Shia Kuwait and the Ashura
since the englishman dr. edward jenner, the pioneer of immunology, discovered the smallpox vaccine in 1796, a significant percentage of people, even today, oppose taking vaccines.
this resistance has prompted conscious governments to impose vaccinations by force, much like c o m p u l s o r y education, under penalty of punishment.
such government interventions are beneficial to society. a recent example is the a u t h o r i t i e s ’ intervention to limit certain “foreign” aspects of the month of muharram, which many shiite jurists, preachers, and ayatollahs have acknowledged as having become a concerning security and social issue over time.
it’s important to note that the rituals of ashura have evolved significantly from what they once were. new and strange elements have been introduced, often from neighboring countries, and have suddenly been deemed “holy,” making them untouchable despite their recent origins.
the absence of these new rituals would not diminish the dignity of the occasion or its significance to believers, who cherish it beyond religious and sectarian trading, and in the spirit of reason and logic. this extreme exaggeration in performing rituals has become an excuse for the extremism of others. therefore, the authorities had to intervene to curb the extremism from all sides.
it is not permissible for anyone to publicly accuse others of blasphemy, ridicule their behavior, or prohibit their food or rituals through various media outlets without accountability
exaggeration often stems from a lack of security. the more secure a person feels, the less noise they make, the fewer locks and keys they have in their life, and the less suspicious they are of others. one of the authorities’ tasks is to spread reassurance and security in people’s hearts.
we reiterate that the recent actions taken by the interior ministry, despite not agreeing with all its decisions, were necessary. extremism leads to more extremism, exaggeration begets further exaggeration, and tolerating today’s transgressions will encourage greater transgressions tomorrow.
wise shiites and sunnis alike are calling for a return to the “ashura” they knew and cherished, characterized by dignity and simplicity, free from intrusive banners, exaggerated additions, competitive meal offerings, and expanded public displays.
they long for an ashura rooted in sincere feelings and selfesteem, avoiding the excesses of various practices. the true message of ashura lies in remembering the greatness of the occasion and the majesty of the sacrifice; learning from it, and following its example with rationality and logic, rather than spreading hatred and threats, which only breed more enmity and animosity.
we must learn from the experiences of other societies, recognizing how some have exploited the naivety of the common people, transforming this solemn and sacred occasion into a series of extremist manifestations that produce no meaningful outcomes.
these manifestations sometimes last for forty days without interruption, turning what was once unknown and undesired into “sacred rituals” that are deemed untouchable.
