Rajab 27, 1427 — the Night of the Sira’a and Miira’aj. Mean anything to you?
It didn’t to me until I happened to be channel surfing and caught part of Glen Beck’s program on CNN. After doing some research, I discovered that the above-mentioned date on the Muslim calendar is August 21, 2006 — the anniversary of when the Angel Gabriel dispatched Mohamed on his ascension into heaven from Jerusalem. On that night the Prophet was said to have risen within a blindingly bright light illuminating the sky, visited the House of Happiness and the House of Misery, and then reappeared in Mecca.
Is it just coincidence that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran named August 22 specifically to answer calls to curb his nation’s nuclear program? A date suspiciously months after the international demand was made? The question has to be asked, is he planning to light up Jerusalem’s night sky with a nuclear blast, as several people have theorized, or is this just a bluff to get the world's worried attention back and increase his prestige currency with Islamic extremists?
Jerusalem and the Jewish world have been in turmoil since AD 691 when Caliph ‘adb al-Malik had a shrine built by the Christians over the former site of Solomon’s Temple. Its purpose is said to have been an attempt to distract Muslim worshipers away from Mecca. It’s also said to have been an endeavor to assert Muslim dominance over the Christians and also to attempt domination over Judaism on a site traditionally associated with Abraham.
Ahmadinejad’s voice has been loudly and blatantly calling for the destruction of Israel from the face of the earth for some time now. An attack on Jerusalem, especially on that chosen day would make Ahmadinejad a hero and revered historical figure for centuries to come and the man is just insane enough to try to pull it off.
So the questions arise:
- Why has the United States been raised to the highest threat level of security over a thwarted terrorist attack over in the United Kingdom?
- Why wasn't it raised to the same level when the London subway bombings occurred?
- Could the Bush Administration know more than they’re letting on about an additional impending danger that they don’t want to panic the American population about?
Press reports are full of speculation that the London terrorist attacks would have to involve approximately 50 or more men (ten airliners, five men each), and yet British authorities have rounded up and have information on only about 24 or so.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Jet in Columbus
Thank you Mark, I hope it doesn't come true too!
Carus deus, quis have ego commissio?
Jet
2 - Jet in Columbus
There seems to be confusion about when the date fall on the 21st or the 22nd... I'm still looking
3 - Jet in Columbus
No people-this is NOT a satire!!!
4 - Aaman
Much speculation, little fact, the best reporting style of the blogosphere
5 - Matthew T. Sussman
"Why has the United States been raised to the highest threat level of security over a thwarted terrorist attack over in the United Kingdom?
Why wasn't it raised to the same level when the London subway bombings occurred?"
Perhaps because those subways weren't headed to the U.S.
6 - Jet in Columbus
Aaman, it's how my warped mind put the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle together. Your results may vary
Carus deus, quis have ego commissio?
Jet
7 - Jet in Columbus
Fair enough Matt, this is an opinion/speculation peice and all opinions are welcome and respected-thanks
8 - Jet in Columbus
Well, I've seen reports from the New Scotland Yard and Pakistani Intelligence, where's the CIA?
Probably asleep as usual.
Do you realize that they actually consult with the New York City police in matters of terrorism because their intelligence sources are better?!?
9 - Dave Nalle
Aaman, rather than speculation, I see Jet raising relevant questions here. There are a lot of factors in play right now and international instability is at a record level. It's not just paranoia when people really ARE religiously obsessed and unquestionably planning acts of terror.
Jet may not be perfect - he seems to have missed the CIA's major role in the terrorist captures in Britain - but he IS asking relevant questions.
The problem is that the answer isn't going to come on a blog, it's going to come in a bomb.
Dave
10 - Glen Boyd
Jet,
Glen here...Boyd, not Beck (no relation by the way...LOL).
I saw this program tonight as well and was very intrigued by it. I follow events in the mideast with great interest from a number of different perspectives and was channel surfing when I came across Mr. Beck's program on CNN.
What impressed me about this was the lack of spin (though Beck is also a very entertaining personality)...
There was no hard right or hard left bias whatsoever which I found very refreshing. Beck also seems to know something about the apocalyptic prophecies of both the Muslim and Christian religions.
