Poll: Ashura Represents Awareness, Sacrifice, and Pursuit of Justice

Following an online poll conducted by DIDPress on the “most important actions to keep the message of Ashura alive in Afghanistan’s current conditions,” significant results were obtained, reflecting the concerns and priorities of public opinion in a religious society grappling with social crises.

Key Findings:

• Promoting a culture of sacrifice and devotion (29%) and educating the youth about Imam Hussain’s (AS) uprising (29%) were tied as the top priorities for preserving Ashura’s message.
  
  This highlights society’s need for role models from the epic of Ashura, emphasizing its core values—sacrifice, selflessness, and resistance against oppression.
  
• Fighting corruption and injustice in society (28%) ranked third, indicating that a considerable portion of the public sees practical struggle against oppression and corruption as a true embodiment of Ashura’s spirit.
  
• Efforts to unite Muslims (14%) came in fourth, suggesting that while religious and social cohesion remains a concern, it is perceived as relatively less urgent.
  
• Surprisingly, knowledge-based mourning gatherings and analytical discussions, despite their intrinsic importance in deepening Ashura’s understanding, received no votes.
  
  This could serve as a wake-up call for religious and cultural activists regarding the effectiveness of traditional mourning practices.

Final Analysis:
The poll results demonstrate that Afghan society, now more than ever, needs to connect Ashura’s teachings with contemporary social struggles. People seek practical applications of Ashura—from educating the youth to combating corruption and fostering sacrifice.

Religious, cultural, and social activists must adopt strategic, purpose-driven programming for Muharram and beyond, aligning with public expectations. Additionally, the lack of interest in analytical discourse on Ashura underscores a critical gap, placing greater responsibility on preachers, media, and cultural institutions to produce meaningful, thought-provoking content.