What Could Happen in The World Tomorrow

Afrasiab Mehdi
Hashmi Qureshi
WHAT COULD HAPPEN IN

THE WORLD, TOMORROW!
E ND TIME S: Messiah, Jesus and Mahdi;
and Armilus, Antichrist and Dajjal
i
WHAT COULD HAPPEN IN THE WORLD,
TOMORROW!
END TIMES: Messiah, Jesus and Mahdi; and Armilus,
Antichrist and Dajjal
Afrasiab Mehdi Hashmi Qureshi
(Center for Global and Strategic Studies, Islamabad)
i
A CGSS PUBLICATION
Title What could happen in the world tomorrow!

End Times: Messiah, Jesus and Mahdi;
and Armilus, Antichrist and Dajjal
Author Afrasiab Mehdi Hashmi Qureshi
Publisher CGSS (Center for Global and Strategic Studies,

Islamabad)
Design Cyrus Qureshi
Publication
date October 2021 (Islamabad)
E-book ISBN 978 - 969 - 9837 - 10 - 4
NOT FOR COMMERCIAL SALE

(An in-house publication, for research and reflection)

All rights reserved in the name of the author. No part of this publication
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form
or by any means: electronic, mechanical, copying, recording or otherwise,
without the prior permission of the author.
ii
The task is not so much to see what no one has yet seen;
but to think what nobody has yet thought, about which
everybody sees.
Erwin Schrodinger 1
1
The 20th century Austrian-Irish thinker on science, ethics and religion.
iii
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. CONCEPT OF END TIMES IN

ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS 4
3. END TIMES IN OTHER RELIGIONS 10
4. OVERVIEW AND ANALYSIS 17

a. Abrahamic faiths: commonalities 17
b. Concept of the Mahdi 24
c. Satanism and the Occult 30
d. Mystics and Seers 34
e. The Armageddon 38
f. Abrahamic faiths: other commonalities 40
g. Qustuntunniya 43
h. Ghazwai Hind 46
i. Jerusalem, and its importance 49
5. QUESTIONS; AND WHEN & IF! 55
6. POSTSCRIPT (Personal Experiences with Spirituality) 66
7. REFLECTIONS OF HISTORY 77
1) Praising God in Islam (Ayatal Kursee) 78
2) Praising God in Christianity (A Hymn) 79
3) Praising God in Judaism (Morning prayer service) 80
iv
4) Charter of Rights by Prophet Muhammad
to Monks of St. Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai 81
5) Launch of Crusades against Muslims
(Speech by Pope Urban II at Clermont, France;
November 1095 AD) 83
6) Salahuddin Ayubi - remarks after the capture of
Jerusalem (October 1187 AD) 85
7) Battle of Ayn Jalut (September 1260 AD) 86
8) Speech by Constantine Palaiologos XI, before
the Fall of Constantinople (1453 AD) 90
9) ‘Qaseeda’, Shah Naimat 92
10) The Siege of Vienna by the Ottomans (1529 AD) 95
11) Omar Mukhtar: Libyan resistance leader 96
12) Speech by Theodor Herzl at the First Zionist
Congress August 1897) 97
13) Balfour Declaration (November 1917) 100
14) Mudros Agreement (October 1918) 102
15) Fahreddin Pasha: Ottoman General who refused
to surrender Medina 106
16) Pakistan Resolution (Lahore, March 1940) 108
17) Declaration on the Establishment of the
State of Israel (May 1948) 110
18) Address by President George W. Bush on 9/11 115
v
19) Address by US Presidential Candidate Donald
Trump on Islam (August 2016) 122
20) Hindu Hitlers of India 132
21) Persons in history who claimed to be the Messiah 141
22) Those who claimed to be the Mahdi 143
23) Jewish prayer referring to the Messiah 144
24) Billy Graham on Antichrist 145
25) Armilus 146
26) Cabala 147
27) The Illuminati 149
28) The Protocols of the Elders of Zion 152
29) ‘Kalki Avtar and Muhammed saheb’ 154
30) US President Donald Trump address on
recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel
(December 2017) 156
31) Address by Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan
at the UN General Assembly, New York
(September 2019) 160
32) President Donald Trump speech: This could be the
Palestinians’ last opportunity (January 2020) 167
33) The June 2021 speech in Knesset by incoming
Prime Minister of Israel, Naftali Bennett 172
8. BIBLIOGRAPHY 176
vi
INTRODUCTION
End Times is a future time-period concept. It has been focused upon in all
the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.2 It has
been dealt with in the major non-Abrahamic religions.
End Times connotes the “final climax and culmination” of the world,
through “a succession of events of celestial importance.” 3 In the words of
British author Peter Owen Jones, “Millennialism, premillennialism and
dispensationalism are all theories of the end of the world.” 4 According to
Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Historical eschatology appears in one of the
three distinct forms - messianism, millennialism or apocalypticism.” 5
Historiographers of religion have also applied the term to similar themes

in “religions of the ancient Mediterranean”; as well as “Middle Eastern
cultures and Eastern civilizations.” Interestingly, “eschatological
archetypes” are also found in “secular liberation movements in the past
and the present.” 6 A recent publication, ‘End of Days: An Encyclopedia
2
Also see ‘End of Days: An Encyclopedia of the Apocalypse in World
Religions’, Wendell G. Johnson, (2017). Further study the book, ‘The Last
Days Are Here Again: A History of the End Times’ by Richard G. Kyle;
Baker Pub Group. (1998)
3
May also see, ‘The End Times’, Britt Gillette; ASIN: B07Z28HCFY.
(October 2019)
4
BBC (‘End Times: Millennialism, Premillenialism, Dispensationalism’
Peter Owen Jones discusses end times with Afrikaner Calvinists.)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/beliefs/endtim.Site
re-accessed on 2 October 2021.
5
The Encyclopaedia Britannica
(https://www.britannica.com/topic/eschatolog). Site accessed on 27
September 2021.
6
https://www.britannica.com/topic/eschatology.
1
of the Apocalypse in World Religions’, is just one of the many accounts,
that overviews the theme of apocalypticism at length.7
This treatise attempts to deal with End Times, with more focus on
important aspects of Islamic eschatology which the western perspective
has tended to overlook, may be due to ‘unknowledge.’ In this account,
more emphasis has also been placed on exactitudes of history, even
though the factual exactness seems to have been sometimes ambiguous.
History has deep connections with the present. The past subconsciously
shapes the psyche of the civilisations which includes, peoples, states and
nations. The world is influenced, and in some cases governed, by age-old
perspectives highlighted in “the sacred literature of Judaism, Christianity
and Islam.” 8 Robert Leonhard of Johns Hopkins University also
comments, “Quite apart from the theological question of whether a divine
being has a hand in world affairs,” believers and their views on prophecies
“indisputably affect our world.” 9 This view is not incorrect.
According to a diplomat who served in his country’s Mission in Tel Aviv

in the 1990s, “If you want to sign a lease agreement for accommodation
in Israel today,” one of its clauses may stipulate that the “lease deed would
7
‘End of Days: An Encyclopedia of the Apocalypse in World Religions’
Wendell G. Johnson. Published on July 31, 2017 by ABC-CLIO.
8
Johns Hopkins University, Maryland; National Security Analysis
Department (‘Visions of Apocalypse - What Jews, Christians, and
Muslims Believe about the End Times, and How Those Beliefs Affect
Our World’, Robert Leonhard); May 2010. Visit
https://www.jhuapl.edu/Content/documents/ApocalypseVision.pdf.
Accessed on 1 October 2021.
9
‘Visions of Apocalypse - What Jews, Christians, and Muslims Believe
about the End Times, and How Those Beliefs Affect Our World’, Robert
Leonhard ); May 2010.
2
stand cancelled,” if the Messiah arrives on the world scene “within the
period of the lease deed.”
End Times is not a new concept; it is age - old. Many in the past,
prophesied the end of the world in the year of their predictions. That never
happened. It never occurred. Many also claimed to be the Messiah in
history; so many claimed to be the Mahdi.
End Times is a subject that does not belong to man. End Times is the
‘apocalyptic genre’ that belongs to God. As such, scholars of major
religions unanimously underline, “Only God, and He alone,” knows the
details and the time - period relevant to End Times. Ours are ‘speculative
speculations’ and ‘interpretive interpretations,’ even though, based on
studies carried out by ‘Men of Knowledge.’
Documents included in this study from the past, also need to be looked at.
A separate chapter on End Times was part of my book, ‘The Greatest Man
in history is Muhammad (Peace be upon him)’, published in New Zealand
in 2017.10 This publication is an ‘explicit and implicit elaboration’ of that
account.
Some may find the postscript on personal experiences with Islamic

Spirituality in this publication, interesting.

(Former Ambassador of Pakistan)
Islamabad (October 2021)
10
Whenever, the names of holy personalities are mentioned in Islam, it
becomes obligatory on a Muslim to utter/write the phrase ‘Peace be upon
him (her)’, in short, ‘PBUH’, after the name.
3
CONCEPT OF END TIMES IN ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS
In Judaism, the term End Times is relevant to the Messianic Age with the
arrival of the Messiah, who would be a future Jewish King from the line
of David. David called Hazrat Daud in Islam, is mentioned prominently
in the Quran as a Prophet of Allah. Messianic hopes are directed towards
“a single redemptive figure who, it is believed, will lead the people of
God, now suffering and oppressed, into a better historical future.” 11
Unlike Messiah in Judaism, in Christianity it is Jesus Christ who will
return to the earth as has been emphasised in the concept of the Second
Coming. Jesus (called Hazrat Eesaa by Muslims), is one of the highly
regarded Prophets of God in Islam.12 According to Islamic traditions,
Eesaa (Jesus Christ) will return to earth before the End Times, after
the Mahdi.
According to The Jewish Encyclopedia, Messiah is “the name or title of

the ideal king of the Messianic age.” 13 In older apocalyptic literature, the
first book in which the Messiah figures as an earthly king, is ‘The Vision
of the Seventy Shepherds of the Book of Enoch.’ In rabbinical apocalyptic
literature, “the concept of an earthly Messiah is the prevailing one, and
from the end of the first century of the common era, it is also the one
officially accepted by Judaism.”14
11
https://www.britannica.com/topic/eschatolog). Site accessed on 27
September 2021.
12
Hazrat is an expression of special respect used by Muslims for holy
personalities in Islam.
13
The Jewish Encyclopedia
(https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/10729-messiah). Site
accessed on 21 September 2021.
14
The Jewish Encyclopedia, ‘Messiah’, Joseph Jacobs and Moses
Buttenwieser (http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/10729-
messiah). Site accessed on 30 December 2016.
4
On its part, Encyclopaedia Judaica describes Messiah as a
“charismatically endowed descendant of David” who, the Jews of the
Roman period believed, would be “raised up by God to break the yoke of
the heathen and to reign over a restored kingdom of Israel” to which “all
the Jews of the Exile would return.” 15 In rabbinic thought, Messiah is the
king “who will redeem and rule Israel at the climax of human history and
the instrument by which the kingdom of God will be established.” 16 In
the same vein, the New Jewish Encyclopedia states that the Messiah
would be a “divinely appointed Redeemer” who would bring salvation not
only to the Jewish people but to the “entire human race.” 17
The most authoritative Jewish understanding of the Messiah can be found

in the writings of the medieval Jewish sage, Moses ben Maimon,
commonly called Maimonides. In Mishnah Torah, his 14-volume
compendium of Jewish law, Maimonides observes: “The anointed King
(Messiah) is destined to stand up and restore the Davidic Kingdom to its
antiquity, to the first sovereignty.” He will build the Temple in Jerusalem
and gather “the strayed ones” of Israel together. Whoever does not believe
in him or whoever does not wait for his coming, “not only defies” the
other prophets, but also “the Torah and Moses our Teacher.” 18
15
The Jewish Virtual Library
(https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica). Site accessed on
13 September 2016.
16
The Jewish Virtual Library
(https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/). Site visited on 4 August
2016.
17
See New Jewish Encyclopedia by accessing
https://books.google.co.nz/books. Site accessed on 10 July 2016.
18
New World Encyclopedia
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Messiah. (Site accessed on
19 July 2016.)
5
Jewish people refer to Messiah by using the title ‘Yahev’ or ‘Shahev.’
Jewish traditions highlight that King Messiah will be a just ruler; he will
rule with love and peace, not with might and power. He will proclaim
peace to all nations, he will put an end to the wars, and will go for
friendship, love and justice. Above all, “he will watch over the poor and
put an end to oppression and cruelty.” 19
In 1982, Marshall Beeber wrote a poem on his love for the Messiah,
‘Shalom Shalom’: 20
Once far, now near.

Wise men scoff, while simple revere.
Rich men laugh as missiles take aim,

But the poor of the earth know the
price of this game.
Once old, now new.

A word from God, through the lips of a Jew.
The prophets of old see armies draw near,
In perilous times when Messiah appears.
Once hate, now love.

From sword to plowshare.
From serpent to dove.

One God, One King.
Shalom, Shalom….
19
May also see, ‘The Returning King: The Two Messiahs’ by Garrett
Smith. ‘Jews for Jesus; What we believe’. (May 2004)
20
The Messianic Literary Corner My Shalom in Grace
(http://www.messianic-literary.com/beeber-p1.htm). Site accessed on
12 January 2017.
6
On its part, the Catholic Encyclopedia concludes, “The second Parusia or
coming of Christ as Judge of the world, is an oft-repeated doctrine” in the
New Testament. Jesus himself not only foretells the event but graphically
portrays its circumstances. The belief in the general judgment has
prevailed at all times and in all places within the Christian Church. It is
contained “as an article of faith in all ancient creeds including Apostles'
Creed, and the Athanasian Creed.” 21
In the Protestant view, a reference to the Second Coming is contained in

the Nicene Creed according to which, “He [Jesus] shall come again in
glory to judge the living and the dead; and His kingdom shall have no
end.” The Seventh-day Adventists assert that the Savior’s coming will be
“literal, personal, visible and worldwide.” The Latter-day Saints also
believe that the Christ will return. Accordingly, “When the Savior comes
again, He will come in power and glory to claim the earth as His kingdom.
His Second Coming will mark the beginning of the Millennium.” 22
A number of Christians believe that the Second Coming of Jesus is

‘imminent,’ which can happen ‘any time.’ Campbell Morgan observes, “I
never lay my head on the pillow without thinking that perhaps before I
awake, the final morning may have dawned…And every night before we
go to sleep, we ought to say, ‘He may come tonight.’ ” 23
21
Catholic Encyclopedia
(http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08552a.htm). Site accessed on 31
July 2016.
22
The Church of Latter-Day Saints ‘Second Coming of Jesus Christ’
(https://www.lds.org/topics/second-coming-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng).
Site visited on 8 January 2017.
23
‘Can We Hasten The Second Coming Of Christ?’ by Adrian Rogers
(http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/love-worth-
finding/read/articles/can-we-hasten-the-second-coming-of-christ-
15204.html). Site accessed on 26 December 2016.
7
One of the most influential Christian evangelists of the 20th century, Billy
Graham, who was regularly consulted by the US Presidents on religion
and spirituality,24 underlines, “The second coming of Christ will be so
revolutionary that it will change every aspect of life on this planet. Christ
will reign in righteousness. Disease will be arrested. Death will be
modified. War will be abolished. Nature will be changed.” 25
William Butler Yeats was interested in the “occult and spiritualism.” 26 His
poem on ‘Second Coming’ would be interesting to read: 27
Turning and turning in the widening gyre, the falcon cannot hear the
falconer.
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold, mere anarchy is loosed upon the
world.
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere, the ceremony of

innocence is drowned.
The best lack all conviction, while the worst, are full of passionate intensity.
Surely, some revelation is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out, when a vast image out
of Spiritus Mundi, troubles my sight.
Somewhere in sands of the desert, a shape with lion body and the head of
a man.
24
Book ‘Billy Graham – American Pilgrim’ edited by Andrew Finstuen,
Grant Wacker and Anne Blue Wills; Oxford University Press. (2017)
25
Billy Graham Library (https://billygrahamlibrary.org/blog-10-quotes-
from-billy-graham-on-end-times/). Site accessed on 21 September 2021.
26
Poetry Foundation, William Butler Yeats, Chicago, Illinois.
27
The Collected Poems of W. B. Yeats. (1989)
8
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun, is moving its slow thighs, while all
about it, reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know, that twenty centuries of stony
sleep, were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle.
And what rough beast, its hour come around at last, slouches towards
Bethlehem to be born.
As indicated earlier, in Islamic literature the Day of Judgement is

preceded by the appearance of Eesaa (Jesus Christ) who will spread
righteousness among all peoples of the world. Jesus will be respectfully
welcomed on his Second Coming by a great Muslim leader, the Mahdi.
Before the return of Jesus, the world would see the evil of the Dajjal
against whom the Mahdi would have launched a relentless struggle. The
final victory would be achieved by Jesus Christ and not by the Mahdi. In
fact, Mahdi would facilitate the work of Jesus.
9
END TIMES IN OTHER RELIGIONS
Apart from the Abrahamic faiths, other religions also have a concept of
End Times.
In Hinduism, there are ‘yugas’. While Mahabharata uses the term yuga to
describe cycles of creation and expungement, Rigveda refers to yuga as
‘generations,’ or ‘a long period’ of time. Four yugas have been mentioned
by scholars: Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapara Yuga and Kali Yuga. 28 It
is said that today the world is passing through Kali Yuga or ‘the age of
darkness.’ Some conclude that Kali Yuga ended in 1900; others are
speculating that it would end in 2023. Some predict that at the end of Kali
Yuga, “the world will come to an end, in a great conflagration. 29 Others
believe that after Kali Yuga, Hinduism would enter a golden age of rise,
peace and prosperity.
According to Hindu scripture ‘Srimad Bhagavatam,’ at the end of Kali

Yuga, the tenth and final Maha Avatara (Great Avatar), “Kalki will
appear.” 30 In Hindu traditions, Avatar is a highly-respected person who
has voluntarily entered the mortal realm with ‘extraordinary abilities, to
assist in teaching the Universal Truths to mankind.’ The Avatara will
emerge when there is “a decline in religious practice...and a predominant
rise of irreligion ” in the world. 31
28
May also look at a writeup on the subject by accessing the BBC site at
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zmvhsrd/revision/6.
29
The Hindu (https://www.hinduwebsite.com/timecycle.asp).
30
It is one of the 18 ‘great Puranas (Mahapuranas)’ of Hindu religion.
31
The Shamanic Times (http://theshamanictimes.com/hindu-indigenous-
prophecies-2012-the-Coming-of-the-Great-Avatar-and-the-Return-of-
the-Golden-Age.htm). Site accessed on 17 July 2016.
10
Scholars who have focused on End Times have also noted a similarity
between the eschatological imagery associated with Kalki, and the return
of Jesus Christ. According to the New World Encyclopedia, there are
“diverse beliefs and depictions” within Hinduism as to, when, how, where
and why, Kalki will appear. The most common accounts declare that
Kalki will arrive on earth “intent on eradicating the reign of evil.” 32
Importantly, Sanskrit scholar Ved Prakash Upadhyay expressed a
different viewpoint on End Times in his book ‘Kalki Avatar and
Muhammad Sahab,’ published in 1960. 33
On their part, ‘Brahma Kumaris’, a Hindu spiritual movement that began

in the 1930s, believe that the modern civilization will be obliterated by a
nuclear conflict and natural calamities. This would happen as part of ‘the
natural cyclic process.’ The movement claims a worldwide membership
of a million or so persons, in more than a hundred countries.34
End Times seems to have been mentioned also in Sikhism. The holy book
‘Guru Granth Sahib’ is quoted as stating: 35
Quote
Now, the Dark Age of Kali Yuga has come
Plant the Naam, the Name of the One Lord
32
New World Encyclopedia
(http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Kalkin). Site accessed on
24 August 2016.
33
The book focuses on similarities between Prophet Muhammad and the
Hindu avatar Kalki in the context of Hinduism and Islam.
34
Also consult book ‘Understanding the Brahma Kumaris’, Frank
Whaling, Dunedin. (2012)
35
https://www.searchgurbani.com/guru-granth-sahib/verse/16707 (Raag
Basant Guru Arjan Dev).
11
It is not the season to plant other seeds
Do not wander lost in doubt and delusion
One who has such destiny written on his forehead

Shall meet with the Guru and find the Lord
O mortal! this is the season of the Naam
Nanak utters the Glorious Praises of the Lord, Har, Har, Har, Har
Unquote
On his part, Buddha had predicted that his teachings would be forgotten
after 5,000 years followed by a ‘turbulent turmoil.’ In his ‘Sermon of the
Seven Suns,’ Buddha focused on the end of the world which would be
characterized by the appearance of “seven suns in the sky.” There will
come a time when, “after hundreds of thousands of years, rains will
cease….all seedlings, all vegetation, all plants, grasses and trees will dry
up and cease to be. 36 The National Geographic quotes a 5th century AD
Buddhist text, according to which, the seven suns will gradually heat up
the Earth, until finally, the planet becomes “one mass of flame” so
consuming that it “leaves behind no ashes.” 37
In Buddhism, there is also the tradition of ‘Maitreya,’ the future Buddha,

who will “descend to earth to preach anew” the dharma, when the
teachings of Gautama Buddha “have completely decayed.” 38 The name
Maitreya is derived from ‘maitree (friendliness).’ In Pali, the name
36
May also see ‘The Sermon on the Seven Suns’, Albert Edmunds; edited
by Christopher M. Weimer. (April-May 2002)
37
National Geographic (http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/the-
story-of-god-with-morgan-freeman/articles/how-the-worlds-religions-
view-apocalypticism/). Site accessed on 6 January 2017.
38
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Maitreya-Buddhism
12
becomes Metteyya; in Chinese Milefo, in Japanese Miroku; and in
Mongolian, Maidari. His worship was especially popular from the 4th till
the 7th centuries, and his images are found “throughout the Buddhist
world.” 39 Maitreya is said to currently reside in the Tuṣita Heaven, where
Gautama Buddha also resided at one time.40
In Buddhist tradition, there is a poem in honour of the future Buddha: 41
I am Maitreya, the Buddha of the sun.
I shine with equal love upon all.
I am called the coming Buddha not because

I will manifest in physical form.
But, because I come to those at advanced stages

of spiritual path; and say:
“Be blessed friends, and give blessings.”
I am called the Buddha of friendship,

for I take all beings as equals.
And do not accept the hierarchies of institutions.

My love shines equally upon persons, groups,
cultures and worlds.
39
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Maitreya-Buddhism
40
Tusita is the fourth of the six deva or heavenly realms of Kamadhatu in
Buddhist tradition.
41
‘Maitreya: The Buddha of the Future’
(http://cubuddhism.pbworks.com/w/page/24827391/Maitreya). May also
access
http://www.buddhanature.com/buddha/maitreya.html.
13
I call upon them to live in universal love and compassion.
I am white and golden, harmonious and full of richness.
Like a symphony, I unite the competing themes

in the universe.
I am found in optimism, in hope, and in faith;

And in those who look for a better tomorrow.
I bless the discouraged and the lonely;

The fearful and the mournful.
I give them a way out of the prisons of

their hearts.
I liberate beings from confinement;

And show a brilliant and infinite future.
There are many forms of liberation within the universe.

In the vast galaxy of changing forms, each moment of
insight, each movement of growth.
Each turning away from the past,

Is a kind of liberation.
To turn away from identity entirely is a rare blessing.

Those who do this do not look to me.
Those who seek me need strength and determination

in life and in meditation; they need hope and
encouragement, and this I give them.
Knowing that there is a more perfect world,

Allows them to improve this one.
14
Knowing that there are buddhas and bodhisattvas,
Allows them to strive for more perfect awareness.
Knowing that there is something to look forward to,

Allows the bondage of the past to fall away.
I am the Buddha of hope, and of striving; so that

transient beings may improve the world for
other transients.
Though the universe grows and disintegrates and

comes back again in glory, I shall stay to bless the
crowds who strive towards the truth.
Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions of the world,

based on the teachings of Prophet Zoroaster. 42 The concept of End Times
also prevails in Zoroastrianism. According to Bahman Yasht, “At the end
of the tenth hundredth winter, the sun is more unseen and more spotted;
the year, month, and day are shorter; the earth is more barren; and the crop
will not yield the seed…..All humanity will speak a single language, and
belong to a single nation with no borders.” 43 Bahman Yasht is a
medieval Zoroastrian apocalyptical text, called ‘The Zand-i Wahman
Yasn’.
In his Gathas, the most sacred hymns of Zoroastrianism, believed to have

been composed by Zoroaster himself, there exists the concept of a World
Savior. He “is to come and stop the cruelty of bloodthirsty and wicked
people, and renew the world.” 44 Zoroastrian prophecies mention that
“The victorious Saoshyant and his helpers, will make the world (a)
42
May study book ‘Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices’
by Mary Boyce, Psychology Press. (2001)
43
Mary Boyce, ‘Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices’,
pages 27–29, Routledge & Kegan Paul, ISBN 978-0-415-23902-8. (1979)
44
Yasna 48.11-12, Yasna 43.3.
15
wonderful (place).” 45 Saoshyant (Saoshyans) is a Zoroastrian term for
“savior.” The concept of a future savior is considered important.
According to Zoroastrian traditions, three ‘Great Saoshyants’ will come
after Zoroaster who was himself a Saoshyant.46
According to the ‘Dictionary of Asian Mythology’ by David Leeming, all

the saviors will be born from “the seed of Zarathushtra,” which is
preserved through the ages in “Lake Kansaoya” (identified with Lake
Helmand, in Iran).47 The greatest of the awaited Saoshyants, is
‘Astvatereta,’ who it is said, would be the son of Vispataurvairee, who
“will make the world existence splendid.”
Upon his arrival, “humankind will no longer be subject to old age, death
or corruption, and will be granted unlimited power.” At that time, “the
dead will be resurrected and the living will be immortal and
indestructible.” 48
45
Zoroastrian Prophecies (http://www.avesta.org/zcomet.html). Site
accessed on 17 July 2016.
46
Oxford Reference
(https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.201108031
00441479).
47
‘A Dictionary Of Asian Mythology’, David A. Leeming, Oxford
University Press, USA. (2001)
48
https://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-
transcripts-and-maps/saoshyant.
16
OVERVIEW AND ANALYSIS
Abrahamic faiths: commonalities
To reiterate, Islamic traditions underline that before the Day of

Judgement, Jesus Christ will return to earth to defeat the Dajjal. After he
has vanquished him, Jesus will unify mankind in one religion. Muslim
traditions mention Prophet Muhammad as stating that “Eesaa will descend
(on earth)”; and “When you see him, recognise him. He is a man of
medium height and reddish complexion, wearing two yellow garments,
looking as if drops of water are falling from his head. He will break the
cross, kill the swine, and put an end to war.” 49
Not many would know in the West that Jesus has a place of special respect
in Islam. “Muslims do not worship Jesus, but they revere him and believe
about him much that Christians do,” correctly emphasises British media
commentator Mehdi Hasan in an article in The Guardian sometimes
back.50 Eesaa is said to be referred to by name in as many as 25 different
verses of Quran.
The Quran also confirms the miracles attributed to Jesus which include:
speaking from the cradle, healing the blind and the leper, and bringing the
dead back to life, only with the power and authority of one All Powerful
God.
Similarly, Holy Mary or Hazrat Maryam as she is known in Islam, “is the
only woman mentioned by name” in the Quran. One full chapter of this
Muslim holy book has been “named after her.” Importantly, Islam
endorses the Christian concept of her “Virgin Birth,” 51 with Quran
49
Sunan Abi Dawud, 4324.
50
The Guardian 24 December 2009 (‘Jesus in Islam’, Mehdi Hasan).
51
The Guardian 24 December 2009 (‘Jesus in Islam’, Mehdi Hasan).
17
stating, “And [mention] when the angels said, ‘O Mary, indeed Allah has
chosen you and purified you; and chosen you above the women of the
worlds.’”52
Like Judaism, Islam is strictly monotheistic. Islam does not believe that
Jesus was god. In Islam, Eesaa (Jesus Christ) was a Prophet; one of the
most important Prophets of God. Islam does not believe that Jesus died on
Cross. In Islamic faith, Eesaa was raised to the heavens. As mentioned
above, Jesus would return to the earth before the Day of Judgement. He
will fight the forces of evil and injustice; and ultimately emerge victorious
as the sole ruler. His rule would be universal, which he would dispense
with justice and fair play for all peoples of the world.
Dajjal is an evil figure in Islam, who is to appear before the Day of

Resurrection. Dajjal is a common Arabic word whose root
is ‘dajl,’ meaning ‘lie’ or ‘deception.’ The literal meaning of Dajjal is the
“great deceiver.” 53 The nature of the evil perpetrated by Dajjal will be his
dexterity “in presenting falsehood as truth.” 54
Warning Muslims that “since the birth of Adam till Judgement Day, there
is no fitnah (strife/affliction) greater than that of Dajjal,” Islamic traditions
quote Prophet Muhammad as stating, “I warn you against him (Dajjal, the
Antichrist); there was no Prophet who did not warn his people against
him. No doubt, Noah warned his nation against him. I tell you about him
something which no Prophet told his nation before me. You should know
that he is one-eyed, and Allah is not one-eyed.” 55
52
The Quran (3:43).
53
The Prophet of Peace, Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, page 155, Penguin
Books, India. ISBN 9780143068174. (2009)
54
The Prophet of Peace, Wahiduddin Khan, page 157, Penguin Books,
India. ISBN 9780143068174. (2009)
55
Hadith of the Prophet. Among others may see, Sunan Abu Da'ud
37.4292; Sahih Bukhari 3.106; Sahih Bokhari 4.553; Sahih Bokhari
18
He later reiterated, “I have explained Dajjal to you, but I fear that you
might not have understood. Maseeh-ud-Dajjal will be short and his legs
will be crooked; the hair on his head will be extremely twisted. He will
have one eye.” 56
According to another hadith cited in history, in details: 57
An-Nawwas b. Saman reported that Allah's Messenger made a mention of

the Dajjal one day in the morning… He said, “He (Dajjal) would be a
young man with twisted, contracted hair, and a blind eye…..He would
appear on the way between Syria and Iraq and would spread mischief
right and left.”
We asked: Allah's Messenger, how long would he stay on earth? He said:

