Habip Kocak.
Documentary Photographer.
Tasua: A Testament of Faith and Resistance.
Tasua symbolizes the final stand of Imam Hussein and his companions a day before the Battle of Karbala. Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and the son of the Fourth Caliph Imam Ali, is regarded as a symbol of justice, freedom, and moral values in Islam. Karbala is one of the most striking representations in Islamic history of defiance against oppression and the struggle for freedom. In this tragic event, Imam Hussein, along with the male members of his family—elders, youths, and even children—was martyred. The heartbreaking deaths of children at Karbala left an indelible mark on human history and became a poignant symbol of the quest for justice. Today, Tasua is commemorated throughout the Islamic world, especially among Shi’a communities, as a sacred day honouring this noble stand, sacrifice, and the eternal search for divine justice.
Tasua is a day when sorrow and mourning rise toward the heavens. This project traces the spirit of faith, resistance, and profound loss on a day dedicated to the legacy of Imam Hussein.
Each face, each gaze, is a silent witness to the sorrow, unshakable loyalty, and deep yearning carried within. Tasua is not merely a historical commemoration; it is the living memory of a determined stand against oppression and injustice. It bridges the pain of the past with the hopes of today.
Through my lens, I sought to capture the silent stories etched in the expressions of believers. A tear, a whispered prayer, a distant gaze – all come together to form a timeless echo of remembrance and resistance. Every frame in this series is a visual manifesto where individual grief intertwines with collective strength.
The individuals depicted here embody not only their personal sorrow but also humanity’s universal yearning for justice and dignity. For Tasua is not just a day of mourning; it is the living symbol of a conscience that refuses to remain silent in the face of injustice.
This photographic series carries the traces of a resistance that must never be forgotten and a devotion that defies time. It invites the viewer to share in this silent witnessing, to feel the weight of memory, and to form a deep bond with a story that transcends borders and generations.
Photographer: Habip KOÇAK