Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Iran's "Final Answer?"

Many listeners have asked me about this Bernard Lewis article regarding Iranian president Mahmood Whack-i-job and his belief in the coming apocalypse. I've received several emails from folks who are considering changing their travel plans due to the Iranian loony's obsession with August 22nd. Here's the key 'graph from Lewis's analysis:

What is the significance of Aug. 22? This year, Aug. 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 (c.f., Koran XVII.1). This might well be deemed an appropriate date for the apocalyptic ending of Israel and if necessary of the world. It is far from certain that Mr. Ahmadinejad plans any such cataclysmic events precisely for Aug. 22. But it would be wise to bear the possibility in mind.


I will be doing some flying over the next two weeks and I'm not changing any of my plans. However, I am bearing all these possibilities in mind.