The development of information transmission and modern communication technology has made the world a small village. In addition to liberating Iraq from the grip of dictatorship, these modes have helped those who want to reflect upon the true principles of Islam. Consequently, written media has made its way to clarify and disseminate Islamic concepts from the vantage point of Ahl al-Bayt in the form of the magazine Hussein Revivalism. This magazine makes the most of the tremendous progress in the realm of written media.
It has been of paramount significance to spread the message of Islam amongst other nations. In doing so, it is hoped that these nations will have access to the authentic nature of Islam and the message of Prophet Muhammad, all revolving around the axes of justice, peace and tolerance. To accomplish this mission, the International Media Unit had been established to disseminate the principles of Islam in a number of languages. Imam al-Hussein's Holy Shrine has taken it upon itself to fill the void in terms of Islamic culture in non- Arab countries. Therefore, it has publications in several languages besides Arabic, namely: English, German, French, Persian, Turkish and Urdu, all with the purpose of shedding light on the religion and traditions of Islam.
Content-wise, the Sanctuary has adopted a balanced approach of addressing issues in all of its publications. In this way, it propagates the fundamental beliefs of Islam and the thoughts of the Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt, so as to make their messages clear and understandable to a typical foreign reader. The ultimate goal of the Sanctuary is to define for other nations those central concepts of Islam, such as calling for peace, justice and goodness, and building the bridges between knowledge and humanity. In doing so, it has tried to enhance the image of pure Islamic righteousness, a concept heavily under attack by those who are against Islam, i.e., terrorists. The tasks of the Media Unit are distributed by its expert teams.
The first team is the staff of the Arabic magazine, bearing the title Al-Rawda al-Husseiniyyah, which is considered the main section of the unit. The next branches of teams are those concerned with magazines published in other languages, e.g., English, French, German, Persian, and Turkish. The teams associated with and contributing to these magazines are involved in a number of activities such as translation, developing topics, and editing- -tasks for which they benefit from the expertise of a number of advisors and translators who are affiliated to universities. A great number of such experts are non-Iraqi correspondents who contribute to their corresponding magazines from outside Iraq.
Causes of emergence
Muhammad Hussain al-Amidi, the superintendent of the unit, echoed the reasons for founding this media program and discussed its goals. He expressed: "Due to the urgent need to shed light on the concepts of moderate Islam, with a basis in peace, the administration of Imam al-Hussein's Sacred Sanctuary established the unit to issue publications in foreign languages. This unit began its activities about one year ago." Hence, it has been active in publishing its magazines in several languages, e.g., Arabic, English, French, German, Persian, Turkish, and Urdu, in addition to maintaining its official website for the international media unit, which can be found at www.imhussain.com. & http://intlmedia.imamhussain.org/
In addition to issuing the magazines, the unit has held conferences around the world.We are working to open cultural centers in various nations to disseminate the key principles of Islam and to highlight the revolution achieved by Imam al-Hussein.
Below, the function of each periodical is outlined: In conclusion, Mr. Amidi added: "There is a future plan for issuing magazines in other languages, such as Kurdish and Turkmen, to propagate Islamic discourse from the land of Karbala throughout the world, and to spread its influence to all regions of the globe."
1- The Arabic periodical Al-Rawda al-Husseiniyyah
It is a monthly magazine that is usually composed of sixty-eight pages in each issue, dealing primarily with topics of Islamic culture. As a cornerstone and the oldest of all the periodicals dispersed by the Sacred Sanctuary, it has been in publication since 2004. It discusses matters from the life of Prophet Muhammad, his messages and mission, as well as those ofhis Ahl al-Bayt.
2- The English periodical Hussein Revivalism
It was previously published before the official establishment of the Media Unit. Being a seasoned cultural magazine, it aims to create communication and build connections between the east and west, in addition to exposing typical English-speaking audiences to the religious and cultural heritage in Islam and Iraq.
3- The French periodical Hussein Renaissance
It was the first Islamic cultural magazine ever published in French from Iraq. It highlights moral Islamic principles such as moderation, peace, and righteousness, and abstaining from violence and extremism. It reviews the intellectual output of Iraqi civilization since ancient times.
4- Astan Husseini is the Persian magazine
It published for the large crowds of Iranian and Persian-speaking pilgrims who come to Karbala and wish to learn more about the city and its significance and status. It is the first specialized magazine of its kind published in Iraq.
5- The German outlet, titled Hussein Stimme
It propounds concepts of Islamic moderation to the German-speaking audience. In addition, it elaborates on the doctrines of the Ahl al-Bayt.
6- The Turkish magazine El-Nahda Al-Hussainyya
It revolves around cultural, educational and other related subjects to mirror Islamic religious teachings. It reinforces the values of justice, moderation, and goodness, away from violence and militancy.
7- The Urdu magazine, Rawza-e-Husseini
It was established in conjunction with the tasks deemed necessary by the Publications Unit.The information and materials uploaded thereon can readily be downloaded by visitors and interested parties from around the world.
8- The websites, www.imhussain.com & www.intlmedia.imamhussain.org/
It focuses on bringing the message of Islam to the Urdu-speaking and Urdu-reading public. It deserves mention that it has been a brand new experience and a praiseworthy challenge to have an Urdu magazine published in Iraq. It is a welcomed challenge, because it has not been particularly easy to have Urdu fonts and translators readily available in Iraq.