“For forty days, one day like a year and one day like a month and one
day like a week and the rest of the days would be like your days.”…..We
said: Allah's Messenger, how quickly would he walk upon earth?
Thereupon, the Prophet said: “Like a cloud driven by the wind; he would
come to the people and invite them (to a wrong religion) and they would
affirm their faith in him and respond to him.
Dajjal would give command to the sky and there would be rainfall upon
the earth, and it would grow crops. Then in the evening, their pasturing
animals would come to them with their humps very high and their udders
full of milk and their flanks stretched.
4.554; Sahih Muslim 4.1224; Sahih Muslim 4.1776; and Sahih Muslim
40.6931.
56
‘Islam and Spirituality’ by Qamar Raza Qureshi, page 304; Senior
School Library, The Lawrence College, Ghora Gali, Murree, Pakistan.
(1969)
57
Sahih Muslim 2937.
19
He would then come to another people and invite them. But they would
reject him, and he would go away from them and there would be drought
for them and nothing would be left with them in the form of wealth. He
would then walk through the waste land and say to it: Bring forth your
treasures, and the treasures would come out and collect (themselves)
before him like the swarm of bees.
He would then call a person brimming with youth and strike him with the
sword and cut him into two pieces and (make these pieces lie at a distance
which is generally) between the archer and his target. He would then call
(that young man) and he will come forward laughing with his face
gleaming (with happiness).
And it would be at this very time, that Allah would send Jesus, son of
Mary, and he will descend at the white minaret on the eastern side of
Damascus wearing two garments lightly dyed with saffron and placing
his hands on the wings of two Angels. When he (Jesus) would lower his
head, there would fall beads of perspiration from his head, and when he
would raise it up, beads like pearls would scatter from it.”
In Judaism, Armilus is noted as a character akin to Dajjal. Armilus or

Armilius is mentioned as the anti-Messiah figure in medieval Jewish
eschatology, who is comparable to interpretations of the
Christian Antichrist and Islamic Dajjal, who will conquer Jerusalem and
persecute the Jews until his final defeat at the hands of the Messiah.
Sa'adiah ben Yosef Gaon (892 – 942 AD) is an important rabbinic figure
in Jewish history. Known for masterpieces in linguistics, he was a
follower of the school of thought called ‘Jewish Kalam’.58 According to
The Jewish Encyclopedia, “Saadia is the earliest trustworthy authority
that speaks of Armilus.” He mentions “the following as a tradition of the
ancients, hence of the eighth century at the latest: If the Jews do not prove
Cambridge University Press: 28 May 2006 (‘Saadya and Jewish

58
Kalam’, Sarah Stroumsa).
20
themselves worthy of Messianic salvation, God will force them to
repentance by terrible persecutions. In consequence of these persecutions,
a scion of the tribe of Joseph will arise and wrest Jerusalem from the hands
of the Edomites, that is, from the Christians…” Later, “the Messiah will
appear, wrest Jerusalem from Armilus, slay him, and thereby bring the
true salvation.”59
In Judaism, the main textual source for the belief in the end of days and
the accompanying events, is said to be the Hebrew Bible, the Tanakh.
According to Jewish literature, a time will come when Jewish people will
not be able to keep the Laws of Moses in the Land of Israel, and will be
exiled; but would ultimately be redeemed.
In short, according to Jewish literature:
• God will redeem Israel from captivity that began during the
Babylonian Exile.
• God will return the Jewish people to the Land of Israel.
• God will restore the House of David and the Temple in Jerusalem.
• God will raise a regent from the House of David, the Jewish
Messiah, to lead the Jewish people and the world and to usher in an
age of justice and peace.
• Nations will recognize that the God of Israel is the only true God.
59
The Jewish Encyclopedia (‘Armilus’ by Kaufmann Kohler, Louis
Ginzberg). Visit https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/1789-
armilus. Site re-accessed on 2 October 2021.
21
In one of his expressions, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “St.
Paul refers to the man of sin, the son of perdition.” 60 The man of sin, is
“generally identified with the Antichrist, who, says St. John (1 John 2:18),
is to come in the last days.” Although much obscurity and difference of
opinion prevails on the subject, it is generally believed that before the
Second Coming “there will arise a powerful adversary of the Christ who
will seduce nations by his wonders and persecute the Church.” 61
The following lines from a poem on ‘the signs of the coming of the
Antichrist’ by Shaila Touchton, would be interesting: 62
Antichrist denies that Jesus Christ is God who came in the flesh. He
Opposes God and Exalts himself above God.
He is the beast rising up out of the sea, having 7 heads and 10 horns.
Upon his horns 10 crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
He is the Beast with the number 666. He is the man of sin, the son of
perdition. The Man of Lawlessness and who changes times and laws.
He is the deceiver of the elect and Wolf in sheep's clothing. He comes in

peace and obtains the kingdom by flatteries.
60
St. Paul the Apostle, original name Saul of Tarsus, “was born 4 BCE?,
in Tarsus in Cilicia [now in Turkey], and died c. 62–64 CE in Rome
[Italy]). The Encyclopaedia Britannica describes him as one who is
“often considered to be the most important person after Jesus in the
history of Christianity.”
61
Catholic Encyclopedia
(http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08552a.htm). Site accessed on 31
July 2016.
62
‘Beware of the signs of Coming of Antichrist!’
(http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/beware-of-the-signs-of-coming-of-
antichrist). Site accessed on 12 January 2017.
22
By peace he shall destroy many. He will subdue three kings and is
different from the other kings.
He will rise from obscurity and speak boastfully. He will blaspheme God,
slandering His Name and dwelling place.
He will not be succeeded by another earthly ruler, but by Christ. He will

claim to be greater than any god and he himself claims to be God. He will
be worshipped by many people.
Christian traditions emphasise that a number of signs must come to pass

before the end of the world, which among others, include: 63
• There will be wars and rumours of wars between nations and

kingdoms.
• The first sorrows will be in the form of calamities: famines,

pestilences and earthquakes in diverse places.
• People will hate and betray each other.
• Preparations will be made for the coming of the Antichrist, called

‘the son of perdition and the beast.’
• Antichrist will be a master of illusion, of 'shock and awe', taking

away people's freedom, but making them think that they have been
freed.
• He will persecute the true servants of the Christ with rage and fury.
63
May also see write-up titled, ‘The twelve signs of the end of the world’
by visiting http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/twelve.htm. Site accessed on 20
June 2016.
23
• Signs will appear in the heavens: the sun will be darkened and the
moon will not give light, the stars will fall from the heavens, the sea
and the waves will roar and the powers of the skies will be shaken.
• The sign of the son of man (the Cross) will appear in the heavens
and then will take place the Second Coming of Christ, with power
and great glory.
American theologian of the last century, Archbishop Fulton Sheen wrote

in 1950: “We are living in the days of the Apocalypse–the last days of our
era….The two great forces of the Mystical Body of Christ and the
Mystical Body of Antichrist are beginning to draw up the battle-lines, for
the catastrophic contest.” 64
All the three religions emanating from Abraham: Judaism, Christianity

and Islam, thus, by and large, appear to agree on the concept of End
Times. As it seems to turns out, Christianity’s Antichrist could be the
Armilus in Judaism who happens to be the Dajjal in Islam. Significantly,
Judaism, Christianity and Islam also apparently agree on the identity and
general characteristics of the Antichrist.
Concept of the Mahdi
Here, focus on the concept of the Mahdi, would be important.
While a large number of Sunni scholars subscribe to the view that Mahdi
would appear in future, the concept of the Mahdi in Shia Islam almost
becomes an article of faith.
Ibn Arabi (1165 – 1240 AD) was an Andalusian Muslim scholar, mystic,
poet and philosopher of great influence. It is said, he had received divine
instructions to proceed to Mecca, where he wrote his book ‘Al-Futooḥaat
Flynn T & L; ‘The Thunder of Justice’, page 20, Maxkol

64
Communications, Sterling (VA). (1993)
24
al-Makkiyya’ (‘The Meccan Illuminations’). The primary focus of
Chapter 366 of this intellectual masterpiece of his which has 37 volumes
divided into 560 chapters, would be relevant to the concept of the Mahdi.
Others such as Ibn Kathir have also elaborated on the subject. 65
Mahdi means the ‘guided one’, whose tenure is said to coincide with
the Second Coming of Jesus (Eesaa). According to a view, Mahdi would
resemble Prophet Muḥammad “both in physical aspect and in behavior”;
and according to other traditions, he will “resemble Jesus Christ.”
Importantly, Mahdi would not be his real name.

Pakistani scholar Syed Abul A'la Maududi speculates that the Mahdi
would be “a modern Islamic reformer/statesman,” who will unite
the Ummah and revolutionise the world.66 In 1976, a question regarding
the future appearance of the Mahdi was put to the ‘Rabiṭa’al Alam’al
Islam,’ an Islamic NGO based in Mecca. In response, Rabita endorsed the
concept of the Mahdi according to Islamic traditions, emphasising that the
14th century scholar of great renown, Ibn Taymiyyah, had also accepted
the traditions on the Mahdi. 67 To the response, was attached a note, in
which five ‘top clerics of standing’ had also subscribed to the views on
the Mahdi.68
65
Study ‘Images of Jesus Christ in Islam’, by Oddbjorn Leirvik, A&C
Black, page 41.
66
May consult his Quranic translation and commentary titled, ‘Tafheemul
Quran’ available in six volumes.
67
The Encyclopaedia Britannica (Ibn Taymiyah: 1263 -1328; one of
Islam’s most forceful theologians, who, as member of the Ḥanbali school,
sought the return of the Islamic religion to its original sources. He is the
source of the Wahhābiyyah, a mid-18th-century traditionalist movement
in Islam). Visit https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ibn-Taymiyyah.
68
The website of Ayatullah Mukarram Sherazi
(https://makarem.ir/main.aspx?typeinfo=23&lid=1&catid=30154&mid
=325099). ‘The Mahdi (‘a) from the Viewpoint of the Ahl al-Sunnah.’
25
In short: 69
• Prophet Muhammad had imparted glad tidings of the coming of the

Mahdi.
• The Mahdi would be instrumental in restoring high moral values.
• He will also be a great scholar with a prescient mind.
• Mahdi will emerge from a large city.
• He will begin his work between the ages of 30 and 40.
• Mahdi will be of medium stature. His complexion will be that of an

Arab but will resemble the children of Israel in appearance.
• His gait will be ‘extraordinarily majestic.’
• Mahdi will use his hands when he talks; he will move his hand as he
wishes to emphasize what he is saying, and people will note the
gesticulations.
• He will be adept in the discipline of ‘Qayafa Shanasi’ (face reading).
The Mahdi will assume leadership of the Muslim world; and would be
instrumental in uniting the Muslim people. Thus would end, the Shia –
Sunni schism in Islam.
Importantly, Mahdi would be the helper of Jesus Christ in the struggle

against oppression, injustice and the evil in the world spearheaded by
Dajjal (the Antichrist). He would be a great intellectual who would change
69
May also study Harun Yahya (http://www.harunyahya.com/). Site
visited on 21 June 2016.
26
the mindsets of the peoples of all religions, towards peace and amity.
Mahdi’s rule would last some years. After the end of the Fitna of Dajjal,
would come the golden rule of Eesaa (Jesus Christ).
The general characteristics of the followers of the Mahdi have also been
mentioned in Islamic traditions. Analysts have highlighted the following:
• They will be a ‘select people’ endowed with ‘high intelligence’,

‘sharp intellect’ and ‘deep understanding.’
• They will attract attention with their elegance and eloquence.
• They will be ‘intense worshippers.’ They will ‘buzz like honey-bees’

in their prayers; and “their foreheads will bear distinct marks of
prostration.” 70
• They will frequently use phrases such as ‘Inshaa Allah’ and

‘Mashaa Allah.’
• The followers will resemble one another. Others would think that
they are ‘brothers or close relatives.’
• The followers will be more obedient and submissive to the Mahdi

than ‘a slave to a master.’
• Allah will bring together the followers of the Mahdi who will be
unknown to each other, from distant places. When summoned, they
will come ‘flying over the clouds’. They will gather together as
“leaves get collected in one place in autumn.” 71 They will come
together in the same way, as clouds in the sky.
70
‘Behaarul Anwaar,’ Volume 52, page 386, tradition 202.
71
‘Al Sawaeq al Mohreqa’ page 163.
27
• Like Mahdi himself, they will have some connectivity with the
‘Sleepers of the Cave’ an account common in Islam and
Christianity.
Years after the natural death of Eesaa (Jesus), the world would again
plunge into turmoil. According to some traditions, close to the Day of
Judgement, the world would see the appearance of Yajooj and Majooj
(Gog and Magog).
In the meanwhile, developments of significance have continued to take

place which go unnoticed in the world.
In recent times, an incident occurred.
In the early morning of 20 November 1979, the Holy Kaaba in Mecca was
taken over by armed persons when the Imam was about to lead the prayers
for the 50,000 or so Muslim worshippers. Five hundred or so armed men,
women and even older children, appeared all of sudden from the gathering
and took the worshippers as hostages. The attack was led by one
Juhayman al-Otaybi who declared his brother-in-law Mohammed
Abdullah al-Qahtani, to be the Mahdi. The siege ended only two weeks
later when the Kaaba was cleared by the security personnel.
Interestingly, in his address to the UN in New York on 26 September

2012, the then Iranian President Ahmadinejad stated, “Will come a time
when justice will prevail across the globe and every single human being
will enjoy respect and dignity. That will be the time when mankind’s path
to moral and spiritual perfectness will be opened and the manifestation of
God’s Divine Names will come true…These will all come true under the
rule of the Perfect Man, the last Divine Source on earth, Hazrat Mahdi; an
offspring of the Prophet of Islam, who will re-emerge, and Jesus and other
28
noble men will accompany him in the accomplishment of this grand
universal mission.” 72
Agreeing with the view, the President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez,

remarked: “Prophet Jesus will come hand in hand with the Mahdi. I ask
Prophet Jesus and Hazrat Mahdi to come as soon as possible.” 73
Noted cleric Dr. Hassan Najafi 74 penned down a poem on the Mahdi, a
few lines of which run as under: 75
To wait is love’s first demand
Die in wait is its last command
To wait concomitant with hope is pleasant
This is the lovers’ fate and their only current
O Mahdi! We are awaiting you
A necessity of life, as to the vegetation the dew
72
President of Iran
(https://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/2012/09/26/exclusive-
ahmadinejad-gives-most-detailed-explanation-of-twelfth-imam). Site
accessed on 15 June 2016.
73
Chavez was a Catholic. He intended at one time to become a priest. He
saw his socialist policies as having roots in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
74
Muhammad-Hasan al-Najafi, 1788–1850, was a prominent Shia
religious authority and author from Baghdad.
75
Iran English Radio.
(http://english.irib.ir/radioislam/events/item/159263-poem-on-the-
auspicious-birth-of-imam-mahdi-may-god-hasten-his-reappearance).
Site accessed on 10 January 2017.
29
Prophet Muhammad is also said to have said that when the Mahdi would
speak, people in the four corners of the world would not only ‘hear him’
but also ‘see him with their own eyes.’76 In Islamic eschatology, there are
also references to some ‘Sufiani’, who would emerge from Syria a little
before the time of the Mahdi.
Satanism and the Occult
In religions, Satan is relevant. Satan is relevant to End Times. Satan is

very much relevant to Islam and Christianity.77
Satan disobeyed God; the creation challenged the Creator.
Satanic practices have been in existence in history.
‘Satanism’ as a formal cult, is a recent phenomenon; a creation in the

West, not in the Islamic world.
One, Anton Szandor LaVey, formalized Satanism by establishing what is

described as the ‘LaVeyan Satanism’ in the US state of California in 1966.
In the words of one Gordon Melton, “LaVey, a former carnival worker,
had absorbed a variety of occult and ritual-magic teachings over the years,
which he incorporated into the tenets of the church” he founded on
Walpurgisnacht (April 30), 1966.78 The ‘Walpurgis
Night’(Walpurgisnacht in German) has been since centuries, observed in
parts of Europe, to commemorate the canonization of the Christian saint,
‘Walpurga’ who was known to stave off effects of dark forces, magic and
76
May also note the writeup by accessing
https://m.harunyahya.com/tr/articles/12679/Hazrat-Mahdis-(as)-name-
and-renown-will-constantly-spread-across-the-world.
77
In the Torah, the word Satan indicates “accuser,” “hinderer” or
“tempter.”
78
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Church-of-Satan#ref700220.
30
witchcraft. Interestingly, LaVey proclaimed this very date of 30 April
1966 as ‘Year One’, Anno Satanas, the first year of the ‘Age of Satan.’
It is said that LaVey did not promote worship of Satan as the Christian
embodiment of evil or even as an existing being. Instead, it is emphasised
that he taught that “His Infernal Majesty” was “a symbol of humanistic
values,” including: “self-assertion, rebellion against unjust authority” and
wise wisdom. Interestingly, part of the rituals promoted by LaVey, also
comprised “a black mass, complete with a nude female used as an altar.79
LaVey wrote ‘The Satanic Bible’ which was published in 1969.

Consisting of four segments, ‘The Book of Satan,’ ‘The Book of Lucifer,’
‘The Book of Belial’ and ‘The Book of Leviathan’, the Satanic Bible
among others, details rituals and magic, attempts to remove misperception
about Satanism, and promotes compassion and sexual indulgence.
Though the Satanic Bible is not considered to be sacred scripture in the
way that the Old Testament is in Judaism, followers of LaVeyan Satanism
regard the publication as an authoritative text of their faith.
To quote from The Satanic Bible, “Satan has certainly been the best friend
the church has ever had, as he has kept it in business all these years.” 80
Anton LaVey also quoting Satanic Bible, once stated: “I break away from
all conventions that do not lead to my earthly success and
happiness…..Satanism condones any type of sexual activity which
properly satisfies your individual desires- be it heterosexual, homosexual,
bisexual, or even asexual, if you choose. Satanism also sanctions any
fetish or deviation which will enhance your sex-life, so long as it involves
no one who does not wish to be involved.” 81
79
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Church-of-Satan#ref700220.
80
‘The Satanic Bible’ by Anton Szandor LaVey; published by Avon; 1st
edition, ISBN-10: 0380015390. (1969)
81
https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1039648-the-satanic-bibl.
31
Halloween is observed in the western world every year on 31 October.
Some assert, Halloween has ‘deep connections with Satanism.’ American
televangelist Pat Robertson claimed that those who celebrate Halloween,
are unknowingly worshipping Satan.82
To dilute the evilness of this cult, some analysts classify Satanism as a

‘new religious movement,’ and ‘a form of Western esotericism.’
LaVeyan Satanism is not the only cult that has been eulogizing Satan. It
is just one, that has gone public. There are many other large groupings
also not only in the United States but world over, who are promoting
‘glorification of Satan vis a vis The All mighty God.’ Such trends are also
on sharp increase in the African continent where witchcraft is widely
practised for ‘health – healing’ and ‘prosperous business objectives.’ 83
Diane Vera of the ‘Church of Azazel’ opined in June 2006, “There is no

reason to believe in the infallible truth of Christian prophecies.” But some
prophecies may be self-fulfilling “by sheer force of so many people
believing in them.” Stating that an Antichrist “may be just what the world
needs” today, she refers to the desirability of “a worldwide coalition
against the Abrahamic theocracy” which “would have to include
everyone: from Western gay nudist Wiccans, to the
fundamentalist/traditionalist Hindus.” 84
82
May also see The Washington Post of 31 October 2015.
83
Global Sisters Report; ‘Religious tackle devil worship recruiting
phenomenon’ by Adelaide Ndilu, Radio Waumini, Nairobi. (3 April
2017)
84
‘The Antichrist,’ Diane Vera of the Church of Azazel,
http://theisticsatanism.com/CoAz/belief/antichrist.html. (Site accessed
on 12 January 2017.)
32
Poems have been composed in praise of the Antichrist including one
quoted earlier in this book. Another titled, ‘The Birth of The Antichrist’
by Ayman Parray, was posted on web on 12 March 2016.85
Come with me my love into the shadow.

We leave behind God's green meadows.
We took the forbidden fruit.

And the fallen did mock us and hoot.
Come with me my love into the abyss.

We shall dance with the devil.
In the deepest darkness we find bliss.

Make love to the rhythm of the serpent's hiss.
Come with me my love to the field of corpses.

We shall cut humanity down with Satan's forces.
We have risen to the seat of power;

from the skies fire and death will shower.
Mankind will fall as we watch from our ivory tower.
Come with me my love it is the final hour.

Your wretched body has bloomed like death-trap flower.
Analysts tend to make a distinction between Satanism and the Devil

Worship. Others consider the two interconnected. The fact is that both fall
within the realm of ‘the forces of black darkness.’ Importantly, every
major religion in the world has been having the concept of evil and the
dark.
85
Poem Hunter (https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-birth-of-the-
antichrist/). Site accessed on 22 September 2021.
33
Some describe Jinns mentioned in the Quran, as ‘a Muslim superstition,’
without realizing that so many cities and so many villages in Europe and
the Americas have haunted houses, haunted roads and haunted towers;
with some even pointing finger at the ‘Tower of London.’ The concept of
number 13, black cats and broken mirrors, is another case in point.
In the last centuries, secret societies have also sprung up in the West, with
the unsubstantiated view that they want to form a ‘One-World
government’ having connections with Satan and End Times. Take the
Illuminati, a group said to have originated in the 18th century Germany,
which, according to Time magazine, “is allegedly responsible for the
pyramid-and-eye symbol adorning the US $1 bill.” 86 Or one could
consider Freemasons, who publicise their organisation as “the oldest and
largest” fraternity in the world. 87
Here, one feels like quoting a verse of the Quran:
“Iblis (Satan) said (to God): ‘Because You have sent me astray, surely, I
will lie in wait against them (human beings) on Your straight path. Then,
I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right
and from their left, and You will not find most of them thankful to You.”88
Mystics and Seers
Here needs to be also discussed the relevance or irrelevance of the seers,

psychics and the saints. Some attribute 9/11 prediction to the 16th century
seer Nostradamus.
86
Time ‘Secret Societies Control the World.’
(http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1860871
_1860876_1861005,00). Site accessed on 17 November 2016.
87
Time (http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804).
Site accessed on 17 November 2016.
88
The Quran, 7:17.
34
Michel de Nostradamus (1503 - 1566) a French astrologer, is well known.
His 1555 compilation ‘Les Propheties,’ which is a collection of more than
800 poetic quatrains on future events, is quoted by many. Most of the
quatrains deal with disasters such as plagues, earthquakes and strife. A
major theme in his works is said to be the impending invasion of Europe
by Muslim forces headed by the Antichrist. There are claims that
Nostradamus had predicted major events, including the French
Revolution, rise of Adolf Hitler, nuclear inferno in Hiroshima, and 9/11
in New York in 2001.
Jeane Dixon (1904 -1997) is remembered for her predictions. After the
assassination attempt on US President Ronald Reagan on 30 March 1981,
First Lady Nancy Reagan is known to have regularly consulted
astrologers, including Joan Quigley and Carroll Righter. On her part,
Bulgarian psychic Baba Vanga also “said things” before her death in
August 1996.89 There are claims that she had predicted dismemberment
of the Soviet Union. A prediction also attributed to her, has been that the
44th President of the United States, would be an African-American.
Dreams can be important.
The 7th century scholar Ibn Seerin is remembered. Muhammad Ibn Seerin
Al-Basri is said to have authored a book on the interpretation of dreams,
whose English rendition is available even today, titled: ‘Ibn Seerin’s
Dictionary of Dreams according to Islamic inner traditions’. 90
The 15th century Persian saint Shah Nimatullah also made predictions. An
eschatological poem, ‘Qaseeda Shah Naimat,’ is attributed to him, which
focuses on the future in the context of the subcontinent. Following are
89
Independent, 9 December 2015.
90
‘Ibn Seerin’s Dictionary of Dreams - according to Islamic inner
traditions’, Muhammad M. Al – Akili, Pearl Publishing House,
Philadelphia, USA.
35
passages from his poem, which has been translated into English
language:91
….God will later appoint Humayun as the Emperor (of Hindustan).
Meanwhile, an Afghan will appear, by the name of Sher Shah.
Humayun will run to the land of Persia. Iranian King will help Humayun.
By the time Humayun will attack Hindustan, Sher Shah will be dead and
his son will be the ruler.
Humayun will conquer Hindustan. Then will come Akbar. Then

Jahangeer, who will sit on the throne like the bright sun……
When Akbar will be the King, there will appear a saint.
His name would be NANAK. This Fakeer will become known. He will be
famous in Punjab. He will be the spiritual leader of his people.
Sikh people will be cruel towards the Muslims.
Then the Christians will occupy Hindustan. Their order will be obeyed for
about 100 years. When the cruelty and one-sidedness will reach its high
point, Christians will harm the religion.
Christians will leave; Hindustan will be divided. Blood of humans will

run. Destruction and anarchy will rule. Muslims will leave their homes
91
Shah Naimatullah was a 14th - 15th Persian saint. The English
translation of the poem has been cited by analysts from Hafiz Muhammad
Sarwar Nizami’s ‘Compilation’ of April 1972. (This is the edited version
of the English translation mentioned above.) In Islam, Qaseeda is
generally a reverential poem composed in remembrance of a holy
personality or an event of significance.
36
due to the wrath of the Hindus. They will migrate. Their women and girls
will be kidnapped.
Muslims will be in peace in the area of their forefathers. After much

punishment, their destiny will appear. The banner of Islam will be
prominent for 23 years.
Then divine punishment will come upon them. Their own land will become
narrow for them. Destruction and anarchy will be their destiny…..
When cruelty and crime will spread, there will come a King of the west.
He will be good administrator.
This Sword of the Lion will wipe off the deniers….There will be a great
war in between him and the other. No doubt a large population will be
killed.
The King of the western part will be the victor due to weaponry. The defeat
of the denier nation will be beyond imagination…then will come the
Dajjal from the city of Asfahan.
Listen carefully, I explain to you that to destroy the Dajjal,
Eesaa will come; so would appear the Mahdi.
Naimatullah is aware of the secrets of the unseen.
Indeed, what he is saying, will appear to be true.
Notable Pakistani civil servant, Qudratullah Shahab, in his 1987

publication ‘Shahab Nama’, also narrated incidents of unusual
dimensions. So did, another Pakistani, Mumtaz Mufti, in his ‘Alakh
Nagri’ that came out in 1993.
37
The Armageddon
Religionists know much about ‘Armageddon.’
The ‘Armageddon’ is the Christian concept akin to the Arabic term ‘Al-
Malhama Al-Kubra,’ or the ‘Great Battle’, which is prophesied to take
place at the End of Times. Armageddon is mentioned in Bible in
the Revelation to John (16:16).92 Going by Merriam-Webster,
Armageddon connotes “a final and conclusive battle between the forces
of good and evil” to take place at the End of Times.93
Armageddon seems to have connections with Megiddo, a city in Israel

today. Megiddo is mentioned in the Old Testament twelve times. It is
thought by some that Armageddon would take place and start from this
very city of Megiddo. To quote The Encyclopaedia Britannica,
“Armageddon, (probably Hebrew: Hill of Megiddo), in the New
Testament, is a place where the kings of the earth, under demonic
leadership, will wage war on the forces of God at the end of history.” 94
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel stresses that Tel (mound)

Megiddo, has been identified as one of “the most important cities of
biblical times…” A total of 20 cities were built at Megiddo, one above the
other, over the past 5,000 years of its continuous existence. 95 The Israeli
government sources also describe Megiddo as ‘The Solomonic Chariot
92
May study ‘The Archaeology of the Bible Lands’, by Magnus
Magnusson; BBC Publications. (1977)
93
Merriam Webster (https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/Armageddon). Site accessed on 18 November
2019.
94
https://www.britannica.com/place/Armageddon
95
https://mfa.gov.il/mfa/israelexperience/history/pages/megiddo. (Site
accessed on 21 November 2019.)
38
City.’ 96 It is said that the city was re-built by Solomon under his personal
supervision around 940 BC.
According to Talmud, Solomon is one of the forty-eight prophets of

God. In Islam, Sulaiman (Solomon) is considered a major Prophet of
Allah.
Christian tourists visiting Jerusalem normally also come to Israel, to

