A wonderful group of mums held this mini-walk in their neighbourhood and were happy to share their resources in case anyone would like to use them! Their Arbaeen walk was a route around the neighbourhood, and the Mawkebs were at their houses which were on the route.
Here is a folder with all the resources used, including tickets for the walk, a letter to the neighbours to explain what was going on and a scavenger hunt that the children had to do on the walk:
The children started at Najaf International Airport / the shrine of Imam Ali:
They stopped at many Mawqebs along the way and picked up a lot of tabarruk!:
One of the Mawkebs gave out a little craft folder too!:
One of the things to sight was Wadi-us-Salaam:
Finally they arrived at Kerbala, in Bayn-ul-Haramain, where they said their Salaams and gave some sadaqah:
All in all, a lovely recreation of the walk for young ones. Labayk Ya Husayn!
Having recently come back from doing the walk, I thought it might be useful to share some resources and practical tips that will Inshallah help the trip go smooth and also have the kids benefit as much as possible!
After having recently come back from the Arbaeen walk/Ziyarat, I thought it might be helpful to put a few handy hints together for those who go in the future – both with and without kids!
Things to pack for the walk:
The bare minimum is always advised! Snacks are abound, but here are some things that came in handy:
Tissues/Wipes – a travel pack
A small anti bac, cream, essential meds
V light bathroom slippers – sounds odd, but this saves a lot of hassle and dirt as you have to wear your shoes to the bathrooms at the mawkibs
Face cloth – will come in handy if you need to have a quick shower at the mawkib
Your own mohr/turbah – again, saves time and energy looking for some
Hat/Sunglasses/small suncream – for women visors are great. They do sell them there but it’s probably easier to take one with you rather than spend time looking there.
Disposable poncho for unexpected showers are handy
Ipod/phone with downloaded lectures/Quran/Nauhas with earphones to listen to on the walk
Tasbih counter – to do dhikr
If you have kids who will not be able to use the Easter toilets, then disposable seat covers might be a good buy. Just pls don’t thrown them down the toilet as the flush systems are not very good and will get clogged up.
For kids suffering from allergies/asthma, a mask is a good idea.
High vis jackets for them to wear, or even to pin on the back of their bagpacks is a good way to keep them visible. Alternatively make them wear a bright top. Always have a pre-agreed mawkib for where you will meet in case you get separated if you have older kids.
For older kids who might want to go ahead on their own, one family brought a walkie talkie set which was ingenious and allowed the parents not to worry too much if they were not in sight!
A wrist link might be a good idea for younger kids.
The group you are going with will usually give out lanyards or cards with hotel and contact no details, but it’s also a good idea to make sure they have full ID attached to them also.
If you like tea, please do take a very light reusable cup! There is a lot of wastage of disposables and you can make a difference by filling your own cup at the mawkibs or during the walk. They will also come in VERY handy at the hotels!
For fussy eaters, small milk carton and cereal boxes are handy for breakfast.
Things for the haram:
The best investment we made was foldable thin shoes which came in a small bag that you could store away in your purse when entering the haram, rather than having to go put your shoes in the storage.
For kids, workbooks and journals are great to keep them occupied. You might not have the time to sit and work too much at the haram, but they also come in handy for the hotel for when it’s too busy to go out. Also, if going to the haram, trying going to the higher levels which are big halls and usually have much more space than near the zarih area.
With millions walking from Najaf to Kerbala, one Madressa re-created the walk for the children…here are the planning details (with some pictures of the final outcome) for those of you who would like to recrate this in your own centres:
*Here is another example of the N2K Simulation also*
“This day we will commemorate Arbaeen and the importance of the ziyarah of Imam Husayn (as). We will simulate the walk from Najaf to Karbala and the format will be similar to the one we used for our practical Hajj event. There will be stations and young students, chaperoned by girls/boys from the senior classes will visit the stations, till they arrive in Karbala (assembly room). Here we will have a presentation for all the students about the importance of Ziyarah of this great Imam, the special etiquette of the visit, and how honorable that part of the earth is – All through ahadith and ziyarat Waritha.
Children will go to the stations in batches. There will be signs along the way (pole numbers) indicating how far along the journey students are. The anticipation will increase at every station. To those who are waiting to walk or have walked already, we will show personal testimonies from youtube on the projector so students can get an idea of what the experience has been like for those who have done the actual walk. We hope that in batches we will be able to compete the walk in a more or less cascaded fashion.
