October 16^th – 12^th Rabi’ Al Thani

World Food Day

World Food Day is celebrated every year around the world on the 16th of October; the date that the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FOA) was founded in 1945. First commemorated by the FOA in 1979, World Food Day aims to promote healthy diets and eradicate hunger issues by 2030.

World Food Day adopts a new theme every year, with previous themes including Family Farming (2014) and Our Actions are our Future (2018). The theme for 2024 is ‘Right to foods for a better life and a better future.’ This is based on the fact that the world’s farmers produce enough food to feed more than the global population, but hunger is still an issue for many.

Fall of Umayyads 132/749

After the death of Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik, the Umayyad dynasty weakened and lost control over their military organization. In Africa, the Berbers revolted, leading to the loss of a significant portion of the Umayyad territory there. At the same time, in the east, Abu Muslim al-Khorasani applied pressure on the Umayyads. With revolts erupting on multiple fronts, Abu Muslim played a key role in proclaiming al-Saffah as the caliph. Marwan II, the last Umayyad caliph, fled to Egypt but was eventually killed. This marked the end of the Umayyad caliphate and the rise of the Abbasid Caliphate, who were descendants of Ibn Abbas, the uncle of Prophet Muhammad.

October 18^th – 14^th Rabi’ Al Thani

Movement of Mukhtar 66/685

Mukhtar’s uprising began five years after the Karbala tragedy and one year after the “Tawwabin” movement. He sought to avenge the blood of Husayn ibn Ali (peace be upon him) and punish the killers of the Karbala martyrs. On the 14th of Rabi’ al-Awwal, 66 AH, Mukhtar started his revolt in Kufa, expelling Abdullah ibn Mutee, the governor appointed by Abdullah ibn Zubayr. His movement was driven by the slogans “Ya Mansur Ummat” and “Ya Latharat al-Husayn” (Revenge for Husayn).

Fierce fighting broke out in Kufa, resulting in casualties and surrenders. Mukhtar entered the palace, and the city’s nobles pledged allegiance to him. According to Akhbar al-Tiwal, most of Mukhtar’s army consisted of Persian mawali (freedmen). Once in power, Mukhtar executed the culprits of Karbala and sent forces to surrounding regions to conquer and punish other criminals. His battles against Umayyad supporters lasted for some time.

Mukhtar’s most significant action was the battle against the army of Sham (Syria) in 67 AH. His forces, led by Ibrahim ibn al-Ashtar, defeated the Syrian army under Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad. Key leaders, including Ubaydullah, Husayn ibn Numayr al-Sakuni, and Sharjeel ibn Dhi al-Kala’, were killed, and the remaining Syrian forces fled to Mosul.

October 20^th – 16^th Rabi’ Al Thani

Tribulation of the Prophet Salih‘s people

Prophet Saleh, son of Jaben, was a descendant of Nuh (Noah), born 2,973 years after Adam’s fall. Described as tall, broad-shouldered, and eloquent, he had black hair and rosy cheeks. Saleh was known for his piety from a young age and balanced his preaching with business.

When appointed as a prophet, Saleh began guiding his people, but only a small group followed him. The rest demanded a miracle, asking for a pregnant camel to emerge from a mountain and immediately give birth. Saleh prayed to God, and miraculously, a pregnant she-camel came out of the mountain, delivering a young camel. Despite this, many still did not believe. Saleh warned: “This is a she-camel; she shall have her portion of water, and you have yours at an appointed time” (Qur’an 26:155).

A group of adversaries killed the camel, while her young fled to the mountains. When the people sought Saleh’s help, he asked for the young camel, but it cried for its mother and disappeared. Saleh then warned them: “Enjoy yourselves for three days, for this is a promise not to be denied” (Qur’an 11:65). This is how Tribulation of the Prophet Salih’s (pbuh) began for the people

October 22^nd – 18^th Rabi’ Al Thani

Martyrdom of Ayatollah Haj Seyyed Mostafa Khomeini

On October 22, 1977, Ayatollah Haj Seyyed Mostafa Khomeini was martyred. Born in Qom, he studied Islamic sciences under prominent scholars such as Ayatollah Sadouqi, Mohammad Javad Esfahani, Ayatollah Boroujerdi, Imam Khomeini, and Allameh Tabatabaei.

Due to his exceptional intelligence, Ayatollah Haj Seyyed Mostafa Khomeini achieved the rank of ijtihad at 27 and taught in the Najaf seminary for 10 years. In 1964, following Imam Khomeini’s exile to Turkey, Ayatollah Haj Seyyed Mostafa Khomeini was arrested, imprisoned, and later exiled to Turkey and Iraq, remaining by his father’s side until his mysterious assassination by SAVAK agents in 1977.

His martyrdom played a crucial role in awakening the Iranian Muslim community and expanding the Islamic Revolution. His death triggered mass protests, starting in Qom, spreading to Tabriz, and eventually across the entire country.