Megiddo, to see the city, which in their eschatology, would play a vital
role in the future dispensation of the affairs of the world.
In 1964, the Vatican was still far away from recognizing Israel as a Jewish
state. But then Pope Paul VI took an abrupt decision to visit Israel. On 5
January, the Pontiff came straight to Tel Megiddo; in the words of the
Jerusalem Post, “the (would be) site of the apocalyptic battle at
Armageddon.” 97 He held meetings with President Zalman Shazar and
Prime Minister Levi Eshkol not in the capital of Israel Tel Aviv, but in
Megiddo.
Megiddo was also the site of one of the last World War I battles fought
against the Muslim Ottomans. The German and the Ottoman forces
“found themselves encircled by the British and the French forces” in
Megiddo.98 This major battle fought on 19 - 25 September 1918, saw the
Ottomans lose a major chunk of their territories especially Syria and the
adjoining lands.
96
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel
(https://mfa.gov.il/mfa/israelexperience/hist). Site accessed on 21
November 2019.
97
The Jerusalem Post, 4 January 2017: ‘Pope’s 1964 Holy Land trip laid
foundations for ties with Israel.’
98
The National Army Museum, London.
(https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/battle-megiddo). Site accessed on 18
November 2019.
39
Travelling back centuries, let us once again go to the month of September,
but in the year 1260 AD. The heavens witnessed the ‘Battle of Ayn
Jalut’ fought between Muslim Mamluks and Mongols, after the Mongols
had just decimated the entire Muslim world along with its magnificent
capital Baghdad.99
General Baibars who seemed to have emerged from nowhere, defeated

the advancing Mongols the first time since their onslaught on the Muslim
lands.100 This, along with the subsequent conversion to Islam by the
Turkish tribes, saved Islam from extinction. The beauty of the message of
Prophet Muhammad is that later the Mongols themselves converted to
Islam.
Importantly, the main ambush during the Battle of Ayn Jalut that led to
the humiliating defeat of the Mongol forces, took place at Megiddo.
The city of Lod (Ludh in Arabic) where according to a statement of

Prophet Muhammad, the Antichrist will die at the hands of Jesus Christ,
is located not far from Megiddo. Megiddo is also the place where one of
the oldest churches in the world used to exist. Its discovery in 2005, was
noted with considerable interest the world over.
Abrahamic faiths: other commonalities
As indicated earlier, Judaism, Christianity and Islam seem to have a

common view on the concept of End Times. A number of scholars of these
three religions believe in the coming of a good man: in Judaism, he is the
Messiah; in Christianity, he is Jesus Christ; and in Islam, he is Eessa
(Jesus Christ). Before the arrival of this good man, a bad man will come
99
Also consult book titled ‘The Battle of Ain Jalut: The History and
Legacy of the Decisive Mamluk Victory that Halted the Mongol Empire’s
Expansion across the Middle East’, by Charles River. (Kindle 2019)
100
The full name of Baibars was Al-Malik al-Zahir Rukn al-Din Baibars
al-Bunduqdari. Baibars means the ‘Great Panther.’
40
to the earth to cause strife. In Judaism, he is Armilus; in Christianity, he
is Antichrist; and in Islam, he is Dajjal. Importantly, Judaism, Christianity
and Islam also agree on the concept of Gog and Magog.
Ecclesiasts of the three Abrahamic religions also agree that the main area
of conflict in respect of End Times would be the Middle East; not Africa,
the Americas or the Asia Pacific. Some Muslim analysts believe that the
descent of Jesus will take place at or around the Umayyad Mosque in
Damascus, which is not too far from Jerusalem. Those who have seen the
mosque may have noted the ‘Minaret of Eesaa (Jesus)’ within the
mosque’s structure, constructed centuries ago. Traditions whether
authentic or inauthentic, suggest that this minaret would be the
passageway for Jesus Christ to descend from heavens whenever he is
destined to return on his Second Coming.
Interestingly, Umayyad Mosque, constructed way back in 715 AD, is a

beautiful mix of Muslim and Christian architecture. There are claims that
some columns of the Mosque, are the ones that were used in the throne of
the Queen of Sheba. Others speculate that the rock which was struck by
Moses from which came out the water springs, is also part of the Umayyad
Mosque structure.101
John the Baptist (early 1st century AD) is revered as a holy man of God
in Christianity. In Islam, he is called Yahya who has received an
honourable mention in the Quran. Importantly, parts of his body remains
are said to be buried in the Umayyad Mosque. Adjacent to the Mosque, is
the tomb of “one of the most illustrious” Muslims, Saladin, who
“recaptured Jerusalem from the Crusaders.” 102
101
Muslim Heritage (The Great Umayyad Mosque).
Muslimheritage.com. Site accessed on 9 October 2021.
102
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Great-Mosque-of-Damascus.
41
Attention is once again drawn to the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad:
I warn you against him (Dajjal); there was no Prophet who did not warn
his people against him. No doubt, Noah warned his nation against him. I
tell you about him something which no Prophet told his nation before me.
You should know that he is one-eyed, and Allah is not one-eyed.
Jewish sources also mention that Armilus will have a structural problem
in the eye. In this regard, The Jewish Encyclopedia states, “In the Midrash
wa-Yosha’ - which comes nearest to Saadia's conception, Armilus is taken
to be Gog's successor; but is represented as monstrous, bald-headed, with
one large and one small eye, deaf in the right ear and maimed in the right
arm.” 103
Interestingly, some Christian scholars also make a point that the Antichrist
will have “a problem in the eye.” One Mat Slick, President of the Christian
Apologetics and Research Ministry in the US, is one such theologian. In
his writeup ‘Who or what is the Antichrist?’, Slick observes, “The
Antichrist will rise from the dead. His resurrection will be assisted by
Satan. His right arm will be withered, and he will be blind in his right
eye.” 104
There is a concept of the ‘Beast’ in Christianity, who will rise during End
Times. There is also mention of a Beast (a very unusual animal) in the
Quran, who will rise from the earth close to the Day of Judgement. The
number 666 is associated with the Beast in Christianity, who will, by some
accounts, put this mark on the foreheads of its followers. In Islamic
103
The Jewish Encyclopedia:
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/1789-armilus. (Writeup
titled ‘Armilus’ by Kaufmann Kohler and Louis Ginzberg.) Site accessed
on 21 November 2019.
104
Mat Slick earned his Master’s in Divinity degree from Westminster
Theological Seminary, Escondido, California in 1991.He is ordained.
Visit carm.org. (Site accessed on 21 November 2019.)
42
eschatology, Dajjal would have the words ‘Kafir’ emblazoned on his
forehead.
Qustuntunniya
Istanbul has been important.
Also called ‘Qustuntunnya’, Constantinople was the magnificent capital

of the Byzantine Empire from 330 AD to 1453 AD. Prophet Muhammad
(in 7th century AD), had prophesied its conquest by a Muslim Emperor.
The Prophet is quoted in history as stating: “Verily you shall conquer
Constantinople. What a Wonderful Leader will he be, and what a
Wonderful Army will that army be!” At the age of 21, Sultan Mehmet II
conquered Constantinople on 29 May 1453.
After the victory, Mehmet wrote a poem in honour of the Prophet of Islam.
Titled, ‘I DO NOT WANT,’ following are some of its passages translated
into English:
What shall I do with the fragrant Rose that does not smell like you!
What shall I do with the fresh Spring that comes without you!
What shall I do with the bright Sunrise without you!
What shall I do with the four corners of the world without you!
I do not want rain in plenty; I do not want the cool breeze that blows in a
direction other than you….If the fire is going to burn my heart, let it burn
me for ever.
If my heart turns into ashes, I want no heart or fire without you.
The Oasis in which I have not seen you, may belong to the bedouin. I want
the desert, not the sweet water without you.
43
I do not want the pen which does not write on you; I do not want the paper
which has nothing written on it about you.
I have to reach you; why should I stop! Come what may, I shall walk, walk
and walk.
Why should I bother about the road; even the direction that does not lead
me to you.
I shall cross a thousand ‘Sinais’ in one go, if it is going to please your

heart. Otherwise, what is all this effort to me?
I do not desire foreign land; I do not want my motherland, without you.
I do not want this Fateh; I do not want Egypt; I do not want this world.
I am Sultan Fateh standing in full view of Qustuntunnya….I do not want

Sultanate that does not make your ‘rose – face’ smile. I do not want
Constantinople, without you.
I am your ‘Volunteer - Slave (My Muhammad, may peace be upon you),’

with your ‘Slave Ring’ embellished on my ear.
I am from your Nation….You are My Master (‘My esteemed Prophet).’

Why would I ever want a Master, any Master, other than you……105
A statement is attributed to Prophet Muhammad about the Turkish race.

Well regarded scholar in the US of Pakistan - origin, Yasir Qazi, quotes
from books of religion, according to which, Prophet remarked, ‘The
Atraak (Turks) will become dominant (in future).’ The Prophet also
105
‘The Deewaan’ of Sultan Mehmed II. (English translation, elaborative,
of the poem from Turkish.)
44
advised, “Leave the Turks as long as they leave you. Do not fight the
Turks, because when you fight, you will lose and they will win.” 106
During the time of Prophet Muhammad, more than 1400 years ago,
Turkish nation had not emerged on the world horizon. It was nowhere to
be seen. Outside their desert domains, Arabs used to mainly deal with the
Byzantine and Persian empires. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica,
“A long succession of political entities existed in Asia Minor over the
centuries.” Then, Turkmen tribes “invaded Anatolia in 11th century CE,”
founding the Seljuq empire, and “during 14th century, the Ottoman
Empire began”, reaching “its peak” in 17th century. 107
In fact, rise of the Turkish nation took place more than 400 years after the
time of Prophet Muhammad. Even at the time of the compilation of the
ahadith (statements of the Prophet), 150 years or so after his demise, no
person could have ever imagined the rise of the Turkic people.
The ‘Battle of Ayn Jalut’ fought between Muslim Mamluks and the
Mongols in 1260 AD, has been mentioned earlier. General Baibars who
defeated the advancing Mongols in this battle, the first time ever since
their onslaught on the Muslim lands, was a Turk.108
History has proven Prophet Muhammad so right.
106
As stated by Yasir Qazi, a preacher in the US, in his video on the
subject (‘The Rise of the Turks’ 22 May 2021). Yasir Qazi has served as
Dean of Academic Affairs at the Al- Maghrib Institute (with a Center in
Houston, Texas).
107
The Encyclopaedia Britannica
(https://www.britannica.com/place/Turkey). Site accessed on 7 October
2021.
108
‘Baybars I, Mamluk Sultan of Egypt and Syria’
(https://www.britannica.com/biography/Baybars-I).
45
Ghazwai Hind
While discussing End Times, one cannot ignore South Asia. According to
the concept of ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’, a major conflict would take place
between Muslims and the non-believers in the subcontinent.109 Thus,
focus on nuclear India and nuclear Pakistan, could be relevant. Statements
are attributed to the Prophet of Islam, in this regard. Two are reproduced
as under:
“There are two groups of my Ummah (nation) whom Allah will free from
Fire: the group that invades Hindustan, and the group that will be with
Eesaa Ibne Maryam (Jesus).”
“Definitely, one of your troops would do war with Hindustan. Allah would
grant success to those warriors, as far as they would bring their kings
(from India) by dragging them in chains/fetters. And Allah would forgive
those warriors. And when those Muslims return, they will find Eesa Ibn-
e-Maryam (Jesus Christ) in Syria.”
Islam has been defensively offensive in history. At least this seems to be

the view of many including T.W. Arnold, the 19 th century Professor of
Arabic at the University of London, who in his book, ‘The Preaching of
Islam’ published in 1913, has tried to convey this very message.
The above two statements attributed to Prophet Muhammad, also need to

be understood in this context. The Muslims have been a persecuted lot in
Hindustan ever since the death of Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir in 1707.110
109
‘The resurgence of “Ghazwa-e-Hind: Indian transgressions against
Muslims’ by Sarmad Ishfaq (September 18, 2019).
https://www.globalvillagespace.com/the-resurgence-of-ghazwa-e-hind-
indian-transgressions-against-muslims-part-1/.
110
See Israeli newspaper HAARETZ, 26 September 2021 (‘Hindu Mobs,
anti - Muslim Boycotts: In Modi’s India, the Echoes of 1930s Germany
Are Growing Louder’ by Debasish Roy Chowdhury). May also study book
46
Now, when Hindu fundamentalist government has been in power in India
especially since 2014, Hindu stalwarts have even started to publicly assert
that “dead Muslim women should be raped by the Hindus.” 111
The futuristic aspects of Hinduism seemingly have connections with

Somnath, a place in India. Hindu eschatologists claim, as stated earlier,
that the world is passing through ‘Kali Yuga’. They say their seers were
able to decipher this process through symbols discovered from
excavations at Mohenjodaro, a city in Pakistan. Some attribute this
discovery to Aryabhata 476 - 550 CE, a prominent mathematician-
astronomer from the classical age of the Hindu civilization.112 According
to them, these writings are preserved at a temple not far from the Temple
of Somnath in modern day India, which was destroyed by Mahmud of
Ghazna more than 800 years ago.
Interestingly, Mohenjodaro is one of the oldest cities in the world which

was the metropolis of the Indus Valley Civilization. Indus Valley people
traded with Mesopotamia. A number of artifacts have been discovered
from Mohenjodaro, including a statuette of a holy Priest wearing a Sindhi
ajrak (shawl). Sometime back, a writeup in the Israeli newspaper
‘Haaretz’ speculated that this artifact of the priest may have well been
‘Communal Riots in Post-independence India’ by Asghar Ali Engineer,

Sangam (1991). Further take a look at the writeup, ‘The Gujarat Pogrom
of 2002,’ by Paul Brass, March 26, 2004.
(https://web.archive.org/web/20130721042743/http://conconflicts.ssrc.o
rg/archives/gujarat/brass/). Site accessed on 22 September 2021.
111
See statements of the Chief Minister of one of the largest Indian states,
Utter Pradesh; and others, including RSS and Hindu Shiv Sena leaders
such as Bal Thackeray prominently reported by the media.
112
His works include the ‘Aryabhaṭiya.’
47
drawn in the image of Prophet Abraham, who was born in the city of Ur
in Mesopotamia.113
Conterminous with Indus Valley civilization is the importance of the

Gandhara civilization, also of ancient Pakistan, some of whose
descendants today, the Pakhtuns, trace their ancestry to the Jewish race.
Importantly, the futuristic aspects of Hinduism also have connections with

Indus, the main River of Pakistan.
The Father of the Nation of India, Karamchand Gandhi, was assassinated

by a Hindu fundamentalist Nathuram Godse on 30 January 1948. Analyst
Pankaj Mishra in an article in The New York Times, some years ago,
referred to his interaction with Gopal Godse, the younger brother of
Nathuram Godse. According to Gopal, Nathuram had advised him
(Gopal) to immerse his (Nathuram’s) ashes in Indus, “the holy river of
India that flows through Pakistan, only when ‘Mother India’ was whole
again.” 114 Significantly, the very name ‘India,’ is derived from River
‘Indus’ of Pakistan.
Israel is sometimes referred to as a ‘Holy Land.’115 On its part, the name

Pakistan, means ‘the Land of the Pure’; and is considered by Sikhs and
the Buddhists as “special”, since many of their holiest places are located
in Pakistan. Some even describe Pakistan as ‘the Mother of India,’ as the
Hindu civilisation in the subcontinent actually emerged from the land
which constitutes Pakistan.
113
The Haaretz, 17 June 2020 (‘Uncovering the Secrets of the Indus
Valley Civilization and Its Undeciphered Script’ by Qaseem Saeed and
Ruth Schuster).
114
‘The Other Face of Fanaticism’, Pankaj Mishra, The New York Times
Magazine, 2 February 2003.
115
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel (‘Exhibit: Israel - The Holy
Land’). Check site https://mfa.gov.il/mfa/aboutisrael/history/papalvisit/.
Site accessed on 27 September 2021.
48
The Taj Mahal is, may be, the most beautiful building in the world today.
It was built by the Muslim Emperor Shah Jahan in 1648 AD. A Muslim,
by some coincidence, by the name, Eesaa (Jesus), was the main architect
of this ‘structure of beauty.’ Today, Hindu fundamentalists claim that the
Taj was a Hindu temple, ‘Teju Mala.’ Hindu fanatics also continue to
assert that the ‘Kaaba’ in Mecca, was at one time a ‘Hindu Temple.’116
Jerusalem, and its importance
In the context of Judaism, much has been written on the Third Temple;
and the Ark of the Covenant, referred to as ‘Taboot e Saqeena,’ in Islamic
literature. These are sensitive issues in Judaism which need to be
understood in their proper context.
The Third Temple is the term used in regard to a Jewish place of worship
in Jerusalem, which many desire to build today in place of the original
Temple said to have been constructed by Solomon in the holy city in 957
BCE which was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 AD; and the Second
Temple constructed under the Persian Empire, which was destroyed by
the Romans in 70 CE.117
There have been claims that the two temples were located on the Temple
Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, which happens to be the current site
of the Dome of the Rock and Masjid Al-Aqsa.
116
The Times of India, 18 March 2018 (‘Hindu Mahasabha's calendar
refers to Mecca as Macceshwar Mahadev temple, Taj as Tejo Mahalaya’
by Anuja Jaiswal).
117
May also see The Encyclopaedia Britannica
(https://www.britannica.com/topic/Temple-of-Jerusalem). Site accessed
on 24 September 2021.
49
The Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world's third-holiest site for the Muslims.118
The desire to build the Third Temple in Jerusalem is considered “sacred”

in Judaism. A number of advocates of the Third Temple have called for
its construction ‘in tandem with the arrival of the Messiah.’ The concept
of the Third Temple also has a major relevance to some interpretations of
the Christian eschatology.
The Ark of the Covenant on the other hand, also called ‘Ark of the
Testimony,’ is considered by practising Jews as “the most sacred relic”
of their history. 119 The Ark refers to a box-like container in which were
kept the ‘Original Tablets’ of Law received by Prophet Moses from God
on Mount Sinai. According to the New Testament Book of Hebrews, the
box also contained ‘Aaron's rod and a pot of the manna.’ 120
According to The Jewish Encyclopedia, “The first mention of the Ark in

the Bible is in Ex. xxv. 10 et seq., where Moses on Mount Sinai is told to
have an Ark of shittim-wood made for the Commandments which are
about to be delivered.” In this regard, detailed directions were given. For
instance, the Ark “is to be 2½ cubits in length, 1½ in breadth, and 1½ in
height. It is to be overlaid within and without with gold, and a crown or
118
May also see ‘Do Israeli Jews really seek to demolish Al-Aqsa
Mosque? Jews call area Temple Mount, claiming it was site of two Jewish
temples in ancient times’, by Turgut Alp Boyraz (10.03.2021).
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/do-israeli-jews-really-seek-to-
demolish-al-aqsa-mosque/2171703.
119
It is said that the first mention of the Ark of Testimony has been in
Exodus 25:10. God gave Moses specific instructions for building a
tabernacle. So the Ark of the Testimony is said to be the “Box of the
Agreement.”
120
May also consult The World History Encyclopedia: ‘Ark of the
Covenant’ by Rebecca Denova.
(https://www.worldhistory.org/Ark_of_the_Covenant/). Site accessed on
27 September 2021.
50
molding of gold is to be put around it. Four rings of gold are to be put into
its corners - two on each side - and through these rings staves of shittim-
wood overlaid with gold for carrying the Ark, are to be inserted….” 121
Jewish beliefs also underline that “Even Aaron (mentioned as Prophet

Harun in the Quran) was forbidden to enter this place of the Ark too
often;” and “he was enjoined to perform certain ceremonies when entering
there. (Lev. xvi. 2 et seq.).” 122 The Ark was not merely a receptacle for
the Law; “it was a protection against the enemies of Israelites,” and (it)
“cleared the roads in the wilderness for them.” Two sparks, tradition
relates, came out from between the two cherubim, which “killed all
serpents and scorpions, and burned the thorns, the smoke of which as it
curled upward sent a sweet fragrance....” 123
According to The Jewish Virtual Library, “The Ark remained in the

Temple until its destruction at the hand of the Babylonian empire led by
Nebuchadnezzar.” What happened to it afterwards “is unknown.” Some
Jewish scholars give credibility to the conclusion arrived at by one Leen
Ritmeyer, an archaeologist who conducted research on the Temple Mount
and inside the Dome of the Rock. He claimed that the Ark “may be buried
deep inside the Temple Mount” in Jerusalem. 124
121
(https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/1777-ark-of-the-
covenant).
122
The Jewish Encyclopedia (https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com). Site
accessed on 27 September 2021.
123
(https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles). Site accessed on 27
September 2021.
124
The Jewish Virtual Library “Ancient Jewish History: The Ark of the
Covenant” (https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-ark-of-the-
convenant). Site accessed on 27 September 2021.
51
In Islamic literature, some have speculated that the Ark of the Covenant
would be discovered during the time of the Mahdi.125
Cyrus the Great (c. 600 - 530 BC) is remembered with respect in history,
as he helped the Jewish people. Significantly, Cyrus has received an
honourable mention in the Quran as ‘Zulqarnain.’ 126
The OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) with membership of 57

states, comprising close to 2 billion Muslims spanning four continents,
came into being in 1969. It is the second largest inter-governmental
organisation in the world after the United Nations. The decision to
establish OIC was made immediately after a vile act of arson at the Al-
Aqsa Mosque on 21 August 1969, which gave rise to angry emotions in
the entire Islamic world.
Media reports highlighted that the fire which destroyed part of the old
wooden roof and a 800-year-old pulpit of the mosque, was “blamed on
Israel, and on Zionists and Zionism in general.” The arsonist, Denis
Michael Rohan, as usual, was described by Western analysts, as ‘mentally
unwell.” The facts on the ground are different.
Denis Michael Rohan was a young Australian White Christian

supremacist who had committed the act after a proper and thorough
planning. Years before he committed the act of profanity, he moved from
Australia to Israel and had started visiting the Al Aqsa Mosque regularly
as part of his future plan to set it to fire. Rohan thought by destroying the
Al Aqsa mosque, he could “hasten the return of Jesus Christ as the King.”
Rohan claimed that he had visions.
If you check Rohan’s name on internet today, reports will suggest that “he
died in 1995, after spending time in an Israeli prison; and then in an
asylum on his return to Australia.” This is not correct. Denis Michael
125
The Kackar Television (Adnan Oktar interview, 8 January 2009).
126
The Quran (Surah al Kahf).
52
Rohan was very much alive at least till 2009, if the disclosures made in
the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) ‘Late Night Live’
telecast on 21 August 2019 at 10.40 pm are to be believed. 127
Moses ben Maimon commonly called Maimonides, one of the greatest

Jewish sages of his time (1138 AD -1204 AD) has been quoted earlier.
Not many would be aware of the fact that Maimonides also served at one
time as “the personal physician to Salahuddin Ayubi (Saladin).” As
referred to in the earlier pages, Saladin is remembered in the West because
of the Crusades. And, Crusades had deep connections with Jerusalem;
which continues to be an issue of pivotal importance even today.
Noam Chomsky, while describing the United States as “a very

fundamentalist, religious country - one of the most extreme in the world,”
argues that “there are not too many countries where two-thirds of the
population awaits The Second Coming.” According to him, “half of them
(Americans)” think it is going to happen “in their lifetime.” 128 Many
White Christian supremacists believe that that the Second Coming is
imminent but contingent upon the Jewish control of the city of Jerusalem.
May be, this prompted President Donald Trump to accord recognition to

Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on December 6, 2017. Traditionally, all
incoming US Presidents have been undertaking their first overseas visits
to the European capitals. Curiously, after becoming the President of the
United States, Trump preferred visiting Saudi Arabia, which has deep
connectivity with Islam; Jerusalem that has deep connectivity with
127
‘ABC Late Night Live’, 21 August 2019, 10:40 pm (‘Apocalypse Now:
the political legacy of Denis Michael Rohan’ by Phillip Adams).
128
Chomsky Interview: ‘The US is One of the Most Fundamentalist
Countries in the World’; The Wire
(https://thewire.in/external-affairs/chomsky-interview-the-us-is-one-of-
the-most-fundamentalist-countries-in-the-world). Site re-visited on 21
September 2021.
53
Judaism, Christianity and Islam; and then The Vatican, which has deep
connectivity with Christianity.
Robert Leonhard of Johns Hopkins University rightly opined in 2010,

“Jerusalem is the epicenter of eschatology—the focal point of the
apocalyptic scenarios of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. All three faiths
think of the city as their own. All three faiths gave rise to prophecies that
the end of human history will occur there. The story of how these three
systems of belief think about the end times and how those visions of
apocalypse affect our world, underlies much of what occurs in our world
today.” 129
129
Johns Hopkins University, Maryland; National Security Analysis
Department (‘Visions of Apocalypse - What Jews, Christians, and
Muslims Believe about the End Times, and How Those Beliefs Affect Our
World’, Robert Leonhard); May 2010. Visit
https://www.jhuapl.edu/Content/documents/ApocalypseVision.pdf. Site
accessed on 1 October 2021.
54
QUESTIONS; AND WHEN & IF!
When will Dajjal, Armilus or Antichrist, appear on the world scene?
When will the Messiah appear!
When will be the Second Coming of Jesus?
What will be the time period of the arrival of the Mahdi?
These are important questions. Some including Dr. Israr Ahmed and
Imran Hosein tend to agree with the view that the long drawn process
heading towards End Times, seems to have started.130 Others opine, all
this will happen in the next hundred years or so. Noted cleric, Tahirul
Qadri speculates that the Mahdi is expected to arrive around two to three
hundred years before the Day of Judgement. In his view, Mahdi could be
born close to 774 years from now.131
Interestingly, Sir Isaac Newton, one of the greatest minds in history who
focused on the laws of gravity and planetary motions, also believed in the
concept of End Times. On 22 February 2003, a story on the front-page of
the Daily Telegraph announced that Isaac Newton had predicted the world
would end in 2060 AD. Reports quoted him as stating that this would
happen “exactly 1,260 years after the foundation of the Holy Roman
Empire.” Newton added, “It (the world) may end later, but I see no reason
for it ending sooner.” 132 According to a letter ‘from 1704’ which was on
show in Jerusalem's Hebrew University in Israel, Newton reportedly
130
See views of Harun Yahya by accessing
http://www.harunyahya.com/en/Books/27681/the-prophet-jesus. Site
accessed on 1 December 2016.
131
Minhaj-ul-Quran (minhaj.org). Site accessed on 25 September 2016.
132
The New York Post, September 1, 2018 (‘Isaac Newton predicted the
world will end in 2060’).
55
“used Bible's Book of Daniel to calculate the date for the Apocalypse.” 133
Born in 1643, Newton was also “an insightful theologian who had a life-
long interest in the existence of God and religion.” 134
In the summer of 2018, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, one of the leading