The main focus of this event will be on the preparation, anticipation and etiquette of ziyarat. The preparation part will be discussed in assembly before the walk commences so that students know that this journey is to be made in a somber mood.
Walk is to be followed by a play based on a real life experience by a group of zaereen. Theme of the play revolves around the value and status if the zawwar of Imam Husayn(as). The play is to be short but impactful. Needs 6 actors and a narrator.
End with Salaah.
Schedule:
1. Introductory talk 2. Walk to ‘Karbala’ 3. Presentation on the importance of the ziyarah of Imam Husayn(as) 4. Play 5. Salaah
Introductory Talk Focus on the preparation and etiquette of this special visitation before commencing Explain the route: Najaf to Karbala over a distance of 80km Highlight some choose to walk from their own towns within Iraq such as Basra despite longer distance. Hadith on the importance and reward of ziyarah
Walk to ‘Karbala’ Divide the students into groups consisting of a mixture of age groups (3 students form each class) with one of the senior students acting as the group leader. Group leaders will be responsible for group members guiding the group through the stations to ‘Karbala’. All groups start and end at the same points but do not visit all stations together.
Throughout the walk one can have latmiyah playing in different languages to enhance the atmosphere and feeling. Maybe better to have these playing on mobiles/ipods/ipads placed at different points along the walk rather than one loud sound.
Examples of latmiyah:
English
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DMZXVJIY1E
12 minutes allocated to each station.
Display road signs and poles numbers along the way to show the students how far along they are… milestones of 20, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80km for example.
Stations:
1. Food • Dates (enough for all kids) • Tea- room temperature sweet Iraqi tea on display in small istekans for show and if students want to taste they can be served in small disposable cups from large thermos • Rice, curry and khubus- Rice in a platter for show with some curry on the side? Khubus/ Arabic flat bread cut into pieces to serve Give out rice & curry in foil containers to take away & eat for lunch?
2. Massage • Students can select their massage partners (girl with girl and boy with boy). Teacher can demonstrate how the feet are massaged using pressure points. After one round they can switch over and masseur can receive the massage next. • Props include: creams, oils, massage rollers
3. Rest/Sleep • Using large cushions, pillows and bed sheets create cushioned areas within the mawkib for resting with blankets as covers. The students can use to this time for contemplation and reflection. Teachers can discuss the purpose of the walk with the students, reflecting on the journey passed and the internal excitement for the remainder.
4. Medical • Students can pair up to assist one another • Props include: plasters, alcohol wipes, swabs, needle less syringes, stethoscope, gloves, masks, torch, optical equipment for eye examinations etc • Conduct general health check on students • Flu, aches, pains, cuts, bruises, broken noses • Remind students that Doctors and other healthcare professionals also volunteer their time and efforts out of love of Imam Husayn(as) expecting nothing in return.
5. Snack • By counting snack/lunch/break, as a station within the event itself will ensure that time is saved and walk not disrupted. Teachers may need to monitor the flow of students here and increase time allocation as required.
6. Video • At this station, students will watch videos that depict the actual walk to Karbala. Videos that show men, women, children of all ages and health conditions; elderly in wheelchairs, with walking sticks, ladies carrying babies (point out difficult to walk long distance carrying a baby in arms), people on crutches, walking barefoot.. etc. Individuals of all nationalities and walks of life. How this reflects situation in Karbala, where Imam Husayn(as) had men, women and children of all ages.
7. Additional services provided to the zawwar include: shoe repairs, bag repairs, wheelchair/pushchair repairs and phone chargers! These can be incorporated into above stations or expanded upon.
At each step can emphasise that the services provided to the zawwar of Imam Husayn(as) are purely out of his love.
Highlight at each point that all the people on this journey have a giving attitude a complete reverse of human psychology under circumstances where there is some element of competition for resources. This clip demonstrates that perfectly:
When the zawwar return with so much of awe and the excitement and are asked what impressed them the most. They remember the true love of Imam Husayn (as), the sincere respect of the pilgrims that love translates into and the unparalleled enthusiasm and desire these Iraqis have in their hearts to serve the pilgrims. After all no one opens the doors of their houses to welcome strangers who come from distant lands and don’t speak the same language. To this the most appropriate poster I took a picture of was that of the flags of many nations bordering the words: “Al Husayn Yajmaoona”. “Husayn brings us together”
Presentation on the importance of Ziyarah of Imam Hussayn (as)
The following points were covered during the presentation:
Importance and reward of this visitation during Arbaeen but through out the year as well.
