Pilgrimage, Protest, and the Preservation of Memory: The Case of the 1977 Safar Uprising in Iraq

Location: WLH 309, 100 Wall St, New Haven, CT

In 1977, an attempt to ban the Arbaeen pilgrimage in Iraq transformed a religious procession into a mass anti-government movement. The crackdown that followed—marked by armed confrontation, arrests, executions, and suppression—highlights a critical question: will gatherings for Imam Hussein always be understood, by political authorities, as carrying latent political potential? If so, what are the enduring implications for the Shia community? The talk will also reflect on the scholarly duty to preserve histories of oppression and its connection to the mission of Imam Hussain.

Marsin Alshamary, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Boston College: Prof. Alshamary is a scholar of Middle Eastern politics, with a primary focus on religious institutions, civil society, and protest movements. She is currently working on a book manuscript titled: “A Century of the Iraqi Hawza: How Clerics Shaped Protests and Politics in Modern Day Iraq”, which explores the historical and contemporary interactions between the Shi’a religious establishment and protest movements. Her work is driven by a commitment to understanding the Middle East’s complexities and contributing to informed discussions in both academic and public spheres.

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The Annual Imam Hussein Lecture on Social Justice, established in 2022, features leading thinkers, scholars, activists, and cultural producers who draw on the Shia Muslim tradition to explore themes of social, economic, and political justice. Inspired by the life and sacrifice of Imam Hussein (upon whom be peace)—the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and a timeless embodiment of justice, mercy, and compassion—this lecture calls us to reflect on the ongoing struggle against systems of oppression and exploitation in pursuit of a truly beloved community.

Presented by the Muslim Leadership Lab at Dwight Hall, in partnership with the Shia Racial Justice Coalition and the Muslim Life Program at the Yale Chaplain’s Office.