Annemarie Schimmel was one of the greatest, if not the greatest, commentator on Islamic literatures writing in English. Her works are magisterial, and very diverse. I’ve discovered one of her articles on-line, and it’s about the marsiya tradition. Her translations are just beautiful. I wish they had also included the original texts.
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Sorry, I have been away for a while. I spent the last few weeks in Kampala, Uganda, where I was visting my parents and soaking up the country of my birth. The homecoming was well-timed. I was surprised to see that Osama was a hailed in this African country. I am not sure whether many Ugandans supported Osama’s politics or just detested those framed by Cheney, Rummy, and Wolfowitz. America is indeed vilified and hated for is arrogance all over the developing world. It is sad, because under Clinton, Africans held Americans in high esteem. That goodwill has been squandered.…
Masjid Imam Husayn Video from a recent Cairo trip. Remembrance of the martyred grandson of the Prophet, Imam Husayn.
Marsiya
شەيد كربلا كي مومينوں جب ياد آتي هے تژپ جاتي هے دنيا خون آنسوں بەاتي هے يا حسين shahîd-e karbalâ kî momînoñ jab yâd âtî hai taRap jâtî hai duniyâ xûn ânsûñ bahâtî hai yâ husayn When believers remember the Martyr of Karbala The world becomes upset Blood flows as tears Oh Husayn! From a Marsiya performed by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.