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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Husyan the Sacrifice For Mankind Chapter 7: Husayni Ceremonies- Interview With a Christian Scholar Interviewer: Jasim Safar The following is an extract of the interview with Dr Paul al-Hilw which appeared in the Arabic Kuwaiti monthly 'al-Minbar', issue 12 (2nd Year), May 2001, page 12. Translated by Ali Adam, London.

Introduction There is a point which must be dealt with in reply to the question: is it truethat our upholding of the Husayni ceremonies (al-sha’a’ir al- Husayniyyah) including tatbir or the striking of the head with a sword, causes others to look down upon us?

The answer is more obvious than the question, for it is evident that all Islamic ceremonies are likely to be looked down upon, including theceremonies of prayer and the hajj pilgrimage and so on, if we do not workto clarify the philosophy of these ceremonies to others. When people look at us, they require an explanation from us of the religious rituals andceremonies that we practise. This is a natural thing.

If we were not toclarify to them this philosophy or explain its aspects and aims, then we open the door to looks of bewilderment, mockery and denigration. Ifhowever, we work towards explaining this to the people, and particularly to thinkers, intellectuals and people of understanding, they will comprehend the lofty goals of these civilised ceremonies and will grasp the extent of their importance and this will result in an increased respect for us and our beliefs and our school of thought.

We do not say this out of thin air, for reality proves this since many thinkers and academics; westerners more than Muslims, have testified to the greatness of these ceremonies and have bowed their heads in respect to them. It would suffice for us to peruse books such as ‘Testimonies of western scholars about Husayni ceremonies,’ or ‘Tatbir, a reality not an innovation,’ in order to examine these statements and testimonies in abundance64.

The Interview Here we record the testimony of a Christian academic who specialises in the study of human societies and their traditions and customs, the Lebanese Maronite, Doctor Paul Joseph al-Hilw. He has been a professor and lecturer at several Lebanese universities and is a writer and linguist in many scientific and academic circles.