Iran Declares War

The New York Sun VIA Little Green Footballs.com ^ | 5-11-06 | editorail

[blasater1960]

New York Sun Editorial May 11, 2006

President Ahmadinejad's letter to President Bush, widely interpreted as a peaceful overture, is in fact a declaration of war. The key sentence in the letter is the closing salutation. In an eight-page text of the letter being circulated by the Council on Foreign Relations, it is left untranslated and rendered as "Vasalam Ala Man Ataba'al hoda." What this means is "Peace only unto those who follow the true path."

It is a phrase with historical significance in Islam, for, according to Islamic tradition, in year six of the Hejira - the late 620s - the prophet Mohammad sent letters to the Byzantine emperor and the Sassanid emperor telling them to convert to the true faith of Islam or be conquered. The letters included the same phrase that President Ahmadinejad used to conclude his letter to Mr. Bush. For Mohammad, the letters were a prelude to a Muslim offensive, a war launched for the purpose of imposing Islamic rule over infidels.

[livius]

I was sorry that it wasn't possible to read the whole NY Sun article. However, that the phrase is the traditional phrase for the traditional "convert or die" letter, indeed, the very same phrase used by Mad Mo himself, is certainly interesting.

I'm a little puzzled as to why they didn't translate it, though; perhaps so as not to upset anybody? (I'm a translator and am very suspicious of untranslated phrases, because Muslim translators sometimes leave dangerous phrases uninterpreted or attempt to paraphrase them to make them less warlike and hence misleadingly peaceful.)

In any case, there was much discussion yesterday of the meaning of this letter as the standard final warning, and the fact that it used that particular phrase certainly confirms that idea. Hopefully more people are aware of the historical background to the phrase - and I hope somebody gets out there and translates it for the NSA.

[OB1kNOb]

I'll repeat a comment I made yesterday;

Islamofacists have a practice of warning their enemy before they strike by offering them peace if they will willingly convert to Islam and worship Allah. It concerns me greatly that this letter from Amadinijhad to Bush could be that "last letter of warning". See the portions I've highlighted below.

Laura Mansfield has brought this to our attention in her May 8th blog. I think her point is valid.

We had better be on high alert, and not get caught off guard! - OB1

***********************************************

Divine prophets have promised:

All prophets, speak of peace and tranquillity for man -- based on monotheism, justice and respect for human dignity.

Do you not think that if all of us come to believe in and abide by these principles, that is, monotheism, worship of God, justice, respect for the dignity of man, belief in the Last Day, we can overcome the present problems of the world -- that are the result of disobedience to the Almighty and the teachings of prophets -- and improve our performance?

Do you not think that belief in these principles promotes and guarantees peace, friendship and justice?

Do you not think that the aforementioned written or unwritten principles are universally represented?

Will you not accept this invitation? That is, a genuine return to the teachings of prophets, to monotheism and justice, to preserve human dignity and obedience to the Almighty and His prophets?

.......Liberalism and Western-style democracy have not been able to help realize the ideals of humanity. Today these two concepts have failed. Those with insight can already hear the sounds of the shattering and fall of the ideology and thoughts of the Liberal democratic systems.

We increasingly see that people around the world are flocking towards a main focal point -- that is the Almighty God. Undoubtedly through faith in God and the teachings of the prophets, the people will conquer their problems. My question for you is: "Do you not want to join them?"

.......Mr. President,

Whether we like it or not, the world is gravitating towards faith in the Almighty and justice and the will of God will prevail over all things.

17 posted on 05/09/2006 5:00:27 PM CDT by OB1kNOb (Locusts aren't the only thing that swarm across borders wreaking havoc on the invaded nation.)

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[Mr. Silverback]

Hummmm coincedence???

Not bloody likely. Thanks for posting this, bTW. Without this article, I might not have understood that final phrase and it's earthshaking significance.

[blasater1960]

I agree with you and shouldnt the MSM show some responsibility for preparing the public for what this *could* mean?

[2001convSVT]

This is very significant, Ahmadinejad see himself as a herald to the 12th Imam. I wonder if anyone in the press will comment upon his closing statement? This Ahmadinejad is so blinded by his belief system that he may strike first.

[blasater1960]

Excellent post. This is chilling indeed. I wonder if this mad man already has a nuke or two?? He is acting like it.....

[blasater1960]

This guy is one spooky character. I also read elseware that he is sending troops to Sudan for a possible back-door into the Negev in Israel...

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I-ma-wack-job may be declaring war Muhammed....

Say...that'd make a catchy little tune...

I-ma-wack-job and I'm ok,
I plot all night and I blather all day.

I make a-bombs and eat my lunch,
I eat from the lava-try.
On Wednesdays I go shoppin'
And bugger boys in threes.

I rag on Bush, I skip and jump,
I like to fool the Press.
I put on women's clothing,
How do you like my dress?

I posture and strut, I wear high heels,
Suspendies and a bra.
I wish I'd been a girlie,
Just like my dear Imam.

[Dark Skies]

bump

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Hallowed are the Ori.

Thanks for the best chuckle of the day so far.

I may stop laughing if I think about it too hard.

[blasater1960]

Well Done! Except I got a visual of that monkey in a dress!

[livius]

shouldnt the MSM show some responsibility for preparing the public

Bizarre. I have this feeling that we are all just sleepwalking right now. I actually think Bush is probably paying attention and preparing, which is one of the reasons we are hearing so little out of Washington these days and probably also one of the reasons for the appointment of Hayden.

But amazingly enough, the main reaction of the Dems yesterday seemed to be, "Awww, isn't that sweet, see, all he's saying is give peace a chance..." So even if the press did report it, that wouldn't be enough to convince people who don't want to hear it.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Agreed. They invaded our country and took hostages. Little Peanut was stupid to recognize that fact.

[Xenalyte]

After 9/11, when we were trying to guess what the military response operation would be called, my mother came up with a great one: Operation Avenging Eagle.

I just loved that.

[pgkdan]

Excellent post. This is chilling indeed. I wonder if this mad man already has a nuke or two?? He is acting like it.....

Yes, he does act like he's already got something. It's almost as if he's trying to provoke Israel into launching an airstrike. That way he can send a nuke or order the one's he already prepositioned to be exploded. It sounds crazy but this guy is just a little too arrogant for comfort.

[Enchante]

jveritas, I wonder if our resident Arabic expert can throw any light on this - it certainly sounds ominous in light of the tradition cited, but I have no way of knowing whether the author is correct. It makes sense to me........

The key sentence in the letter is the closing salutation. In an eight-page text of the letter being circulated by the Council on Foreign Relations, it is left untranslated and rendered as "Vasalam Ala Man Ataba'al hoda." What this means is "Peace only unto those who follow the true path." It is a phrase with historical significance in Islam, for, according to Islamic tradition, in year six of the Hejira - the late 620s - the prophet Mohammad sent letters to the Byzantine emperor and the Sassanid emperor telling them to convert to the true faith of Islam or be conquered. The letters included the same phrase that President Ahmadinejad used to conclude his letter to Mr. Bush. For Mohammad, the letters were a prelude to a Muslim offensive, a war launched for the purpose of imposing Islamic rule over infidels.

[txhurl]

It's like Mars Attacks, as a Rush caller noticed.

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

I agree.

[blasater1960]

"I'm a translator and am very suspicious of untranslated phrases, because Muslim translators sometimes leave dangerous phrases uninterpreted or attempt to paraphrase them to make them less warlike and hence misleadingly peaceful."

It is interesting to hear you say that. I have wondered. Are we getting the most accurate rendering...

[Rushmore Rocks]

FYI