What's Behind Ahmadinejad's Visit?
September 26, 2007
"Oh, God, hasten the arrival of Imam al- Mahdi and grant him good health and victory, and make us his followers and those who attest to his rightfulness."
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad began both his address to the United Nations and his highly controversial visit to Columbia University with a prayer for the return of the Mahdi. While the media paid an enormous amount of attention to his visit, could there have been times when some missed a huge point made by Ahmadinejad?
Today, I talked with Moshe Sharon of Hebrew University and one of the world's leading experts on Islam. He pointed out that Ahmadinejad's prayer is central to Shiite end time theology. The Shiites are waiting for the return of what they call the "Mahdi" or the "Twelfth Imam." This Shiite Messiah will help conquer the world to Islam. However, it's vital to note that the Shiites - including Ahmadinejad - believe the "Mahdi's" return comes when the world is filled with bloodshed, war and chaos.
Sharon noted this Islamic prayer is code that if the "Mahdi" doesn't come quick enough, then they will help set the stage for him by inciting "bloodshed, war and chaos." This theology helps explain the motives behind Iran's fervent drive for nuclear weapons.
Joel Rosenberg, the author of "Epicenter" noted this same point in his latest blog:
"... when the Mahdi arrives on earth, he is supposed to appear in Mecca and Medina, but where does he go then? ... not to Iran ... not to Jerusalem ... not to Europe or Russia ... he supposedly heads for Iraq ... that's what Shiite leaders have taught for centuries ... which is why Iran is sending insurgents, weapons and money into Iraq, to create the conditions of chaos and carnage into which the Mahdi can come, finish off the U.S. and Israel, and set up a global Islamic caliphate headquartered in Iraq ... who's the leading Shiite insurgent in Iraq? ... Moqtada al-Sadr ... what's the name of his militia? ...the Mahdi Army ... and now you know the rest of the story."
Another point Sharon made is that often Ahmadinjad offers his listeners the opportunity to convert to Islam. He notes in Islamic thinking you offer conversion to your enemy before you attack them. Then you can go into battle with a clear conscience. If the infidel does not convert, he becomes an enemy of Allah. It seems this is a huge matter given that we are currently staring down a possible military confrontation with Iran.
By the way, if you want to hear more of Ahmadinejad in his own words, you can log onto MemriTV. (MEMRI stands for Middle East Media Research Institute). They provide an invaluable service by providing translation, transcripts and TV clips of much of the Arabic media throughout the Middle East.
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