Today is Saturday; 26^th of the Iranian month of Aban 1397 solar hijri; corresponding to 9^th of the Islamic month of Rabi al-Awwal 1440 lunar hijri; and November 17, 2018, of the Christian Gregorian Calendar.

1375 lunar years ago, on this day in 65 AH, Omar ibn Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, the commander of Yazid's army in the Battle of Karbala, was executed for his unpardonable sin of perpetrating the tragic martyrdom of Imam Husain (AS), his family, and his companions, including the 6-month old infant, Ali Asghar; decapitating the martyrs and mounting their heads on lances; trampling the corpses of martyrs by horses; and dragging as captives to the courts of the tyrants in Kufa and Damascus, the noble women and children of the household of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA). A seditious person throughout his life, Omar ibn Sa’d who failed to heed the earnest advice of Imam Husain (AS) before the battle to save his soul from perfidy, was executed by his own brother-in-law (i.e. his wife's brother), Mokhtar ibn Abi Obayda Thaqafi, a virtuous Muslim who had vowed to avenge the martyrdom of Imam Husain (AS). Mokhtar’s uprising succeeded in driving out the Omayyads from Iraq and bringing to justice all the principal killers of the Prophet's grandson.

1180 lunar years ago, on this day in 260 AH, marks the first day of the divinely-decreed Imamate or leadership of mankind of Imam Mahdi (AS), the 12^th and Last Infallible Heir of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA). A day before his father, Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS), was martyred through poisoning. His mother was the noble and virtuous Greek lady, the Byzantine emperor’s granddaughter, Hazrat Narjis (SA), who on her mother's side she was descended from Simeon the loyal disciple of Prophet Jesus (AS). When he was orphaned the 12^th Imam was 5 years old and was brought up in secrecy, since the Abbasid caliphs were fearful of the Prophet’s famous hadith that the 12^th and the Last of his Infallible Heirs would rise as Qa'em al-Mahdi to cleanse the world of all traces of oppression and corruption by establishing the global government of peace, prosperity, and justice. The Abbasids launched a manhunt to find the orphaned boy but by God's Grace he was safe from his enemies in what is called the state of "Ghaybat as-Soghra” (Minor Occultation). In 329 AH, the "Ghaybat al-Kobra” (Major Occultation) started, which still continues, and by the Grace of God, the Redeemer of mankind, along with Prophet Jesus, will reappear in the end times when the earth would be filled with injustice.

740 solar years ago, on this day in 1278 AD, 680 Jews were arrested in England for counterfeiting coins, and 293 of them found guilty and hanged. Throughout European history Jews have been ostracized for their miserliness, charging of usury, and above all insulting the fundamental beliefs of Christians by slandering Prophet Jesus and his mother, Virgin Mary.

613 solar years ago, on this day in 1405 AD, Sharif al-Hashim established the Sultanate of Sulu comprising many of the islands of the Sulu Sea, parts of Mindanao, certain portions of present-day Sabah (then North Borneo) and North Kalimantan. Of Yemeni origin and born in Johore in what is now Malaysia, he was a direct descendant of the Martyr of Karbala, Imam Husain (AS), the younger grandson of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA). He promulgated the first Sulu code of laws called Diwan that were based on the holy Qur’an. He introduced Islamic political institutions and the consolidation of Islam as the state religion

599 lunar years ago, on this day in 841 AH, work started for construction of the Gowharshad Mosque in the southern courtyard of the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS), the 8^th Infallible Heir of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA). This magnificent mosque was built on the orders of Empress Gowharshad Begum, the virtuous Iranian wife of Shahrukh Mirza, the son and successor of the fearsome Turkic conqueror, Amir Timur. Gowharshad also set up a "waqf” (endowment) for maintenance of this grand mosque and its library. The architect was Qawwam od-Din Shirazi, who is responsible for so many of Shah Rukh's great buildings. The mosque’s portal continues the Samarqand style of arch within arch, enriched by a succession of bevels that give it depth and power. The thick, tower-like 40-meter high twin minarets, merging with the outer corners of the portal screen, extend to the ground and, together with the high foundation revetment of marble, give the ensemble the impression of solidity necessary to support its exuberant colour. The entire court facade is faced with enamel brick and mosaic faience of the finest quality. The full scale of colours includes a dominant cobalt blue and turquoise, white, a transparent green, yellow, saffron, aubergine and mirrorblack - all tones fluctuating through several shades. The mosque has an area of 9410 square meters. It has a big 50-meter high azure dome, four verandas, a courtyard and seven big shabestans (chambers for late night prayers). An inscription, written by Gowharshad’s son Baysunqur Mirza, who was a famous calligrapher of his time, still remains on the margins of the entrance of the veranda. Inside the mosque, near the prayer niche is a high exquisitely carved pulpit of walnut wood that was made in 1243 lunar hejira, without any nail or iron used in it. It is showcased in glass and no preacher sits on it, since it is reserved for the Lord of the Age, Imam Mahdi (AS), when he reappears.

