PrintMahmoud Ahmadinejad, The Pan Islamic Leader?
It was recently reported that Islam will be the main source of Iraq's law and her parliament will observe religious principles. Parliament will also be restricted from passing laws that contradict Islamic ideals.
This news will not be greeted well by the country's women or religious minorities, but it meshes perfectly with the goals of the Iranian regime. Iran's recently elected President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad continues to cement the hard line anti—West and anti—reform nature of the regime by appointing cabinet ministers known for their intractability. Mr. Ahmadinejad recently stated,
"The wave of the Islamic revolution will soon reach the entire world."
He is now working to consolidate the export of this revolution by actively courting fellow Islamic, but non Shi'a, nations with conciliatory rhetoric,
"The Islamic World's prestige, talents and capabilities are far beyond what it has today... Sympathy, understanding, solidarity, and cooperation among Muslim brothers can pave the way for the blossoming of all potentials, and restoration of the Islamic World's deserved prestigious status."
Could the upcoming December meeting of the Gulf security conference, featuring discussion on politics between Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, offer a chance for outreach? The Islam Republic News Agency advises an oil embargo as the best way to confront Western opposition to Iran's nuclear ambitions. Will the Saudis and eventually the fledgling Iraqi nation form a tripartite pact with Iran? This union could wreak enormous havoc on Western economies.
An Arab News article informs readers of Iran's position concerning democratic reforms. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad remains firm in his short and long—term program to the Islamic Majlis (parliament). Western ideas concerning government are incompatible with Islam and his new administration 'bravely rejects all alien political ideas.'
His 'program,' a 7,000 word document, describes the United States and an Islamic Middle East as incompatible entities with the former eventually collapsing while the latter, inspired by Iran's 'divine system', prevails. The Arab News article continues,
The creation of an 'Islamic pole' is the key objective of what the document refers to as 'the 20—year strategy' of the Islamic Republic. It is not clear who developed that strategy and whether or not Ahmadinejad, who is elected for a four—year term, hopes to remain in power for two decades.
'The goal of the 'Islamic pole' would be to unite the world under the banner of Islam, as the 'final Divine message' and 'the only True Faith.'
Mr. Ahmadinejad's objective concerning the Iranian state is to control all aspects of its citizens' lives:
'The state would follow the citizens from birth to death, ensuring their health, education, well—being and leisure. It will guide them as to what to read and write and what 'cultural products' to consume so as not to be contaminated by Western ideas.'
Iran's president is honest in divulging his plans and is not shy concerning his ambition. Adolf Hitler revealed his intentions via Mein Kampf, but the free world was unconcerned until it was too late. Will the West ignore Mr. Ahmadinejad as well?
Mr. Ahmadinejad will most certainly take the shift in policy by the United States concerning Islam's influence in Iraqi politics as a Western concession to the Iranian agenda. Will he be emboldened much as Hitler was regarding the Czechoslovakia indulgence?
Mr. Ahmadinejad's latest flurry of activity includes a meeting with an Omani envoy. The Iranian president concluded that the encounter would allow for both countries to become 'peaceful and brotherly.' A Saturday meeting with non—Islamic Cuba left Mr. Ahmadinejad describing relations with Havana 'as excellent, brotherly and growing.' The Iranian president also continued his anti—West rhetoric by condemning Western liberalism with the counterstatement that his government that will "promote virtue and prohibit vice."
Can Mr. Ahmadinejad quell the differences between the Islamic Sunni majority and the Shi'a minority in a bid to form a pan—Islamic bloc against Western interests? It should be clear to Western leaders that the agenda of Mr. Ahmadinejad is to cultivate Islamic nations first with the call to Islamic brotherhood. His pragmatic approach to non—Islamic, but anti USA countries such as Cuba is a secondary tactic. His support for jihad is ample proof that he backs up his anti West rhetoric with action.
It is prudent that Western leaders undermine every one of Mr. Ahmadinejad's successes. His every action should be thwarted by more powerful Western ideas and culture. His agenda must not be allowed to take root and grow amongst the disaffected Islamic world. Is the West up to the task?
