August 22 and the Apocalypse
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Bernard Lews, professor emeritus at Princeton and one of the West's foremost authorities on Islam, writes about Iran's apocalyptic vision for the world, and specifically August 22:
Mr. Ahmadinejad and his followers clearly believe that this time is now, and that the terminal struggle has already begun and is indeed well advanced. It may even have a date, indicated by several references by the Iranian president to giving his final answer to the U.S. about nuclear development by Aug. 22. This was at first reported as "by the end of August," but Mr. Ahmadinejad's statement was more precise.
What is the significance of Aug. 22? This year, Aug. 22 corresponds, in the Islamic calendar, to the 27th day of the month of Rajab of the year 1427. This, by tradition, is the night when many Muslims commemorate the night flight of the prophet Muhammad on the winged horse Buraq, first to "the farthest mosque," usually identified with Jerusalem, and then to heaven and back (c.f., Koran XVII.1). This might well be deemed an appropriate date for the apocalyptic ending of Israel and if necessary of the world. It is far from certain that Mr. Ahmadinejad plans any such cataclysmic events precisely for Aug. 22. But it would be wise to bear the possibility in mind.
Read the whole thing.
(HT: Dana Olson)
Update: I'm reproducing here a comment left by Peter. This appears to be legitimate, not a joke:
"Check out Ahmadinejad's own new blog. There is an English version - click the second flag from the left. . . . See also the BBC's report about it."
Mr. Ahmadinejad and his followers clearly believe that this time is now, and that the terminal struggle has already begun and is indeed well advanced. It may even have a date, indicated by several references by the Iranian president to giving his final answer to the U.S. about nuclear development by Aug. 22. This was at first reported as "by the end of August," but Mr. Ahmadinejad's statement was more precise.
What is the significance of Aug. 22? This year, Aug. 22 corresponds, in the Islamic calendar, to the 27th day of the month of Rajab of the year 1427. This, by tradition, is the night when many Muslims commemorate the night flight of the prophet Muhammad on the winged horse Buraq, first to "the farthest mosque," usually identified with Jerusalem, and then to heaven and back (c.f., Koran XVII.1). This might well be deemed an appropriate date for the apocalyptic ending of Israel and if necessary of the world. It is far from certain that Mr. Ahmadinejad plans any such cataclysmic events precisely for Aug. 22. But it would be wise to bear the possibility in mind.
Read the whole thing.
(HT: Dana Olson)
Update: I'm reproducing here a comment left by Peter. This appears to be legitimate, not a joke:
"Check out Ahmadinejad's own new blog. There is an English version - click the second flag from the left. . . . See also the BBC's report about it."
posted by JT at Monday, August 14, 2006
6 Comments:
Excellent, an eventful birthday for me!
No fair! I want MY birthday to be the end of the world...
Though I tend toward amillenialism and a partially realized eschatology, I've often wondered if the fanatical premillenialists (Zionists--and their fanatical Muslim counterparts) would ever simply (and unnecessarily) create their own 'Armageddon'. We'll know in a couple weeks.
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Check out Ahmadinejad's own new blog. There is an English version - click the second flag from the left - but I can't get beyond the first pageful. See also the BBC's report about it.
I doubt this is actually maintained by the Iranian president, but there is a blogger spot dedicated to him as though it were his own...who knows.
http://presidentahmadinejad.blogspot.com/
They actually translated a word as 'crapulence'. I guess it debauched opulence. Nice to see the bringer of Armageddon has a sense of humour.
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