The tragedy of Karbala, the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, is one of those events of cosmic significance. Its lessons concern not just one group of men and their relationship to the world, but all mankind. It is a moral paradigm. It teaches sacrifice and opposition to injustice: it teaches integrity of purpose, love of family, gentle­ness, and bravery. In fact, in the account of the tragic journey and martyrdom of Imam Hussain, there are lessons in all the moral virtues. Perhaps the one that strikes