Posted on 05/07/2008 9:02:28 AM PDT by mojito
Clerics have told President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to stick to more worldly issues after he was quoted as saying the "hidden imam" of Shiite Islam was directing Iran. Ahmadinejad has always been a devotee of the Mahdi, the twelfth imam of Shiite Islam, who Shiites believe disappeared more than a thousand years ago and who will return one day to usher in a new era of peace and harmony.
But in a speech to theology students broadcast by state television on Monday, Ahmadinejad went further than ever before in emphasising his belief that the Mahdi is playing a critical role in Iran's day-to-day politics.
"The Imam Mahdi is in charge of the world and we see his hand directing all the affairs of the country," he said in the speech, which appears to date from last month but has only now been broadcast.
"We must solve Iran's internal problems as quickly as possible. Time is lacking. A movement has started for us to occupy ourselves with our global responsibilities, which are arriving with great speed."
Two leading clerics retorted that Ahmadinejad would be better off concentrating on Iran's social problems -- most notably its double-digit inflation -- than indulging in such mystical rhetoric.
"If Ahmadinejad wants to say that the hidden imam is supporting the decisions of the government, it is not true," sniped Gholam Reza Mesbahi Moghadam, the spokesman of the conservative Association of Combatant Clerics.
"For sure, the hidden imam does not approve of inflation of 20 percent, the high cost of living and numerous other errors," he said, according to the Kargozaran daily.
Ali Asghari, a member of the conservative Hezbollah faction in parliament, told the president not to link the management of the country to the imam.
"Ahmadinejad would do better to worry about social problems like inflation ... and other terrestrial affairs," Etemad Melli daily quoted him as saying.
Since becoming president in 2005, Ahmadinejad has repeatedly stated that his government is paving the way for the return of the Mahdi and chided his foes for not believing that his return is imminent
Terminator, Predator and Alien could take on the hidden Imam any day of the week.
That doesn't exactly fit neatly into my concept of Matesian logic. Is there an Islamo-version?
HF
Yeah right, and when the twelvth imam magically reappears, King Arthur will rise right along with him and whip his sorry @55 like it was 1095.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MzkyZGE3YjdjMTMwNGMyNDBjY2I2NzEyZGU2NWU1Mzg=
So the mullahs don’t like ‘Iwannajihad’ poaching on their territory, huh? This could make for some very interesting internal struggles in Iran.
Why not say Harry Potter is going to reincarnate and lead these people to peace and prosperity. Someone posted earlier that Persians actually supported the Jews. the Iranians I have known are gentle caring people. This was during the time of the Shah.
That’s scary.
And just like Linus he will wait and wait but the Great Pumpkin is the master of disappointment.
Iran ex-president rebuked over insurgent remarks
Iran Focus | May 05 2008 | AFP
Posted on 05/06/2008 1:16:46 PM PDT by knighthawk
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2012103/posts
BBC: Iran hardliners condemn Khatami -
(dispute over “exporting the revolution”)
BBC | Tuesday, 6 May 2008 17:49 UK 16:49 GMT, | BBC Staff
Posted on 05/07/2008 8:01:28 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2012480/posts
Iran: What Does ‘Exporting the Revolution’ Mean?
New York Times | May 7, 2008 | Nazila Fathi
Posted on 05/07/2008 6:45:10 AM PDT by freerepublic_or_die
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2012442/posts
Why the Entire Middle East Should Fear Iran Attacking Israel
7 May 08 | HMV
Posted on 05/07/2008 8:42:51 AM PDT by Hillary’sMoralVoid
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2012497/posts
-meanwhile-
Coalition Forces Kill Terrorist Leader, Detain 23 Suspects
American Forces Press Service
Posted on 05/07/2008 4:53:44 PM PDT by SandRat
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2012733/posts
12th imam bump
Isn't he supposed to be hiding down a well somewhere?
Ready to spring up like a jihadi-Jack-in-the-box?
HARRY IS DEAD???
I think if you scratch deep enough you will find that Ahmadinejad secretly believes he IS the 12 imam and is waiting for the right opportunity to reveal himself. Just saying.
You win!
Well, actually it’s not me who wins. It’s Jesus Christ.
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