Gathering of Husseini Infants in more than 45 countries worldwide Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) is the greatest proof of the righteousness of Ashura

According to the Taghrib News Agency, a press conference by Davoud Manafipour, the Secretary of the Global Assembly of Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS), was held this morning at the Imam Sadiq (AS) Mosque.

Honoring the memory of the martyred Leader of the Revolution and referring to the status of Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) in the event of Ashura, he stated: "The martyrdom of Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) is the greatest proof of the righteousness of Sayyed al-Shuhada (Imam Hussein, AS), and the global gathering of Husseini Infants has been formed with the aim of explaining this very truth."

Manafipour, referring to the beginning of this movement in 2003 (1382 Persian calendar), said: "We started the gathering of Husseini Infants with the presence of 800 infants at the Tehran Mosalla (Tehran's main prayer ground). Today, after about 25 years, this movement has become a global phenomenon, with millions of people participating in thousands of gatherings and ceremonies in Iran and around the world."

He announced that the global gathering of Husseini Infants will be held at 8:30 AM on the first Friday of the month of Muharram, and added: "This ceremony is now held in over 9,000 locations across Islamic Iran and 45 countries worldwide."

The Secretary of the Global Assembly of Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS), referring to recent developments, spoke of a review of some programs and approaches of this global conference and said: "One of the most important focuses of our attention in recent years has been the role of women in the process of preparing for the emergence (of Imam Mahdi)."

He added: "Unless women enter the arena of preparing for the emergence and play their role in this path, the emergence will not be realized. Therefore, a correct interpretation based on revealed teachings of the status of women in the world must be presented."

Manafipour, emphasizing the mission of the Global Assembly of Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) in explaining the oppression suffered by this martyred infant, stated: "The enemies may distort many truths, but they have no answer to the question: for what sin was a suckling infant targeted by an arrow?"

He continued: "Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) is the most unparalleled proof of the righteousness of Imam Hussein (AS), and the martyrdom of this child has forever clarified the line between truth and falsehood."

The Umayyads are a mindset, not merely a historical current

The Secretary of the Global Assembly of Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS), referring to developments in the region and the world, said: "The Umayyad current is not merely a historical phenomenon; it is a symbol of a mindset based on lies, distortion, and totalitarianism that continues today in various forms."

He described ISIS as one of the products of this mindset and added: "The global system of domination also follows the same path, seeking to distort the truth using media and political tools."

More than eight million women attend the Gathering of Husseini Infants

Manafipour, stating that the Gathering of Husseini Infants has become one of the largest gatherings of women in the world, said: "According to statistics from previous years, more than eight million women have participated in this ceremony, and this number has certainly increased today."

He described the role of women in nurturing a waiting generation and preparing for the emergence as decisive, and added: "Millions of mothers who attend this ceremony with their children are, in fact, defending the righteousness of Sayyed al-Shuhada (Imam Hussein, AS)."

The Secretary of the Global Assembly of Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS), referring to the importance of imagery in conveying the concepts of Ashura, said: "If in the past Ashura was conveyed mostly through narration and sermons, today imagery has also been added to this process."

He added: "The presence of a mother with her child at the Gathering of Husseini Infants is a tangible symbol of the oppression of Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS), and sometimes has an impact far greater than thousands of speeches and arguments."

Manafipour announced the design of a comprehensive software application on the eve of the 25th year of the assembly's activities and said: "The goal of this project is to organize all the capacities, communications, and activities formed from 2003 to the present within an intelligent network."

He also referred to the financial difficulties of this organization and added: "The Global Assembly of Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) is completely popular and does not use government budgets. This year, we need more than two and a half million sets of clothing for the ceremonies, but increased costs have led to a reduction in production compared to previous years."

Goal of holding 21,000 sessions in the coming years

The Secretary of the Global Assembly of Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) announced that this year's ceremonies number over 9,500 sessions in Iran and 45 countries worldwide, and said: "Despite some international limitations, this movement continues its growing trend, and our goal is to reach 21,000 sessions in the coming years."

Referring to the presence of followers of other religions at this ceremony, he added: "The Gathering of Husseini Infants today is not limited to Shia and Muslims, and there are examples of Christian mothers participating in various countries, including Lebanon."

In conclusion, Manafipour announced the drafting of a joint statement by mothers to be recited at this year's Muharram ceremonies and said: "The program of the mothers' pledge of allegiance to the Supreme Leader will be one of the special focuses this year. Additionally, a plan for women's participation in the funeral procession of the martyred Leader of the Revolution has been drafted, and the necessary coordination has been made in this regard."

He noted: "The global gathering of Husseini Infants has today become one of the important pillars of popular epic‑making, and by God's grace, it will continue its path every year more extensively than before."

Gathering of Husseini Infants in more than 45 countries worldwide / Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) is the greatest proof of the righteousness of Ashura