-Hadith that states for every step you take towards the grave of Al-Husayn(as) angels accompany you: “Whoever visits the grave of Imam Husayn (a.s.) thrice a year shall remain safe from indigence. It is emphasized that one should visit his grave with sincerity and eagerness. Then the one who goes to his grave with eagerness, he is among the favored slaves (of Allah) and will remain under the standard of Husayn bin Ali (a.s.). And the one who visits him for the sake of Allah, Allah will forgive his sins similar to a newly born, and the Angels will accompany him in his journey”- Imam Hassan (as)
“If one of our Shia goes for Imam Husayn (a.s.) Ziyarat, then he will not return but all his sins will be forgiven. For every step that he or his mount takes, 1,000 virtues are written for him, 1,000 sins are forgiven and his status is elevated by 1,000 degrees” Imam Jaffer Sadiq (as) (Reference Kamil al-Ziyarat, pg 134)
– Visiting the grave of Imam Husayn (a.s.) is obligatory upon every believer Imam Muhammad al Baqir (a.s.) told Muhammad bin Muslim that, “Direct our Shi’ah to visit the grave of Husayn bin Ali (a.s.), for it has been made obligatory by Allah, the Mighty, the Sublime, upon every believer who considers Husayn (a.s.) to be his Imam”.
Why do we perform this pilgrimage to Karbala during Arbaeen? How did this tradition start? What about those than cannot travel to Iraq? How can they perform ziyarat?
Reciting Ziyarat from home Which Ziyarats are attributed to Imam Husayn (as)? -Ziyarat Ashura
-Ziyarat Arbaeen
-Ziyarat Nahiya Heartfelt narration by our 12th Imam Muhammad Mahdi(as) on the events of the tragedy of Karbala
“But as I have been hindered by the course of time, and (Allah’s) decree has prevented me from helping you, and as I could not fight those who fought you, and was not able to show hostility to those who showed hostility to you, I will, therefore, lament you morning and evening, and will weep blood in place of tears, out of my anguish for you and my sorrow for all that befell you…” Imam Muhammad Mahdi(as)
-Ziyarat Waritha How is this ziyarat linked with Imam Husayn(as)? Inheritance in the form of blood lineage but also in the form of a vicegerent of Allah(swt)
Prophet Adam (as)- Father of Humanity and Imam Husayn(as) stood for humanity at each step of his mission
Prophet Nuh (as) – Imam Husayn(as) wiped evil off the earth, his revolution lives on today
Prophet Ibrahim(as)- Imam Husayn (as) showed us how to break the idols within us, that come between us and Allah (swt) affecting our relationship with Him.
Prophet Musa (as)- Imam Husayn (as) toppled the Firaun of his time.
Karbala is a piece of heaven on earth -The angel Gabriel narrated to Prophet Muhammad (saw): “Karbala, where your grandson and his family will be martyred, is the one of the most blessed and the most sacred land on Earth and it is one of the valleys of Paradise” (Reference: Kamill al-Ziyarat. pg. 545)
-“Between the grave of Husayn and heaven is a passage of angels”- Imam Jaffer Sadiq (as) (Reference: Biharul Anwar 52, 325, 40)
Project Majalis was set up to teach children all aspects of the Majalis process, from setting up the hall, to reciting noha and marthiyya to making the ‘alam and tabout. This helped to engage children in what work goes into the majalis process and familiarised them with different roles so that inshallah they are able to conduct similar roles in the future.
We focussed on Bibi Zainab (s.a) as the role model for Project Majalis as she set up the institution of Majalis, and thus one of the majalis’ the children conducted was dedicated to her.
To make the majalis process interesting for the children we devised certain roles that they could participate in, this included the following. The children had to chose what they would like to do when they had to RSVP to their Majalis invite:
– Setting up the hall
– Reciting majalis: x 3 children (5min or less per child)
– Reciting marsiya & matam: x 6 children
– MC: x 1 child
– Making & distributing Sabil
– Making & arranging niyaz/tabbaruk
– Welcoming Azadari’s & arranging shoes
– Cleaning up: x 5 children
– Car park volunteer: (with adult supervision)
– Audio/visual system
– Majalis Guide: (to show the children who have just walked in around the life size displays)
– Quran recitation: x1
– Dua recitation: x1
– Ziyarat recitation: x1
– Imam Hussain Anthem (all children)
We also recreated certain parts of Ashura day and Shaam-e-Ghareeba so that the visual stimulus will engage children in the stories of Karbala & Shaam, this included:
– Tent with burnt cloth on top (which the children helped to make)
– Spears on heads with blood (which the children made)
– Cut outs of the shaheeds, this included Hazarat Abbas (a.s), Imam Hussain (a.s) with Ali Asghar (a.s), Dome and minaret of Imam Hussain (a.s), Zuljina, helmet of Hazrat Qassim (a.s), Ali Akbar (a.s) bidding farewell to Imam Hussain (a.s) . This was printed on A1 paper and stuck on corrugated card.