Some people may view a guy like Beck as being somewhat alarmist, what with his talk of WW3, armageddon, and all. But from what I could tell from the broadcast tonight he's been fairly on the money (so far) about Iran's real agenda and why they may be the real threat to mideast peace.
What I'd really like to see him take a closer look at is the role of the E.U. in the peace negotiations.
Keep your eye on a guy named Javier Solana as far as that process goes. The E.U.'s high representative is not well known to Joe Six Pack right now in this country. But I suspect he could be a household name very soon if things continue to unfold as they are now, and the E.U. steps in with a solution. This would come only after things get very ugly I suspect, if it comes at all.
But remember that name. Javier Solana.
I'll be keeping an eye on August 22 as well.
Good story Jet. And I recognized it immediately as being a departure from your usual satiric wit...LOL.
-Glen
11 - Jet in Columbus
Dave #9 That's what I'm afraid of...
12 - Jet in Columbus
Glen #10 Thanks for contributing, always appreciated. I think that's why I watched a lot of it, Mr. Beck has a tendency to lean over to the right, but not on this issue.
Carus deus, quis have ego commissio?
Jet
13 - Jet in Columbus
Dave, I'm intrigued-not disagreeing-just intrigued, please elaborate on the CIA's participation. It looked to me like it was Scotland Yard all the way with Pakistani Intelligence thrown for good measure?
14 - Jet in Columbus
I'm kinda nervously waiting for Gonzo and Ruvy's take on this.
Carus deus, quis have ego commissio?
Jet
15 - Dave Nalle
I'll have to research it more, Jet, but the report I heard on the radio today said that some of the suspects were caught as a result of work done by the CIA - it may have been referring to the two apprehended in Pakistan.
Dave
16 - Glen Boyd
Jet,
I've never seen Mr. Beck's program before (and was unaware of a right leaning bias in the past if that is the case). But I did pick up on a pro-Isreal sort of feel at least, which is something I would expect to see on Fox sooner than I would CNN.
His awareness of the significance of religious symbolism in the form of apocalyptic prophecy playing a role in these events is what impressed me most though.
A lot of news reporting seems to gloss over this issue, but religious prophecies regarding the "end of days" is what drives a lot of world events right now.
Not because they are necessarily actually happening (though they could well be), but because of the prevalent BELIEF that they are in some very influential quarters, both within governments and within terrorist organizations.
Whether or not you or I subscribe to any of these views ...be they Christian, Islamic, or whatever... is irrelevant for the most part. The fact is theres little doubt that religious fundamentalists of all stripes who do believe in these prophecies, are calling quite a few shots on the world stage right now.
Their belief in these prophecies being relevant to the current time...be it of an Islamic "Makti" (I apologize if I didn't spell that correctly) or a Messianic Jesus...drives world events in this time as it never before has.
The fact that Beck is smart enough to recognize this, and to weave into his reporting, makes him a very credible journalist in as much as he at least he recognizes this part of the story.
Because it is a very big part of the story. Whatever your own beliefs are, people in positions of power have religious beliefs that are driving policy.
It's a scary thought on many levels, but especially so if it so happens they are wrong.
It's irresponsible at the very least.
-Glen
17 - Jet in Columbus
Suss, since we're perusing the questions, answer me one of them...With the nation on its highest alert level, why is our president flying around making political visits from his ranch in Texas, instead of heading directly to the White House?
18 - Jet in Columbus
Dave, I heard something vaguely about that, that one of the ring leaders were caught and talked, but I was under the impression it was to the Pakistani authorities who passed it along to Scotland Yard.
Of course I'm probably wrong.
I look forward to any research you can contribute
Thanks
Jet
19 - nugget
I bought some Ramen noodles and an extra gallon of water today. I also have a bike. I"m ready!
20 - Glen Boyd
It wouldn't be the first time Dubya was asleep at the switch.
-Glen
21 - Glen Boyd
reminds of a pretty cool and very relevant Neil Young song actually...(sorry couldn't resist)...
-Glen
22 - Jet in Columbus
Glen, one of the rather right tilting talk radio stations here in Columbus Ohio carries his radio show, which preceeds Rush's. I tune in to get the local news on the hour when I'm out on the road, and he's nearly caused me to go off the road a few times as the whole car would tend to lean to the right.
He may be the reason I'll need a wheel alignment soon.