Jewish scholars, revealed his conviction that the birth of the Messiah had
“just taken place.” In his view, the world was “on the cusp, entering the
Messianic Age.” Meanwhile, another Rabbi claimed that President
Donald Trump’s decision to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to
Jerusalem was “part of the prophecy of the Messiah.” 135 Rabbi Hillel
Weiss said he believes Trump’s decision over the Embassy was “the first
stage towards the End of Days.” And then a third prominent Rabbi,
Pinchas Winston, claimed that the ongoing tension between Iran and
Israel was building towards the appearance of the Messiah on the world
scene.136
As emphasised earlier, focus on End Times and the related issues is not
something new that has crept up in recent years. In the words of Wayne
Scriven of the Andrews University, “The ‘advent hope’ has throbbed in
the hearts of men ever since Christ told His disciples that He would return
again to receive them unto Himself.” Likewise, the time of his second
coming has been of keen interest to his followers “throughout the
Christian age; and, from time to time, men have gone so far as to fix a
date for His second advent.”137
133
India Today, October 13, 2009 (‘According to Newton, world will end
in 2060.’)
134
Chronicle (https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/world-news/end-
world-date-predicted-sir). Site accessed on 27 September 2021.
135
‘Messiah is born, claims renowned Rabbi, says end of times is here’,
Deccan Chronicle, 23 July 2018.
136
Deccan Chronicle, July 23, 2018.
137
‘Date-setting in America for the Second Coming of Christ during
the late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century’, Wayne A. Scriven, page
71, Master’s Theses, Andrews University (1947).
56
The Hippolytus of Rome, a third century Christian scholar of religion;
Sextus Julius Africanus, a third century ecclesiast; and
the oft quoted Greek religionist Irenaeus (c. 130 – c. 202 AD), are all said
to have predicted that Jesus Christ would return to earth in the year 500
AD. To quote a writeup from The New York Times of late 1970s, “In
1860, the French chemist, Marcel Berthelot, said, ‘within a hundred years
of physical and chemical science, man will know what the atom is.’ ” He
expressed his belief that when science reaches that stage, “God will come
down to earth with His big ring of keys and will say to humanity,
‘Gentlemen, it is closing time.’ ”138
In the 13th century, Pope Innocent III had predicted that the world would
end 666 years after the rise of Islam. (Prophet Muhammad passed away
in 632 AD, but to denigrate the Prophet of Islam, Christian scholars in the
Middle Ages used to propagate the view that he died in 666 AD.) Earlier
in 5th century, the Bishop of Aquae Flaviae in what is Portugal today,
opined that ‘humanity was living in the End Times.’ A widely cited
English scholar, Joseph Mede (1586 -1639), claimed that the Antichrist
had appeared in 456 AD, and the end of the world would come in 1660.
In 1924, John Quincy Adams advanced the theory that the “rapture” of
the church would probably take place on April 11, 1925; and ‘the return
of Christ in glory,’ would happen approximately seven years later, on
October 11, 1931. 139
Visit
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1058&
context=theses. Site accessed on 7 October 2021.
138
The New York Times, 2 October 1970 (‘When is Christ Coming?, Dr.
Billy Graham).
139
‘Date-setting in America for the Second Coming of Christ during the
late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century’, Wayne A. Scriven, page
71, Master’s Theses, Andrews University (1947).
Visit
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1058&
context=theses. Site accessed on 7 October 2021.
57
Same has been the case with the concept of the Messiah. One Abu Isa of
Ispahan claimed in 8th century AD, that he was the last of the five
forerunners of the Messiah, and that God had chosen him to ‘free Israel.’
Earlier in 2nd century AD, one Bar Kosiba was hailed as the Messiah. Like
others in the past, the founder of the Frankist perspective, Jacob Joseph
Frank (1726 - 1791), also claimed to be the Messiah.
There have also been Mahdis in history. A Moroccan Ibn Tumart declared
himself the Mahdi in 12th century. Same was done by Syed Muhammad
Jaunpuri in the 16th century Pakistan - India subcontinent. Another
Moroccan, Ahmed ibn Abi Mahalli in the 17th century, made the claim. In
1881, a sufi from The Sudan, Muhammad Ahmad bin Abd Allah, also
declared himself the Mahdi.
Above are a few names quoted from history. And, the list continues to
grow, albeit slowly, with the passage of time.
All said and done, one conclusion is again commonly reiterated by the
followers of all three Abrahamic religions:
“Only God knows, when will all this exactly happen.”
Religion is important in history.
History never says goodbye; it continually re-visits.
Prophet Muhammad had high regard for Jesus. He used to say, “Among
men, I am the closest to Jesus, Son of Mary, in this world and in the next.”
Every other Muslim woman has been named Maryam, after Holy Mary.
Jesus is common between Islam and Christianity.
Prophet Muhammad had high regard for Moses. The Quran states, “And
mention in the Book (the story of) Musa. Indeed, he was a chosen one and
58
was a messenger, a prophet.” 140
Moses is common between Islam and
Judaism.
Prophet Muhammad’s Allah is effusive in the praise of Abraham. Quran

underlines: “Who could have a better religion than someone who submits
himself completely to Allah and is a good-doer, and follows the religion
of Abraham, a man of pure natural belief? Allah took Abraham as an
intimate friend.” 141
Today, questions are being asked.
Serious questions are being asked about 9/11.142 Like others, a Christian
preacher from New Zealand, Barry Smith, propagated the view that “a one
world government” in future that is being talked about by some would be
“satanic” in nature, and that 9/11 was orchestrated by the US government.
Smith authored eight books relevant to End Times. 143
Whoever perpetrated 9/11 on 9/11, can again orchetrate a 9/11. This time
not in New York; may be in Paris or London. Then, what will happen!
Questions are being asked about Donald Trump. How come he came into
power, that too through the power of democracy in the most powerful
democracy in the world! 144
140
Quran: Surat Maryam, verse 51.
141
Quran: Surat Nisa, verse 125.
142
May also take a look at the book titled ‘The 5 Unanswered Questions
About 9/11: What the 9/11 Commission Report Failed to Tell Us’ James
Ridgeway. (2005)
143
May also study book titled, ‘Second Warning’, by Barry Rumsey
Smith, published by International Support Ministries in 1985.
144
May also take a look at the writeup ‘Eight of the best books about
Donald Trump’ by Peter Conrad, published in The Guardian of 1
November 2020.
59
Questions are being asked about Narendra Modi. How did the largest
Hindu fundamentalist organisation in the world, the RSS (Rashtrya
Swayamsevak Sangh), assume power through the power of democracy in
India which is described as the largest democracy in the world? 145
Donald Trump is gone, but ‘Trumpism’ is very much alive; and one day
it may come back to power. Once Modi goes, Hindu fundamentalism will
continue not only to exist but get stronger day by day in India.
Extremist ideologies do not just disappear.
Why so many Hindus in India respect and eulogise Nazis and Adolf
Hitler! 146 Why is Swastika so important in Hinduism and with the Neo
Nazis? Why is ‘Mein Kampf’ read with much interest in India? Even
Hindu intellectuals are worried about the future of India.
Few are realizing that gradually a new bondage is coming out in the open.
The White Supremacists, Zionist Supremacists and Hindu Supremacists,
the world over, are cooperating and coordinating with each other. Any
floccinaucinihilipilification of the significance of this alliance would be
counterproductive for the world peace.
Despite the odds, the 21st century is witnessing a better accessibility of the
message of Prophet Muhammad to the common man. Accounts on the
Prophet by biographers of the Judeo - Christian heritage, including:
Leopold Weiss, Annemarie Schimmel, Martin Lings and Karen
Armstrong, are receiving better intellectual appreciation, which was not
the case in history. Paradoxically, it was a ‘white separatist, an American
Jew’, Michael H. Hart, who in his 1978 book ‘The 100’, described
145
‘RSS (Rashtarya Swayamsevakh Sangh): The Largest Terrorist
Organisation in the World’, Ambassador Afrasiab Mehdi Hashmi, Hilal
English. (September 2019)
146
Israeli newspaper ‘Haaretz,’ 14 December 2017 (‘Hitler’s Hindus:
The Rise and Rise of India’s Nazi-loving Nationalists’ by Shrenik Rao).
60
Muhammad as “the most influential person in history.” 147
Understandably, he earned the ire of white supremacists the world over
for having spoken the truth.
Why did the best armies of the world, trained among others in West Point
and Sandhurst, suffer one of the worst defeats in human history in
Afghanistan? Significantly, focus of politics is shifting more and more
towards the Middle East, the main theatre of the conflict, as predicted by
the End Times scholars.
So many people are warning about environmental issues and water

shortages in the future. There is also a talk of the ‘world desertification.’
Questions are also being asked about Coronavirus; and related

vaccinations. If it is Corona today, tomorrow it might be plague or some
other world pandemic, as predicted by ‘seers with eyes’ centuries ago.
‘Real knowledge’ seems to be disappearing. During Corona lockdowns,

youngsters the world over are not studying the works of Arnold Toybee,
Karl Marx or Leo Tolstoy. They are absorbing fabricated knowledge, fake
news and fake information on their mobiles, being fed to them by people
they do not know. What would these youngsters be like, when they
assume leadership roles in the world tomorrow?
There is the other side to the picture as well.
Around 30 million perished during the ‘Black Death’ from 1347 AD to

1352 AD. Like it happened then, today again, Coronavirus is making
mankind aware of ‘the fragility of life.’ Even though attendance in places
of worship is falling, spirituality - level seems to be on the increase. Many
feel that spiritual connection with the Creator is important. A recent Pew
Research Center poll indicates that while 2 percent of those surveyed said,
147
‘The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History’,
Michael H. Hart, Hart Publishing Company, New York. (1978)
61
coronavirus has weakened their faith, 25 percent declared that the virus
“has deepened it.” According to Gallup, 3 percent say their faith “has
gotten worse;” at the same time, “19% say it has gotten better.” 148
Does this indicate disenchantment of the new world generation with the
views on religion expressed by the ‘divisive ecclesiasts’, while
subconsciously submitting to the will of God!
If the Dajjal (Armilus and Antichrist) is supposed to have one (functional)

eye, why is our mobile called ‘iPhone (Eye Phone).’ Why not ‘zPhone’ or
for that matter ‘mPhone.’ Computer experts tell us that the letter ‘i’ stands
for internet. Even if they are correct, the striking linkage of ‘i’ with the
word ‘Eye’, seems to be stupefying.
We are told that each every site one visits on internet, and each and every
e-mail message one sends, gets deleted once you want to remove it; but
all this does not get ‘permanently deleted.’ Why! It is difficult to
understand the logic.
In recent times, the classification of the time periods in history that has
existed for centuries, ‘BC’ (‘Before Christ’), and AD (‘Anno Domini’-
in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ), has been changed to BCE (Before
Common Era) and CE (Common Era). One reason cited for this major
change is to make the wording ‘secular.’ In other words, ‘a step away’
from religion (Christianity).
The Anno Domini dating system is said to have been devised by one
Dionysius Exiguus in 525 AD.149 It is true that history does not mention
the exact date of birth of Jesus Christ which created vagueness in respect
of the world calendar of date classifications. But the question is, why was
148
The Inquirer, 1 August 2020 (Could COVID - 19 inspire the faithful?
by Alfred Lubrano).
149
May further consult Encyclopedia Britannica
(https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dionysius-Exiguus).
62
this major change made in recent years; why not earlier? Why did it take
centuries to make the change from BC to BCE and AD to CE?
May be, this change has been made to subconsciously adjust the mindsets
of the coming generations in respect of important developments which
would take place in the world tomorrow. May be, this is just a conjecture.
According to Abrahamic religions, the Antichrist (Dajjal) would claim to

be God.
In Islam one of the powerful names/ attributes of Allah is “AL ALEEM,”

which means: “One Who Who knows all.” Is all this information about
us, which does not get deleted from the internet, mentioned above, being
permanently stored for use by the Dajjal, tomorrow? Would this
information be used by him to substantiate his claim of being an ‘all
powerful, all knowing God!’
Let us hope, in our speculations, we are not going too far.
Muslim scholars quote Prophet Muhammad as stating: “There is no

prophet between me and him, that is Eesaa (Jesus),” and he (Jesus) will
(after his Second Coming) “live on the earth, for forty years” and then “he
will die.” 150 In Muslim traditions, after completing his natural life when
Jesus passes away, he would be buried in the city of Medina (in modern
day Saudi Arabia) next to the grave of Prophet Muhammad. Interestingly,
a place has been kept vacant there for Jesus for the last more than 1400
years.151
150
In Islam, when Hazrat Eesaa returns (on his Second Coming), he will
follow the religious laws of Prophet Muhammad as per his own divine
interpretation.
151
The subject has been discussed by a number of scholars, among
them Al-Aajurri in his book ‘Ash-Sharee‘ah,’ and Al-Qurtubi in ‘At-
Tathkirah’.
63
Since Adam, Prophets of God have come, one after the other, and in cases
the Prophets were contemporaneous to each other. One of the fundamental
beliefs in Islam is the finality of the Prophethood of Muhammad,
meaning, after him, there would by no Prophet, but the Day of Judgement.
History tells us that Prophet Muhammad passed away on 8 June 632 AD.
Today, we are in the 21st century. Now, even according to Islamic
precepts, the world cannot exist for another thousands of years.
Importantly, End Times is just the beginning of the process towards the
Day of Judgement which may take time, may be few centuries, but
certainly not more.
Many consider ‘any discussion’ on End Times as some kind of ‘Mumbo

Jumbo.’ Others categorize the subject, as ‘Conspiracy Theories.’
Importantly, the overwhelming majority of even religious people of
religions do not believe in a number of aspects of End Times, as according
to them, “all this” has not been part of their mainstream scriptures.
Islamic literature that has been referred to above in the context of the
Mahdi and Dajjal, has been taken from the ahadith (traditions of the
Prophet). However, Quran itself does not refer to Mahdi and Dajjal. But,
in Islam, ahadith are also important.
Science does not have answers to many questions. Religions do not have
answers to so many questions. So asserts the Creator in the Quran, man
has been “given, but little knowledge.” 152
Nobody would disagree with the view that the world today is heading in
the wrong direction; a very wrong direction. Are we heading towards
‘SUPRANATURALISM’, with a focus on religious fascism! And,
religious fascism could well be ‘the central boiling point’ in respect of the
developments relevant to the End Times.
152
The Quran Sura Israa.
64
Cabala in Judaism, Monasticism in Christianity and Sufism in Islam, are
important disciplines which sometimes fall within the realm of the
esoteric. The Hindu and the Buddhist monks have their own inexplicable
presentiments. Mind is important in science; heart is important in
spiritualism. Kim Haines of Cornell University opines that the “ancient
texts encouraged hope and endurance when they spoke of End Times.” 153
This is one way of looking at things.
Or, may be, stage is being set today, for something to happen tomorrow.
The ground realities seem to be sometimes overstepping, if not crossing,
the limits of intellectual reason and politico - scientific rationality.
Is the world heading towards End Times? Only time will tell. 154
In the words of Allama Muhammad Iqbal:
‘Khzr - e - Waqt’ Az Khalwat Dasht - e - Hijaz Ayad Barun,

Kaarwan Zeen Wadi Door - o - Daraaz Ayad Barun. 155
153
‘The Conversation’, 13 April 2020.
154
This Treatise was included as a separate chapter in the book by
Ambassador Afrasiab on the Prophet of Islam, titled ‘THE GREATEST
MAN IN HISTORY IS MUHAMMAD, PBUH’, published in Wellington,
New Zealand, in 2017. The paper has been updated as of October 2021.)
155
Zaboor - e - Ajam.
65
POST SCRIPT
(PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WITH ISLAMIC SPIRITUALITY)
It was September in 2001 when I was working in junior capacity as

Director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad. In the morning of
10 September, the French Secretary General (Foreign Affairs), held
‘bilateral talks’ with Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Inam ul Haq. These
formal talks were followed by a Luncheon by the Pakistani side. In the
evening, there was a dinner hosted by the French Ambassador. A large
number of guests were invited. Being one of the invitees, as I entered the
dinner hall of the French Embassy located at the Constitution Avenue, I
came across the French Counselor, dealing with trade matters between
Pakistan and France. He had had just completed his three - year tenure in
Islamabad and was now preparing to return to Paris.
He mentioned to me that his stay in Islamabad had been ‘very

comfortable.’ According to him, high mountains in northern Pakistan
were “the most beautiful in the world.” However, he added that air travel
to Gilgit could sometimes become very risky due to bad weather. He also
referred to the PIA plane crash that had then recently occurred when the
plane was overflying the mighty Karakorams.
I listened to him. I listened to him carefully. In response, the words that

came out of my mouth were: “Here, lies the difference between the
perspectives of nations and civilizations on destiny. Who knows, what
might happen in future. A PLANE MIGHT CRASH INTO A HIGH -
RISE BUILDING IN NEW YORK, TOMORROW. This would be
destiny. Whatever has to happen, will happen.”
This discussion took place on the evening of 10 September in Islamabad;

9/11 happened the very next day in New York. I was shocked. I
remembered exactly what I had said to the French diplomat; and what I
had said, actually happened! I was petrified. It was certainly not a
prediction; it was just a comment, may be a philosophical expression. If
66
at all, he remembered the details of the conversation, how would he have
felt after listening to the news of the tragedy!
At that time, our next door neighbours at the Foreign Office Lodges in
Islamabad, where we were residing, were Nadeem Riaz (later Pakistan’s
Ambassador in Rome) and his wife Ayesha Riaz (later our Ambassador
in Berne and Vienna). Ayesha had just returned from her first posting in
Paris. When I mentioned all this to her, she was shell-shocked. Soon the
news spread, but nobody talked much about it.
A few years earlier, I was serving as Third Secretary in our Embassy in

Washington DC. The President of Pakistan, Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, was
scheduled to visit the UN in New York in September 1988, to address the
General Assembly session and then come to Washington for talks with
the American President. Under Ambassador Jamsheed Marker, the
Mission was in the process of making preparations for the visit.
At a small dinner at my place around that time, an Embassy colleague

asked me, in my view, the visit would materialize or not. He specifically
said, “Afrasiab, tell us, whether the President is coming to Washington or
not.” I was reluctant to respond. He insisted, so did the others who were
invited to the dinner. Responding, the words that came out of my mouth
were: “President Zia is not coming to America.” I was asked “Why?” As
I felt like stating, I said: “Sudden, violent, unnatural death.”
As fate had it, not many days passed when the military plane carrying the
President of Pakistan, crashed. Unfortunately, President Zia died along
with all who were with him. The passengers’ list also included the
American Ambassador to Pakistan and their Defense Attache in
Islamabad. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq did not come to the United States for
the visit.
The dinner that I am talking about at my place was a small one. It was in
honor of Bob Boggs (and Mrs. Boggs) who was serving as Desk Officer
for Pakistan in the Department of State. (Bob had earlier served in the US
67
Mission in New Delhi).156 This discussion on President Muhammad Zia-
ul-Haq occurred after the American guests had left my place subsequent
to the dinner.
From the Pakistan side, the dinner was attended by the Accounts Officer
of the Mission at that time, Sarshar Ahmed Khan (who years later, retired
in Grade 22, the senior most grade in the civil services of Pakistan);
Minister Economic and Trade at the Embassy, Chaudhry Moin Afzal
(later served as Secretary General, Finance, in the Government of
Pakistan); Counsellor Press of the Mission, Salim Gul (who later rose to
the position of Secretary Information); and from the Mission’s Defense
wing, it was Colonel Hamid Javed (who years later was promoted to the
rank of Lieutenant General in the Pakistan Army, and served as Chief of
Staff to the President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf).
In 1994, I was posted to our Mission in India as Second Secretary. On one

occasion, the High Commissioner directed me to represent him and my
wife represent Mrs. Riaz Khokhar at the annual Commonwealth reception
in New Delhi. We happened to be the first ones to arrive at the venue. The
reception line was not long.
The Indian Army Chief was there along with his wife, to receive the guests
which included High Commissioners with their spouses, from the
Commonwealth countries based in the Indian capital. The Vice Chief of
Army Staff of the Indian Army was also there in the reception line to
welcome the guests as well as one or two other senior officials. Indian
Army chief received me with due courtesy. After a brief conversation with
him, I moved on and shook hands with his wife while he exchanged
pleasantries with my wife.
156
According to the information available on web, Bob Boggs later served
as Deputy Head of the US Embassy in Nepal. After retirement, I believe
he joined the National Defense University in Washington DC.
68
As I looked at the face of the wife of the Army Chief, I felt like stating,
which I said: “ You read a lot….you think a lot. This is the reason you
sometimes get headache on the right side…maybe split headache. This is
not good. You must do some regular exercise.” Stunned, the lady
remarked, “You are so correct! This is the reason I take many
medicines….” Then, she stopped short, and said, “How do you know all
this….Who told you all this about me?”
The news started to spread, about me, from one corner of Delhi to the
other. Then, there was a bee - line. So many Generals of the Indian army,
and others, started approaching me albeit in private.
On another occasion, the High Commissioner directed the Deputy High

Commissioner Khalid Khattak (later Pakistan’s Ambassador in Moscow),
to visit the Indian Foreign Office for some official matter. After the
meeting, which was also attended by me, the Indian Joint Secretary asked
me, ‘Afrasiab, tell me about my future.’ I was hesitant. He then added,
“Okay, tell me who will be our next Prime Minister?” I was further
hesitant. (Joint Secretary subsequently served as Indian Ambassador to
Kabul.)
Years later, when I proceeded to New Delhi the second time as Pakistan’s
Deputy High Commissioner, the Indian Foreign Secretary specifically
took me to their Minister for External Affairs, Pranab Mukherjee (later,
President of India), saying, “Sir, he is Afrasiab.” On another occasion, I
was requested by the Indian side to make an assessment of their National
Security Advisor.
When I was doing Masters in English Literature in Government College

Lahore in early 1980s, a friend asked me about the future of the Prime
Minister of India. I felt like stating, which I stated, “violent death; maybe
assassination!” Mrs. Indira Gandhi was assassinated on 31 October 1984,
when I was under training at the Civil Services Academy in Lahore.
Why am I writing all this! I do not know.
69
May be, this ‘presentimental premonition’ has something to do with
spirituality, even though I have also been practising face reading as a
hobby since long. I attribute, what has been stated above, to my
orientation, which has deep connections with inner self. More so, to my
attachment to the Islamic thought processes. Specifically speaking,
connectivity with ‘Zikr Allah.’
Here, there is a need to diverge a little.
What is Islam?
No educated Muslim would disagree with the view that according to the
Quran, the fundamentals of Islam focus on three aspects, which are:
‘Belief (Imaan), Character (Kirdaar) and Rituals (Ibadaat).’
Belief constitutes faith in One All-powerful God, ALLAH; and in the

prophethood of Muhammad (pbuh), the Prophet of Islam. All Muslims are
required to believe in angels, other prophets of Allah, His revelations and
the Day of Judgment. Rituals, among others, include the five time daily
prayers (namaz) and fasting in Ramadhan, which further strengthen your
faith. And what is also extremely important in Islam, is character; with a
focus on human values (Insaaniat), education (Ilm) and social justice
(Insaaf).
Islam is strictly ‘Monotheistic.’
According to Islamic precepts, Allah is the Creator of the world and the
worlds, and everything that mankind is aware of and everything that
mankind is not aware of. Allah is not only the God of Muslims but the
God of people of the Jewish and Christian faiths. Allah is the God of all
peoples of all other religions, whether Hindu, Buddhist or Zoroastrian. In
Islam, Allah is also the God of those who do not believe in Him; and even
those who believe in Satanism.
70
The name “ALLAH”, is powerful; extremely powerful.
Over the centuries, mystics have engaged in ‘Zikr Allah’, which is a

practice comprising ‘repetitive repetition’ of the name, Allah. Zikr
becomes a magnet for a sufi. So much so, the sufi starts to whirl; whirl
and whirl, around this very name of Allah. In Islam, Zikr is “one of the
most excellent acts, pleasing to Allah.” 157 And, so says the Quran: 158
• Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the

remembrance of Allah, for without doubt in the remembrance of
Allah do hearts find satisfaction. (Quran, Surat Ar-Ra’d)
• And to Allah belong the most beautiful names, so call on Him by

them and leave (the company of) those who practice deviation
concerning His names. (Quran, Surat al Araaf)
• He is successful who purifies himself, and remembers the name of

his Lord, and so prays. (Quran, Surat Al-A’la)
• And remember your Lord within yourself, in humility and in fear,

below your breath, in the mornings and evenings, and do not be
among the heedless. (Quran, Surat al Araaf)
• You who believe, remember Allah with much remembrance.

(Quran, Surat al Ahzaab)
• Those who remember their Lord standing, and sitting, and lying
on their sides. (Quran, Surat Al-Imran)
157
May consult ‘Muntakhab Ahadith,’ Muhammad Yusuf Kandhlavi,
Idara Impex, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, ISBN 81-7101-441-0 (2014). May
also consult ‘The Wisdom of the Sufis’, Kenneth Cragg, Sheldon Press,
London, UK. (1976.)
158
‘Dhikr is the Greatest Obligation and a Perpetual Divine Order’
(http://sunnah.org/ibadaat/dhikr.htm). Site accessed on 4 April 2016.
71
• In houses, which Allah has allowed to be raised to honor and for
His Name to be remembered in them; He is glorified there day and
night by men whom neither trade nor sale can divert from the
remembrance of Allah. (Quran, Surat An-Nur)
• Recite to them what has been revealed to you in the book and be
steadfast in prayer. Lo! worship preserveth from lewdness and
iniquity, but verily remembrance of Allah is more important.
(Quran, al- Ankaboot)
• You who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer
on the day of Jumma, proceed to the remembrance of Allah and
leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew. And when the
prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from
the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often that you may
succeed. (Quran, Surat Jumma)
Let me go back to what we were discussing.
I was in Class 1, in The Lawrence College, Ghora Gali, one of the oldest
public schools in the subcontinent established in 1860, where I studied for
twelve long years of my life. The year was 1963. On one bright sunny
Sunday morning, I had my breakfast with others in the School dining hall.
Later when I came down, I saw a friend of mine Meeru (Meer Ahmed)
standing wide-eyed just outside. Looking at me, he pointed towards a lone
tree in the School playground, and shouted in excitement: “PURREE,
PURREE, PURREE (Fairy! Fairy! Fairy)!” Expectedly, I was perplexed.
Then, when I looked towards the tree, I saw something. I saw something
very strange. I noticed a young girl hardly 13/14 sitting on a branch. She
might have been two to three feet tall, with fair complexion and long
golden hair. And, she had wings, green in colour. This is what I recall
vividly even today. Flushed with excitement, both I and Meeru, ran
towards the playground through the main entrance, which took us a while.
72
When we reached the tree, there was nobody. There was no fairy. There
was no purree.
Apprehending optical illusion, I later asked Meeru, ‘Did we really see a

fairy? Meeru emphatically replied, “Of course, I was the one who showed
you the fairy.” A year passed by; now, we were in Class 2. I asked Meeru,
‘Do you recall, we had seen the fairy?’ He responded, “Of course, I had
shown you the fairy.” Another year passed. I could not forget the incident
so I asked Meeru, “Do you remember, we had seen the fairy?” He again
recalled and said, “Yes, we had seen the fairy.” The following year, while
we were going for a walk, I asked Meeru once again, “Do you remember
the time when you had shown me the fairy? ” Meeru’s response was
unexpected. His response was strange. He said, “What fairy! What are
you talking about! I do not remember any fairy.” I was shocked.
In Lawrence College, our Principal was Mr. Charlesworth, a senior

educationist. Our Head Mistress in Junior School was Ms. Glegg from
Sussex, the UK. I remember both with great respect. We also had a
number of other teachers from the UK. They were a dedicated lot. We
were educated in the English education system; their manners and their
mannerism in food, dress and habits. Even in Class I, we were required to
speak in English.
But, I also had a strong inclination towards religion from a very young
age, even though this was not the case with my family back home in
Multan. I never exhibited attachment to religion in school. In junior
classes, one of the subjects we were taught was ‘Nature Study.’ We
studied plants, shrubs and flowers. We studied fish and fishes, and
animals even frogs and tadpoles. We were taught that the creation is
attributable to nature. This made me think. I used to ask myself, ‘Why is
the term ‘nature’ being used, when all this has been created by God?’ It
took me a long time to understand the difference between religion and
secular studies.
73
As I grew up, I was initiated into the field of spirituality by a Sufi Master.
He prayed for me. He guided me. He advised me. He educated me in the
field of Zikr Allah. Then I started doing the Zikr. I started doing the Zikr
in silence, in reflection, in isolation. Gradually, Zikr became a habit;
second nature. All this was added to by the fire of a very heavy prayer,
called ‘Salat -e - Tasbih.’159
Then things started to happen.
According to the Quran, “We will show them Our Signs in the universe,
and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that this (Quran)
is the truth.” 160 Sometimes, when one does Zikr, intense Zikr with all
intensity, on occasions, extremely rare occasions, it so happens that
whatever comes out of your mouth, actually happens.
History books on Islamic spirituality speak of unusual occurrences in the

context of sufism. Unusual things happened in the past; they also happen
today. But, nobody talks about it. Certainly, very few would like to pen
down what they experienced.
Earlier, I have written about my stay in Government College, Lahore. One

morning during the tea break, my good friend from Lawrence College,
Abbas Raza Dar, came to meet me with a friend of his whom I had never
met. Abbas Raza asked me to assess him. I mentioned to his friend that it
seemed to me that he had a tendency to commit suicide. I advised him
never ever to go in that direction. A few weeks later, Abbas Raza came to
meet me again. He told me that his friend had committed suicide.
In 2011, I took charge as High Commissioner to Bangladesh. During

return travel to my residence from a late night dinner, I asked the (local)
chauffeur, ‘Babul,’ “Do you have earthquakes in Bangladesh? ” He said,
“No sir, we have floods in Bangladesh. We do not have earthquakes.” I
159
Access, https://sunnah.com/abudawud:1297.
160
Quran, Sura Fussilat (41: 53).
74
asked Babul again; he replied in the negative. I put this very question to
him the third time, I do not know, why. Almost irritatingly, Babul
respectfully stated, “We have flooding due to heavy rains in our country.
We do not experience earthquakes.”
Lo and behold! There was an earthquake that very night in Bangladesh.

Next day, Babul expressed surprise at the jolts and said, “I have no idea
why did this earthquake happened in Bangladesh!”
Funny things also happen. We landed in Beijing as Counsellor in our

Mission to China in 2003. As is usual, there was a whole series of dinners
one attends hosted by colleagues of the Mission welcoming the new
officer and his family. A senior colleague Mahmood Hussain was serving
as Minister in the Mission. He and Mrs. Mahmood Hussain were very
kind to invite us to their place. Sitting in their drawing room in a reflective
mood, I noticed a beautiful fish aquarium placed close to the seating
chairs. The aquarium had all kind of fishes: red, yellow, orange and silver
- white. Mrs. Mahmood noted my focus on the aquarium. She informed
that they had bought it two years ago from a shop in Beijing and that the
piece was quite expensive.
Looking at it admiringly, I remarked, “What if the aquarium breaks; what

will happen!” Mrs. Mahmood replied, “How can it break! It is a solid
piece made of solid wood and strong glass.”
The very next morning, our phone bell rang out loudly. My wife
answered. It was Mrs. Mahmood Hussain. In angry tone, she shouted,
“Something does not seem to be right with your husband. The aquarium
he was talking about last night, has somehow broken. It has broken into
pieces…. my whole drawing room is filled with ‘glass, fishes and water.’”
I had just joined the Foreign Office as a junior officer in 1986. Shah
Mahmood Qureshi had entered politics. By sheer hard luck, he lost a local
body election in Multan. People were surprised, since he belongs to an
important political family of southern Punjab. People asked me about my
75
assessment of his future. I felt like saying, which I said, “One day, he may
become the Chief Minister, Punjab; or Governor, Punjab…he may even
take over as the Foreign Minister of Pakistan.” Nobody believed me.
Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi was sworn in as the Foreign Minister

of Pakistan in 2008. He took over as Foreign Minister again in 2018.
These are some of my unusual experiences in my interaction with the

mystical aspects of Islam. There are other a little more unusual
experiences also, which I would not like to discuss. Spirituality in Islam,
in my view, is ‘higher Islam’; ‘higher level of Islam.’ Spirituality has its
difficulties also; it is not an easy path to follow.
There have also been distortions in Islamic spirituality which are visible
everywhere especially at the shrines in the subcontinent. Distorted
spirituality misleads; it takes attention away from the truth. This can be
destructive.
To reiterate, ‘Imaan, Character and Rituals’ are important in Islam. So is

Zikr. But all this has to be done in accordance with what has been
emphasised in the Quran and in the practise of the Prophet of Islam. A
Muslim who follows all these tenets strictly, becomes a different person.
And in some very rare cases, that person sometimes is made to go through
some very rare and unusual experiences. The unusual experiences do not
happen because that person is holy, saintly or unusual. Unusual
experiences happen only and only when Allah wants the unusual
experiences to happen.
I would have never written all this. I still do not feel comfortable having
written all this. All this belongs to the mysterious, the unknown, the other
- worldly. Yet, I have done it so that all those who do not know all this,
should know all this. And those who know all this, might further benefit
from all this.
I think, I have not spoken too much.
76
REFLECTIONS OF HISTORY
77
PRAISING GOD IN ISLAM 161
Allah! There is no God but He,

the Living, the Self-subsisting, the Eternal.
No slumber can seize Him, nor sleep.

