President: Imam Hussein's Uprising Inspires Justice, Reform, State-Building on Ashura Anniversary

President Nizar Amidi affirmed on Thursday the importance of drawing lessons from the uprising of Imam Hussein (PBUH) to continue state-building, consolidate justice and reform, and uphold the rule of law. In his speech on the occasion of Ashura, Amidi clarified that this remembrance is not merely an evocation of the past, but a catalyst for drawing noble values to confront present challenges and shape the future. He stressed that this reinforces social cohesion, preserves national unity, and instills a culture of dialogue, tolerance, and cooperation among all citizens. Allah Almighty says in His Holy Book: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. {Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah. Some of them have fulfilled their vow, and some are still waiting, and they have not changed [their intention] in the least.} Addressing Iraqis, the President highlighted the arrival of Ashura, the victory of blood over sword, which respectfully and humbly commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH) and his household and loyal companions in the eternal Battle of Karbala. This event stands as one of the most luminous stations in Islamic history, and has remained throughout centuries an enduring symbol of steadfastness to principle, sacrifice for truth, and loyalty to the values brought by the authentic Islamic religion. He noted the consensus among Muslims, across their various schools of thought, on loving, revering, and cherishing the noble status of the Prophet's household (PBUH). He affirmed that the biography of Imam Hussein (PBUH) remains an integral part of this unifying Islamic heritage, carrying sublime meanings of faith, loyalty, courage, and commitment to principles, values from which generations draw lessons to face challenges and build their future on foundations of truth, justice, and dignity. He indicated that Imam Hussein (PBUH) represented the living conscience of the nation and its moral voice rejecting injustice and deviation, so his eternal uprising remained a source of inspiration for all those striving for reform, justice, and the preservation of human dignity. He emphasized that his uprising was not a quest for power or gain, but a responsible stance to protect the values of truth and reform and to preserve the essence and noble objectives of the Islamic message. He quoted the great Iraqi poet Mohammed Mahdi Al-Jawahiri, who expressed the eternal presence of Imam Hussein in the nation's consciousness, saying: "You rose above being a refuge from deaths, and blessed be your grave, a haven." He stated that as much as Ashura evokes sadness for what transpired in Karbala, it also calls for reflection on its profound meanings: sincerity to principles, assuming responsibility, dedication to public interest, steadfastness in the face of challenges, and working towards a society where justice, mercy, solidarity, and human respect prevail. Reiterating his address to Iraqis, the President affirmed that Iraq is deeply linked to this commemoration, as its pure land embraced the shrines of Imam Hussein and his brother Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas (PBUT), making Karbala a spiritual and humanitarian beacon visited by millions from around the world. He clarified that Iraqis, with their diverse religious, sectarian, and ethnic affiliations, observe this commemoration in a spirit of respect, compassion, and solidarity, emphasizing that the values for which Imam Hussein rose represent a national and moral heritage unifying all Iraq's people. He added that in the ongoing path of state-building, consolidating security and stability, and upholding the rule of law, Iraq today is in utmost need to draw great lessons carried by Imam Hussein's uprising (PBUH). Foremost among these are faith in reform, adherence to justice, respect for human dignity, prioritizing public interest, and instilling values of citizenship, coexistence, and national unity. He reiterated that Ashura's remembrance does not solely invite recalling the past, but motivates the inspiration of its noble values in confronting present challenges and shaping the future. This strengthens our societal cohesion, preserves our national unity, and enshrines a culture of dialogue, tolerance, and cooperation among all citizens. Concluding his speech, President Amidi prayed to Almighty Allah to make this blessed anniversary an occasion to strengthen the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity among Iraqis, to protect Iraq and its noble people from all harm, to perpetuate the blessing of security and stability upon it, and to guide all its children to work together for a prosperous, secure, and just homeland, worthy of Iraq's history, stature, and ancient civilization. The President concluded his speech by saying: "Peace be upon Imam Hussein, and upon his pure household and noble companions, the day they were true to what they covenanted with Allah, and the day they offered the highest meanings of sacrifice and redemption for truth and dignity. And peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you."