Standwithdignity: Hussain Podcast

Dr Noor Zaidi: Imam Hussain

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

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

Predicting Karbalā’ | The Chronicles of Karbala | Father Clohessy

ASHURA: A MOTIVATIONAL FORCE FOR ACTIVISM The story of Imam Hussain and Sayeda Zainab has moved individuals and communities to fight for justice and

A REVIEW OF HUSSAINI POETRY At the center of commemorative engagements is the use of poetry. Karbala has been narrated through poetry in

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

THE IMPACT OF KARBALA ON TRAVEL & TOURISM With visitors from across the globe, Karbala generates some of the most significant movements of people 

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

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.

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.

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.