SHAFAQNA

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) –On the occasion of Ghadir holiday, the Canadian House of Wisdom held a dinner party in downtown Montreal on Sunday November 11th 2012. This was a great occasion to bring together members from the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim community to celebrate this great holiday. Amongst those present were Dr. Mohsen Fatemi , psychology professor at the University of Toronto and Harvard University, Iraqi ambassador to Canada Dr. Abdul Rahman Hosseini and also Seyyed Nabil Abbas, Imam at Lebanese Islamic Center in Montreal. The evening started with speeches from distinguished guests about the greatness of Imam Ali and his importance in human history. Each speaker stated in their own way the significance of Imam Ali’s contributions to human society. After dinner, honorary certificates were handed out by president of Canadian House of Wisdom Dr. Shahrestani. This successful event was able to bring together people to celebrate Imam Ali’s contributions to the world and the Canadian house of Wisdom plans on throwing such events gain in the future. The point of this event was to make a brotherhood between all nations and religions.— www.shafaqna.com/English

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) – On August 22 and under the burning sun, hundreds of “loyalists”, labours and voters were lined up in Mishwar square in front of the royal palace in Rabat, Morocco for the loyalty and homage celebration marking the 13^th anniversary of king Mohammed Al-Sades’ sitting on the throne. The celebration has been postponed t after the end of the month of Ramadan and merge it with the 49^th birthday of the king.

Attendants were seen in their embarrassing long white dresses waiting for the opening of the big gates where the king appeared in his luxurious dress riding his horse slowly with small steps and accompanied by his servants, one guiding the horse and the other holding a fancy umbrella to cover the sunlight from his master.

The appearance of the king before his people was supplemented by embarrassing rituals such as firing five cannons and playing military music before paying allegiance to the king. The minister of interior affairs was leading the loyalists and labours followed by the different party members. Attendance of the current government ministers was not noticed.

The members of the parties were quick to start the rituals by bowing extensively to their master (the king) three times saying: “May Allah help you, we say to you oh master”, “May Allah protect you, we say to you oh master”, “May Allah be pleased with you, we say to you oh master”.

This homage celebration has raised controversy among many people in the country and was criticised by political activists and some religious figures considering it a humiliation to the human’s dignity for bowing to other than Allah. Other people were taking the other direction defending this ritual of paying allegiance to the leader due to its “Islamic” historical background. Some went even further considering the umbrella similar to the tree under which some of the Prophet’s (P) companions paid allegiance to him!

Now the question is, do some “Muslims” really went back the ignorance era? How do they call themselves Muslims and yet bow to a human but Allah? Did they lose their dignity and honor to a level so they follow someone who does know anything about the poor and the oppressed in his country and who calls himself “Commander of the faithful”?

No one will ever be called this way but the real Commander of the faithful, Imam Ali (A.S.), and no bowing will ever be made, by real Muslims, but to Allah (S.W.T).

Translation by SHAFAQNA from original Arabic article