Birth Anniversary of Imam Hassan Al-Askari (a.s.) celebrated at the Islamic Centre of England

Image by The Islamic Centre of England

On the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of Imam Hassan Al-Askari (a.s.), a celebratory programme was held at the Islamic Centre of England and was attended by a number of Shia earlier this month. The discussion topic of the programme was on how to express the truth at a time when it is silenced.

The celebration was held on Thursday night, 3 November in Arabic, English and Farsi. HIWM Dr Bandar spoke in Arabic regarding how the truth was kept silenced at the time of Imam Hassan Al-Askari (a.s.) saying, “The style of Imamate is different during the time of each Imam.” He added, “During the time of Imam Hassan Al-Askari (a.s.), there was so much silencing that even a group was assigned to control the pregnancy of the Imam’s family so that the child of Imam Hassan Al-Askari (a.s.) would not be born.”

Dr Bandar continued, “Despite all the oppression of Imam Hassan Al-Askari (a.s.), they succeeded in being very secretive whilst expressing the truth. In addition, they were able to save the life of their noble son, Imam Zaman (a.j.t.f.) and bypassed all sanctions, restrictions and oppression in order to convey the truth to the Shia.”

Sheikh Bandar also pointed to the direct role of global imperialism in suppressing the truth in Islamic countries such as Iran, Lebanon, Iraq and other countries. He expressed hope that the evil of these plots and suppression of the truth is reduced and eventually totally lifted from the heads of the world’s oppressed.

Next to speak was HI Sheikh Meiam Ghasemi in English and Farsi.

Sheikh Ghasemi condemned the recent terrorist attacks on the holy shrine of Shah Cheragh in Shiraz, Iran. He then continued analysing the reasons for these times of suppression and silencing, “The cause of suppression is mostly due to greed of the worldly powers who in turn, prevent the expression of truth throughout the world by silencing and suppression.”

HI Ghasemi then referred to the existence of suppression and silencing during the time of Imam Hasan Al-Askari (a.s.) adding, “During the time of the Abbasid caliphs, Imam Hassan Al-Askari and his noble father, upon them be peace, were taken to Samarra and severely suppressed, in order to prevent the birth of Imam Zaman (a.j.t.f.) and also the expression of truth amongst Muslims.” However, Imam Hasan Al-Askari (a.s.) exposed the truth in three ways which included:

• Creation of an organisation for representation as well as the appointment of representatives
• Utmost endeavours and striving for clarification on Islamic matters
• Introducing topics in the form of questions.

The programme also showed special video clips to celebrate the birth of the eleventh Imam in Arabic and Farsi and ended with recitals in praise of the Ahlul-Bait (a.s.).