Syed Kamber Hussain Naqvi is a young and well-read cleric based in London. Although he is not a Friday prayer leader, he is directly involved in outreach and maintains close contact with the youth.

He gave brief answers to our five questions, yet each of his words is thoughtful and meaningful.

We invite you to read this short interview.

1. Could you describe your activities?

I’m not an Imam of Friday prayers, but I regularly give lectures, hold discussions with the youth, and provide counselling. I serve as a point of contact for people facing personal or general issues.

2. What are the practical aspects of renewing allegiance to Imam Hussain (a.s) in Muharram?

It means living by Hussaini values in our daily lives whether at university, work, or in society with sincerity, justice, and standing for truth in action, not just words.

3. How would you explain the difference between true and false Islam to today’s youth?

True Islam isn’t just a label or claim. Those who fought Imam Hussain also called themselves Muslims. Real Islam is following the Qur’an and Ahlulbayt (a.s.), acting on our responsibilities even in hardship, and trusting the outcome to Allah, not picking what suits our desires.

4. What does “Muharram and Safar have kept Islam alive” mean?

After the Prophet (PBUH), Islamic teachings were distorted. Rulers used propaganda to control the narrative, suppressing the Ahlulbayt (a.s.). Karbala revived true Islam, exposed falsehood, and paved the way for the Imams to guide people back to the path of the Prophet. Aba Abdullah (a.s.) made this awakening possible.

5. What is the root of division among Muslims, enemy plots or Muslim ignorance?

Both. Enemies use “divide and conquer” to weaken Muslims, but many Muslims unknowingly fall into that trap. Instead of focusing on shared values, they focus on differences. The solution is education, awareness of history, and foresight (baseera) to recognize and resist the real enemies of Islam.