George Bush seems obsessed with the End of Days, and I believe he doesn't care what consequences his actions cause because he believes Revelations will come soon. It also may explain why he doesn't seem to be all that concerned about the destruction of Israel now or in the future, since it's required for the second coming to occur...
I appreciate your contribution sir. As always I bring up subjects like this so I can learn stuff I don't know, rather than to impress anyone.
"I don't know" is the most intelligent thing a man can say...
In my opinion
Jet
23 - Jet in Columbus
Nugget 19... I'm almost afraid to ask...
24 - Glen Boyd
Agreed Jet. (#22)
That is also (at least one of) my problems with Bush. Although to be honest, if he actually did read his Bible, he'd also get to the part about the destruction of Isreal's enemies (see Isaiah for that fun stuff).
Regardless, the leader of a democracy has no business dictating policy from a theistic point of view. Thats "Any-theistic".
Our constitution clearly provides for a seperation of religion and state. The leader of this nation has the right to privately held religious views of his own of course.
But the public policy regarding these things must always be one of neutrality. Thats how these things have worked for 200 plus years now.
Thats my problem with Bush (at least one of them)...and I'm a Christian mind you (albeit a "liberal one", and you'd be surprised at our numbers....then again maybe you wouldn't).
Public policy must never be dictated by religion as long as we live in a country (and may I say a "thank God" for that) which welcomes the free exercise of all religions and beliefs.
What I do recognize as a religious person myself though is that the world seems to be turning as no time before on the beliefs...by our government, by others in influential positions...in these apocalyptic prophecies.
And I am glad at least SOMEBODY in the media recognizes this as well, rather than being in denial. Because again, it is a BIG part of the story.
It is scary that so many in power, on all sides of the equation, are making decisions based on matters of personal religious faith.
It defies the logic of public service on so many levels.
As a person of faith, I find it personally amazing that so many of us find a dichotomy in the simple principle that matters of faith and religion must remain seperate in a democratic society if it is to remain democratic at all.
Many of my republican friends seem to be blinded by this simple fact.
But as a person of logic, I find it equally incredible that regardless of faith, any reasonable person would live in denial of the reality of the religious passions powering world events at this particular moment in time. Rightly or wrongly.
The bottom line is apocalypse fever is fueling a lot of you see going on in the world right now.
Either the entire world has gone completely insane or maybe there really is "something happening here, what it is aint exactly clear" as Stephen Stills once wrote at another volatile time in world history.
To ignore it, is to bury one's head in the proverbial sand.
That turned into a far greater rant than I intended, and I apologize.
I also commend you on a good story recognizing those potential implications.
By the way, I hear Firestone is a good bet for those alignments.
-Glen
25 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Jet,
My take on all this is very simple. Ahamdinejad is a religious man who has been reported by some to have spoken with the Mahdi (the hidden 12th imam of the Shia) and who plays ball with a messianic bat. Like anybody who honestly believes in a messianic future, he wants to usher it in as fast as he can.
Since he seems to be closer to his messiah than I am to mine, he seems less worried about the "brownie points" to be accrued before the actual arrival of the messiah (according to Jewish concepts, you can no longer acquire "brownie points" by doing good deeds once the messiah arrives) and also, since he is a leader of his country (as opposed to a poor immigrant in this one) Ahmadinejad feels a responsibility to act that is greater than the one I feel. Maybe that is how he figures to obtain his "brownie points."
in any event, Ahmadinejad sees significance in his religious calendar, just as I see significance in mine. The mere fact that some religious Jews see him as delusional does not impress me any. Ahmadinejad (I gotta figure out a short nickname for this guy) has his trigger finger on a weapons button and his technicians are working hard (or have worked hard already) to make that button a nuclear one.
So, if he has a surprise up his sleeve, a little package to wipe out the "little satan" on the Mediterranean, I'm sure we'll see it. The prophecies of Zechariah do read like a man envisioning a nuclear attack.
It's the target that I think you have wrong, Jet. While Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, Tel Aviv is probably where Ahmadinejad envisions the nest of Jewish "cockroaches" as originating from. If I were him, my target would be Tel Aviv and the international airport near Lod, using conventional weapons on the airport.
With those pleasant thoughts, I leave you to contemplate the Sabbath... Homework: read the Books of Zechariah, and Joel. I'd assign you more, but you have eye problems...
Shabbat Shalom