Salaam youngsters. How are you? Hope you are all fine and in good health in winter’s frosty cold.
We wish you all peace, happiness, and success in life as we pray for the welfare of all Iranians, as well as children, teenagers, elderly, and the aged, all over the world, irrespective of their ethnicity, language, class, creed, and colour of skin.
For the information of our readers abroad, yesterday, January 7, was Christmas Day in Iran for the majority of our Christian compatriots who follow the Orthodox Church.
This means, Monday was Christmas Eve for them churches throughout the country held midnight masses marking what they believe to be the birthday of Prophet Jesus (peace upon him).
In Tabriz, the Armenian Christian community of the East Azarbaijan Province of northwestern Iran gathered in Churches to pray for peace all over the world, especially in the Caucasus region, and of course, Gaza in Occupied Palestine, where both Christians and Muslims are subjected to Israel’s holocaust.
In the capital Tehran, the St. Saint Sarkis Church, the Saint Gregory Church, and the Illuminator Church, presented a colourful spectacle with lights and flowers as the Orthodox community members thronged them to pray for peace.
May God Almighty curse and destroy Israel and the Zionists, the avowed enemies of Jesus and all humanity, including the various Christian sects and Muslims of all denominations – Amen.
Well friends, we Muslims are on the threshold some of the most auspicious occasions in the coming days, since Saturday Rajab 10 is the blessed birthday of Imam Muhammad at-Taqi al-Jawad (AS), while Rajab 13 happens to be one of the most glorious days of the Islamic Calendar.
Yes, Tuesday is a public holiday in the Islamic Republic with special festivities throughout the country to mark the birth anniversary of the Commander of Faithful, the Leader of the Pious, the Icon of Justice, the Symbol of Valour, and the Gateway of Knowledge, Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (AS).
Next Wednesday, we will celebrate with you in this weekly column the blessings in which we continue to bask, courtesy the transcendental personality of First Divinely-designated Successor of the Mercy unto all creation, Prophet Muhammad (SAWA).
Today we felicitate you on Rajab 10 a day of double joy, since 130 years before the birthday of Imam Jawad (AS), Planet Earth was graced by the birth of the Infant Martyr of Karbala, Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS).
Though his life ended at the tender age of 6 months by the arrow of the cruel Harmala in Karbala, he is indeed the immortal symbol of bravery for all seekers of truth. Through intercession with God Almighty, he continues to play the role of Granter of Boons (Bab al-Hawa’ej) for the young and the old alike.
As for Imam Muhammad Jawad (AS), the Prophet’s 9th Infallible Heir, who was only a boy of 8 years when the Divine Trust of leadership of mankind was placed on his tender shoulders. Like the Prophets Yahya (John the Baptist) and Jesus, he displayed the bezels of wisdom to guide the seekers of truth.
Born in Medina in 195 AH and martyred in the prime of youth at the age of 25, he continues to guide the seekers of truth with his lasting heritage.