526 solar years ago, on this day in 1492 AD, the prominent Persian poet and literary figure, Noor od-Din Abdur-Rahman Jami died in the Khorasani city of Herat, at the age of 78. Born in a family that had migrated from Isfahan to Khorasan, he went to Samarqand to learn Islamic sciences, literature and history, and visited several other lands, before settling in Herat. He has left behind a large number of works in prose and verse, including "Baharestan”. Jami has also composed beautiful odes in praise of Prophet Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny) and the Ahl al-Bayt.

460 solar years ago, on this day in 1558 AD, Elizabeth I ascended the throne of England at the age of 42 upon death of her half-sister Mary, thus starting the 45-year "Elizabethan Epoch” that gave national identity and stability to the country. The period is famous for the flourishing of English drama, led by playwrights such as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe, and for the seafaring prowess of English adventurers such as Francis Drake. The 5th and last ruler of the Tudor Dynasty, she remained unmarried and was succeeded on her death by King James of Scotland, who united the British Isles.

268 solar years ago, on this day in 1750 AD, French researcher, Nicolas Appert, was born. He discovered the method of pasteurization of food for removing microbes, which marks a major development for preserving foodstuffs. He died in 1841 mired in poverty.

222 solar years ago, on this day in 1796 AD, Empress Catherine the Great, the German wife of Tsar Peter III of Russia, died at the age of 67 after a reign of 34 years (following her husband’s death in 1762), and the news led to a humiliating retreat of Russian forces from the Caucasus in the midst of the war against Iran which she had started.

149 solar years ago, on this day in 1869 AD, Suez Canal, which links the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, was inaugurated. It was excavated by French engineer, Ferdinand de Lesseps in a period of ten years, covering a length of 168 km and width of 120 to 200 meters. Millennia prior to this date, Darius I, the Achaemenian Emperor of Iran who also ruled Egypt, and before him some Egyptian Pharaohs, had taken measures for connecting the Mediterranean and the Red Seas, which indicate the importance of this maritime route. The Suez Canal is considered as the border between the two continents of Asia and Africa. In 1956, Egypt nationalized the Canal, a move that made Britain, France, and the usurper Zionist entity called Israel, to launch a war. After initial success, the occupation troops were finally forced to evacuate the Suez Canal.

148 solar years ago, on this day in 1870 AD, the united German Empire was founded by Prussia following its victory over Denmark, Austria, and France. The main implementer of the unity plan was Otto von Bismarck, known as the Iron Chancellor. The German Empire, also known as the Second Reich, collapsed in 1918, following its defeat in World War I, and the Republic system was established in Germany.

96 solar years ago, on this day in 1922 AD, with the exile to Italy of the 36th Ottoman Sultan, Mohammad VI, after a 4-year reign, following the Turkish Grand Assembly’s decision on November 1 to abolish the monarchy, the state that was declared independent of Seljuqid rule in 1299 by Osman Khan Ghazi, came to its end after six centuries of rule over the regions overlapping Asia, Europe and Africa. The Sultan who was also stripped of his dubious role as caliph, which was handed to his cousin, Abdul-Majid II for the next year-and-a-half before its abolishment in 1924, died in exile in 1926 at the age of 65. Osman was the son of Etughrul Beg, a Turkic chieftain of Central Asia, who fleeing the Mongol onslaught had sought refuge in Asia Minor in the Seljuqid Sultanate of Roum, which appointed him Amir of a border principality to fight the Byzantine Empire with the help of Ghazis (holy warriors) streaming into what is now Turkey from different Islamic lands.

91 lunar years ago, on this day in 1349 AH (1930 AD), Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Sistani was born in the holy city of Mashhad, Khorasan, northeastern Iran, in a family of religious scholars. His father was Hojjat al-Islam Seyyed Mohammad Baqer, while his grandfather, also famous as Ayatollah Seyyed Ali al-Sistani, had travelled to Iraq to study under the famous Mirza Mohammad Hassan Shirazi (who issued the fatwa on tobacco ban), before returning to Mashhad in 1318 AH (1900-01 AD). The family had long been residing in holy Mashhad. During the Safavid period, his ancestor Seyyed Mohammad was appointed by Shah Sultan Hussain to the office of Sheikh ol-Islam in Sistan province, where he settled, and hence became known as "Sistani". Grand Ayatollah Sistani began his religious education as a child, first in Mashhad, where his teachers were Mohammad Taqi Adib Nishapuri, Seyyed Ahmad Mudarres Yazdi, Mirza Hashim Qazwini, and Mirza Mahdi Isfahani. In 1368 AH (1948-49 AD), he moved to holy Qom to attend the advanced classes of Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Hussain Boroujerdi and Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Hujjat Kuhkamara’i. In 1370 AH (1952 AD), he traveled to Iraq to study in the famous seminary of the holy city of Najaf, and in 1380 AH (1960-61 AD), at the young age of 31 years, he attained Ijtehad. In 1413 AH (1992 AD), following the deaths in quick succession of Grand Ayatollah Abu’l-Qassem Khoei and Grand Ayatollah Sabzevari, he became the leading authority of Iraq. During the years of Saddam’s repressive rule, he survived the violent Ba'thist repression and persecution that resulted in the martyrdom of several ulema. Since the overthrow of the Ba'th Party, Grand Ayatollah Sistani has played an increasingly prominent role in regional religious and political affairs and he has been called the "most influential" figure in post-invasion Iraq. When Mosul fell to the US-Saudi supported takfiri terrorists (Daesh) who were advancing towards Baghdad, Grand Ayatollah Sistani announced it a collective obligation (wajeb al-kifa'i) to defend the country, the nation, and the sanctities by citizens who could carry guns to fight the terrorists. As a result, with timely help from Iran, the Hashd ash-Sha’bi (popular mobilization units) were formed and heroically defeated. He has a large worldwide following.

