The theatre director, stage and film actor, university scholar and researcher talked to Honaronline about the artistic values of the epic event of Ashura - the tenth day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar. For the majority of Shia Muslims, Ashura marks the climax of the Remembrance of Muharram, and commemorates the death of Fourth Shia Imam Hussein (AS), the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) at the Battle of Karbala on 10 Muharram in the year 61 AH (October 10, 680 CE).
He said: I’m not an expert in religion but would like to look at the event of Ashura from a different perspective; that of a global view: Many experts divide the historical and social characteristics of Iran into four different categories. The first characteristic of the Iranian society is that of its tendency towards mysticism. It has shown itself all throughout history the belief that union with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or the spiritual apprehension of knowledge inaccessible to the intellect, may be attained through contemplation and self-surrender.
On the second characteristic of the Iranians he said: No doubt the second characteristic has to be attributed to the fact that this society loves trade and middleman activities. This became especially true after the reign of The Parthian Empire, also known as the Arsacid Empire, which was a major Iranian political and cultural power in ancient Iran and Iraq. That time the country was suffering from water shortages. The Iranian society built and expanded the Silk Road in order to develop its cities and towns and trade with other regional countries.
He added: Sadly enough, the third characteristics of the Iranian society is that it suffers from the dire consequences of tribalism - the behavior and attitudes that stem from strong loyalty to one's own tribe or social group. For instance, when someone from Gilan becomes minister he immediately brings with him his tribesmen to the ministry. In other words, we are yet to institutionalize the subject matter of nationalism in our society - a range of political, social, and economic systems characterized by promoting the interests of the whole nation and not just one tribe or ethnic group.
Sadeghi said Iranians have always supported the oppressed people, which is in fact the fourth characteristic of the Iranian nation. He added: For some reasons Iranians lost wars to some barbaric tribes in the past. This helped us to develop the sense of sympathy towards the oppressed against and against the oppressor. We never favored the tormenter winning any war, particularly during the time of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). We backed those who were defeated. The truth is, this is not something that we should be dealing with it submissively. In the Ancient Greek culture they had the same kind of tragedy – it reached its most significant form in Athens in the 5th century BC, the theatrical works of which are sometimes called Attic tragedy.
According to Sadeghi, no society can survive without having a role model: Many role models in the Greek Tragedy and elsewhere have had their impacts in the world. They have also affected our Islamic culture and civilization to some extent. That’s why we always see them both appear in our tragedies. The one that triumphs is armed to the teeth, has power and numerous soldiers. The one that’s beaten has nothing but faith.
He went on to argue that victors are for the moment and those who are defeated belong to history: They won the battle with nothing but their faith and that says why they are remembered and commended all throughout history.
In conclusion, the Iranian researcher said: Those who have attained values through faith share them with others. They promote these lofty principles and values, and unavoidably expand and strengthen their cultures. This culture depends on faith and is dominant spiritually. I see the epic story of Ashura from this particular angle. Imam Hussein (AS) won the battle of Karbala. They couldn’t defeat him.