Donate blood to hospitals instead of self-harm: Shiite clerics

BAMYAN CITY (Pajhwok): Shiite mourners must donate blood to hospitals instead of self-flagellation, a number of Shiite scholars said on Monday.

A Shiite religious scholar and follower of Muhaqiq party, Nimatullah Sadiqi, told Pajhwok Afghan News, from Islamic point of view, harming oneself or others is un-Islamic and is considered an inappropriate act, so no one should shed his blood, which is also haram in Islam.”

“Islam is the religion of thoroughly love, brotherliness and welfare, so Imam Hussain (RWA) revolted against violence, oppression and to ensure all human rights in the society.”

Sadiqi believed Shiite mourners should donate blood to patients in need in health centres instead of striking themselves with chains and swords.

He urged Shiite mourners to help others like orphans and solve problems of people, something Islam insisted on.

“Mourners should know that self-harm and hurting others and violence have no place in Islam, so the believers should avoid such actions”.

About the great sacrifice of Imam Hussain (RWA), religious scholar Hujjatul Islam Ahmad Salehi said that Imam Hussain wanted to end oppression, corruption and indecent acts from society.

“Any kind of extremist act will increase the gap between the people, self-flagellation has nothing to do with the revolution of Karbala”.

In the memory of Karbala martyrs, he requested more welfare activities such as construction of schools, clinics, bridges, creating education opportunities, alleviating poverty and blood donation to patients instead of shedding own blood.

A number of mourners said they performed self- flagellation to express their love with the martyrs of Karbala.

Nadir, a resident of Bamyan city, said striking oneself with knives to express love was not right and they should mourn to please the martyrs of Karbala and Almighty Allah.

He said he had witnessed many self-floggers falling unconscious due to heavy blood loss, which was dangerous.

“It is better to donate blood to a patient who needs it instead of shedding blood on the ground”.

Abdul Sattar, another mourner, said whipping oneself with knives was less-practiced during Muharram processions.

He believed if the youth were made aware of the dangers associated with self- flagellation, they would never repeat it again.

A number of other people and religious scholars requested the people to avoid walking aimlessly in streets and playing loud sounds until late at night.

Governor Maulvi Abdullah Sarhadi said that elaborate security measures had been put in place around mosques and other places for Muharram days to prevent any untoward incident.

aw/ma