All in heaven and earth are His.
Who could intercede in His presence without His permission!

He knows what appears in front and behind His creatures.
Nor can they encompass any knowledge of Him except what He wills.
His throne extends over the heavens and the earth;

and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them,
for He is the Highest and Most Exalted.
161
Ayat al Kursi, one of the most important verses from the Quran.
78
A CHRISTIAN HYMN 162
We sing the mighty power of God

that made the mountains rise, that spread
the flowing seas abroad and built the lofty skies.
We sing the wisdom that He ordained

the sun to rule the day; the moon shines full at
His command, and all the stars obey.
We sing the goodness of the Lord

that filled the earth with food;
He formed the creatures with his word
and then Pronounced them good.
Lord, how Your wonders are displayed,

where'er we turn our eyes,
if we survey the ground we tread
or gaze upon the skies.
There's not a plant or flower below

but makes Your glories known,
and clouds arise and tempests blow
by order from Your throne.
While all that borrows life from You

is ever in Your care, and everywhere
that we can be, You, God, are present there.
162
Attributed to Isaac Watts. Born in Southampton in 1674, he is said to
have shown unusual intelligence for reading and writing. In 1702, he
became a Pastor.
79
FROM THE MORNING PRAYERS SERVICE IN JEWISH
RELIGION 163
Blessed be He who spoke and the world came into being;

blessed be He.
Blessed be He who maintains the creation.

Blessed be He who speaks and performs.
Blessed be He who decrees and fulfils.
Blessed be He who has mercy upon the earth.
Blessed be He who has mercy on His creatures.
Blessed be He who pays a good reward to those who fear Him.
Blessed be He who lives for ever, and endures to eternity.
Blessed be He who redeems and saves; blessed be His name.
163
BBC ‘Prayer and blessings in Judaism’, 2009-08-13;
(https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/worship/prayer_1.sht
ml).
80
CHARTER OF RIGHTS GRANTED BY PROPHET
MUHAMMAD TO THE MONKS OF ST. CATHERINE’S
MONASTERY, SINAI 164
(Paraphrased text)
In 626 AD, Prophet Muhammad granted Charter to the Monks of St.

Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai, to secure and protect the rights of
Christians and other non-Muslims. By various accounts, the Charter was
in the form of a letter, and is said to be available even today with St.
Catherine’s Monastery.
The letter reads:
This is a message from Muhammad, son of Abdullah, as a covenant to

those who adopt Christianity, near and far.
Verily I, and my followers, defend them, because Christians are My

Citizens.
I hold out against anything that displeases them.
No compulsion is to be on them.
Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs, nor their Monks
from their monasteries.
No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry

anything from it to the houses of the Muslims.
164
Oxford Reference
(https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195305135.0
01.0001/acref-9780195305135-e-0964).
81
Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God’s Covenant and
disobey His Prophet.
They are my allies; and have my secure Charter.
No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight.
The Muslims are to fight for them.
If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without

her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray.
Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from

repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants.
No one of the nation of (Muslims) is to disobey the Covenant till the Last
Day.165
165
Mount Sinai is a 2,285 metre high mountain near Saint Catherine in
the Sinai region of Egypt. The St. Catherine’s Monastery is located on the
foot of Mount Sinai. The monastery belongs to Greek Orthodox church
and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This monastery is believed to be
the oldest functional Christian monastery in the world.
82
LAUNCH OF CRUSADES AGAINST THE MUSLIMS
(SPEECH BY POPE URBAN II AT CLERMONT, FRANCE) 166
(27 November 1095 AD)
O! race of Franks, race from across the mountains, race chosen and
beloved by God as shines forth in very many of your works set apart from
all nations by the situation of your country, as well as by your Catholic
faith and the honor of the holy church! To you our discourse is addressed,
and for you our exhortation, is intended. We wish you to know what a
grievous cause has led us to Your country, what peril threatening you and
all the faithful has brought us.
From the confines of Jerusalem and the city of Constantinople, a horrible

tale has gone forth and very frequently has been brought to our ears,
namely, that a race from the kingdom of the Persians, an accursed race, a
race utterly alienated from God, a generation forsooth which has not
directed its heart and has not entrusted its spirit to God, has invaded the
lands of those Christians and has depopulated them by the sword, pillage
and fire. It has led away a part of the captives into its own country. It has
either entirely destroyed the churches of God or appropriated them for the
rites of its own religion.
They destroy the altars, after having defiled them with their uncleanness.
They circumcise the Christians….When they wish to torture people by a
base death, they perforate their navels…Others they bind to a post and
pierce with arrows. Others they compel to extend their necks and then,
attacking them with naked swords, attempt to cut through the neck with a
single blow. What shall I say of the abominable rape of the women? To
speak of it is worse than to be silent.
166
This is a short version of the speech, as available in ‘The Great Notes
in History’, Muzaffar Hashmi, SOAS, London. (1957)
83
The kingdom of the Greeks is now dismembered by them and deprived of
territory so vast in extent that it cannot be traversed in a march of two
months. On whom, therefore, is the labor of avenging these wrongs and
of recovering this territory incumbent, if not upon you?
Let the deeds of your ancestors move you and incite your minds to manly
achievements; the glory and greatness of king Charles the Great, and of
his son Louis, and of your other kings, who have destroyed the kingdoms
of the pagans, and have extended in these lands the territory of the holy
church……But if you are hindered by love of children, parents and wives,
remember what the Lord says in the Gospel, "He that loveth father or
mother more than me, is not worthy of me." Let none of your possessions
detain you….Let therefore hatred, depart from among you, let your
quarrels end, let wars cease, and let all dissensions and controversies
slumber.
Enter upon the road to the Holy Sepulchre; wrest that land from the
wicked race, and subject it to yourselves. That land which as the Scripture
says, "floweth with milk and honey," was given by God into the
possession of the children of Israel. Jerusalem is the navel of the world;
the land is fruitful above others, like another paradise of delights.
84
SALAHUDDIN AYUBI-REMARKS
AFTER THE CAPTURE OF JERUSALEM
(October 1187 AD) 167
Lead a life of dignity. Prepare for the life of honour.
Do not forget your past, do not forget your traditions.
You are the future, we are the past. You are entering, we will be exiting.
Be simple, be frugal. Occupy yourself with ideas. Be practical and

pragmatic, do not let zest take over you. Avoid temptation, avoid lust,
avoid greed.
The enemy, by eliminating the past from your minds, is trying to give you
an ideology so that your future, the future of Islam gets weak in your
minds and soul.
Look at the future. See what is going happen tomorrow. The eyes of your
enemy are on the future. The eyes of your enemy are on the future of
Islam.
You have seen the nasaara of today. Try to see the yahood-o-nasaara of
tomorrow.
167
As quoted by Salahuddin’s biographer, Bahauddin Saddad, according
to Qamar Raza Qureshi in his ‘Islam and Spirituality,’ The Lawrence
College Senior School Library, Ghora Gali, Pakistan. (1969)
85
THE BATTLE OF AYN JALUT 168
(September 1260 AD)
Not since the Battle of Badr had the Muslim world stood face to face with
extinction as it did at the Battle of Ayn Jalut. Just as the Prophet had
triumphed at Badr 600 years earlier, the Muslim Mamlukes triumphed
over the combined armies of the Mongols, the Crusaders and the
Armenians at the Battle of Ayn Jalut. The Muslim world survived by a
margin that was as small as any allowed by history to any civilization.
As the Mongols turned back from central Europe after overrunning

Hungary and Poland, it became obvious to the Christian powers that
Western Europe was safe. At the Council of Lyons (1245 AD) they
resolved to seek an alliance with the Mongols against the Muslims. In
1246, one of the delegations under John de Plano Carpini reached
Korakorum, the Mongol capital and made representations to Kuyuk, the
Great Khan. Two of Kuyuk’s ministers were Christian and John was
received cordially. A second delegation under Anselm, a Dominican
priest, was dispatched in 1247. Louis, King of France, sent a third
delegation under William of Rubruquis in 1253. Hayton, King of
Armenia, represented himself and traveled to Korakorum in 1254.
The Christian overtures to the Mongols paid off and were rewarded with
promises of military help. The Christian population in the major cities was
spared even as the Mongols continued to slaughter the Muslims. For
instance, while Baghdad was ravaged and pulled to the ground, the
Christian populace of Baghdad gathered under the local cathedral and was
spared.
168
Posted 19 June 2017. (http://muslimsincalgary.ca/the-battle-of-ayn-
jalut/.) Site accessed on 20 March 2020. May also study book titled,
‘Mongols and Mamluks,’ by Reuven Amitai, Cambridge Studies in Islamic
Civilization Press, ISBN-10: 0521522900. (September 2005)
86
Hulagu, the destroyer of Baghdad, had several wives, of whom Dokuz
Khatun, a Nestorian Christian, was his chief wife. So enthralled were the
Christians at their initial success, that Pope Alexander IV wrote to Hulagu,
expressing his pleasure that the latter was disposed to accept the Christian
faith.
The news of the fall of Baghdad was received with great joy in
Christendom who saw in it an opportunity to redress the loss of Jerusalem.
It was during this period that the Fatimid Assassins sent a delegation to
Henry III of England asking for his help to protect them from the
Mongols. The reply from the Bishop of Winchester was curt: “Let those
dogs devour each other and be utterly wiped out and then we shall see,
founded on their ruins, the universal Catholic Church.”
The Christian-Mongol axis continued its aggression against Muslim

territories. While the Mongols devastated Asia, the Crusaders continued
their onslaught on the eastern Mediterranean and North Africa. In 1218, a
German army invaded Egypt, occupied Damietta and proceeded towards
Cairo. The Egyptians allowed the invaders to enter the delta, then opened
the dykes on the Nile, trapping and drowning the German army. In 1261,
the French attempted an invasion of North Africa, while Spain and
Portugal were militarily active on the Moroccan coast.
Meanwhile, Hulagu followed up the sack of Baghdad with the capture of

Iraq and Syria. After consulting his astrologers, he established a base in
Maragha. The Atabeg Seljuk Shah was captured near Shiraz and
beheaded. Aleppo was stormed and its population was put to death.
Damascus surrendered without a fight The Mongol commander Kitbogha,
the Armenian King Hayton and the Crusader King Bohemund of Antioch
marched together in the streets of the ancient Umayyad capital and forced
the Muslim inhabitants of the city to kneel before the cross. Summons
were issued to Kutuz, the Mamluke Sultan of Egypt to surrender or face
annihilation.
87
The choices before the Mamlukes were stark. They knew that either
surrender or a loss in battle would mean annihilation. Jerusalem, Mecca
and Madina would be taken. Summons went forth from Sultan Kutuz for
a jihad under General Baibars. The response was overwhelming and a
motivated Muslim army advanced through the Sinai towards Palestine to
meet the invaders.
The Mamlukes were a Turkish tribe who had made their home in the
islands of the Nile. Hence, they are sometimes called Bahri Mamlukes.
The word Mamluke derives its origin from the word Malaka (to own).
During the 9th and 10th centuries, slave trade was brisk along the River
Volga (in today’s Russia) and around the Caspian Sea.
The Vikings (Swedes) were the primary vehicles for this trade. In the 9th
and 10th centuries, the Vikings were the imperial power around the Baltic
Sea. They conducted raids deep into what are today Russia and Germany,
as well as the Slavic lands of the Balkans, captured slaves and sold them
to Muslim merchants. These slaves were adopted by the Turkish sultans,
often married princesses of the royal households and rose to become rulers
themselves. Thus, it was that the transcendence of Islam elevated slaves
to kings. In the 13th century, both Egypt and India were ruled by Mamluke
(slave) dynasties.
The armies of Baibars met the combined armies of the Mongols, the
Crusaders and the Armenians near Nazareth at Ayn Jalut in September
1260. A great battle ensued. The Mamluke right flank charged against the
invaders and forced it back. But the Mongols counter-attacked on the left
and the Mamlukes hesitated. General Baybars took charge and a battle cry
went forth for the defense of Islam. The enemies were routed. Kitbogha
was killed. Hayton, King of Armenia fled. The Mongols were pursued to
Aleppo and destroyed. Egypt and with it Hejaz and Palestine were saved.
The dark spell that the Mongols had cast across the Eurasian continent
was broken.
88
Ayn Jalut was undoubtedly one of the decisive battles in human history,
comparable in its importance to the Battle of Tours and the Battle of
Plassey. It marked the farthest advance of the Mongols across Eurasia.
With the defeat at Ayn Jalut, Christendom lost its hope for recovery of
Jerusalem.
The Armenians receded to their mountain strongholds in the Caucasus.

Had the Mamlukes lost, Cairo would have met the same fate as Baghdad,
the Cross would have supplanted the Crescent and the shamanist Mongols
would have ruled over Mecca and Madina.
89
REMARKS BY CONSTANTINE PALAIOLOGOS XI BEFORE
CONSTANTINOPLE WAS CONQUERED BY MUSLIM
OTTOMANS
(1453 AD) 169
You know well that the hour has come: the enemy of our faith wishes to
oppress us even more closely by sea and land with all his skill…For this
reason, I am imploring you to fight like men with brave souls, as you have
done from the beginning up to this day, against the enemy of our religion.
This Sultan has besieged our city for fifty-seven days. He has relaxed the
blockade neither day nor night, but, by the grace of Christ, our Lord, who
sees all things, the enemy has often been repelled, from our walls with
shame and dishonour.
I know the hordes of the impious will advance against us, according to
their custom; violently, confidently and with great courage and force in
order to overwhelm and wear out our few defenders. They attempt to
frighten us with battle cries. But you are all familiar with their cries. I need
say no more about it.
Protect your heads with shields in battle. Keep your right hand, armed
with the sword, extended in front of you at all times. Your helmets and
armour are sufficient with weapons and will prove effective.
Be firm, and remain valiant, for the pity of God.
Take your example from the few elephants of the Carthaginians and how
they dispersed the numerous cavalry of Romans with their noise and
appearance. If one dumb beast put another to flight, we, the masters of
169
Maktaba Mian Khuda Bakhsh Qureshi; Volume 3; Khuda Bakhsh
Library, Thattha Qureshi, Muzaffargarh, Pakistan. (1968)
90
horses and animals, can surely even do better against our advancing
enemies, since they are dumb animals, worse even than pigs.
Present your shield, swords, arrows, and spears to them, imagining that
you are a hunting party after wild boars, so that the impious may learn that
they are dealing not with dumb animals but with their lords and masters,
the descendants of the Greeks and the Romans.
You are well aware that this irreligious Sultan, the enemy of our holy
faith, violated for no good reason the peace treaty we had with him and
disregarded his numerous oaths without a second thought. Suddenly, he
appeared and built his castle in the straights of Asomatos so he might be
able to inflict daily harm on us. Then he put our farms, gardens, parks,
and houses to the torch, while he killed and enslaved as many of our
Christian brothers as he found; he broke the treaty of friendship.
I can tell you that this city mastered the entire universe; She placed
beneath her feet Pontus, Armenia, Paphlagonia, The Amazonian lands,
Cappadocia, Galatia, Media, Georgian Colchis, Bosphoros, Albania,
Syria, Cilicia, Mesopotamia, Phoenicia, Palestine, Arabia, Judea, Bactria,
Scythia, Macedonia, Thessaly, Hellas, Boeotia, Locris, Aetolia,
Arcarnania, Achaea, the Peloponnese, Epirus, Illyria, Lykhnites, the
Adriatic, Italy, Tuscany, the Celts, and Galatian Celts, Spain up to Cadiz,
Libya, Mauritania, Ethiopia, Beledes, Scude, Numidia, Africa and Egypt.
Now he wants to enslave her and throw the yoke upon the Mistress of
Citie, our holy churches, where the Holy Trinity was worshipped, where
the Holy Ghost was glorified in hymns, where angels were heard praising
in chant the deity of and the incarnation of God’s word, he wants to turn
into shrines of his blasphemy, shrines of the mad and false Prophet,
Mohammed, as well as into stables for his horses and camels.
91
‘QASEEDA’ SHAH NAIMAT 170
I am telling the truth, there will be a King in this world. Taimur his name,
and he will be the Conqueror.
After Him, Meeran Shah appears who will be the friend of the conqueror
Taimur Shah.
When he passes away, will appear the King of Humans and Jinns.
After Him, Umer Sheikh will be the King; he will be kind. After that,
Umer Bin Sheikh will be the owner of the land; he will indulge in riches
and luxury.
After him, shall come Babar who will be the King of Kabul; later, he will
appear in Dehli as the Emperor of Hindustan….Then, God will appoint
Humayun.
An Afghan will appear, by the name Sher Shah. Humayun will run to the
land of Persia. Iranian King will help. By the time Humayun attacks, Sher
Shah will be dead and his son will be ruling the land.
170
‘Qaseeda Shah Naimat’is attributed to the 14th - 15th century Persian
saint, Shah Naimatullah. As mentioned earlier, this English translation of
the poem has been cited by analysts from one Hafiz Muhammad Sarwar
Nizami’s ‘Compilation’ of April 1972. Importantly, this is just part of the
English translation from the original, that too edited by Ambassador
Afrasiab. Significantly, developments mentioned in the poem seem to be
so correct that it would be difficult for a scholar today to believe that these
predictions were actually made by a saint five hundred years ago. This
very aspect of the poem raises question marks on the originality/actuality
of the poem. However, references made in respect of the End Times seem
to be noteworthy.
92
Then will come Akbar; then Jahangeer, who will sit on the throne like the
bright sun……
When Akbar will be the King, there will appear a saint. His name would
be NANAK. This Fakeer will become known. He will be famous in
Punjab. He will be the spiritual leader of his people.
Sikh people will be cruel towards Muslims.
Then Christians will occupy Hindustan. Their order will be obeyed for
about 100 years. When the cruelty and one-sidedness will reach its high
point, Christians will harm the religion.
Christians will be involved in a war. The sign of destruction and chaos

will appear. They will win.
Christians will leave Hindustan; which will be divided. Blood will run.
Muslims will leave their homes. Their women and girls will be kidnapped.
Muslims will be in peace in the area of their forefathers. After much

punishment, their destiny will appear. The banner of Islam will be
prominent for 23 years.
Then divine punishment will come. Their own land will become narrow
for them. Destruction and anarchy will be the destiny.
Allah will send help. An army of Mongols will come from the
North……When cruelty and crime will spread, there will come a King of
the West. He will be good.
This Sword of the Lion will wipe off the deniers. He will be the supporter
of the religion of Muhammad. He will be the protector of the country.
There will be a great war in between him and the other. A large population
will be killed.
93
The King of the western part will be the victor. The defeat of the denier
nation will be beyond imagination……then will come the Dajjal from
Asfahan.
Listen carefully, I explain to you that to destroy the Dajjal, Isa will come;
so would appear the Mahdi.
Naimatullah is aware of the secrets of the unseen.
Indeed, what he is saying, will appear to be true.
94
SIEGE OF VIENNA BY THE OTTOMANS
(1529 AD) 171
The Siege of Vienna in 1529 C.E., as distinct from the Battle of Vienna
in 1683, was the first attempt of the Ottoman Empire, led by Sultan
Suleiman I, to capture the city of Vienna, Austria. Traditionally, the siege
held special significance in western history, indicating the Ottoman
Empire's highwater mark and signalling the end of Ottoman expansion in
central Europe, though 150 years of tension and incursions followed,
culminating in the Battle of Vienna in 1683.
Some historians believe that Suleiman's main objective in 1529 was to re-
establish Ottoman control over Hungary, and that the decision to attack
Vienna so late in the season was opportunistic….Suleiman's final assault
wasn't necessarily intended to take the city but to cause as much damage
as possible and weaken it for a later attack, a tactic he had employed at
Buda in 1526.
He led his next campaign in 1532 but was held up too long reducing the
western Hungarian fort of Kőszeg, by which time winter was close and
Charles V, now awakened to Vienna's vulnerability, assembling 80,000
troops. So instead of carrying out the planned siege, the invading troops
retreated…….
171
Derived from the New World Encyclopedia
(http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Siege_of_Vienna). Site
accessed on 15 October 2016.
95
OMAR MUKHTAR: POEM OF A LIBYAN RESISTANCE
LEADER
(1858 – 1931) 172
My only illness is being at al Agailla camp, the imprisonment of my tribe

and the long way from home…
My only illness is the loss of my beloved, good-looking strong people on

top of camels and best-looking horses…
My only illness is having to lose my dignity at my advanced age

and the loss of our finest people, the ones we cannot do without…
My only illness is the torturing of our young women, with their bodies
exposed…My only illness is the loss of sweet and good people and
having to be ruled by grotesque people whose straight faces show nothing
but misery…
My only illness is the broken hearts, the falling tears and all the herds
with no protector of caretaker…
(Omar Mukhṭar, called Lion of the Desert, fought Italian occupation of

Libya. After numerous attempts, Italian army managed to arrest him. On
16 September 1931, Mukhtar was hanged to death before his followers at
the age of 73.)
172
Posted on March 28, 2011 by Patrick Mac Manus.
(https://patrickmacmanus.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/omar-mukhtar-
poem-of-a-libyan-resistance-leader-1931/). Site accessed on 31 March
2020.
96
SPEECH BY THEODOR HERZL AT THE FIRST ZIONIST
CONGRESS IN BASEL 173
(29 August 1897)
As one of those who called this Congress into being I have been granted
the privilege of welcoming you. This I shall do briefly, for if we wish to
serve the cause we should economize the valuable moments of the
Congress.
We want to lay the cornerstone of the edifice which is one day to house
the Jewish nation. The task is so great that we may treat of it in none but
the simplest terms. The homogeneity of our destiny has suffered a long
interruption, although the scattered fragments of the Jewish people have
everywhere undergone similar ills. It is only in our days that the marvels
of communication have served to bring about mutual understanding and
union between isolated groups.
From time immemorial, the world has been misinformed about us. The
sentiment of solidarity with which we have been reproached so frequently
and so acrimoniously, was in the process of disintegration at the period
when we were attacked by anti-Semitism. And antiSemitism served to
strengthen it anew.
We Zionists desire not an international league but international

discussion. Needless to say, this distinction is of the first importance in
our eyes. It is this distinction which justifies the convening of our
Congress. There will be no question of intrigues, secret interventions, and
173
Maktaba Mian Khuda Bakhsh Qureshi, Volume 5, Khuda Bakhsh
Library, Thattha Qureshi, Muzaffargarh, Pakistan (1968). May also visit
the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel by accessing
https://mfa.gov.il/Jubilee-years/Pages/1897-The-First-Zionist-Congress-
takes-place-in-Basel,-Switzerland.aspx.
97
devious methods in our ranks, but only of unhampered utterances under
the constant and complete supervision of public opinion.
One of the first results of our movement, even now to be perceived in its
larger outlines, will be the transformation of the Jewish question into a
question of Zion. A popular movement of such vast dimensions will
necessarily be attacked from many sides. Therefore, the Congress will
concern itself with the spiritual means to be employed for reviving and
fostering the national consciousness of the Jews. For the Zionist
movement must be greater in scope, if it is to be at all. A people can be
helped only by its own efforts, and if it cannot help itself, it is beyond
succour. But we Zionists, want to rouse the people to self-help. No
premature, unwholesome hopes should be awakened in this direction,
This is another reason why publicity of procedure, as it is planned by our
Congress, is so valuable.
Those who give the matter careful consideration must surely admit that
Zionism cannot gain its ends, otherwise than through an unreserved
understanding with the political units involved. It is generally known that
the difficulties of obtaining colonization rights were not created by
Zionism in its present form. One wonders what motives actuate the
narrators of these fables.
The immigration of Jews signifies an unhoped-for accession of strength

for the land which is now so poor; in fact, for the whole Ottoman Empire.
Besides, His Majesty the Sultan has had excellent, experiences with his
Jewish subjects, and he has been an indulgent monarch to them in turn.
Thus, existing conditions point to a successful issue, provided the whole
matter is cleverly and felicitously treated. The financial help which the
Jews can give to Turkey is by no means inconsiderable, and would serve
to obviate many an internal ill from which the country is now suffering.
Zionism is simply a peacemaker. And it suffers the usual fate of

peacemakers, in being forced to fight more than anyone else. But should
the accusation that we are not patriotic figure among the more or less
98
sincere arguments directed against our movement, this equivocal
objection carries its own condemnation with it.
Nowhere can there be a question of exodus of all the Jews. Those who are
able or who wish to be assimilated will remain behind and be absorbed.
When once a satisfactory agreement is concluded with the various
political units involved and a systematic Jewish migration begins, it will
last only so long in each country as that country desires to be rid of its
Jews. How will the current be stopped? Simply by the gradual decrease
and the final cessation of anti-Semitism. Thus, it is that we understand and
anticipate the solution of the Jewish problem.
On this solemn occasion, when Jews have come together from so many
lands at the age-long summons of nationality, let our profession of faith
be solemnly repeated. Should we not be stirred by a premonition of great
events when we remember that at this moment the hopes of thousands
upon thousands of our people depend upon our assemblage? In the coming
hour, the news of our deliberations and decisions will fly to distant lands,
over the seven "Seas.”
Finally, the Congress will provide for its own continuance, so that we may
not disperse once more ineffectual and ephemeral. Through this Congress,
we are creating an agency for the Jewish people, such as it has not
possessed heretofore, an agency of which it has stood in urgent need. Our
cause is too great to be left to the ambition or to the discretion of
individuals. It must be elevated to the realm of the impersonal if it is to
succeed.
And our Congress shall live forever, not only until the redemption from
age-long suffering is effected, but afterwards as well. Today we are here
in the hospitable limits of this free city-where shall we be next year? But
wherever we shall be, and however distant the accomplishment of our
task, let our Congress be earnest and high-minded, a source of welfare to
the unhappy, of defiance to none, of honour to all Jewry.
99
BALFOUR DECLARATION
(November 1917)
In a letter dated 2 November 1917, addressed to Walter Rothschild, leader

of the British Jewish community, the UK Foreign Secretary, Arthur James
Balfour, conveyed the support of his country to the creation of a Jewish
state. Following is the text of the letter as displayed on the website of the
Ministry of External Affairs of Israel:174
Foreign Office,
November 2nd, 1917
Dear Lord Rothschild,
I have much pleasure in conveying to you, on

behalf of His Majesty’s Government, the
following declaration of sympathy with Jewish
Zionist aspirations which has been submitted to
and approved by the Cabinet.
“His Majesty’s Government view with favour the

establishment in Palestine of a national home for
the Jewish people and will use their best
endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this
object.
It being clearly understood that nothing shall be

done which may prejudice the civil and religious
rights of existing non-Jewish communities in
174
The website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel
(http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/foreignpolicy/peace/guide/pages).
Site accessed on 22 August 2016.
100
Palestine or the rights and political status enjoyed
by Jews in any other country. ”
I should be grateful if you would bring this

declaration to the knowledge of the Zionist
Federation.
101
MUDROS AGREEMENT
(Salient features)
(30 October 1918) 175
I.—Opening of Dardanelles and Bosporus, and secure access to the Black

Sea. Allied occupation of Dardanelles, and Bosporus forts.
II.—Positions of all minefields, torpedo-tubes, and other obstructions in

Turkish waters to be indicated, and assistance given to sweep or remove
them as may be required.
III.—All available information as to mines in the Black Sea to be

communicated.
IV.—All Allied prisoners of war and Armenian interned persons and

prisoners to be collected in Constantinople and handed over
unconditionally to the Allies.
V.—Immediate demobilization of the Turkish army, except for such

troops as are required for the surveillance of the frontiers and for the
maintenance of internal order. (Number of effectives and their disposition
to be determined later by the Allies after consultation with the Turkish
Government.)
VI.—Surrender of all war vessels in Turkish waters or in waters occupied

by Turkey; these ships to be interned at such Turkish port or ports as may
be directed, except such small vessels as are required for police or similar
purposes in Turkish territorial waters.
VII.—The Allies to have the right to occupy any strategic points in the
event of any situation arising which threatens the security of the Allies.
175
Sir Frederick Maurice, ‘The Armistices of 1918’, Oxford University
Press. (1943)
102
VIII.—Free use by the Allied ships of all ports and anchorages now in
Turkish occupation and denial of their use to the enemy. Similar
conditions to apply to Turkish mercantile shipping in Turkish waters for
purposes of trade and the demobilization of the army.
IX.—Use of all ship-repair facilities at all Turkish ports and arsenals.
X.—Allied occupation of the Taurus tunnel system.
XI.—Immediate withdrawal of the Turkish troops from Northwest Persia

to behind the pre-war frontier has already been ordered and will be carried
out. Part of Trans-Caucasia has already been ordered to be evacuated by
Turkish troops; the remainder is to be evacuated if required by the Allies
after they have studied the situation there.
XII.—Wireless telegraphy and cable stations to be controlled by the

Allies, Turkish Government messages excepted.
XIII.—Prohibition to destroy any naval, military, or commercial material.
XIV.—Facilities to be given for the purchase of coal and oil fuel, and
naval material from Turkish sources, after the requirements of the country
have been met. None of the above material to be exported.
XV.—Allied Control Officers to be placed on all railways, including such

portions of the Trans Caucasian Railways as are now under Turkish
control, which must be placed at the free and complete disposal of the
Allied authorities, due consideration being given to the needs of the
population. This clause to include Allied occupation of Batoum. Turkey
will raise no objection to the occupation of Baku by the Allies.
XVI.—Surrender of all garrisons in Hedjaz, Assir, Yemen, Syria, and

Mesopotamia to the nearest Allied Commander; and the withdrawal of
troops from Cicilia, except those necessary to maintain order, as will be
determined under Clause V.
103
XVII.—Surrender of all Turkish officers in Tripolitania and Cyrenaica to
the nearest Italian garrison. Turkey guarantees to stop supplies and
communication with these officers if they do not obey the order to
surrender.
XVIII.—Surrender of all ports occupied in Tripolitania and Cyrenaica,

including Misurata, to the nearest Allied garrison.
XIX.—All Germans and Austrians, naval, military, and civilian, to be

evacuated within one month from the Turkish dominions: those in remote
districts to be evacuated as soon after as may be possible.
XX.—The compliance with such orders as may be conveyed for the

disposal of equipment, arms, and ammunition, including transport, of that
portion of the Turkish Army which is demobilized under Clause V.
XXI.—An Allied representative to be attached to the Turkish Ministry of

Supplies in order to safeguard Allied interests. This representative is to be
furnished with all information necessary for this purpose.
XXII.—Turkish prisoners to be kept at the disposal of the Allied Powers.

