Posted on 08/21/2006 6:40:16 PM PDT by Flavius
Iran has promised to respond to UN demands to halt its nuclear activities on Aug. 22 -- a date that some believe could signal a new round of warfare in the Middle East.
More than a month ago, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his government would deliver its response to the UN proposal on the 22nd of August.
However, the UN Security Council had given Tehran until Aug. 31st to reply, or face sanctions.
The fact Iran is replying early, and specifically on Aug. 22, has some wondering if the response could have cataclysmic consequences.
Aug. 22 coincides with the Islamic calendar date Rajab 28, the day Jerusalem fell to the Islamic warrior Saladin. Many Muslims consider this to be a high point in Islamic history.
The night of Aug. 21 is also important, because Muslims believe Mohammed underwent a magical trip, called his "night journey," from Mecca via the "farthest mosque" and on to heaven and back. That mosque is believed to be al-Aqsa in Jerusalem.
Noted Islamic scholar Bernard Lewis has got a lot of attention on the internet for suggesting a possible "apocalyptic" link to the date.
"This might well be deemed an appropriate date for the apocalyptic ending of Israel and if necessary of the world," Lewis wrote in an article published on Aug. 8 in the Wall Street Journal.
"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."
Ahmadinejad, who has called for Israel to be "wiped off the map," also reportedly believes in the return of the 12th imam, also known as the hidden imam, Mahdi, who disappeared more than 1,000 years ago.
"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," said Lewis.
As for Mohammed's journey on the night of Aug. 21-22, tradition holds that during the two-stage trip a divine white light appeared over Jerusalem.
Farid Ghadry, a Sunni Muslim and president of the exiled Reform Party of Syria, based in the U.S., claimed Ahmadinejad would deliver his response in the form of a "light in the sky" above the al-Aqsa mosque on the night of Aug. 21-22.
While it's unclear what will happen on Tuesday, Tehran promised on Sunday to provide a "multifaceted response" to the UN proposal.
On the eve of Iran's self-imposed deadline, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Tehran will continue to pursue nuclear technology.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has made its own decision and in the nuclear case, God willing, with patience and power, will continue its path," Khamenei was quoted as saying by state television.
Tehran claims its nuclear program is peaceful and aimed at generating electricity.
U.S. President George Bush, speaking at a news conference Tuesday at the White House, said there would be "consequences" for Tehran's actions.
"It's up to the international community, including the United States, to work in concert for effective diplomacy, and that begins at the United Nations Security Council," Bush told reporters.
He said they would wait for their formal response before deciding how to proceed.
"Dates are fine but what really matters is will," he said. "I want to resolve this diplomatically."
GWB is a man of action, and I'd bet it just burns his a$$ to have to deal with the UN knowing full well it achieves nothing.
Lets hope something happens - its been a pretty quiet week so far.
It's about 5:00 am over there.
Idiots
I don't know.
Lets hope it is just a ploy to make us all learn Muslim history.
"This might well be deemed an appropriate date for the apocalyptic ending of Israel and if necessary of the world," Lewis wrote
Guess he must be reading the WRONG BOOK...in MY book, Israel comes out a winner with a different King heading up the show.
Meadow Muffin
[*DISCLAIMER*]Of course, sometimes my radar is kinda f**ked, and there may be a few smoking holes in the ground by lunchtime.[/*DISCLAIMER*]
04:08 U.S. says new resolution to disarm Hezbollah is needed (AP)
04:06 U.S. calls for quick deployment of UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon (AP)
03:06 Iranian officials: Iran doesn`t accept demand to suspend uranium enrichment (Reuters)
02:12 Peretz says `time not ripe` for negotiations with Syria (Haaretz)
02:04 Hezbollah deputy leader says son badly wounded in fighting with Israel (AP)
01:06 U.S. ambassador to UN: UNIFIL forces should have authority to defend themselves (AP)
01:00 IAF strikes second house in Gaza; no injuries (AP)
I suppose we could get lucky and he'd just blow up the UN
building.
WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO LEARN HOW TO BE A GOAT HERDING CAVEMAN?
their advances in politics, democracy and technology are only those bought because of henry fords dreams...to give the working man a gas guzzlin horse
Shee-it. Rats don't blow up their own nest. LOL
I'll take a quiet week anytime over "something happening". Good Lord, I sure hope you don't mean that. That'd be like wishing death and destruction on innocent victims.
I certainly hope the President knows that the UN is a joke.
They all want to die for Allah.
I say he will nuke Mecca, Medina and Tehran. They all get their virgins, and the 12th Imam will rebuild it all anyway.
Did he ride a freakin magic carpet? I wanna ride. Please, please. What a crock of crap.
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