Received from a mum!
“There are many ways we can keep the memory of Kerbala alive and it starts with sowing the seed in our children for what they are tomorrow. This year we decided to have a matamdari for my son and his friends – they are 7 years of age and all love to recite and do maatam. The invite stated that each invitee should come prepared with a nawha of just 2 verses and from the time they arrived they were fidgety and excited to shout “Ya Husayn”.
We started with Hadeethe Kisa in English, followed by an informal story and question/answer session. Our youth really benefit from these informal sessions, especially if there is a speaker they look up to.
Thereafter we had the matamdari while two boys took turns to be the home-made Allam holders. The house echoed with names of Ali/Husayn/Abbas/Sajjad/Zainab… The list goes on for our legendary role modles who stood firmly in patience against injustice. The naare haydaris, the famous ‘Mawla Haq Imam’ (see video!) led to the perpetual slogan of ‘Labbayk Ya Husayn’ reverberating against our living room walls. After a 14 Masumeen ziyarat in English, the dua for Imam e Zamana’s safety was recited in loud unison.
After cookies and milk in the garden as fateha, the boys got to play 5 a side football in the garden as it was a Friday and they all waited to be picked up by their fathers after Jummah. This matamdari brought the boys together, and Inshallah I pray that it solidified their understanding a little further. Alhamd the program stirred an awakening in many mothers and many wish to do the same to keep the memory of Kerbala alive. It just starts with one person – what are you going to do for Imam Husayn this year?”