The release of Turkish civilian prisoners over military age to be
considered.
XXIII.—Obligation on the part of Turkey to cease all relations with the

Central Powers.
XXIV.—In case of disorder in the six Armenian vilayets, the Allies

reserve to themselves the right to occupy any part of them.
XXV.—Hostilities between the Allies and Turkey shall cease from noon,
local time, on Thursday, 31st October, 1918.
104
Signed in duplicate on board His Britannic Majesty’s Ship Agamemnon,
at Port Mudros, Lemnos, the 30th October, 1918.
(Signed)
Arthur Calthorpe
Hussein Raouf
Rechad Hikmet
Saadullah
105
GENERAL FAHREDDIN PASHA, THE LAST OTTOMAN
GOVERNOR OF MEDINA 176
Fahreddin Pasha served as the last Ottoman Governor of Medina from

1916 to 1919. He is remembered for his services to Islam. Also called
Fakhri Pasha, he bravely defended the ‘City of the Prophet’ against the
Arab attacks spearheaded by the British spy-arsonist T. E. Lawrence
(Lawrence of Arabia).
At the end of World War I, Pasha received orders from the Turkish
military high command to surrender. He did not.
One morning after Fajr prayers, Pasha gathered his soldiers in the Masjid-
e-Nabvi. He gave them an impassioned speech. He stressed that he had
the honour to see the Prophet in a dream. He clearly hinted that he had
received instructions. The general directed the Ottoman soldiers to fight
on gallantly.
Pasha also organised a strategy. He transported the holy relics of Islam

from Medina to Istanbul. All these, it is said, among others, included the
holy Asaa, garments and footwear of the Prophet. And, and even the copy
of the Quran, which was being recited by Caliph Usman at the time of his
shahadat in June 656 AD. In all, more than 500 relics are said to have been
safely transported to Turkey. Once this monumental task had been
successfully accomplished, Fakhri Pasha honourably surrendered to the
enemy. He was taken to Egypt; later he was allowed to proceed to Ankara.
In 1922, Fakhri Pasha was appointed Turkish Ambassador to Afghanistan.

From Kabul, he used to visit Peshawar in modern day Pakistan. Not for
176
Article by Ambassador Afrasiab Mehdi Hashmi Qureshi published in
The Nation: (https://nation.com.pk/08-Dec-2020/general-fahreddin-
pasha-the-last-ottoman-governor-of-medin).
106
sightseeing, but to understand the Muslim mindset that has always
pulsated in support of Istanbul.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Iqbal and the Jauhar brothers held
Ottomans in high esteem. So did the common Muslim in South Asia.
Before British India, for more than 800 years Hindustan was ‘Muslim
India.’ Almost each and every powerful Muslim Emperor of Hindustan,
established his legitimacy on the throne of Delhi only after having
received a formal decree of approval from the Ottoman Sultan in Istanbul.
This aspect of history had always attracted Ambassador Pasha’s attention.
Pasha also noted with interest that the Muslim notables in the
subcontinent, wore fez (Turkish cap), which was reflective of their love
for Turkey.
Pasha was born in 1868 in modern day Bulgaria. Pasha died in 1948 in
modern day Turkey. His foes respected him. So did the British who called
him, ‘The Tiger of the Desert.’
Had Fakhri Pasha not transported the holy relics to Istanbul, these,
including the Quran of Caliph Usman, would have been available not in
Topkapi, Istanbul, but in the British Museum, London.
During his time, Fakhri Pasha was loved by the citizens of Medina. Today,
he is loved in Muslim history.
Allah has His mysterious ways, to protect His religion the way He desires.
107
THE PAKISTAN RESOLUTION 177
(Lahore, 23 March 1940)
While approving and endorsing the action taken by the Council and the
Working Committee of the All-India Muslim League, as indicated in their
resolutions dated the 27th of August, 17th and 18th of September and 22nd
of October, 1939, and 3rd of February, 1940, on the constitutional issue,
this session of the All-India Muslim League emphatically reiterates that
the scheme of federation embodied in the Government of India Act, 1935,
is totally unsuited to, and unworkable in the peculiar conditions of this
country and is altogether unacceptable to Muslim India.
It further records its emphatic view that while the declaration dated the
18th of October, 1939, made by the Viceroy on behalf of His Majesty’s
Government, is reassuring in so far as it declares that the policy and plan
on which the Government of India Act, 1939, is based, will be
reconsidered in consultation with the various parties, interests and
communities in India. Muslim India will not be satisfied unless the whole
constitutional plan is reconsidered ‘do novo’ and that no revised plan
would be acceptable to the Muslims unless it is framed with their approval
and consent.
Resolved that it is the considered view of this session of the All-India

Muslim League that no constitutional plan would be workable in the
country or acceptable to the Muslims unless it is designed on the following
basic principles, viz., that geographically contiguous units are demarcated
into regions which should be so constituted, with such territorial
readjustments as may be necessary, that the areas in which the Muslims
177
Unofficial text. ‘US Relations with South Asia (since Christopher
Columbus) and Pakistan-India Interaction (1492-2002),’ Afrasiab, page
513, second edition, WorldMate Islamabad. (July 2002)
108
are numerically in a majority as in the north-western and eastern zones of
India should be grouped to constitute “Independent States” in which the
constituent units shall be autonomous and sovereign.
That adequate, effective and mandatory safeguards should be specifically

provided in the constitution for minorities in these units and in the regions
for the protection of their religious, cultural, economic, political,
administrative and other rights and interests in consultation with them,
and in other parts of India where the Mussalmans are in a minority
adequate, effective and mandatory safeguards shall be specifically
provided in the constitution for them and other minorities for the
protection of their religious, cultural, economic, political, administrative
and other rights and interests in consultation with them.
This session further authorizes the Working Committee to frame a scheme

of constitution in accordance with these basic principles, providing for the
assumption finally by the respective regions of all powers such as defence,
external affairs, communications, customs, and such other matters as may
be necessary.
109
DECLARATION ON ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE OF ISRAEL
(14 May 1948) 178
On May 14, 1948, on the day in which the British Mandate over a
Palestine expired, the Jewish People's Council gathered at the Tel Aviv
Museum, and approved the following proclamation, declaring the
establishment of the State of Israel. The new state was recognized that
night by the United States and three days later by the USSR.
Text begins
ERETZ-ISRAEL [(Hebrew) - the Land of Israel, Palestine] was the

birthplace of the Jewish people. Here their spiritual, religious and political
identity was shaped. Here they first attained to statehood, created cultural
values of national and universal significance and gave to the world the
eternal Book of Books.
After being forcibly exiled from their land, the people kept faith with it
throughout their Dispersion and never ceased to pray and hope for their
return to it and for the restoration in it of their political freedom.
Impelled by this historic and traditional attachment, Jews strove in every

successive generation to re-establish themselves in their ancient
homeland. In recent decades they returned in their masses. Pioneers,
ma'pilim [(Hebrew) - immigrants coming to Eretz-Israel in defiance of
restrictive legislation] and defenders, they made deserts bloom, revived
the Hebrew language, built villages and towns, and created a thriving
community controlling its own economy and culture, loving peace but
178
Website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel
(http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/foreignpolicy/peace/guide/pages/declaration
%20of%20establishment%20of%20state%20of%20israel.aspx). Site
accessed on 22 August 2016.
110
knowing how to defend itself, bringing the blessings of progress to all the
country's inhabitants, and aspiring towards independent nationhood.
In the year 5657 (1897), at the summons of the spiritual father of the
Jewish State, Theodore Herzl, the First Zionist Congress convened and
proclaimed the right of the Jewish people to national rebirth in its own
country.
This right was recognized in the Balfour Declaration of the 2nd

November, 1917, and re-affirmed in the Mandate of the League of Nations
which, in particular, gave international sanction to the historic connection
between the Jewish people and Eretz-Israel and to the right of the Jewish
people to rebuild its National Home.
The catastrophe which recently befell the Jewish people - the massacre of
millions of Jews in Europe - was another clear demonstration of the
urgency of solving the problem of its homelessness by re-establishing in
Eretz-Israel the Jewish State, which would open the gates of the homeland
wide to every Jew and confer upon the Jewish people the status of a fully
privileged member of the comity of nations.
Survivors of the Nazi holocaust in Europe, as well as Jews from other

parts of the world, continued to migrate to Eretz-Israel, undaunted by
difficulties, restrictions and dangers, and never ceased to assert their right
to a life of dignity, freedom and honest toil in their national homeland.
In the Second World War, the Jewish community of this country

contributed its full share to the struggle of the freedom- and peace-loving
nations against the forces of Nazi wickedness and, by the blood of its
soldiers and its war effort, gained the right to be reckoned among the
peoples who founded the United Nations.
On the 29th November, 1947, the United Nations General Assembly

passed a resolution calling for the establishment of a Jewish State in Eretz-
Israel; the General Assembly required the inhabitants of Eretz-Israel to
take such steps as were necessary on their part for the implementation of
111
that resolution. This recognition by the United Nations of the right of the
Jewish people to establish their State is irrevocable.
This right is the natural right of the Jewish people to be masters of their
own fate, like all other nations, in their own sovereign State.
ACCORDINGLY WE, MEMBERS OF THE PEOPLE'S COUNCIL,

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF ERETZ-
ISRAEL AND OF THE ZIONIST MOVEMENT, ARE HERE
ASSEMBLED ON THE DAY OF THE TERMINATION OF THE
BRITISH MANDATE OVER ERETZ-ISRAEL AND, BY VIRTUE OF
OUR NATURAL AND HISTORIC RIGHT AND ON THE STRENGTH
OF THE RESOLUTION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL
ASSEMBLY, HEREBY DECLARE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A
JEWISH STATE IN ERETZ-ISRAEL, TO BE KNOWN AS THE
STATE OF ISRAEL.
WE DECLARE that, with effect from the moment of the termination of

the Mandate being tonight, the eve of Sabbath, the 6th Iyar, 5708 (15th
May, 1948), until the establishment of the elected, regular authorities of
the State in accordance with the Constitution which shall be adopted by
the Elected Constituent Assembly not later than the 1st October 1948, the
People's Council shall act as a Provisional Council of State, and its
executive organ, the People's Administration, shall be the Provisional
Government of the Jewish State, to be called "Israel".
THE STATE OF ISRAEL will be open for Jewish immigration and for
the Ingathering of the Exiles; it will foster the development of the country
for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice
and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete
equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of
religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience,
language, education and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all
religions; and it will be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the
United Nations.
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THE STATE OF ISRAEL is prepared to cooperate with the agencies and
representatives of the United Nations in implementing the resolution of
the General Assembly of the 29th November, 1947, and will take steps to
bring about the economic union of the whole of Eretz-Israel.
WE APPEAL to the United Nations to assist the Jewish people in the

building-up of its State and to receive the State of Israel into the comity
of nations.
WE APPEAL - in the very midst of the onslaught launched against us now

for months - to the Arab inhabitants of the State of Israel to preserve peace
and participate in the upbuilding of the State on the basis of full and equal
citizenship and due representation in all its provisional and permanent
institutions.
WE EXTEND our hand to all neighbouring states and their peoples in an

offer of peace and good neighbourliness, and appeal to them to establish
bonds of cooperation and mutual help with the sovereign Jewish people
settled in its own land. The State of Israel is prepared to do its share in a
common effort for the advancement of the entire Middle East.
WE APPEAL to the Jewish people throughout the Diaspora to rally round

the Jews of Eretz-Israel in the tasks of immigration and upbuilding and to
stand by them in the great struggle for the realization of the age-old dream
- the redemption of Israel.
PLACING OUR TRUST IN THE "ROCK OF ISRAEL", WE AFFIX

OUR SIGNATURES TO THIS PROCLAMATION AT THIS SESSION
OF THE PROVISIONAL COUNCIL OF STATE, ON THE SOIL OF
THE HOMELAND, IN THE CITY OF TEL-AVIV, ON THIS
SABBATH EVE, THE 5TH DAY OF IYAR, 5708 (14TH MAY,1948).
David Ben-Gurion
Daniel Auster
Mordekhai Bentov
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Yitzchak Ben Zvi
Eliyahu Berligne
Fritz Bernstein
Rabbi Wolf Gold
Meir Grabovsky
Yitzchak Gruenbaum
Dr. Abraham Granovsky
Eliyahu Dobkin
Meir Wilner-Kovner
Zerach Wahrhaftig
Herzl Vardi Rachel Cohen
Rabbi Kalman Kahana
Saadia Kobashi
Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Levin
Meir David Loewenstein
Zvi Luria
Golda Myerson
Nachum Nir
Zvi Segal
Rabbi Yehuda Leib Hacohen Fishman
David Zvi Pinkas
Aharon Zisling
Moshe Kolodny
Eliezer Kaplan
Abraham Katznelson
Felix Rosenblueth
David Remez
Berl Repetur
Mordekhai Shattner
Ben Zion Sternberg
Bekhor Shitreet
Moshe Shapira
Moshe Shertok
Text concludes
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ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH ON 20
SEPTEMBER 2001 IN THE WAKE OF 9/11 179
……..My fellow citizens, for the last nine days, the entire world has seen
for itself the state of union, and it is strong. Tonight, we are a country
awakened to danger and called to defend freedom. Our grief has turned to
anger and anger to resolution. Whether we bring our enemies to justice or
bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done.
I thank the Congress for its leadership at such an important time.
All of America was touched on the evening of the tragedy to see

Republicans and Democrats joined together on the steps of this Capitol
singing "God Bless America."
And you did more than sing. You acted, by delivering $40 billion to
rebuild our communities and meet the needs of our military. Speaker
Hastert, Minority Leader Gephardt, Majority Leader Daschle and Senator
Lott, I thank you for your friendship, for your leadership and for your
service to our country. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the
world for its outpouring of support.
America will never forget the sounds of our national anthem playing at
Buckingham Palace, on the streets of Paris and at Berlin's Brandenburg
Gate. We will not forget South Korean children gathering to pray outside
our embassy in Seoul, or the prayers of sympathy offered at a mosque in
Cairo. We will not forget moments of silence and days of mourning in
Australia and Africa and Latin America. Nor will we forget the citizens
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May also visit C-SPAN site at
https://www.c-span.org/video/?166196-1/president-bush-addresses-
nation-911-attacks.
115
of 80 other nations who died with our own. Dozens of Pakistanis, more
than 130 Israelis, more than 250 citizens of India, men and women from
El Salvador, Iran, Mexico and Japan, and hundreds of British citizens.
America has no truer friend than Great Britain. Once again, we are joined
together in a great cause. I'm so honored the British prime minister has
crossed an ocean to show his unity with America. On September the 11th,
enemies of freedom committed an act of war against our country.
Americans have known wars, but for the past 136 years they have been
wars on foreign soil, except for one Sunday in 1941. Americans have
known the casualties of war, but not at the center of a great city on a
peaceful morning.
Americans have known surprise attacks, but never before on thousands of

civilians. All of this was brought upon us in a single day, and night fell on
a different world, a world where freedom itself is under attack. Americans
have many questions tonight. Americans are asking, "Who attacked our
country?"
The evidence we have gathered all points to a collection of loosely

affiliated terrorist organizations known as al-Qaida. They are some of the
murderers indicted for bombing American embassies in Tanzania and
Kenya and responsible for bombing the USS Cole. Al-Qaida is to terror
what the Mafia is to crime. But its goal is not making money. Its goal is
remaking the world and imposing its radical beliefs on people
everywhere. The terrorists practice a fringe form of Islamic extremism
that has been rejected by Muslim scholars and the vast majority of Muslim
clerics; a fringe movement that perverts the peaceful teachings of Islam
The terrorists' directive commands them to kill Christians and Jews, to kill
all Americans and make no distinctions among military and civilians,
including women and children. This group and its leader, a person named
Osama bin Laden, are linked to many other organizations in different
countries, including the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, the Islamic Movement of
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Uzbekistan. There are thousands of these terrorists in more than 60
countries.
They are recruited from their own nations and neighborhoods and brought
to camps in places like Afghanistan, where they are trained in the tactics
of terror. They are sent back to their homes or sent to hide in countries
around the world to plot evil and destruction. The leadership of al-Qaida
has great influence in Afghanistan and supports the Taliban regime in
controlling most of that country. In Afghanistan, we see al-Qaida's vision
for the world. Afghanistan's people have been brutalized, many are
starving and many have fled.
Women are not allowed to attend school. You can be jailed for owning a
television. Religion can be practiced only as their leaders dictate. A man
can be jailed in Afghanistan if his beard is not long enough. The United
States respects the people of Afghanistan -- after all, we are currently its
largest source of humanitarian aid -- but we condemn the Taliban regime.
It is not only repressing its own people, it is threatening people

everywhere by sponsoring and sheltering and supplying terrorists. By
aiding and abetting murder, the Taliban regime is committing murder.
And tonight, the United States of America makes the following demands
on the Taliban……I also want to speak tonight directly to Muslims
throughout the world. We respect your faith. It's practiced freely by many
millions of Americans and by millions more in countries that America
counts as friends. Its teachings are good and peaceful, and those who
commit evil in the name of Allah blaspheme the name of Allah.
The terrorists are traitors to their own faith, trying, in effect, to hijack
Islam itself. The enemy of America is not our many Muslim friends. It is
not our many Arab friends. Our enemy is a radical network of terrorists
and every government that supports them. Our war on terror begins with
al-Qaida, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist
group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated. Americans
are asking, "Why do they hate us?" They hate what they see right here in
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this chamber: a democratically elected government. Their leaders are self-
appointed. They hate our freedoms: our freedom of religion, our freedom
of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other.
They want to overthrow existing governments in many Muslim countries
such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. They want to drive Israel out of
the Middle East. They want to drive Christians and Jews out of vast
regions of Asia and Africa. These terrorists kill not merely to end lives,
but to disrupt and end a way of life. With every atrocity, they hope that
America grows fearful, retreating from the world and forsaking our
friends. They stand against us because we stand in their way. We're not
deceived by their pretenses to piety.
We have seen their kind before. They're the heirs of all the murderous
ideologies of the 20th century. By sacrificing human life to serve their
radical visions, by abandoning every value except the will to power, they
follow in the path of fascism, Nazism and totalitarianism. And they will
follow that path all the way to where it ends in history's unmarked grave
of discarded lies. Americans are asking, "How will we fight and win this
war?" We will direct every resource at our command -- every means of
diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law
enforcement, every financial influence and every necessary weapon of
war -- to the destruction and to the defeat of the global terror network.
Now this war will not be like the war against Iraq a decade ago, with a
decisive liberation of territory and a swift conclusion. It will not look like
the air war above Kosovo two years ago, where no ground troops were
used and not a single American was lost in combat. Our response involves
far more than instant retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should
not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign unlike any other we have
ever seen.
It may include dramatic strikes visible on TV and covert operations secret

even in success. We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against
another, drive them from place to place until there is no refuge or no rest.
And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism.
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Every nation in every region now has a decision to make: Either you are
with us, or you are with the terrorists.
From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support
terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime. Our
nation has been put on notice, we're not immune from attack. We will take
defensive measures against terrorism to protect Americans. Today,
dozens of federal departments and agencies, as well as state and local
governments, have responsibilities affecting homeland security.
These efforts must be coordinated at the highest level. So tonight, I

announce the creation of a Cabinet-level position reporting directly to me,
the Office of Homeland Security. And tonight, I also announce a
distinguished American to lead this effort, to strengthen American
security: a military veteran, an effective governor, a true patriot, a trusted
friend, Pennsylvania's Tom Ridge. He will lead, oversee and coordinate a
comprehensive national strategy to safeguard our country against
terrorism and respond to any attacks that may come.…..The only way to
defeat terrorism as a threat to our way of life is to stop it, eliminate it and
destroy it where it grows. Many will be involved in this effort, from FBI
agents, to intelligence operatives, to the reservists we have called to active
duty. All deserve our thanks, and all have our prayers.
And tonight a few miles from the damaged Pentagon, I have a message
for our military: Be ready. I have called the armed forces to alert, and
there is a reason. The hour is coming when America will act, and you will
make us proud. This is not, however, just America's fight. And what is at
stake is not just America's freedom.
This is the world's fight. This is civilization's fight. This is the fight of all
who believe in progress and pluralism, tolerance and freedom. We ask
every nation to join us. We will ask and we will need the help of police
forces, intelligence services and banking systems around the world. The
United States is grateful that many nations and many international
organizations have already responded with sympathy and with support --
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nations from Latin America, to Asia, to Africa, to Europe, to the Islamic
world….And finally, please continue praying for the victims of terror and
their families, for those in uniform and for our great country. Prayer has
comforted us in sorrow and will help strengthen us for the journey ahead.
Tonight, I thank my fellow Americans for what you have already done
and for what you will do. And ladies and gentlemen of the Congress, I
thank you, their representatives, for what you have already done and for
what we will do together. Tonight, we face new and sudden national
challenges.
We will come together to improve air safety, to dramatically expand the

number of air marshals on domestic flights and take new measures to
prevent hijacking. We will come together to promote stability and keep
our airlines flying with direct assistance during this emergency. We will
come together to give law enforcement the additional tools it needs to
track down terror here at home. We will come together to strengthen our
intelligence capabilities to know the plans of terrorists before they act and
to find them before they strike. We will come together to take active steps
that strengthen America's economy and put our people back to work…..
Some speak of an age of terror. I know there are struggles ahead and
dangers to face. But this country will define our times, not be defined by
them. As long as the United States of America is determined and strong,
this will not be an age of terror. This will be an age of liberty here and
across the world.…..But our resolve must not pass. Each of us will
remember what happened that day and to whom it happened. We will
remember the moment the news came, where we were and what we were
doing.
Some will remember an image of a fire…..Some will carry memories of

a face and a voice gone forever. And I will carry this. It is the police shield
of a man named George Howard, who died at the World Trade Center
trying to save others. It was given to me by his mom, Arlene, as a proud
memorial to her son. It is my reminder of lives that ended and a task that
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does not end. I will not forget the wound to our country and those who
inflicted it. I will not yield, I will not rest, I will not relent in waging this
struggle for freedom and security for the American people. The course of
this conflict is not known, yet its outcome is certain. Freedom and fear,
justice and cruelty, have always been at war, and we know that God is not
neutral between them.
Fellow citizens, we'll meet violence with patient justice, assured of the
rightness of our cause and confident of the victories to come.
In all that lies before us, may God grant us wisdom, and may He watch
over the United States of America.
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ADDRESS BY US PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE DONALD
TRUMP ON ISLAM
(15 August 2016)
Today, we begin a conversation about how to Make America safe again.

In the 20th Century, the United States defeated Fascism, Nazism, and
Communism. Now, a different threat challenges our world: Radical
Islamic Terrorism.
This summer, there has been an ISIS attack launched outside the war
zones of the Middle East every 84 hours. Here, in America, we have seen
one brutal attack after another. Thirteen were murdered, and 38 wounded,
in the assault on Ft. Hood. The Boston Marathon Bombing wounded and
maimed 264 people, and ultimately left five dead – including 2 police
officers. In Chattanooga, Tennessee, five unarmed marines were shot and
killed at a military recruiting center. Last December, 14 innocent
Americans were gunned down at an office party in San Bernardino,
another 22 were injured.
In June, 49 Americans were executed at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando,

and another 53 were injured. It was the worst mass shooting in our history,
and the worst attack on the LGTBQ community in our history. In Europe,
we have seen the same carnage and bloodshed inflicted upon our closest
allies. In January of 2015, a French satirical newspaper, Charlie Hebdo,
was attacked for publishing cartoons of the prophet Mohammed. Twelve
were killed, including two police officers, and 11 were wounded. Two
days later, four were murdered in a Jewish Deli.
In November of 2015, terrorists went on a shooting rampage in Paris that

slaughtered 130 people, and wounded another 368. France is suffering
gravely, and the tourism industry is being massively affected in a most
negative way. In March of this year, terrorists detonated a bomb in the
Brussels airport, killing 32 and injuring 340. This July, in the South of
France, an Islamic terrorist turned his truck into an instrument of mass
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murder, plowing down and killing 85 men, women and children – and
wounding another 308. Among the dead were 2 Americans – a Texas
father, and his 11-year-old son. A few weeks ago, in Germany, a refugee
armed with an axe wounded five people in a gruesome train attack.
Only days ago, an ISIS killer invaded a Christian church in Normandy

France, forced an 85-year-old priest to his knees, and slit his throat before
his congregation. Overseas, ISIS has carried out one unthinkable atrocity
after another. Children slaughtered, girls sold into slavery, men and
women burned alive. Crucifixions, beheadings and drownings. Ethnic
minorities targeted for mass execution. Holy sites desecrated. Christians
driven from their homes and hunted for extermination. ISIS rounding-up
what it calls the “nation of the cross” in a campaign of genocide. We
cannot let this evil continue.
Nor can we let the hateful ideology of Radical Islam – its oppression of
women, gays, children, and nonbelievers – be allowed to reside or spread
within our own countries.
We will defeat Radical Islamic Terrorism, just as we have defeated every

threat we have faced in every age before. But we will not defeat it with
closed eyes, or silenced voices.
Anyone who cannot name our enemy, is not fit to lead this country.
Anyone who cannot condemn the hatred, oppression and violence of
Radical Islam lacks the moral clarity to serve as our President. The rise of
ISIS is the direct result of policy decisions made by President Obama and
Secretary Clinton. Let’s look back at the Middle East at the very
beginning of 2009, before the Obama-Clinton Administration took over.
Libya was stable. Syria was under control. Egypt was ruled by a secular
President and an ally of the United States. Iraq was experiencing a
reduction in violence. The group that would become what we now call
ISIS was close to being extinguished. Iran was being choked off by
economic sanctions. Fast-forward to today. What have the decisions of
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Obama-Clinton produced? Libya is in ruins, our ambassador and three
other brave Americans are dead, and ISIS has gained a new base of
operations. Syria is in the midst of a disastrous civil war. ISIS controls
large portions of territory. A refugee crisis now threatens Europe and the
United States.
In Egypt, terrorists have gained a foothold in the Sinai desert, near the
Suez Canal, one of the most essential waterways in the world. Iraq is in
chaos, and ISIS is on the loose. ISIS has spread across the Middle East,
and into the West. In 2014, ISIS was operating in some 7 nations. Today
they are fully operational in 18 countries with aspiring branches in 6 more,
for a total of 24 – and many believe it is even more than that. The situation
is likely worse than the public knows: a new Congressional report reveals
that the Administration has downplayed the growth of ISIS, with 40% of
surveyed analysts saying they had experienced efforts to manipulate their
findings.
At the same time, ISIS is trying to infiltrate refugee flows into Europe and
the United States.
Iran, the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, is now flush with $150
billion in cash released by the United States – plus another $400 million
in ransom. Worst of all, the Nuclear deal puts Iran, the number one state
sponsor of Radical Islamic Terrorism, on a path to nuclear weapons.
It all began in 2009 with what has become known as President Obama’s
global ‘Apology Tour.’
In a series of speeches, President Obama described America as

