Water on Ashura: A National Effort

 In the month of Muharram of 2006, the Shia Muslim Students Association of the University of Arizona organized an effort to raise awareness of the personality of Imam Husayn ibn Ali and the battle of Karbala that took place on the day of Ashura.  The effort consisted of distributing 400 custom designed water bottles briefly depicting the history of the battle of Ashura, its main activists, and its global effect.  The initiative also continued in 2007 with other nearby universities, including Arizona State University, University of California- Irvine, and the University of California- San Diego, participating. The goal of this initiative is to raise  awareness of the sacrifice of Imam Husayn ibn Ali.  We feel this project is crucial to the traditions of the followers of the Ahlul Bayt (family) of the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him and his family).  Not only does this event encourage kindness to one’s fellow human being and spread the language of kindness that is taught by the religion of Islam, but it also pays homage to humanity’s greatest sacrifice.  In addition, this event gives Muslims of other schools of thought, who are often shunned from exploring the subject, an opportunity to learn about the battle of Karbala and have a dialog with students on a practical level and in an intellectual environment.

We propose that this activity be taken on the national level and that every university in the US with some sort of Shia presence should participate in this effort.  Each group will have the bottles printed in order to distribute them on the day of Ashura on their college campuses and crowded public places.