Posted on 02/04/2010 5:27:57 AM PST by bert
RIYADH – Commenting on Tehran’s decision of barring its citizens from performing Umrah, an official source in the Ministry of Haj said if Iran wants to disrupt one of the rituals of Islam, it’s Iran’s internal matter and the Kingdom does not interfere in other countries’ affairs.
“The Kingdom is keen on mobilizing all its resources to provide pilgrim from around the world with the security and care.”
“There is no special understanding with the Iranian side about any preferential treatment, as preferential treatment is meted out to Muslims from all over the world, including our brothers, the Iranians, as they are the guests of Allah,” he said. – SPA
This is a dangerous situation
The Mullahs covet the mosques and the power that goes with them
“Umrah” is a ritual pilgrimage visit to Mecca which is considered obligatory for all Muslims to do at least once in their lives.
This isn’t going to sit well with the Tallieboys.
My suspicion is that the Iranians don't want their people getting out of the country and mixing with others outside the sight of Iranian secret police, then coming back with subversive attitudes.
Don’t be fooled into thinking Iran is a backwards political country. This is a carefully crafted plan to foment unrest in Saudi Arabia. Like it or not, Iran is becoming the leader of the Shia Muslims throughout the Middle East. The vast majority of *Iraqi* Shia are more loyal to Tehran than they are to the U.S., which basically gives Iran more power in Iraq right now than they have ever had. If Iran can manipulate the Shia resentment of the fact that Sunni (and American Ally) Saudi Arabia is the care taker of Mecca, they can effectively begin to use the implied threat of conflict as leverage against Saudi Arabia. How will Saudi Arabia and the Sunni Muslim world respond? That will be interesting to watch. Never underestimate Iran’s intelligence, regardless of how Whackmadinajob acts.
a.k.a "The Bush Doctrine"
“My suspicion is that the Iranians don’t want their people getting out of the country and mixing with others outside the sight of Iranian secret police, then coming back with subversive attitudes”
Nah, I don’t think so. Iranians leave the country all the time.
>>>“My suspicion is that the Iranians don’t want their people getting out of the country and mixing with others outside the sight of Iranian secret police, then coming back with subversive attitudes”
On the contrary, Iranian regime is & has been very keen to let as many of their brainwashed “religious” sheepish supporters, those on their payroll, and those who can fulfill their financial/political/personal ambitions by connecting, often indirectly, with the mullahs, to freely move in & out of Iran, to various destinations. These people serve a political & cultural purpose for the Islamic regime in Iran.
Religiously, you may already know that Islam, as a whole, borrowed heavily from preceding religions/philosophies, adding its own few “Arab-cultural bits” as it evolved. Shia Islam, in Iran, has been much more of a hotchpotch of various ideologies & philosophies building on the original Islamic (Mohammad’s) doctrine. This goes beyond the initial disputes between various Arab tribes about the rightful successor to Mohammad (shia vs. sunni). More so in the last 30 yrs with Khomeini’s doctrine/regime.
For some who know the above, the Islamic Regime in Iran is more about Power & Control & less about religion or faith. Just as Saudi ruling elite are more about generating $$$$ thru oil, & in turn spending the $$$$, in parts, to propagate their own version of Wahhabi & Salafi Islam in many parts of the world.
IOW, it may appear to be a predominantly religious friction between Shia and Sunni. But, if you were to delve a little deeper beyond the façade, it really is about Power & Control in a region, which deliberately uses Religion, inclusive of different sects of Islam as a tool. Btw, I don’t think S. Arabia & Iran are the only architects of this dangerous and destructive gameplan.
meant to ping you on #8
>>>”*Iraqi* Shia are more loyal to Tehran than they are to the U.S., which basically gives Iran more power in Iraq right now than they have ever had.”
Iranian “Shia” regime is a significant troublemaker in Iraq. But, post-Saddam, has not be the only significant “Islamic” troublemaker in Iraq.
>>>”If Iran can manipulate the Shia resentment of the fact that Sunni (and American Ally) Saudi Arabia is the care taker of Mecca, they can effectively begin to use the implied threat of conflict as leverage against Saudi Arabia.”
I agree. Tho, consider that Iran is Not the only manipulator of “Shia” resentment in Iraq.
Nor is Saudi Arabia, beyond its ruling elite & care taker of Mecca, a true U.S. ally. For now, it is an ally of convenience. Muslims, after all, do not consider themselves allies of infidels.
>>>”How will Saudi Arabia and the Sunni Muslim world respond?”
They responded years ago in fact! They do their own “fomenting of Unrest”, Worldwide.
see post #8
I agree with your assessment of “Iranian regime’s intelligence & political know-how”. Though, I think, in your post, you appear to pin your hopes too much on S. Arabia as an ally of the U.S. and a formidable foe against Iran. Just my thoughts.
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