Even after the passage of hundreds of years, Karbala is very much relevant to the world of today. As we commemorate Ashura, Karbala inspires us to put up defiance against tyranny and oppression. The hero of Karbala, Hazrat Imam Hussain, fought against the might of despotic rule of that time (in 680 AD) with his 71 valiant soldiers, setting the highest standards of fearlessness, bravery and sacrifice for a great cause. On every Muharram 10, the tragedy of Karbala is commemorated across the world renewing the central message of the greatest sacrifice for human rights, democracy and truth. Had there been no regular commemoration of the Karbala tragedy in Muharram, its message would have been buried in history books. The occasion to mourn the martyrdom of the grandson of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) has been kept alive, though at a heavy cost. In today’s world, the flame of Muharram mourning is upheld, unfortunately, amid high security. The reverence of the occasion demands that the whole humanity, let alone Muslims, remember the tragedy. It is worth thinking why terrorists, inspired by Al Qaeda and Taliban, attack Muharram related gatherings in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq. These are the countries where terrorists have roots and sympathisers. Our armed forces have been successful in uprooting such groups, but the menace of terrorism has yet to be fully eradicated. Just like the days of Karbala, the Muslims in Kashmir, Palestine and Afghanistan have been facing regimes’ or militants’ tyranny and oppression. In India-held Kashmir, the government has not lifted curfew for Muharram related processions and gatherings. The region has been under curfew and communication blackout for over a month. Protesters are being killed, maimed and blinded with the ruthless use of palette guns. Similarly, Israel has unleashed an unending cycle of bloodshed against the Palestinians for the last seven decades. Unarmed Palestinian youth, women and children are routinely arrested, humiliated and killed by Israeli troops in occupied territories. Their houses are raided and demolished. The wave of oppression and carnage in India-held Kashmir and Palestine has been going under the watch of the silent world. Afghanistan has continuously been enduring bloodshed for the last several decades. The innocent public is targeted at will by the terrorists. The world is full of dictatorial rules, and in these circumstances, we need to draw courage and inspiration from Karbala and mainstream its message across the world. *