It is relevant, direct and inviting. The message of Ashura cuts across all  geographi-cal, cultural, ethnic and religious constraints to touch human sensitivities. Its call is deep seated and ingrained in the Truth and human yearning for a meaning in life.  

God in the Quran says, ''… Do not mix the truth with falsehood…" 2:42 In the waterless deserts of Karbala Imam Hussain and his acolytes stood on the side of Truth and rejected falsehood in the face of highest coercion and intimidation. The time in history is 61 Hijra, nay the time has stood still and since then all glorious movements of human history constructed on the principles of justice and fair-play have found sustenance from this spring of inspiration.  

Pakistan and its denizens at this juncture of their lives when truth has been amalgamated with falsehood must revive the spirit of Karbala to keep aloft the banner of truth, justice and fair-play. In the battle of survival confusion in one's ideals has always proved fatal.

Little wonder this is the result of such confusion that leaders such as Monawar Hassan and Maulana Fazlul Rehman should have displayed soft corner for the killers of innocent people and branded them as martyrs. After this, can Imran Khan who is not a religious scholar be blamed for his penchant for dialogues with the agents of devil?

Have we forgotten that paramount passion of Islamic culture is a believer's desire to sacrifice everything in the way of God. "Say surely, my prayers, my sacrifices, my life and death are all of Allah, the Lord of the worlds"(6:163) was the most favourite prayer of Muhammad (PBUH) in his life time. This is the very foundation of Islamic ideology, a living force for the dynamic, vibrant and alive Islamic culture.

This prime passion of Islam is being misused by fanatical and depraved half-wits who appropriate Islamic teachings for wordily gains and self-aggrandize-ment. The nation, in line with the spirit of Ashura, must guard against enemies'  attempt at exploiting Islamic concept of Jihad to promote their devilish agenda. Karbala teaches us that anyone who kills innocent men, women and children sides with the Devil.

Muhammad PBUH through his personal example taught us how we should  behave while facing an existential threat.  We find an acute sense of selfsacrifice in the Holy Prophet in its ultimate intensity and splendor.  When he had to he went all out for the safety, sanctity and glory of Islam. Imam Ali (AS) whose bravery and fearlessness has touched mythical heights says, "Whenever there were odds against us in a battle we sought refuge in Holy Prophet (PBUH). " These are the words of a man whose bravery, courage and heroism is unquestioned and who about himself says, "the son of Abu Talib loves death as much as a child loves the bosom of its mother." However, he accepts that Holy Prophet's bravery, courage, heroism and gallantry was far greater and magnificent than that of his own.

Muhammad (PBUH) is an enviable example for all the Muslims to emulate in their lives. This distinguishing feature of bravery and heroism has been inherited by Ahle-Bait (exclusive members of House of Muhammad) excellently well. They all, from Imam Ali down to Imam Hussain, were the paragon of selfsacrifice, self-abnegation, devotion to cause, sincerity to ideal and submission to the Will of God Almighty. They were always willing to sacrifice everything in the ways of God. Through their conduct Ahle-Bait preached that martyrdom is ultimate glory for man. When Ali (AS) received fatal blow from Ibne Muljim (May God's curse be on him), he said, "By God I have succeeded."

The Ashura teaches us the same ideals of self-sacrifice, selfabnegation, devotion to cause, sincerity to ideal and submission to the Will of God. This is high time we learnt the message of Ashura and acted accordingly.  Imam Hussin's commitment to great ideals of Islam stands gloriously vindicated in the annals of human history.

Principles and ideals for which Imam Hussain (AS) had sacrificed his and his  companions' life, are still indispensable for the regeneration of rotten societies in the grip of intimidation, coercion, terror and moral failings. The integrity and stature of Imam Hussain is a beacon of light for the downtrodden of the world. For the Islamic World indifference to the message of Ashura is fatal.  

Imam Hussain's resistance was not only against a sinful and diabolical individual. Its dimensions are religio-political and cut across all religions, cultures and civilizations and encompass in its pall all humanity. He fought against a corrupt system. He wanted to uproot a political culture which was perverted, grotesque, unnatural and immoral. For him Yazid (May God's curse be on him) was not just an individual.

Speeches of Imam Hussain bring this point home to the reader of human history that his fight was on behalf of all the crushed, wronged, downtrodden, persecuted and terrorized people of the world. While fighting against Yazid, the Imam upheld the flag of justice, truth, virtue and high moral values.

Great martyrdom of Imam Hussain in the month of Moharram, the first month of Islamic calendar, in fact, sets a guideline for us how to live and die. It is a shining example of courage, faith, devotion to cause, perseverance, fortitude, consistency and submission to the Will of God. Such example only comes through an unflinching devotion, dedication and commitment to higher ideals.

His martyrdom teaches us not to submit to the rule of tyranny and that we should close our ranks in hour of trial. As a nation both messages are our need of the hour. But unfortunately they seem to be totally lost upon us, even though we commemorate Ashura every year and profess our commitment to the examples set by Imam Hussain. The growing problem of terrorism is eating us out completely. Many have fallen to the bombs and bullets of this demon in Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and all across the globe. The problem is so acute that even special security arrangements fail to prevent it from happening. Even the areas that were well known for relative peace and harmony have succumbed to terrorism.

In the wake of Hakimullah Masood's death and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan's threats against   Pakistan civil society we must remain on guard so that the enemies of Islam do not use Ashura to spread terror and sectarian hatred. Ashura affords us an opportunity to commemorate the great sacrifice of Imam Hussain standing united against division, injustice and cruelty.

This is high time intelligentsia of Muslim world tackled the problem on war  footing because sectarianism generating terrorism does everything to hasten the  process of society's fragmentation, degradation and total collapse. The entire onus of dealing with the problem cannot be put on governments. The problem is a collective responsibility of the nation of Islam. We all must do whatever is possible  within our means to defeat terrorism, maintain sectarian peaceful harmony and preserve the sanctity as well as unity of Muslim Ummah.