My Condolences, to Humanity.

Salam Alaykom, 

It is with a heavy heart that I greet you tonight for this night is like no other. This night, little under 1400 years ago, was a night of farewell and grief. This night was a precursor to the greatest day that changed the very course of history. 

In the past, I would condole mainly my brothers and sisters in faith but now realise how mistaken I am. I condole each and every one of my brothers and sisters in humanity for the calamity of the master of martyrs, Imam Hussain (as) and his holy household. 

Upon this night, righteousness resided in one camp. You could hear their voices raised in prayer throughout the night, busying themselves with the sweetness of worship as bees busy themselves with honey. The opposite camp got drunk, sang and celebrated in a manner that does not befit someone with claims of religiosity or Islam. 

This was the night before bodies became indistinguishable from the swords and arrows. This was the night before a 3 month old was killed; before heads were raised upon spears; before tents were burned; before women and children became prisoners of war and were paraded from city to city. 

The calamity of this great man and his family shook the very thrones of tyrants and the eternal message left from it is one that should still shake these thrones. This man inspired some of the greatest minds in history today, so I urge you to all take a moment to ponder upon why he does so. What is it about this man and his plight that makes me extend my condolences to people I don't even know? His calamity is the greatest of calamities in both the Earth and the heavens; it even makes the angels weep. 

To my fellow brothers and sisters in humanity: ask, learn, search and understand the powerful message of this man and realise the greatness of his calamity for I swear by my Lord, he leaves something for everyone and will move even the coldest of hearts. I pass on my deepest and warmest condolences to you upon this eve and pray you all use this day to come closer to whatever higher power you believe in and understand the greatness and universality of the story of Karbala. 

With duaas.. until next time. 

Ws.