The morning star
Shines in
Joyous radiance.
A new era beckons.
In hope:
A new vision,
New resolution.
Today is the first of Muharram, the first
Month of Islam’s lunar year.
Let us remember, too
This month
Weighted down in
Tragedy

We see Karbala,
A symbol, a struggle,
A sign
To citadels of peace and truth.
Now let us turn
From grief, gazing ahead
To heed
This language of love,
Of universal brotherhood, growing in
Spirit, mind and body, guided by
Him, God Almighty
The omnipotent
The omniscient
The omnipresent

Akbar Hyderabi
Oxford
1st Muharram 1428 / 20th January 2007