– Mannequin with abaya and chains
– Taboot and cradle
We had three main activities on the day that all children participated in during Project Majalis!
– ‘Alam making
– Handkerchief: writing Ya Hussain on black handkerchiefs
-After the ziyarat all the children had to declare their loyalty for Imam Husayn through a poem (Anthem) they all recited together which was circulated to them a week before to practise.
Here are the words to the anthem:
Hussain you are the symbol of strength
Hussain you are the symbol of strength
And brave you will always be x2
Hussain your name is in my heart
And your life will live with me
All of your family received the pain
Your sister, your brother, your son and wife
Hussain your name is in my heart
And your life will live with me
Hussain you are the symbol of strength
And brave you will always be x2
Hussain your name is in my heart
And your life will live with me
My eyes will weep for your brother Abbas
He never lost one arm but he lost two
Hussain your name is in my heart
And your life will live with me
Hussain you are the symbol of strength
And brave you will always be x2
Hussain your name is in my heart
And your life will live with me
Comments:
– The Imam Hussain (a.s) anthem was a great finish to the Majalis, and was truly amazing to watch children pay their allegiance to the Master of Martyrs.
– We provided Project Majalis certificates at the end of the Majalis, this helped to legitimatise the children’s had work and they truly appreciated it.
– The pocket money that we requested if children wanted to donate went to 2 different options: ‘Helping little Hussaini’s & Zainabi’s who are poor’ which The Zahra Trust will distribute to orphans and vulnerable children. And the second option was ‘Spreading the message of the Ahlulbayt (a.s)’ which went to Safeer TV as they are showcasing majalis.
As the children walked in they were welcomed by a child who took their shoes.
Children then had to register their names at the registration table.
At the registration table there was a large flag on paper where children could sign their names or write their wishes to Hazrat Abbas. This flag will be taken to Hazrat Abbas’ s shrine in Arbaeen 2014.
The children were then taken in groups to see the displays produced by the Zahra Trust.
Thereafter the children could make their very own Alams and Hankerchiefs (with Ya Husayn written on it. These activities were supervised by the older children.
The children who had chosen various jobs like preparing the tabarruk and sabil also had the opportunity to do so. Children made Milk Sherbat or squash.
Some children helped to prepare the take home tabarruk bags.
Some children made Chocolate Ladoos (chocolate oat truffles) the night before ready for the majalis.
Once the children had set up everything for the majalis the MC started the majalis.MCTilawat of Qur’anMarsiyas
Speeches
Noha/Lutm
All the children pledging allegiance to Imam Husayn
At the end tabarruk was served. Children waiting for their Tabarruk.
As the children were leaving they were given their take home back with various goodies and gifts from the Zahra Trust. They were all presented with a certificate to legitimise their hard work in taking part in the project.
They were also requested to write their thoughts on the project on a large drawing of a dome.
*Here is the text sent out to parents:
PROJECT MAJALIS!
In conjunction with The Zahra Trust child’s name would like to invite you to Project Majalis.
Project Majalis is an initiative to teach children all aspects of the majalis process; from setting up the hall, arranging the food, reciting Majalis/noha, making the ‘alam, to cleaning up at the end!
Also there will be an exhibition of life size cut outs of the shaheeds to help the children learn about the story of Karbala.
Date:
Time:
Venue:
for boys under 10 (non baligh) and girls of all ages.
Following roles are open for the children:
– Setting up the hall: x 5 children
– Reciting majalis: x 3 children (5min or less per child)
– Reciting marsiya & matam: x 6 children
– MC: x 1 child
– Making & distributing Sabil: x 4 children
– Making & arranging niyaz/tabbaruk: x 6 children
– Welcoming Azadari’s & arranging shoes: x 4 children
– Cleaning up: x 5 children
– Car park volunteer: x 2 (with adult supervision)
– Audio/visual system: x 2 children
– Majalis Guide x2
– Quran reciter x1
– Dua reciter x1
– Ziyarate reciter x1
If children wish to they can bring in a small amount of money as they will be given an opportunity to donate to a worthy cause.
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