THE 12th IMAM

When talking about Islam, it is good to make a distinction between sunnites and sji'ites. It's the same duality, you find every in history. Sunnites being more worldly, governmental and urban. Sji'ites are more spiritual, traditional and nomadic. Egypt is a Sunni state, which is in deep trouble through corrupt government and nepotism. Iran is a Shi'ite state and everybody is watching their growth towards a (nuclear) world power. What's driving them. Sji'ites, like some fundamentalist Christians, believe in the (material) return of a liberator and destroyer of Evil. Christians believe in the return of Jesus Christ. The Shiites believe in the return of the 12^th Iman, the Imam Mahdi. He will lead his forces to conquer the world and to fight the degenerate powers, like Israel, the USA and Saudi Arabia. The leaders believe that his coming is immanent and a whole nation is preparing for a holy war. The Mahdi will lay the base for a Muslim world governance and the destruction of the degenerative West.

The big difference between the Egyptian soldier and an Iranian one, is, that the latter one is fighting with a purpose. He or she is fighting a Holy War, they cannot loose. Sacrificing your life means martyrdom and immortality. This fire is daily fed. Mass demonstrations are held and the Iranian prime-minister announced the coming of the Imam Mahdi, during a speech in New York (UN).

Western military under estimate that power and potency.

But maybe Achmedinejad and his people are waiting in vain, even though the signs seemed fulfilled.

In the last century a group of about 200 Iranian pilgrims occupied the Kaa'ba in Mecca, the most holy place in Islam and did so for several days. They were heavenly armed. Getting them inside was easy. The machine guns were hidden on stretchers, used for bringing a recently deceased believer to the core of Islam. In a proclamation the Iranians claimed that they had the 12^th Imam Mahdi in their midst. This man fulfilled all the prophesies and prediction of the Hadith. They demanded, that the Saudi Royal family must step down and be replaced by the Iman.

Of course (?) the Royal Family refused and special forces armed with tanks, stormed the place. The Iranians had transformed the complex into a fort. They were able to hold of the Saudi military for several days. In the end the Iman Mahdi was killed with his followers. So were the few survivors. They were executed on the spot.

When the dust settled and the whole case was investigated, some researchers stated that the supposed Imam Mahdi, fullfilled all the prophesies about his reappearance. Did the same happen to th 12th Imam and savior of Islam, as did happen to Jesus. Was the Mahdi killed by muslim hands?

The tensions in the Arab world are rising and so is the call for the coming Saviour by sji'ites. Achmadinedjad, when he was the Iranian president, addressed the UN-assembly, with this message. The Imam Mahdi was about to manifest himself. We are years further down the road and millions of devout and dedicated muslims are still waiting, in anticipation.