75 solar years ago, on this day in 1943 AD, the Cairo Conference was held in the Egyptian capital by Allied Powers during World War II. Among the decisions adopted by Britain, the US, and Russia, was to strip imperialist Japan of all territories that it had seized in the Pacific and the Asian continent, and to declare Korea as an independent country.

42 solar years ago, on this day in 1976 AD, prominent Bengali Muslim leader, Mowlana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, whose political career spanned British India, Pakistan and Bangladesh rule, passed away in Dhaka at the age of 96. Noted for his selflessness and solidarity with the oppressed, he gained popularity among the masses of Bengali speakers. He is regarded as the proponent of anti-imperialist and non-communal politics by his admirers in present-day Bangladesh and beyond. Bhashani first joined the Congress Party, but soon became disillusioned and joined the Muslim League. He participated in the Khilafat Movement against the British in protest to the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. He led the Muslims of Assam in a successful campaign during the 1947 Sylhet Referendum, through which Sylhet chose to become part of Pakistan. As founder and President of the Pakistan Awami Muslim League – which later became Awami League (AL) – he was the first politician to publicly declare in the early 1950s the unfeasibility of the two separate wings of Pakistan (East and West), and openly called for independence of what is now Bangladesh. He played a very critical role in the 1969 movement which eventually led to the collapse of the Ayub Khan government in Islamabad and the release of Sheikh Mujib ur-Rahman (future leader of Bangladesh). His decision to boycott the 1970 Pakistan general elections due to his mistrust of the West Pakistani leaders, effectively led to the electoral sweep by Mujib ur-Rahman. His efforts created a sense of fierce nationality and a spirit of independence amongst all Bengalis, but unfortunately, since 2013 the Awami League Government of Bangladesh has reduced his presence in the school curricula.

32 solar years ago, on this day in 1986 AD, Professor Mohammad Taqi Modarres Razavi, the prominent Iranian literary figure, author, and researcher, passed away at the age of 95. He was born in the holy city of Mashhad, in Khorasan, northeastern Iran. He settled in Tehran and mastered the French language. He groomed numerous students and cooperated with Professor Ali Akbar Dehkhoda in preparing the voluminous Dehkhoda Lexicon of the Persian Language. He was also well versed in jurisprudence, logic, and philosophy. He has left behind a large number of valuable works. Among the books edited by him, mention could be made of "Diwan-e Anwari” (collection of poems of the Persian poet of the later Seljuqid era, Auhad od-Din Ali Anwari) and a manuscript of "Tarikh-e Bukhara” (History of Bukhara), translated into Persian by Ahmad Ibn Mohammad Ibn Nasr al-Qubavi in 1128 AD from the original Arabic of Mohammad bin Ja'far Narshaki, who presented it around 948 AD to Nuh Ibn Nasr of the Samanid Dynasty of this important region of ancient Iran which now forms the republic of Uzbekistan.

3 solar years ago, on this day in 2015 AD, Rahim Moeini Kermanshahi, Iranian poet, painter and historian, passed away in Tehran at the age of 89. Born in Kermanshah, western Iran, he left his hometown at a young age for Tehran to pursue painting. Among his famous paintings is the charcoal of Prophet Jesus (PuH) blessing a group of children. His talent and creativity in poetry made him one of the greatest lyricists, poets and historians of Iran. His masterpiece is an eighteen volume versified history of Iran after the advent of Islam till the present day, in the form of beautiful Persian classical poetry titled "Shahkar”, which contains over 200,000 lines of poetry in about 7800 pages. In 2007 he was honoured by the National Organization of Iranian Poets, Musicians, Artists, Historians, Philosophers and Litterateurs. During his 60 years dedication to Persian literature and poetry he published over 20 books and wrote the lyrics of about 500 songs. His musical works are being used by various artists in different countries, mostly in Iran.

(Courtesy: IRIB English Radio – http://parstoday.com/en)