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NEWSMAKER PROFILE - Mullah Mohammed Omar Rise and fall of an unworldly mullah
SF Chronicle ^ | 12-7-01 | Tim Weiner

Posted on 12/07/2001 3:21:55 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer

Edited on 04/13/2004 2:39:10 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

Islamabad, Pakistan -- Mohammed Omar, the leader of the Taliban and the fallen ruler of Afghanistan, is a man possessed by visions. His mandate, as he proclaimed it, was to be emir of his country and the spiritual and political leader of all Islam.


(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
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1 posted on 12/07/2001 3:21:55 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Fascinating post; thank you for contributing it.
At that moment, he declared himself the commander of the faithful, the leader of all Islam. No one had claimed that title since the Fourth Caliph, more than 1,000 years ago.
So why did the manic mullah who claimed the mantle of prophecy (in this case, the literal mantle of a literal former prophet recovered from a sealed vault) not call his newly formed state the Islamic Caliphate (or Imamate) of Afghanistan (as opposed to Emirate)?

Imagine if a 21st Century Caliphate really were to emerge.
2 posted on 12/07/2001 4:13:25 AM PST by Asclepius
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To: Asclepius
While I know little of Islam, I find it facinating that Omar could declare himself their spiritual leader and not become the target of wrath from "legitimate" Mullah's throughout the world. Indeed, many Islamic clerics seemed to support the Taliban by recruiting and sending young folks to participate in Omar's jihad.

It's similar to the way many black Christian leaders support Jesse Jackson even while he damages the cause of both blacks and christians.

3 posted on 12/07/2001 4:29:30 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
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To: Asclepius
The group then freed a young boy from the clutches of two commanders who wanted to sexually abuse him.

Everyone should read:

http://www.frontpagemag.com/columnists/glazov/glazov10-04-01.htm

4 posted on 12/07/2001 4:31:01 AM PST by Arthur McGowan
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Comment #5 Removed by Moderator

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