‡In the hot and crowded hall, muffled laments are released like sullen doves and tears roll amidst sobs like dew on the petals of trembling roses. All are focused on Hossein. All are thinking about the Master of the Martyrs. There is no past, there is no present, there is only now; there is no you, no I, only Hossein; there is no fear of death, there is no desire for this world, their is only liberation, freedom and love of truth, for this is the majlis of Imam Hossein (as). From the youngest of ages, we learn about the tragedy of Karbala, and wherever there are Shia, one can find people lamenting and participating in dirges for him. Some people have questioned the "true" Islamic nature of these acts. Some claim that it is an innovationa grave sin in Islam. Others, consider this noble event to be "backwards", and others, still, believe that its purpose is just to make simple, emotional people cry. More...