The Shrine of Imam Hussein in Damascus (Photo by Emily O'Dell)
Don’t you know that the Day of Ashura is a day of mourning for a single soul
that is more excellent than an entire generation?
How should this tragedy be lightly esteemed by the true believer?
Love for the ear-ring is in proportion to love for the ear.
In the true believer’s view the mourning for that pure spirit
is more celebrated than a hundred floods of Noah…
— Rumi
