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Martyrdom Lecture, Dr. Ali Shariati This lecture was delivered on 25 Esfand 1350, corresponding to 9 Muharram 1392, in Husseiniyeh Ershad. It is difficult for me to speak today, especially about martyrdom, and especially today, which is the Shiite Blood Festival. Much has been said and written about what Hussein did in history. The ancients justified it in one way and the modern intellectuals in another. But I recently realized that it is impossible to understand what Hussein did unless we understand what martyrdom is? Martyrdom is the death of an individual and at the same time the revival of a nation. Martyrdom is not war, it is a mission. It is not a weapon, it is a message. It is a word pronounced with blood! It cannot destroy betrayal! But it is a ray of light, in the general darkness, that illuminates the space and reveals betrayal!