• Press
• 1 Muharram 1447

Imam Hussein holy shrine
During the Falg-Changing Ceremony at the Holy Shrine of Imam Husayn (P), Shaykh ʿAbd al-Mahdi al-Karbala’I states: Adhering to the guidance of the Supreme Religious Authority, there is no better future for Iraq without competence, integrity, the state's exclusive control over arms, and the eradication of corruption at all levels.

In his address during the second part of the ceremony of changing the banner atop the dome of the shrine of Imam Husayn (P), the representative of the Supreme Religious Authority, Shaykh ʿAbd al-Mahdi al-Karbala’i, referred to the serious developments that the region, particularly in the past year, has witnessed—events that reflect an ongoing and fierce battle between two opposing fronts: one that defends truth, justice, and righteousness, and another that embodies oppression, tyranny, and evil in its most brutal forms—surpassing all conceivable limits.
He stated that this continuing struggle has exacted a tremendous toll in precious blood, inflicted widespread harm upon our brothers and sisters, resulting in displacement, starvation, and destruction of homes and property. The people of truth have made immense sacrifices, rarely matched in history. However, he emphasized that none of this should lead to feelings of weakness or defeat.
Shaykh al-Karbala’i further noted that the Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt (P) urged the ongoing commemoration of the tragedy of Karbala, as it represents the pinnacle of injustice and criminality perpetrated against the purified family of the Prophet. The sacrifices made by Imam Husayn (P) in defense of religion and in confronting tyranny and deviation are eternal and must be remembered.
He affirmed that the rituals of mourning for Imam Husayn are not merely outward expressions, but rather a vital means for reviving the essence and obligations of religion. He called on believers to grasp the deeper spiritual and moral significance of these rituals and to practice them with sincere faith and devotion. He explained that while gatherings of mourning and expressions of sorrow are among the most prominent aspects of preserving the Husayni cause, they should serve as a path toward fulfilling the core objectives of Imam Husayn’s (P) movement—most notably, the enjoining of good and forbidding of evil, a divine duty upon which all religious obligations rest and by which the condition of the ummah can be reformed.
He underscored the importance of commemorating the rituals with awareness and insight, stressing that these practices are acts of sincere worship through which believers draw closer to God by expressing their solidarity with the Prophet (P) and his noble progeny in the face of their profound tragedy in Karbala.
This duty, he added, is not limited to religious scholars or clergy, but rather extends to every individual according to their role and circumstances, while also affirming the need to adhere to the appropriate religious guidelines. He warned that violating these principles could lead to counterproductive outcomes.
Shaykh al-Karbala’i emphasized that God’s way in creation is based on trial and testing, and that the battle between truth and falsehood will continue until the end of time. In that context, the revolution of Imam Husayn (P) remains a shining beacon that guides the believers toward the correct stance in this ongoing struggle.
He noted that the bloody events of the past year reflect the continuity of this fierce conflict between the front of truth and the front of falsehood. The sacrifices offered by the defenders of truth should not lead to despair or retreat, but rather should inspire greater resolve, determination, and serious efforts to overcome setbacks and weaknesses in realistic, pragmatic ways—free from illusion or fantasy.
He further stressed that this confrontation unfolds in various phases over time, and that the people of truth must not be deceived by superficial appearances or misleading slogans. He called upon those in leadership to draw lessons from the grave losses and tragedies experienced by their nations.
Shaykh al-Karbala’i warned of the perilous conditions currently unfolding in the region, affirming that the Iraqi people will not remain untouched by their consequences—sooner or later.
He urged the nation to equip itself with awareness and vigilance, to strive for internal reform, and to commit to nation-building upon sound foundations.
He declared that unless a sincere and concrete effort is made to build Iraq on solid ground, its future will not be better than its present. He emphasized that those in positions of power must fear God and prioritize the interests of the people, the country, and the region, as the wellbeing of nations is deeply intertwined.
In conclusion, the representative of the Supreme Religious Authority underscored the necessity of preserving the constitutional achievements attained after long years of dictatorship, and of preventing any return to the eras of injustice and oppression—despite the cumulative failures and shortcomings of the past two decades.
He concluded by citing a previous statement issued by the Supreme Religious Authority, in which it called for drawing lessons from past experiences and correcting the nation’s trajectory.
That statement affirmed that a better future for Iraq can only be achieved through the implementation of practical and scientific plans for governance, entrusting leadership to individuals of competence and integrity, preventing foreign interference, enforcing the rule of law, limiting arms exclusively to state control, and combating corruption at all levels.