in investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying nervous system development, plasticity, regeneration and degeneration. His lab also pioneered several neuron-chip interfacing technologies to monitor brain cell activities from cultured and intact brain slices in both invertebrate and vertebrate neurons.  HUSSAIN FOR ME, HUSSAIN FOR YOU, HUSSAIN FOR EVERYONE.

SOCIAL MEDIA & THE #HUSSAIN MOVEMENT

 Campaigns such as #whoisHussain have opened up a necessary conversation around the role of social media in generating  Campaigns such as #whoisHussain have opened up a necessary conversation around the role of social media in generating awareness around Karbala. New Media theorists caution against the use of social media for the sake of production alone – instead, given the hermeneutics involved, we are advised to analyze engagement. How can social media be used to effectively further the conversation? Is there a need to coach the next cohort of Hussaini influencers?  Join Moderator Zainab Zaidi alongside Ghazi Taimoor, Personal Blogger & Mehak Ali, Blogger.  Ghazi Taimoor: Graduated from Harvard and is a social media personal blogger, spreading the love of the AhleBayt through his personal journey and personalities he meets along the way that shares the same interest  Mehak Ali: Mother of 2, leading multiple DNVB brands , with special interest on chemical free sustainable products  HUSSAIN FOR ME, HUSSAIN FOR YOU, HUSSAIN FOR EVERYONE.

MOURNING AS A POLITICAL PARLANCE

 The inspirational ethos of Karbala to stand up against oppression remains undoubted. However, how do eulogies and self-flagellation  The inspirational ethos of Karbala to stand up against oppression remains undoubted. However, how do eulogies and self-flagellation impact the political milieu? This panel studies poems such as Agha Shahid Ali’s Muharram in Srinagar and discusses their impact on political reasoning. While a tricky question, this panel discusses the role of mourning ceremonies in disrupting political hegemonies and offering new rationales.  Keynote: Avi Astor, Professor, Department De Sociologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.   HUSSAIN FOR ME, HUSSAIN FOR YOU, HUSSAIN FOR EVERYONE.

VR, AR & The Karbala Metaverse 

 The release of VR Karbala ushered in a new model of experiencing the events of Karbala. While VR  The release of VR Karbala ushered in a new model of experiencing the events of Karbala. While VR Karbala evoked a significant emotional response, it advanced the conversation on how effective VR, AR and gamified delivery can shape the Karbala narrative. The objective here is not only to evaluate the effectiveness of these new technologies but also to determine the support structures and training required to continue to scale them. The time is not far off where a conversation about an Imambargah or Hussainiya in the Metaverse will emerge. The Shia diaspora is spread globally, and with the rising costs of living, we are witnessing a movement of Shia families into rural, remote communities with limited to no physical centres to access. What will the virtual Imambargah look like going into the future, and what are the core activities we need to initiate to support the global Shia community?

THE ART OF KARBALA

  We are surrounded by signs of God. Art represents symbols and signs that evoke the heart to see  We are surrounded by signs of God. Art represents symbols and signs that evoke the heart to see and feel that words fail to convey. Art representing Imam Hussain, therefore, becomes a means to connect to the Divine through Imam Hussain- a divine symbol of love and truth.  Join Moderator Hussein Sajjad Hussein and Fatimah Agha Public Speaker.  Fatimah Agha has been a public speaker on Islam and spirituality for the past 14 years. She is a mother to three children, with the eldest being 14 years old. Fatimah began her public role as a speaker for children, and being a mother has been the most important part of her learning journey. She is presently an outreach student in Islamic mysticism and philosophy at the Al Mahdi Institute in Birmingham. Fatimah also has a leadership role on the MindValley ) forum as an ambassador/coach for their " Awaken the Species Program". Being an Islamic visual artist, and a Spiritual-Art teacher she combines her mystical inclinations and meditation practice with her passion for artistic expression as a path to connecting with the Divine, the One who is nothing but beauty.

 Spending a Day with Shia's as a Sunni Muslim 

Jesus (as): Spread Religion by the Sword | Dr. Sayed Ammar Nakshawani

Jesus and the Mahdi (as): The Second Coming | Dr. Sayed Ammar Nakshawani

Is the Prophet Muhammad (saw) in the Bible? | Dr. Sayed Ammar Nakshawani

Jesus’ Death? The Crucifixion | Dr. Sayed Ammar Nakshawani

Jews reject Jesus (as): The False Messiah | Dr. Sayed Ammar Nakshawani

Jesus (as): The Trinity | Dr. Sayed Ammar Nakshawani

Jesus (as): 10 Miracles & Water into Wine | Dr. Sayed Ammar Nakshawani

Imam Ali (as) & Prophet Jesus (as): Forgiveness, Love & Mercy

Imam Ali (as) & Prophet Jesus (as): Poor, Orphans & Widows

Imam Ali (as) & Prophet Jesus (as): Worldliness & Spirituality | Dr. Sayed Ammar Nakshawani

Imam Ali (as) & Prophet Jesus (as): Gods or Mortals? | Dr. Sayed Ammar Nakshawani

Is Jesus (as) the Son of God? | Dr. Sayed Ammar Nakshawani

Muslims Celebrating Christmas: Jesus’ Birth?

 Jesus’ Birth: Virgin Mary or Fornication?

Yahya’s Wisdom: Proof for Imamate

The Martyr: John the Baptist (as) 

Mary (as): Orphan Inspires Zecheriah (as)

Was Mary (a.s) a Prophet (e.s.s) ? 

Mary (as): Asiya, Khadija & Fatima (as)

Mary (as): The Feminist Archetype?

Jesus’ Grandparents: Imran and Hanna (as)

Reconstructing the Muslim Jesus: Hadith Fabrications & Lies 

Prophets in the Bible: Drunk & Incestual 

Did the Quran copy the Bible?