Page 16 - Hussein revivalism14
P. 16
Interview
have distributed and published
countless pamphlets. We have
a program where we even send
literature to prisons, and, praise
be to God, many have reverted to
Islam because of them.
We hold events to observe all
the anniversaries of the births
and martyrdoms of our infallibles,
in addition to special programs
in months like Muharram and
Ramadan, and days like Eid where
we invite different prominent
lecturers and eulogists to recite or
talk at the centre. We hold weekly
Friday prayers throughout the year
and Dua Kumail recitations every
Thursday night, alongside English
lectures, all of which help bring
the community together.
After repeated requests by
parents asking for an Islamic
school in the area to teach Islamic
Interviewed by: Ali Tekmaji
principles to their children, our
centre established an Islamic
Saturday school for children
aged five to fifteen. At this school
Sheikh Mustafa Akhound: we teach Islamic ethics, the
Qur’an, and Arabic and we have
approximately 150 students
"Our centre’s mission is to unite people registered, a number that is
from all backgrounds." increasing every year. In addition
to the school, we hold sessions
and courses for young men and
women aged fifteen and over,
where we discuss the difficulties
Hussein Revivalism interviewed mosques, which serve a single of their daily lives, find solutions
Sheikh Mustafa Akhound, the ethnic community, our centre’s to their problems, and hold open
Imam of the Imam Ali Centre, mission is to unite Shi‘ahs from conversations where they can
founded in 2003 in Springfield, all backgrounds. Thus we put on freely discuss many topics.
Virginia, USA. programs for a diverse community If a member of our community
in various languages, including passes away, the Imam Ali Centre
Hussein Revivalism: What Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and English. provides special services to assist
are the primary activities of the Our mission is also to fulfil the with burial fees. We are seeking
centre? spiritual needs of every Muslim to establish relationships with
Sheikh Akhound: Our centre resident in the United States. local churches and with other
is unique; unlike most other With this goal in mind, we organisations for the purpose
16 Hussein Revivalism
