Every year Arbaeen shows a world ruled by tyrants and Satanists that the dense ranks of Muslims still remember and embody the tradition of Imam Hussein (AS), says Damir Nazarov, a Shia convert.

In an interview with Shia Followers about Imam Hussein and the Arbaeen Pilgrimage, Nazarov said, “Pilgrims and thousands of Muslims around the world symbolize devotion to the revolutionary path of Imam Hussein (AS) and this fact is a message to the Kufra system that a series of decisive battles are yet to come.”

The following is the full transcript of the interview:

Shia Followers: Imam Hussein (AS) was martyred along with dozens of his companions during a last stand battle against the tyrant of the time, Yazid I, more than thirteen centuries ago. How do you personally feel about Imam Hussein (AS) and the way he was martyred?

Damir Nazarov: Imam Hussein (AS) is a follower of the tradition of the revolutionary path of fighting the world of kufr and tyranny, and by his example Imam Hussein (AS) shows that a true Muslim, no matter what madhhab, must always defend justice and fight against any injustice in this world. As for the cruel death of the Lord of martyrs, this moment reflects the essence of the diabolical system of the omeyad dictatorship. Time has shown that Satanists and their vicious dictatorships continue to use similar monstrous measures to kill Muslims and their leaders.

Shia Followers: How has his martyrdom shaped Shia Muslims’ thoughts and actions through different generations?

Damir Nazarov: It is absolutely clear that the revolutionary path and martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) strengthened and perfected the Shia way in the struggle for justice and the coming of Imam Mahdi (AS). Enemies often ask why the next generations of Shia imamites did not act as Imam Hussein. The answer is simple: The fact that a small group followed Imam Hussein showed the society of that time, which for the most part was mired in Kufr, fear of death and intellectual decline. Having drawn conclusions and carried out an analytical approach to those events, for future generations of Shia revolutionaries, it became clear that for each time period of the reign of the local Imam, there should be a special path corresponding to local realities. We must not forget that the enlightenment and the call from the Shias of subsequent generations became a kind of revolution, A revolution of consciousness for many Muslims. In this we also see the merit of Imam Hussein (AS).

Shia Followers: The Arbaeen Pilgrimage, which is the world’s largest annual public gathering, is already underway in Karbala, Iraq. What’s your take on the significance of this religious event?

Damir Nazarov: Every year Arbaeen shows a world ruled by tyrants and Satanists that the dense ranks of Muslims still remember and embody the tradition of Imam Hussein (AS). Pilgrims and thousands of Muslims around the world symbolize devotion to the revolutionary path of Imam Hussein (AS) and this fact is a message to the Kufra system that a series of decisive battles are yet to come.

Shia Followers: This year’s Arbaeen pilgrimage takes place as Iraq is recovering from several days of violent protests. Some commentators argue that the timing of the provocations signals foreign-backed elements seek to undermine the Arbaeen pilgrimage. What’s your view?

Damir Nazarov: Yes, I agree that in most cases the protests were planned, not only to disrupt the Arbaeen process, but also to destroy Iraq from within. But there is no denying the fact that there is still quite a strong corruption system throughout the country, which was derived from the invasion of the Americans (2003). I understand the moment with protests for myself from two sides. On the one hand, external forces want to show Muslims that Iraq is the country where Arbaeen takes place, and at the same time Iraq is one of the most corrupt countries in the World, it is a contradiction of Islamic tradition and complete connivance, but external forces do not tell us the truth that the causes of Iraq’s problems lie in a conspiracy from the forces of evil in the face of the United States, Zionism, liberal ideas, various corporations and their puppets in the face of the IMF and others. On the other hand, I see the contact between the Arbaeen process and the protests as a benefit for Muslims, especially Iraqis, because the example of the Imams’ struggle should be adopted by the Iraqis themselves in order to build a true Islamic state, following the example of Iran, and then they will be able to jointly fight the world Kufr system.