World to end on August 22

Guardian ^ | 08/09/06 | Brian Whitaker

[presidio9]

Better cancel those holidays. We now have a date for Armageddon, and it's a week on Tuesday - August 22.

This information comes from no lesser source than the Wall Street Journal, where Bernard Lewis, President Bush's favourite historian, provides the details.

"In Islam, as in Judaism and Christianity," the professor writes, "there are certain beliefs concerning the cosmic struggle at the end of time - Gog and Magog, anti-Christ, Armageddon, and for Shiite Muslims, the long-awaited return of the Hidden Imam, ending in the final victory of the forces of good over evil, however these may be defined.

"Mr Ahmadinejad [the Iranian president] 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 US about nuclear development by August 22. This was at first reported as 'by the end of August', but Mr Ahmadinejad's statement was more precise."

Lewis continues: "What is the significance of August 22? This year, August 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 (cf, Koran XVII.1). This might well be deemed an appropriate date for the apocalyptic ending of Israel and, if necessary, of the world."

This sort of quasi-religious scaremongering always finds a receptive audience in the United States, especially among Christians of the jihadist

[Bella_Bru]

I know, but I have nothing to wear.

Pffft. Do you even think I'll be able to get my highlights touched up before then?????

[McGavin999]

I think it was for Y2K

[HungarianGypsy]

No. I remember it being a year or so after 9/11. I remember because I remember the house I was writing from at the time was not where I was living at during Y2K.

[Diamond]

Tuesday doesn't work for me either.

Isn't there something you could switch around? I mean, if this is really that important to you...

Cordially,

[Howlin]

I say we wear pajamas.

And I say we'll figure out it's a hoax before anybody else does.

[mewzilla]

Anything that has a LOT of calories. None of us will be worrying about our weight.

Except foie gras. At least in Chicago. The city fathers banned it, IIRC.

[small voice in the wilderness]

Good suggestion. Something that goes with Green Bean Casserole would be helpful. I would love to say "this is the LAST time I'll be making this crap" and really mean it.

[mewzilla]

I want to be a fly on the wall when the Iranians wake up on the 23rd and realize they've been hosed.

[Carolinamom]

The Democrats will NEVER be in power again!

[NavyCanDo]

There will be no living with my 5-year old if I have to say "Sorry son, but we will have to cancel our Disneyland vacation next month, because the World is Going to end. Maybe we can go next year if your good".

[onyx]

ROTFLOL! That's why I hate Labor Day --- have to put away my favorite white, 4 inch thongs.

[presidio9]

have to put away my favorite white, 4 inch thongs.

...nope... Not gonna go there!

[stands2reason]

I don't presume to know God's intentions.

[Kenton]

Man, I gotta go down into my Y2K shelter and make sure that those MREs are still good. I hate these "End O' The World" thingies...

[processing please hold]

I would love to say "this is the LAST time I'll be making this crap" and really mean it.

lololol

[Polyxene]

My birthday is August 25th. Does that mean I won't have a party and presents??

[mkjessup]

My birthday is August 25th. Does that mean I won't have a party and presents??

No, it just means you get to celebrate with a *BANG* three days early. ;)

[onyx]

LOL --- ah let's go there...lol.

[onyx]

If I put it up at 12:01 a.m., do you think somebody will come on the thread carping about my starting it "too early?"

In which time zone?

[presidio9]

That's not a thong. A thong always goes between something.