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8 November 2025 / 18 Jamaadi al Ula 1447

The World Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim Communities - serving with simplicity and sincerity, enabling and facilitating all community endeavours

The World Federation is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations

Vision Statement

The World Federation exists to achieve the pleasure of Allah SWT by developing spiritual and vibrant communities serving humanity

Mission Statement

The World Federation enables its member institutions to promote the values and practices of the Islamic Shia Ithna Asheri Faith for the spiritual and material well being of humanity at large

Journey of Tears

Dear brothers and sisters,

In response to the requests made to write an account of the tragedy of Kerbala, I have decided to post excerpts from the book called Journeys of Tears published by the Wessex Jamaat where it has been my privilege to be a resident religious instructor since 1988.

In 1989 we decided to create an awareness amongst our youngsters of the tragedy of Kerbala, its pathos, its impact and its message. To this ene, we began to have children's majaalis during the twelve days. They were encouraged to host the majlis turn by turn, recite, and take charge of maatam and tabarruqaat etc. I would prepare the material for them. Alhamdulillah the tradition continues to this day.

At the opening of the Al Mahdi Center we compiled all the majaalis in a book-let under the title "Journeys of Tears" and distributed copies to mark the opening.

The majaalis in the book although on the whole factually authentic, as the material has been borrowed from various books of majaalis, marthias and masaa'ib recited by eminent Zakireen, no one can really on a question of masaa'ib say with conviction that this is what did happen. This posting includes a few chapters, and if you wish me to continue to post the remaining chapters I shall be very happy to do so.

Please remember me in your prayers in the forthcoming ayyam-e-aza.

With salaams and du'aas from an humble servant of Ahlul Bayt and their followers,

Bashir Rahim

THE HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF AZA-E-HUSSAIN

DEPARTURE FROM MADINA

THE FIRST JOURNEY - MADINA TO MECCA

HAZRAT MUSLIM A.S.

THE SECOND JOURNEY - MECCA TO KERBALA

QAIS IBNE MUSHEER

TIFLAAN-E-MUSLIM

HAZRAT HUR

HAZRAT MUSLIM BIN AWSAJA