“arrogant,” “dismissive” “derisive” and a “colonial power.” He informed
other countries that he would be speaking up about America’s “past
errors.” He pledged that we would no longer be a “senior partner,” that
“sought to dictate our terms.” He lectured CIA officers of the need to
acknowledge their mistakes, and described Guantanamo Bay as a
“rallying cry for our enemies.”
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Perhaps, no speech was more misguided than President Obama’s speech
to the Muslim World delivered in Cairo, Egypt, in 2009. In winning the
Cold War, President Ronald Reagan repeatedly touted the superiority of
freedom over communism, and called the USSR the Evil Empire. Yet,
when President Obama delivered his address in Cairo, no such moral
courage could be found. Instead of condemning the oppression of women
and gays in many Muslim nations, and the systematic violations of human
rights, or the financing of global terrorism, President Obama tried to draw
an equivalency between our human rights record and theirs. His naïve
words were followed by even more naïve actions.
The failure to establish a new Status of Forces Agreement in Iraq, and the
election-driven timetable for withdrawal, surrendered our gains in that
country and led directly to the rise of ISIS. The failures in Iraq were
compounded by Hillary Clinton’s disaster in Libya. President Obama has
since said he regards Libya as his worst mistake. According to then-
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, the invasion of Libya was nearly a
split decision, but Hillary Clinton’s forceful advocacy for the intervention
was the deciding factor. With one episode of bad judgment after another,
Hillary Clinton’s policies launched ISIS onto the world. Yet, as she threw
the Middle East into violent turmoil, things turned out well for her. The
Clintons made almost $60 million in gross income while she was
Secretary of State.
Incident after incident proves again and again: Hillary Clinton lacks the
judgement, the temperament and the moral character to lead this nation.
Importantly, she also lacks the mental and physical stamina to take on
ISIS, and all the many adversaries we face – not only in terrorism, but in
trade and every other challenge we must confront to turn this country
around.
It is time for a new approach.
Our current strategy of nation-building and regime change is a proven

failure. We have created the vacuums that allow terrorists to grow and
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thrive. I was an opponent of the Iraq war from the beginning – a major
difference between me and my opponent.
Though I was a private citizen, whose personal opinions on such matters

was not sought, I nonetheless publicly expressed my private doubts about
the invasion. Three months before the invasion I said, in an interview with
Neil Cavuto, to whom I offer my best wishes for a speedy recovery, that
“perhaps [we] shouldn't be doing it yet,” and that “the economy is a much
bigger problem.”….. If I become President, the era of nation-building will
be ended. Our new approach, which must be shared by both parties in
America, by our allies overseas, and by our friends in the Middle East,
must be to halt the spread of Radical Islam. All actions should be oriented
around this goal, and any country which shares this goal will be our ally.
We cannot always choose our friends, but we can never fail to recognize
our enemies.
As President, I will call for an international conference focused on this

goal. We will work side-by-side with our friends in the Middle East,
including our greatest ally, Israel. We will partner with King Abdullah of
Jordan, and President Sisi of Egypt, and all others who recognize this
ideology of death that must be extinguished.
We will also work closely with NATO on this new mission. I had
previously said that NATO was obsolete because it failed to deal
adequately with terrorism; since my comments they have changed their
policy and now have a new division focused on terror threats. I also
believe that we could find common ground with Russia in the fight against
ISIS. They too have much at stake in the outcome in Syria, and have had
their own battles with Islamic terrorism.
My Administration will aggressively pursue joint and coalition military

operations to crush and destroy ISIS, international cooperation to cut- off
their funding, expanded intelligence sharing, and cyberwarfare to disrupt
and disable their propaganda and recruiting…Unlike Hillary Clinton, who
has risked so many lives with her careless handling of sensitive
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information, my Administration will not telegraph exact military plans to
the enemy. I have often said that General MacArthur and General Patton
would be in a state of shock if they were alive today to see the way
President Obama and Hillary Clinton try to recklessly announce their
every move before it happens – like they did in Iraq – so that the enemy
can prepare and adapt.
The fight will not be limited to ISIS. We will decimate Al Qaeda, and we
will seek to starve funding for Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. We can
use existing UN Security Council resolutions to apply new sanctions.
Military, cyber and financial warfare will all be essential in dismantling
Islamic terrorism……Just as we won the Cold War, in part, by exposing
the evils of communism and the virtues of free markets, so too must we
take on the ideology of Radical Islam. While my opponent accepted
millions of dollars in Foundation donations from countries where being
gay is an offense punishable by prison or death, my Administration will
speak out against the oppression of women, gays and people of different
faith. Our Administration will be a friend to all moderate Muslim
reformers in the Middle East, and will amplify their voices.
This includes speaking out against the horrible practice of honor killings,
where women are murdered by their relatives for dressing, marrying or
acting in a way that violates fundamentalist teachings. Over 1,000
Pakistani girls are estimated to be the victims of honor killings by their
relatives each year….To defeat Islamic terrorism, we must also speak out
forcefully against a hateful ideology that provides the breeding ground for
violence and terrorism to grow.
A new immigration policy is needed as well. The common thread linking

the major Islamic terrorist attacks that have recently occurred on our soil
– 9/11, the Ft. Hood shooting, the Boston Bombing, the San Bernardino
attack, the Orlando attack – is that they have involved immigrants or the
children of immigrants.
Clearly, new screening procedures are needed.
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A review by the U.S. Senate Immigration Subcommittee has identified
380 foreign-born individuals charged with terrorism or terrorism- related
offenses between 9/11 and 2014, and many more since then. We also
know that ISIS recruits refugees after their entrance into the country – as
we have seen with the Somali refugee population in Minnesota.
Beyond terrorism, as we have seen in France, foreign populations have

brought their anti-Semitic attitudes with them. In Cologne, Germany, on
New Year’s Eve, we have seen the reports of sexual violence and assault.
Pew polling shows that in many of the countries from which we draw
large numbers of immigrants, extreme views about religion – such as the
death penalty for those who leave the faith – are commonplace. A Trump
Administration will establish a clear principle that will govern all
decisions pertaining to immigration: we should only admit into this
country those who share our values and respect our people.
In the Cold War, we had an ideological screening test. The time is overdue
to develop a new screening test for the threats we face today. In addition
to screening out all members or sympathizers of terrorist groups, we must
also screen out any who have hostile attitudes towards our country or its
principles – or who believe that Sharia law should supplant American law.
Those who do not believe in our Constitution, or who support bigotry and
hatred, will not be admitted for immigration into the country.
Only those who we expect to flourish in our country – and to embrace a

tolerant American society – should be issued immigrant visas. To put
these new procedures in place, we will have to temporarily suspend
immigration from some of the most dangerous and volatile regions of the
world that have a history of exporting terrorism. As soon as I take office,
I will ask the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security
to identify a list of regions where adequate screening cannot take place.
We will stop processing visas from those areas until such time as it is
deemed safe to resume based on new circumstances or new procedures.
The size of current immigration flows, are simply too large to perform
adequate screening. We admit about 100,000 permanent immigrants from
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the Middle East every year. Beyond that, we admit hundreds of thousands
of temporary workers and visitors from the same regions. If we don’t
control the numbers, we can’t perform adequate screening.
By contrast, my opponent wants to increase the flow of Syrian refugees

by 550% percent.
The United States Senate Subcommittee on Immigration estimates that

Hillary Clinton’s plan would mean roughly 620,000 refugees from all
current refugee-sending nations in her first term, assuming no cuts to other
refugee programs. This would be additional to all other non- refugee
immigration.
The Subcommittee estimates her plan would impose a lifetime cost of

roughly $400 billion when you include the costs of healthcare, welfare,
housing, schooling, and all other entitlement benefits that are excluded
from the State Department’s placement figures.
In short, Hillary Clinton wants to be America’s Angela Merkel, and you

know what a disaster this massive immigration has been to Germany and
the people of Germany – crime has risen to levels that no one thought
would they ever see. We have enough problems in our country, we don’t
need another one.
Finally, we will need to restore common sense to our security procedures.
Another common feature of the past attacks that have occurred on our soil
is that warning signs were ignored. The 9/11 hijackers had fraud all over
their visa applications. The Russians warned us about the Boston
Bombers, here on political asylum, and the attackers were even twice
interviewed by the FBI. The female San Bernardino shooter, here on a
fiancé visa from Saudi Arabia, wrote of her support for Jihad online. A
neighbor saw suspicious behavior but didn’t warn authorities, because
said they didn’t want to be accused of racially profiling – now many are
dead and gravely wounded.
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The shooter in Orlando reportedly celebrated in his classroom after 9/11.
He too was interviewed by the FBI. His father, a native of Afghanistan,
supported the oppressive Taliban regime, and expressed anti-American
views – and by the way, was just seen sitting behind Hillary Clinton with
a big smile on his face all the way through her speech. He obviously liked
what she had to say.
The Ft. Hood Shooter delivered a presentation to a room full of mental

health experts before the attacks in which he threw out one red flag after
another. He even proclaimed that “we love death more than you love life!”
These warnings signs were ignored because political correctness has
replaced common sense in our society
That is why one of my first acts as President will be to establish a

Commission on Radical Islam – which will include reformist voices in the
Muslim community who will hopefully work with us. We want to build
bridges and erase divisions.
The goal of the commission will be to identify and explain to the

American public the core convictions and beliefs of Radical Islam, to
identify the warning signs of radicalization, and to expose the networks in
our society that support radicalization. This commission will be used to
develop new protocols for local police officers, federal investigators, and
immigration screeners.
We will also keep open Guantanamo Bay, and place a renewed emphasis
on human intelligence. Drone strikes will remain part of our strategy, but
we will also seek to capture high-value targets to gain needed information
to dismantle their organizations. Foreign combatants will be tried in
military commissions.
Finally, we will pursue aggressive criminal or immigration charges

against anyone who lends material support to terrorism. Similar to the
effort to take down the mafia, this will be the understood mission of every
federal investigator and prosecutor in the country.
130
To accomplish a goal, you must state a mission: the support networks for
Radical Islam in this country will be stripped out and removed one by one.
Immigration officers will also have their powers restored: those who are
guests in our country that are preaching hate will be asked to return home.
To make America safe again, we must work together again.
Our victory in the Cold War relied on a bipartisan and international

consensus. That is what we must have to defeat Radical Islamic terrorism.
But just like we couldn’t defeat communism without acknowledging that
communism exists – or explaining its evils – we can’t defeat Radical
Islamic Terrorism unless we do the same. This also means we have to
promote the exceptional virtues of our own way of life – and expecting
that newcomers to our society do the same.
Pride in our institutions, our history and our values should be taught by
parents and teachers, and impressed upon all who join our society.
Assimilation is not an act of hostility, but an expression of compassion.
Our system of government, and our American culture, is the best in the
world and will produce the best outcomes for all who adopt it. This
approach will not only make us safer, but bring us closer together as a
country.
Renewing this spirit of Americanism will help heal the divisions in our
country. It will do so by emphasizing what we have in common – not what
pulls us apart. This is my pledge to the American people: as your
President, I will be your greatest champion. I will fight to ensure that
every American is treated equally, protected equally, and honored
equally. We will reject bigotry and oppression in all its forms, and seek a
new future built on our common culture and values as one American
people.
Only this way, will we make America Great Again and Safe Again – For
Everyone.
131
THE HINDU HITLERS OF INDIA 180
(RASHTRIYA SWAYAMSEVAK SANGH - RSS)
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, widely known by the acronym RSS,

is a Hindu fundamentalist organisation in India working for the promotion
of Hindutva. Under the garb of nationalism, Hindutva basically connotes,
expansionist and hegemonic Hinduism. According to Concise Oxford
Dictionary of Politics and International Relations, the term Hindutva has
fascist undertones.
And Hindu fascism is, what RSS has pursued, to achieve the overall
national objectives for Hindu India. At least this is what liberal analysts
in India have been repeatedly accusing the RSS of. Importantly, the Nazi
salutations and Nazi symbolism have been an integral part of the RSS
structure. Interesting comparisons can be drawn between India’s ‘Hindu
man of ideas’ Savarkar’s 1923 pamphlet ‘Hindutva: Who is Hindu?’ and
Goebbels’s 1926 German publication ‘Der Nazi Sozi.’
Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, a Hindu ideologue, established RSS in

Nagpur on 27 September 1925. His aim to set up the organisation was to
strengthen the Hindu identity, especially vis a vis the Muslims and
Christians of the Subcontinent. Thus, the prime objective to establish a
Hindu nation (rashtra), has been foremost in the minds of the RSS
leadership. Out of antipathy for Islam, Hedgewar sometimes described the
people of the Muslim faith, as “the hissing Yavana snakes.” 181 He and his
fellow activists used derogatory terms for the Dalit and Sikh communities
as well.
180
Global Village Space, ‘RSS: Hindu Nazis of India’ by Ambassador
Afrasiab. (3 November 2019)
181
Article titled, ‘Saffron has a go at history’ by Khushwant Singh in the
Hindustan Times of 7 November 2008.
132
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India has been described as the
political face of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. In fact, RSS is to BJP
what SS (Schutzstaffel) was to the Nazi party in Germany. The difference
being that SS under Himmler, was subordinate to the National Socialist
German Workers’ Party (NSDAP) under Hitler. In India, BJP draws
inspiration, and takes instructions from RSS.
Mainly, due to reasons of history, Islam has been considered by RSS its
arch - enemy. The fundamentalist Hindus in India have been targeting the
holiest personalities of Islam even more than ever before. RSS ideologues
describe Islam as an evil religion which promotes an evil ideology.
The RSS firmly rejected the Constitution of India when it was passed on
26 November 1949. Its leadership has been making statements critical of
the national flag and the national anthem of India.
Apart from being secretive in its working, which it prefers without

publicity because of reasons of strategy, RSS is also one of the most feared
organisations in India. As such, crimes against humanity committed by
RSS, remain undiscussed and are mostly downplayed.
The RSS attained notoriety when one of its activists (or an ex member, as
some claim) Nathuram Godse, assassinated Mohandas Karamchand
Gandhi, the Father of the Nation of India, on 30 January 1948. Godse
committed this act of terror to punish Gandhi, for what he perceived as
Gandhi’s “leanings” towards the minorities, especially Muslims.
Consequently, RSS was banned by the government of the first Prime

Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru.
Earlier during the British rule, a ban was placed on RSS because of its
association with the right-wing organisations in Europe, especially
German Nazis. The RSS was banned again when the Emergency was
imposed in India by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975-77; and later
133
when Babri Masjid was demolished by RSS fundamentalists in December
1992.
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who joined the organisation
when he was eight years old, is an active member of RSS. So is the case
with most of his cabinet ministers, and close civil and military advisers.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is “the mother party” of all-important

Hindu fundamentalist organisations in India. This includes Vishva Hindu
Parishad, Bajrang Dal and the Shiv Sena. RSS has set up thousands of
shaakhaas (Hindu madrassas) all over the country. It has more than six
million members in India.
By and large, silent support for RSS has always existed in sections of the
Indian civil society, bureaucracy, armed forces and especially in the
security agencies of India. According to a write up posted on SAMVADA
website, the first Army Chief of India, Field Marshal Carriappa once in
his remarks to the organisation, underlined: “RSS is my heart’s work. My
dear young men, don’t be disturbed by the uncharitable
comments.....Look ahead! Go ahead! The country is standing in need of
your services.” 182
Understandably, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has rendered invaluable

services to Hindu India. The following contributions are not really
discussed in public:
- More than 200,000 Muslim men, women and children were mercilessly
massacred in the State of Hyderabad in 1948. A large number of RSS
workers were involved in these acts of terror.
182
SAMWADA; (samvada.org posted on 24 October 2012).
134
- RSS terrorists, in collaboration with security personnel of the Maharajah
of Kashmir, butchered more than 200,000 Muslim men, women and
children in Kashmir in 1947-1948. 183
- Dressed in the uniform of the Pakistan Army, widespread atrocities

especially rapes, were committed by RSS activists in East Pakistan in
1971. 184
- Close to 10,000 Muslims were massacred in just three days in Gujarat in

2002 by RSS activists, on specific orders of the then Chief Minister of
Gujarat, Narendra Modi. 185
- Reports indicate that RSS activists dressed in uniform of the Indian

Army, are involved in the ongoing Indian atrocities against the Muslim
populace in Indian occupied Kashmir.
Earlier in August 1946, a large number of Bengali Muslims were

massacred in Calcutta. Many perpetrators were inspired by the RSS
ideology.
In a rather chilling interview in 1993 with ‘Time Magazine’, the RSS

allied ‘Shiv Sen’ Supremo, Bal Thackeray, commented: “There is nothing
wrong if Muslims are treated as Jews in Nazi Germany... if you take Mein
Kampf and remove the word ‘Jew’ and put in its place the word ‘Muslim’,
that is what I believe in.” 186
183
May also see Snedden, What happened to Muslims in Jammu?
page 121. (2001)
184
Among others, discussions with Indian analysts, journalists etc
including K.K. Katyal.
185
Interaction with Indian journalist, Harinder Baweja.
186
Haaretz, Friday, September 27, 2019 issue.
135
The Times reported in summer of 2019 that extremist Hindu groups in
India have been offering “money, food and alcohol to mobs to kill
Christians and to destroy their homes.” 187 The allegations followed the
British government’s refusal to grant visas to the members of the Hindu
radical groups, as they were “linked to the worst anti-Christian violence
in India since Partition.” Earlier, Graham Stains, an Australian
missionary, was burnt to death along with his two sons, in Orissa, by the
RSS inspired Hindu mob.
While neo - Nazi websites in Europe declare Hitler as the “reincarnation”

of Hindu God Vishnu, some in India especially RSS activists, have
emblazoned Adolf Hitler as “India’s Swastika God.” Slogans of “Hail
Shree Ram; Hail Hitler”, have been frequently raised at RSS gatherings.
Importantly, textbooks are being rewritten in India for school children. In
Gujarat, chapters have been added in social studies books with titles such
as ‘Hitler, the Supremo.’ A section on Nazi ideology, emphasises: “Hitler
gave dignity and prestige to Germany. He adopted a policy of opposition
towards the Jewish people, and advocated supremacy of the German
race.” 188
According to Palash Ghosh, during World War II, Indian nationalists

received “explicit support” from the German Nazis. In fact, some even
served in “Hitler’s army and in the notorious SS.” Ghosh adds that in a
speech in Dresden (Germany) in 1943, Adolf Hitler emphasised: “I am
impressed by the burning passion” with which Netaji (India’s nationalist
leader, Subhash Chandra Bose) seeks to liberate India “from foreign
domination.” Hitler added, “Netaji’s status is even greater than mine.” 189
187
The Times, 23 August 2019.
188
Writeup by Shrenik Rao titled, ‘Hitler’s Hindus: the Rise and Rise of
India’s Nazi loving Nationalists’ in Haaretz, dated 14 December 2017.
189
Write up titled ‘Hindu Nationalists’ Historical links to Nazism and
Fascism’ by Palash Ghosh, in International Business Times issue of 3
June 2012.
136
Muslims have always been a persecuted minority in India. Since Narendra
Modi became the Prime Minister in 2014, Muslim persecution has
increased manifold. The RSS leadership has publicly announced the
conversion of all Muslims and Christians in India to Hinduism. They have
even set deadlines.
Significantly, accusations of terror against RSS, even today have

continued in India.
- Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891-1956) is considered to be the architect

of the Constitution of India. He was India’s first Law Minister. In a
statement in January 2019, his grandson Prakash Ambedkar described
RSS “a terrorist organisation.” 190
- In a statement in November 2018, CPI (M) leader Ramchandran Pillai

equated RSS “with Taliban and Khalistan terrorists.” 191
- Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said in June 2018, “All Hindu
terrorists who have been caught, have association with RSS in some way
or the other. This ideology is spreading hatred; hatred breeds violence,
and from violence is bred terrorism.” 192
- The then Home Minister P. Chidambaram urged India to be aware of

saffron terror in an August 2010 meeting of the State Police heads in New
Delhi. 193
- In his address to the Congress party in Jaipur on 20 January 2013, Indian

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde emphasised, “The BJP and RSS are
promoting Hindu Terrorism through their training camps in India.” He
added, “BJP and RSS are conducting training camps to spread
190
ANI Report, 28 January 2019.
191
NDTV report, 21 November 2018.
192
Economic Times, 19 June 2018.
193
May also see Business Standard dated 2 April 2019.
137
terrorism.”194 Supporting this view, Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar
said, “I am hundred percent with Shinde on this. This is not a secret. I
want to thank the Home Minister for saying what everyone knows, but
does not have the courage to say.”
Pakistan is the MOTHER OF INDIA.
India is called India because of River Indus, which flows through Pakistan
not India. The Mahabharata was recited the first time in history in Taxila,
a city located in Pakistan not in India.
Like China, India wants to be proud of its 5000 year-long history.

Ironically, the main sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation: Mohenjodaro
and Harappa, are not located in India but in Pakistan. Similarly, the land
that constitutes Pakistan was the centre-piece of the Sarasvati civilization
when the Vedas are said to have been compiled thousands of years ago.
Paradoxically, the name Sindh which is a province of Pakistan, is an
integral part of the national anthem of India.
The RSS considers Chanakya as one of its greatest scholar-diplomats.

Chanakya was civilizationally a Pakistani. He was not born in Delhi or
Varanasi, but in Taxila (in Pakistan). Importantly, Chanakya’s first
students hailed from what is today Islamabad, not Nagpur.
Coming into power of Narendra Modi, has once again, re-validated and
re-authenticated Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s Two Nation theory.
Narendra Modi’s ascent to power, is bound to weaken the ideological

foundations of India. Understandably, Indians are worried.
The recent abrogation of the articles on Kashmir, is bound to have long

term repercussions.
194
The Hindu, 20 January 2013.
138
The interests of the People’s Republic of China in the issue of Jammu and
Kashmir, are at stake. And, Beijing knows that RSS hates China. India’s
1962 humiliation has been unpalatable to the RSS.
Those Kashmiris who sided with Nehru in 1947, are today regretting their
gravest mistake. The long list includes Farooq ABDULLAH.
Many term RSS as the largest “voluntary organisation” in the world.

Others categorise BJP as the largest “political party” in the world. How
can one ignore the view that Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is the largest
terrorist organisation in the world, with its political arm BJP, relentlessly
implementing the RSS agenda of Hindu fascism!!
As mentioned earlier, accusations of terror against RSS have not

emanated from Islamabad, but from Hindu analysts in India. The long list
of critiques of RSS includes each and every Prime Minister of India,
minus Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi. Even these two would
have criticized RSS, had they not been its active members.
The RSS ideologues do not want to call their country India or Hindustan.
They call their country Bharat. Bharata according to them, was their
ancient legendary Emperor whose name is “synonymous with power and
expansionism.”
Indians knows too well that India has never been a one country in history,
except during the British rule and when Hindustan was ruled by Alauddin
Khilji.
The world is heading towards right-wing religiosity. Hindus believe in

millions of gods. Like Islam, Judaism and Christianity believe in the ALL
MERCIFUL GOD. The RSS hates all the three Abrahamic religions to the
core.
Analysts in Israel have taken note of the RSS admiration of the Nazis and
Adolf Hitler in India.
139
On 4 September 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on RSS
leadership at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur. Indian analysts emphasise
that Modi went there “to present himself” before the RSS chief Mohan
Bhagat. “Almost his entire Council of Ministers was there to demonstrate
their accountability to the RSS.” The message Modi received in the
meeting was, “No matter how big or popular you are, you cannot be bigger
than the RSS.” 195
Today, India is no longer the country of Gandhi and Nehru. India has
changed. Today, India is ruled by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, whose
members eulogise not Gandhi but Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse.
195
May also see, Dawn, dated 10 October 2015.
140
PERSONS IN HISTORY WHO CLAIMED TO BE THE (JEWISH)
MESSIAH 196
Simon bar Kokhba (2nd century AD)
Moses of Crete (5th century AD)
Ishak ben Yakub (8th century AD)
David Alrui (12th century AD)
Nissim ben Abraham (13th century AD)
Abraham ben Samuel (1240 AD- 1293)
Moses Botarel (15th century AD)
Asher Kay (16th century)
David Reubeni (birth 1490 AD)
Sabbetai Zvi (1626 – 1676)
Barukhia Russo (1695-1740)
Abraham Cardoso (1630–1706)
Joseph ben Jacob (18th century)
196
Some in the list may not have said that they were the Messiah, but
others said they were the Messiah.
141
Eve Frank (1754–1817)
Shukr Kuhayl (19th-century)
Judah ben Shalom (19th-century
Menachem Schneerson (1902–1994)
142
THOSE WHO CLAIMED TO BE THE MAHDI 197
Syed Muḥammad Jaunpuri (1443 -1505)
Ahmed ibn Abi Mahalli (1559 - 1613)
Mahamati Prannath (1618 - 1694)
Prince Diponegoro (1785 - 1855)
Muhammad Ahmad (1844 -1885)
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835–1908)
Wallace D. Fard Muhammad (1877- )
Muhammad bin Abd Allah al-Qahtani (1935 - 1980)
Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi (1941- )
197
Some in the list may not have said that they were the Mahdi, but others
said they were the Mahdi.
143
JEWISH PRAYER REFERRING TO THE JEWISH MESSIAH 198
Praying for the Messiah to come is a daily part of prayer in Judaism.
From the Amidah
The heart of the Jewish prayer life consists of a prayer known as the
Amidah (18 Blessings). Often said three times a day, while praying with
others, this prayer becomes the cornerstone of each prayer service. The
following phrases are included in the daily Amidah:
The offspring of Your servant David may you speedily cause to flourish,
and enhance his pride through Your salvation, for we hope for Your
salvation all day long. Blessed are you, Hashem, Who causes the pride of
salvation to flourish.
From the Yigdal
As a part of the daily morning prayers said in many congregations, the

Yigdal prayer is often sung or chanted. This prayer focuses on the 13
Articles of Faith that The Rambam (Maimonides) says every Jew should
believe in. The 12th principle is stated as "I believe with complete faith in
the coming of Moshiach (Messiah). And though he may tarry, I shall wait
anticipating his arrival each day."
198
The Jewish Roots.
(https://jewishroots.net/library/prayer/praying_for_our_messiah.html).
Site accessed on 30 March 2020.
144
EVANGELIST BILLY GRAHAM ON THE ANTICHRIST199
The Antichrist isn’t a symbol or a figure of speech. The Bible says he is

real, and that shortly before Christ’s return the antichrist will come in a
final, desperate attempt by Satan to destroy God’s work. The Bible calls
him “the man of lawlessness … (who) will oppose and will exalt himself
over everything that is called God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
At the same time, the Bible warns us against jumping to conclusions about
the identity of the Antichrist, or trying to predict when he will come–just
as it cautions us against trying to predict when Christ will come again.
In fact, the Bible says that the evil spirit of the antichrist is always working
in the world–and the reason is because Satan is always at work. The Bible
says, “Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the
Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come” (1 John
2:18).
199
BILLY GRAHAM (https://billygraham.org/answer/do-you-think-the-
antichrist-is-already-alive-or-is-the-antichrist-just-a-symbol-or-a-
figure-of-speech). Site accessed on 17 March 2020.
145
ARMILUS 200
In later Jewish eschatology and legend, a king who will arise at the end of
time against the Messiah and will be conquered by him. The origin of this
Jewish Antichrist is as much involved in doubt as the different phases of
his development, and his relation to the Christian legend and doctrine.
Saadia (892-942 AD) is the earliest trustworthy authority that speaks of

Armilus. He mentions the following as a tradition of the ancients, hence
of the eighth century at the latest: If the Jews do not prove themselves
worthy of Messianic salvation, God will force them to repentance by
terrible persecution. In consequence of these persecutions, a scion of the
tribe of Joseph will arise and wrest Jerusalem from the hands of the
Edomites, that is, from the Christians.
Thereupon the king, Armilus, will conquer and sack the Holy City, kill
the inhabitants together with "the man [Messiah] of the tribe of Joseph,"
and then begin a general campaign against the Jews, forcing them to flee
into the desert, where they will suffer untold misery. When they have been
purified by sorrow and pain, the Messiah will appear, wrest Jerusalem
from Armilus, slay him, and thereby bring the true salvation.
200
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/1789-armilus). Site
accessed on 15 March 2020.
146
THE CABALA 201
Cabala is a specific term for the esoteric or mystic doctrine concerning

God and the universe, asserted to have come down as a revelation to elect
saints from a remote past, and preserved only by a privileged few. At first
consisting only of empirical lore, it assumed, under the influence of
Neoplatonic and Neopythagorean philosophy, a speculative character.
Cabala comprised originally the entire traditional lore, in contradistinction

to the written law (Torah), and therefore included the prophetic and
hagiographic books of the Bible, which were supposed to have been
"received" by the power of the Holy Spirit rather than as writings from
God's hand.
How old the Cabala is, may be inferred from the fact that as early a writer
as Ben Sira warns against it in his saying: "Thou shalt have no business
with secret things" (Ecclus. [Sirach] iii. 22; compare Ḥag. 13a; Gen. R.
viii.). In fact, the apocalyptic literature belonging to the second and first
pre-Christian centuries contained the chief elements of the Cabala; and as,
according to Josephus (l.c.), such writings were in the possession of the
Essenes, and were jealously guarded by them against disclosure, for
which they claimed a hoary antiquity.
It was Azriel (1160-1238), a Spaniard with philosophical training, who

undertook to explain the doctrines of the Cabala to philosophers and to
make it acceptable to them.
Asher ben David, a nephew and pupil of Isaac the Blind, a cabalistic
contemporary of Azriel, and probably influenced by him, added little to
the development of the Cabala, judging from the few fragments by him
that have been preserved. On the other hand, Isaac ben Sheshet of Gerona,
201
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/3878-cabala. Site
accessed on 21 March 2020.
147
in his "Sha'ar ha-Shamayim," made noteworthy additions to the
theoretical part of Azriel's system.
The cabalists consider Naḥmanides as the most important pupil of

