Month of Muharram Programs

In 680 AD, the grandson of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad, Husayn ibn Ali, was brutally slaughtered by an army of thirty-thousand at the order of the Umayyad caliph Yazid ibn Muawiya. While Husayn was killed at the whims of men’s greed and lust for power, what was the purpose of his most tragic death? Husayn died for the same thing that he lived for – Islam. His tragedy, his Saga of Hope, would be the catalyst to save the religion that billions of people around the world have come to follow over the past fourteen centuries.

The Mainstay Foundation hosts its national Muharram campaign. Over the course of two months, the foundation will be organizing more than ten projects and programs which aim to engage the community members with the timeless and universal message of Imam Husayn (a).

Programs the Foundations Hosts

An interactive program for children ages 5-10 years old with Elwiya ʿIlwiyyah Zainab Almosawi at Bint Jebail Cultural Center.

A sisters only program with Sr. Walaa Abada. This program will be held in-person at the Bint Jebail Cultural Center and virtually via Zoom.

A family program with Haj Jalal Moughania. This program will be held in-person and streamed to our YouTube channel

A family program with Sayyid Haidar Bahrelelom. This program will be held in-person and streamed to our YouTube channel

A brothers only majlis with Sayyid Bahaa Almousawi. This program will be held in-person and streamed to our YouTube channel

Husayn Service Day is a national day of service in honor of the legacy of Imam Husayn (a). For the 6th year in a row, we are coming together to give back to our communities. This national day of service honor the teachings of Imam Husayn through acts of service and giving back. Whether it is gardening at your local mosque or church, helping the elderly, donating blood, or serving meals at a soup kitchen, we invite you to go out and serve your community. Join us in extending our hands to others. Like Imam Husayn, let us give from ourselves and be a spark of compassion to those around us. Act today and join us in this national campaign. Share some photos on social media using the these hashtags:

– #ThinkHumanity
– #HusaynServiceDay
– #HSD
– #Muharram

Here are some ideas for you to take part in:

  1. Volunteer at a local humanitarian organization
  2. Reach out to your neighboring mosque or church and lend a helping hand
  3. Call your grandparents and family members.
  4. Add encouraging messages to your sidewalks using chalk.
  5. Call a friend from school that you don’t talk to often to say “Salaam!”
  6. Write a note to your parents to let them know how much you love them.
  7. Make your family breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
  8. Deliver/drop off groceries to an elderly neighbor.
  9. Clean or cut an elderly person’s lawn.
  10. Leave a note and a small gift for delivery drivers.
  11. Send a motivational text to a friend who is struggling.
  12. Help with chores without being asked and without complaining.
  13. Pick weeds from your family’s flower beds and gardens.
  14. Tell each of your family members one thing you love about them.
  15. Place large signs with kind messages in your windows for pedestrians to see.

Building on the success of the Husayni Expressions Competition over the last five years, The Mainstay Foundation is proud to continue this effort and host a national competition that will bring out amazing talent and creativity all in the service of Imam Husayn (as). In its enhanced format, the Husayni Expressions Competition aims to provide an effective platform to encourage and inspire the youth to utilize their creative talents to serve The Ahlulbayt (as). Be it a poem, portrait, latmiya, video presentation, or any other form of creativity, it is through our expressions that we propagate the undying message of The Ahlulbayt (as) and empower communities to proudly follow and practice their message.