Across history, there are moments when small groups of people have stood against overwhelming odds to defend justice and human dignity. These moments, though born in specific times and places, carry lessons that speak to all humanity. We remember marches for freedom, dreams of racial equality, and struggles against genocide, not only because they belong to particular nations, but because they represent universal values that transcend borders.
One such moment took place nearly fourteen centuries ago on the plains of Karbala in present-day Iraq. There, a man named Hussain ibn Ali, refused to submit to a ruler who embodied tyranny and discrimination. His stand, remembered during the day of Ashura, became a timeless symbol of resistance and equality. Forty days later, this legacy is reaffirmed during Arbaeen, the largest annual peaceful gathering on earth, where millions of people from all backgrounds walk together in solidarity to honour his sacrifice.
This article explores how the themes of equality and discrimination are central to both Ashura and Arbaeen, and why this legacy continues to inspire those who value justice and human dignity.
The tragedy of Ashura, which took place in 680 CE in Karbala, is one of the most profound events in history. It is remembered not simply as a battle, but as a moral confrontation between justice and oppression, equality and discrimination. At its centre stood Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who rose against a ruler named Yazid. Hussain’s stand, though it cost him his life, became a timeless symbol of dignity and resistance against tyranny. Today, this legacy is brought to life in the world’s largest annual peaceful gathering: the pilgrimage of Arbaeen, held forty days after the anniversary of Ashura. Both Ashura and Arbaeen highlight the universal struggle against inequality and affirm the shared dignity of all people.
Hussain’s uprising was not a bid for political control, but a stand for justice and reform. His vision was rooted in the belief that human worth is not defined by wealth, tribe, or social status, but by moral integrity. This belief was reflected in the companions who stood by him. His small group of supporters came from remarkably diverse backgrounds: tribal leaders, freed slaves, Arabs, non-Arabs, the young, the elderly, and women.
In Hussain’s camp, dignity was universal. Every person, regardless of background, was honoured equally – a living expression of the principle that all people are equal in their humanity, and that true greatness is measured not by privilege, but by righteousness and courage.
In sharp contrast, Yazid’s regime thrived on inequality and oppression. His army denied water to Hussain’s family, allowing even infants to die of thirst. Yazid’s system relied on tribal privilege, nepotism, and blind obedience. In this sense, Karbala was not merely a military confrontation, but a clash between two worldviews: one grounded in equality and dignity, the other entrenched in discrimination and tyranny.
While Ashura marks the sacrifice of Hussain and his companions, Arbaeen represents the continuation of their message. It has become the largest annual peaceful gathering in the world, drawing tens of millions of people from every continent, faith, and background. They walk to Karbala in solidarity, retracing the steps of Hussain’s family after the tragedy.
The journey itself is a striking embodiment of equality. People walk side by side regardless of their social background; wealthy professionals, labourers, villagers, and international visitors. Along the way, local communities open their homes and set up tents to serve food, water, and medical care, completely free of charge. There are no distinctions between host and guest, rich and poor, insider and outsider. In these simple but profound acts of service, the spirit of equality that Hussain embodied at Karbala comes alive once again.
The symbolism is powerful: where Yazid’s forces denied water to Hussain’s family, today millions offer water freely to strangers in his name. Where discrimination once prevailed, Arbaeen demonstrates human unity at its strongest.
The message of Ashura and Arbaeen transcends religious boundaries. Throughout history, other great leaders have also stood against oppression and discrimination in the name of human dignity. These figures are celebrated globally because they remind us that dignity cannot be compromised, and justice cannot be silenced.
Ashura and Arbaeen together present a powerful narrative: Ashura exposed the destructive reality of inequality and oppression, while Arbaeen demonstrates the enduring power of unity and equality. Hussain Ibn Ali’s sacrifice shows us that dignity is non-negotiable, and Arbaeen shows how millions today embody that principle in action.