Azriel—a statement not supported by Naḥmanides' works; for his
commentary on the Pentateuch, although permeated by mysticism, has
little that pertains to the speculative Cabala as developed by Azriel.
Naḥmanides, on the contrary, emphasizes the doctrine of the "creatio ex
nihilo," and also insists that attributes can be ascribed to God; while
Azriel's En-Sof is the result of the assumption that God is without
attributes.
The real continuation of the Cabala is to be found in Ḥasidism, which in

its different forms includes both the mystical and speculative sides.
148
THE ILLUMINATI 202
Illuminati is the designation in use from the 15th century, assumed by or

applied to various groups of persons who claimed to be
unusually enlightened. The word is the plural of the
Latin illuminatus (“revealed” or “enlightened”).
According to adherents, the source of the “light” was viewed as being

directly communicated from a higher source or due to a clarified and
exalted condition of human intelligence. To the former class belong
the Alumbrados (Spanish: “enlightened”) of Spain. Spanish
historian Marcelino Menéndez y Pelayo first finds the name about 1492
(in the form aluminados, 1498) but traces them back to a gnostic origin
and thinks their views were promoted in Spain through influences
from Italy.
One of their earliest leaders—indeed, some scholars style her as a “pre-

Alumbrado”—was María de Santo Domingo, who came to be known as
La Beata de Piedrahita. She was a labourer’s daughter, born in
Aldeanueva, south of Salamanca, around 1485. She joined
the Dominican order as a teenager and soon achieved renown as a prophet
and mystic who could converse directly with Jesus Christ and the Virgin.
Ferdinand of Aragon invited her to his court, and he became convinced of

the sincerity of her visions. The Dominicans appealed to Pope Julius II for
guidance, and a series of trials were convened under the auspices of
the Inquisition. Her patrons, which by then included not only Ferdinand
but also Francisco Cardenal Jiménez de Cisneros and the Duke of Alba,
ensured that no decision was taken against her, and she was cleared in
1510.
202
https://www.britannica.com/topic/illuminati-group-
designation/Later-illuminati. Site accessed on 18 March 2020.
149
Saint Ignatius of Loyola, while studying at Salamanca (1527), was
brought before an ecclesiastical commission on a charge of sympathy
with the Alumbrados, but he escaped with an admonition. Others were not
so fortunate.
The movement (under the name of Illuminés) seems to have

reached France from Seville in 1623. It attained some prominence
in Picardy when joined (1634) by Pierre Guérin, curé of Saint-Georges de
Roye, whose followers, known as Guerinets, were suppressed in 1635.
Another body of Illuminés surfaced in the south of France in 1722 and
appears to have lingered till 1794.
Of a different class were the Rosicrucians who claimed to have originated

in 1422 but achieved public notice in 1537. Their teachings combined
something of Egyptian Hermetism, Christian gnosticism,
Jewish Kabbala, alchemy, and a variety of other occult beliefs and
practices.
Perhaps, the group most closely associated with the name illuminati has
been the Bavarian Illuminati, a short-lived movement of republican free
thought founded on May Day 1776 by Adam Weishaupt, professor
of canon law at Ingolstadt and a former Jesuit. The members of this secret
society called themselves “Perfectibilists.” Their founder’s aim was to
replace Christianity with a religion of reason, as later did
the revolutionaries of France and the 19th-century positivist
philosopher Auguste Comte.
Secret societies of this kind fitted in with the idea of benevolent

despotism as a vehicle for the Enlightenment, as Goethe shows
in Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship. The movement suffered from
internal dissension and was ultimately banned by an edict of the Bavarian
government in 1785. Some members were imprisoned, while others were
driven from their homes. Weishaupt was stripped of his chair at Ingolstadt
and banished from Bavaria.
150
After 1785 the historical record contains no further activities of
Weishaupt’s illuminati, but the order figured prominently in conspiracy
theories for centuries after its disbanding. It was credited with activities
ranging from the instigation of the French Revolution to the assassination
of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, and the notion of an all-
knowing cabal of ancient masters remained a powerful image in the
popular consciousness into the 21st century.
151
‘THE PROTOCOLS OF THE ELDERS OF ZION’
(Extracts from an article in the Israeli newspaper HAARETZ) 203
You read "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" with mounting incredulity.
The 24 Protocols document a Jewish plot to take over the world. They
consist of a description given by a senior Elder to a new Elder on how the
Jews, assisted by Freemasons, will achieve their goal. They will control
the press, pervert financial systems, cause world wars, sponsor terrorism,
destroy religion.
Most significant of all - a tell-tale indication of the arch-reactionary source

of the forgery - the conspiracy will undermine established society by
spreading liberalism, freedom of the press, human rights and democracy.
The sole speaker in "The Protocols," the senior Elder, says: "Do not
suppose for a moment that these statements are empty words: Think
carefully of the successes we arranged for Darwinism, Marxism,
Nietzscheism….” What inspires incredulity is less than the alleged
conspiracy is so plainly fictional as that it is such bad fiction.
It lacks the color of what the best fantasy fiction needs to possess. You
ask yourself what person with a modicum of education can ever have
swallowed such drivel. This farrago was concocted by the czarist police
at the turn of the last century to counter a hankering for constitutional
government among the long-repressed Russian people. The appearance of
"The Protocols" did its work well. It did not take much for the people to
return from thoughts of liberty to their proper business of slaughtering
Jews.
203
Article ‘The Elders of Zion: 113 Years of a Lie That Refuses to Die’
by Michael Fox published in Israeli newspaper HAARETZ of 8
September 2016.
152
"The Protocols" first saw the light of day in Russian in 1905, in a book by
a Russian Orthodox fanatic named Sergei Nilus. It was only in 1920 that
the first English translation of the pamphlet appeared, under the title "The
Jewish Peril." It is astonishing that it was not greeted with hoots of
derisive laughter. Even to full-blown conspiracy theorists it should have
been obvious that this farcical invention was not the proof they needed.
But "The Protocols" were taken seriously and by serious people.
In 1920, The Times of London, then the most authoritative newspaper in

the world, called it a "disturbing pamphlet," and called for an inquiry. It
is (also) to its credit that it was The Times that produced and published
conclusive proof that the pamphlet was not only a forgery, but a piece of
blatant plagiarism as well. With The Times having unequivocally
pronounced the pamphlet a forgery, you would have thought that that
would be an end to the matter, at least in the half of the world that
generally had little time for conspiracy theories. But the curiosity of "The
Protocols" is their strange afterlife. That Hitler discovered them and
adopted them for his own was to be expected. "The Protocols" survived
in the West, too. A series of articles in Henry Ford's newspaper, The
Dearborn Independent, were collected and republished as a book entitled
"The International Jew - The World's Foremost Problem," in 1920.
"The Protocols" are alive and well and if you are minded to, you can check
on their ongoing health by reading the fan mail on the Web sites devoted
to them. There is a wearying sameness in the blogs. You can discern a
monotonous pattern in the ranting views of the believers. In one form or
another their crazy argument is that "The Protocols" must be genuine
because the conspiracy has been authenticated by later history. But history
does not show that at all. I am sorry to discourage those who would like
to try their hand at world domination. “The Protocols” are sadly lacking
in practical detail…The lesson is clear.
If you fancy your chances as a Master of the Universe, try another

religion.
153
BOOK ‘KALKI AVTAR AND MUHAMMED SAHEB’ BY
PUNDIT VED PRAKASH, PUBLISHED IN INDIA 204
(Opinion on the book by scholars from Malaysia) 205
Following is the Summary of the contents of the book as dealt with by

Pundit Ved Prakash in the context of the Prophet of Islam:
• Hindu scriptures mention that Kalki Avtar will be the Last

Messenger of Bhagwan to guide the world. This comes true in the
case of Prophet Muhammed, as according to the Islamic faith
Muhammad was the last Prophet sent by Allah (Bhagwan) to
mankind.
• In Hindu precepts, the father's name of 'Kalki Avtar' is mentioned as

'Vishnu Bhagat.' 'Vishnu' stands for Allah and the literal meaning of
'bhagat' is slave. The name of the father of Prophet Muhammad was
Abdullah which in Arabic means the ‘Slave of Allah.’
• Similarly, Kalki’s mother's name would be 'Somanib' which in

Sanskrit means ‘peace and tranquility.’ Prophet Muhammad’s
204
‘Kalki Avtar and Muhammed Saheb’ by Dr. Ved Prakash (MA
Sanskrit, D.Phil.), published by Saaraswath Vedanth Prakash Sangh.
(1969/70)
205
‘The Hindu Philosophy of Kalki Avatara from Islamic View of
Nubuwwah’ by Mohamed Mihlar Abdul Muthaliffa and Mohd Rosmizi
Abd Rahman, Faculty of Leadership and Management, Universiti Sains
Islam, Malaysia. Published in the International Journal of Academic
Research in Business and Social Sciences. (Vol. 7, 2017)
154
mother’s name was 'Amina' which has the same meaning in Arabic
language.
• The Vedas mention that 'Kalki Avtar' will be born in a noble family
of his land. This is true in case of Prophet Muhammed as he was
born in the respected tribe of Quraish in Makkah.
• According to Hindu precepts, 'Kalki Avtar' will be taught in a cave

by Bhagwan (God). The first verse of the Quran was in fact revealed
to Prophet Muhammed in the cave of Hira (in Mecca.)
• According to Hindu precepts, Kalki Avtar will be born in an island.

Prophet Muhammad was born in ‘Jazeeratul Arab’ (the Island of
Arabia).
The following is the opinion about the above book by Mihlar Abdul
Muthaliffa and Rosmizi Abd Rahman, Universiti Sains Islam, Malaysia:
Pundit Ved Prakash, a Hindu scholar from India, claims in his book Kalki
Avtar that the description of the Avtar found in the holy books of the Hindu
religion, matches with Prophet Muhammad. After years of research, he
published this book and less than eight other prominent Hindu scholars
from India–Dr. Srivasdev, Pundit Sunderlal, Sri Pal Ram Sang Parihar,
Dr. P. H. Suphe, Dr. Ramesh Prasad Kruk, Pundit Durga Shankar, Swami
Amar Jyoti and Sri Kashmiri Lal Baath–have endorsed the basics of his
argument as authentic. Pundit Ved Prakash has produced sound evidence
from Vedas, Puranas and other sacred books of Hindu religion, in support
of his claim.
155
US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ADDRESS ON
RECOGNIZING JERUSALEM AS THE CAPITAL OF ISRAEL
(6 December 2017)
When I came into office, I promised to look at the world's challenges with
open eyes and very fresh thinking. We cannot solve our problems by
making the same failed assumptions and repeating the same failed
strategies of the past. All challenges demand new approaches. My
announcement today marks the beginning of a new approach to conflict
between Israel and the Palestinians.
In 1995, Congress adopted the Jerusalem Embassy Act urging the federal
government to relocate the American Embassy to Jerusalem and to
recognize that that city - and so importantly - is Israel's capital….. Yet for
over 20 years, every previous American president has exercised the law's
waiver, refusing to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem or to recognize
Jerusalem as Israel's capital city.
Presidents issued these waivers under the belief that delaying the
recognition of Jerusalem would advance the cause of peace. Some say
they lacked courage, but they made their best judgments based on facts as
they understood them at the time. An illustration of a dodo-like bird, a
large praying mantis, and an aquatic rat. Nevertheless, the record is in.
After more than two decades of waivers, we are no closer to a lasting
peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
It would be a folly to assume that repeating the exact same formula would
now produce a different or better result. Therefore, I have determined that
it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. While
previous Presidents have made this a major campaign promise, they failed
to deliver. Today, I am delivering. I have judged this course of action to
be in the best interests of the United States of America and the pursuit of
peace between Israel and the Palestinians. This is a long overdue step to
advance the peace process and to work towards a lasting agreement.
156
Israel is a sovereign nation with the right, like every other sovereign
nation, to determine its own capital. Acknowledging this as a fact is a
necessary condition for achieving peace. It was 70 years ago that the
United States under President Truman recognized the state of Israel. Ever
since then, Israel has made its capital in the city of Jerusalem, the capital
the Jewish people established in ancient times.
Today, Jerusalem is the seat of the modern Israeli government. It is the

home of the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, as well as the Israeli Supreme
Court. It is the location of the official residence of the Prime Minister and
the President. It is the headquarters of many government ministries. For
decades, visiting American presidents, secretaries of state, and military
leaders have met their Israeli counterparts in Jerusalem, as I did on my
trip to Israel earlier this year.
Jerusalem is not just the heart of three great religions, but it is now also
the heart of one of the most successful democracies in the world. Over the
past seven decades, Israeli people have built a country where Jews,
Muslims, and Christians - and people of all faiths - are free to live and
worship according to their conscience and according to their beliefs.
Jerusalem is today - and must remain - a place where Jews pray at the
Western Wall, where Christians walk the Stations of the Cross, and where
Muslims worship at Al-Aqsa Mosque……today, we finally acknowledge
the obvious: that Jerusalem is Israel's capital. This is nothing more or less
than a recognition of reality. It is also the right thing to do. It is something
that has to be done.
That is why, consistent with the Jerusalem Embassy Act, I am also

directing the State Department to begin preparation to move the American
Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem….In making these announcements,
I also want to make one point very clear: This decision is not intended in
any way to reflect a departure from our strong commitment to facilitate a
lasting peace agreement. We want an agreement that is a great deal for the
Israelis and a great deal for the Palestinians.
157
We are not taking a position on any final status issues, including the
specific boundaries of the Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem or the
resolution of contested borders. Those questions are up to the parties
involved. The United States remains deeply committed to helping
facilitate a peace agreement that is acceptable to both sides. I intend to do
everything in my power to help forge such an agreement…..The United
States would support a two-state solution if agreed to by both sides. In the
meantime, I call on all parties to maintain the status quo at Jerusalem's
holy sites, including the Temple Mount, also known as Haram al-Sharif.
Above all, our greatest hope is for peace - the universal yearning in every
human soul.
With today's action, I reaffirm my Administration's longstanding

commitment to a future of peace and security for the region. There will,
of course, be disagreement and dissent regarding this announcement. But
we are confident that ultimately, as we work through these disagreements,
we will arrive at a peace and a place far greater in understanding and
cooperation.
This sacred city should call forth the best in humanity, lifting our sights
to what is possible, not pulling us back and down to the old fights that
have become so totally predictable. Peace is never beyond the grasp of
those willing to reach it. So today, we call for calm, for moderation, and
for the voices of tolerance to prevail over the purveyors of hate.
Our children should inherit our love, not our conflicts. I repeat the
message I delivered at the historic and extraordinary summit in Saudi
Arabia earlier this year: The Middle East is a region rich with culture,
spirit, and history. Its people are brilliant, proud, and diverse, vibrant and
strong. But the incredible future awaiting this region is held at bay by
bloodshed, ignorance and terror…..It is time for the many who desire
peace to expel the extremists from their midst.
158
It is time for all civilized nations, and people, to respond to disagreement
with reasoned debate, not violence. And it is time for young and moderate
voices all across the Middle East to claim for themselves a bright and
beautiful future.….let us re-dedicate ourselves to a path of mutual
understanding and respect. Let us rethink old assumptions and open our
hearts and minds to possible and possibilities.
And finally, I ask the leaders of the region - political and religious, Israeli
and Palestinian, Jewish and Christian and Muslim, to join us in the noble
quest for lasting peace.
God bless you,

God bless Israel,
God bless the Palestinians,
and God bless the United States.
159
ADDRESS BY IMRAN KHAN, PRIME MINISTER OF THE
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN, AT THE UN GENERAL
ASSEMBLY, NEW YORK 206
(27 September 2019) 207
I stand here at this forum of world leaders to discuss the problems the
world is facing.
I have seen leaders talk about the issue of climate change. But I don't see
world leaders really realizing the urgency of the situation. We have a lot
of ideas; but as they say, ideas without funding is mere hallucination.
Pakistan is among the top ten nations in the world affected by climate
change. We depend on our rivers; we are mainly an agricultural country.
Around eighty percent of our water comes from the glaciers and these are
melting at an alarming pace.
If nothing is done, we fear a huge catastrophe. In KP, a province of

Pakistan, we planted a billion trees in five years. Now, we have a target
of ten billion trees. But one country cannot do everything. This has to be
a combined effort.
We can do great things. And this is where I want the United Nations to
take the lead. Rich countries who contribute the most to green-house gas
emissions, must be held accountable.
Every year, billions of dollars leave the poor countries and go to rich
countries. Dollars siphoned by corrupt politicians to purchase expensive
206
Business Recorder
(https://www.brecorder.com/2019/09/27/524851/full-transcript-of-
prime-minister-imran-khans-speech-at-the-unga/). Site accessed on 23
March 2020.
207
Imran Khan’s address was extempore. These are extracts from the
unofficial version of the speech.
160
properties in western capitals. Corruption is impoverishing the developing
world. Difference between the rich and poor countries is growing. Money-
laundering is not treated the same way as drug money or terror financing.
Today, poor countries are being plundered by their elite.
In my country, when I took charge of the government a year back, in the

10 year preceding period, our total debt went up four times. As a result,
the total revenue we collect in one year, half of it went into debt servicing.
How will we spend on our 220 million population when our money was
plundered by the ruling elite? And when we located properties of these
corrupt leaders in the western capitals, we find it so difficult to retrieve it.
If we retrieve the plundered money, we could spend it on human
development. But there are laws protecting these criminals. We don't have
the money to hire lawyers worth millions of dollars.
The rich countries must show the political will; they should not allow this
flight of capital. The corrupt ruling elite must not be allowed to take
money out. The world is changing; if the poor get poorer and the rich get
richer, there will be a crisis. The World Bank, IMF, the Asian Developing
Bank, must find a way to stop this plunder.
Islamophobia has grown since 9/11. This is alarming. It is creating

divisions.
Muslim women wearing hijab seems to have become a problem. A woman

can take off her clothes in some countries but she cannot put more on!
And why has this happened? Because, certain western leaders equated
Islam with terrorism.
What is radical Islam?
There is only ONE Islam; and that is the Islam of our Prophet
MUHAMMAD.
Extremism has nothing to do with our religion.
161
We have faced Islamophobia while travelling abroad; and in European
countries it is marginalising the Muslim communities. Marginalisation
creates room for and leads to radicalisation.
Post 9/11, war against “radical Islam" started, rather than Muslim leaders
trying to explain to the West that there is no such thing as radical Islam.
There are radical fringes in every society, but the basis of all religions is
compassion and justice. In Pakistan; we were the eye of the storm.
The 9/11 bombers did suicide attacks. All sorts of theories came out. This
suicide attacks were equated with Islam.
No one bothered researching the Tamil Tigers and the Japanese Kamikaze
bombers. No one blamed religion when they carried out suicide attacks
and rightly so because no religion teaches violence.
The West could not understand what the problem was. They do not look
at religion the way we do. In their eyes, Islam became an intolerant
religion.
Someone would malign our Prophet. Muslims would react, and the West
would term them intolerant.
I blame some in the West who provoked the Muslims.
The Prophet is the ideal we want to live up to. He created the state of
Medina which was a welfare state.
The state of Medina was the first that took responsibility of women; the
widows, and the poor. The state announced that all human beings were
equal; whatever the colour of the skin.
Our Prophet announced that one of the greatest deeds was to free a slave.
But if you could not; treat them as equal members of the family. As a
162
result, the unprecedented happened: slaves became kings, and slave
dynasties were formed in the Muslim world.
In Islam, it has been a sacred duty to protect places of worship of all

religions. The 4th caliph of Islam, lost a court case against a Jewish
citizen. When a Muslim community is unjust to a minority, it is going
against the teachings of our religion.
Our Prophet MUHAMMAD lives in our hearts. When he is maligned, it

hurts us. In western society, the holocaust is treated with sensitivity
because it hurts the Jewish community. All we ask for is: do not hurt our
sentiments by maligning our Prophet MUHAMMAD.
Pakistan went through one of its worst periods during the war against
terror. We lost 70,000 people to the war, 150 billion dollars to our
economy. We joined the war against the Soviets in the 1980's. Pakistan
trained the then “Mujahedeen" at the behest of the Americans. The Soviets
called them terrorists, Americans called them freedom fighters.
The Soviets left; then US also packed up. Came 9/11, now that we had to
join the US and tell the same indoctrinated people this is now not a
“freedom struggle" but “terrorism". They suddenly saw us as
collaborators; it became a nightmare and they turned against us.
Thousands of Pakistanis lost their lives due to a war Pakistan had nothing
to do with. No Pakistani was involved in 9/11.
I have friends in India. My first move was to reach out to Prime Minister
Narendra Modi. I said let's work on our differences. Our priority should
be our peoples, as we have similar problems: poverty, climate change etc.
On receiving zero response from New Delhi, we thought we should wait

till the Indian elections. Meanwhile, a Kashmiri boy, radicalized by Indian
forces, blew himself up on an Indian convoy. Immediately India blamed
Pakistan.
163
I told New Delhi: give us the evidence, and we will act.
We had solid proof of the Indian involvement in terrorist attacks in our

Balochistan province. We even caught their spy Kulbhushan Yadav, who
admitted to having committed acts of terror in Pakistan.
Instead of sharing evidence of any Pakistani's alleged involvement in

Pulwama attack, India tried to bomb us. We retaliated. We captured an
Indian pilot. But, returned him the next day, because we did not want the
situation to escalate. In the election campaign, Modi used terms like “This
was just a trailer. The movie is yet to come."
Indians tried to push us on the FATF blacklist; to economically isolate us.
And then the revocation of Article 370 happened, which had granted
Kashmir a special status. India escalated the number of troops in Kashmir
and put eight million people under the curfew.
I also have to explain what the RSS is. Modi is a “life member" of RSS,
an organisation inspired by Hitler and Mussolini. They believe in racial
superiority, the same way the Nazi's believed in the supremacy of the
Aryan race.
The RSS believes in racial superiority of Hindus. It has hatred for

Muslims and Christians. You can just google the founding fathers of the
RSS like Golwalkar. This ideology of hate led to the assassination of
Gandhi.
This hate ideology allowed RSS goons under Modi's chief ministership in
Gujarat, to butcher thousands of Muslims. Congress party gave a
statement that terrorists were being trained in RSS Camps. Modi was not
allowed to travel to the US. What kind of a mindset locks up 8 million
people: women, children, and ill people in Kashmir. What I know of the
west; they wouldn't tolerate 8 million animals to be locked up. Kashmiris
are human beings.
164
Arrogance has blinded Modi and the BJP.
Kashmiris will never accept the status quo under revocation of Article
370.
Kashmiris are caged like animals. Their political leadership arrested, even
pro-India ones. Thousands of Kashmiri boys have been picked up and
taken to unknown locations. Youngsters have also been blinded with
pellets. This will only lead to further radicalisation.
What will happen when 8 million Kashmiris come out of the lockdown
and confront 900,000 Indian troops? I fear there will be a bloodbath.
We also fear another Pulwama incident. And for that, India will again
blame Pakistan.
The phrase Islamic terrorism allows India to dismiss charges of human

rights violations in Kashmir; and further increases the level of its cruelty
on the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Don't you think that 180 million Muslims will be radicalised in India as
they see 8 million Kashmiris locked up? And what about 1.3 billion
Muslims who are watching all this.
How would the Jewish community react if even 8000 Jews were under
lockdown? How would Europe react? How would any human community
react? Are we the children of a lesser God? Don't you realize that this
causes us pain!
When people lose the will to live, they pick guns.
This is one of the most critical times. The two nuclear armed nations
almost went head to head in February. And this is why the UN has a
responsibility. This is why you came into being in 1945!
165
I feel we are back in 1939; Munich. Will the world community appease a
market of 1.2 billion, or will it stand for justice and humanity? If a
conventional war starts between the two nuclear countries, anything can
happen.
A country seven times smaller than its neighbour, is faced with a question:
‘surrender, or fight till the end.’
I ask myself this question.
My belief is ‘La Ilaha Illallah'.
We will FIGHT!
I am not threatening a nuclear war; it is a serious worry, a genuine

apprehension.
It is a test for the United Nations.
166
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SPEECH: THIS COULD BE
THE PALESTINIANS’ LAST OPPORTUNITY
(Washington DC; 28 January 2020)
Today, Israel takes a big step towards peace. Young people across the
Middle East are ready for a more hopeful future, and governments
throughout the region are realizing that terrorism and Islamic extremism
are everyone’s common enemy…….On my first trip overseas as
President, I visited the Holy Land of Israel. I was deeply moved and
amazed by what this small country had achieved in the face of
overwhelming odds and never-ending threats. The State of Israel
comprises only a miniscule amount of land in the Middle East and yet it
has become a thriving center of democracy, innovation, culture, and
commerce.
Israel is a light unto the world. The hearts and history of our people are
woven together. The Land of Israel is an ancient home, a sacred place of
worship, and a solemn promise to the Jewish people that we will never
again repeat history’s darkest hour.
During my trip to Israel, I also met with Palestinian President Abbas in

Bethlehem. I was saddened by the fate of the Palestinian people. They
deserve a far better life. They deserve the chance to achieve their
extraordinary potential. Palestinians have been trapped in a cycle of
terrorism, poverty, and violence, exploited by those seeking to use them
as pawns to advance terrorism and extremism. I returned from my visit
determined to find a constructive path; and it’s got to be a very powerful
path forward in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict……
It has been a long and very arduous process to arrive at this moment. On
Sunday, I delivered to Prime Minister Netanyahu my vision for peace,
prosperity, and a brighter future for the Israelis and Palestinians. This
vision for peace is fundamentally different from past proposals. In the
167
past, even the most well-intentioned plans were light on factual details
and heavy on conceptual frameworks. By contrast, our plan is 80 pages
and is the most detailed proposal ever put forward by far. As I have seen
throughout my long career as a dealmaker, complex problems require
nuanced, fact-based remedies. That is why our proposal provides precise
technical solutions to make Israelis, Palestinians, and the region safer and
much more prosperous.
My vision presents a ‘win-win’ opportunity for both sides, a realistic two-

state solution that resolves the risk of Palestinian statehood to Israel’s
security. Today, Israel is taking a giant step toward peace……This is the
first time Israel has authorized the release of a conceptual map, illustrating
the territorial compromises it is willing to make for the cause of peace.
And they have gone a long way. This is an unprecedented and highly
significant development…..We will form a joint committee with Israel to
convert the conceptual map into a more detailed and calibrated rendering
so that recognition can be immediately achieved. We will also work to
create a contiguous territory within the future Palestinian State for when
the conditions for statehood are met, including the firm rejection of
terrorism.
Under this vision, Jerusalem will remain Israel’s undivided; very

important, undivided capital. But that’s no big deal, because I have
already done that for you, right? We’ve already done that, but that is okay.
It is going to remain that way. And the United States will recognize Israeli
sovereignty over the territory that my vision provides to be part of the
State of Israel.
And, crucially, the proposed transition to a two-state solution will present

no incremental security risk to the State of Israel whatsoever….Peace
requires compromises, but we will never ask Israel to compromise its
security…..As everyone knows, I have done a lot for Israel: moving the
United States Embassy to Jerusalem; recognizing the Golan Heights and,
frankly, perhaps most importantly, getting out of the terrible Iran nuclear
deal….Today’s agreement is a historic opportunity for the Palestinians to
168
finally achieve an independent state of their very own. After 70 years of
little progress, this could be the last opportunity they will ever have; and
‘last’ for a lot of reasons. We’ll never have a team like we have right now.
We have a team of people that love the United States and they love Israel,
and they’re very smart and very, very committed….The Palestinian
people have grown distrustful after years of unfulfilled promises; so true,
yet I know they are ready to escape their tragic past and realize a great
destiny. But we must break free of yesterday’s failed approaches.
This map will more than double the Palestinian territory and provide a
Palestinian capital in eastern Jerusalem where America will proudly open
an Embassy. No Palestinians or Israelis will be uprooted from their
homes. Israel will work closely with a wonderful person, a wonderful
man, the King of Jordan, to ensure that the status quo of the Temple Mount
is preserved and strong measures are taken to ensure that all Muslims who
wish to visit peacefully and pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque will be able to
do so. This is a major statement. This is of major import- — importance.
And, at the same time, our vision will deliver a massive commercial
investment of $50 billion into the new Palestinian state. You have many,
many countries that want to partake in this……Our vision will end the
cycle of Palestinian dependency upon charity and foreign aid. They will
be doing phenomenally all by themselves. They are a very, very capable
people. And we will help by empowering the Palestinians to thrive on
their own. Palestinians will be able to seize the new future with dignity,
self-sufficiency, and national pride.
To ensure a successful Palestinian state, we are asking the Palestinians to

meet the challenges of peaceful co-existence. This includes adopting basic
laws enshrining human rights; protecting against financial and political
corruption; stopping the malign activities of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and
other enemies of peace; ending the incitement of hatred against Israel - so
important; and permanently halting the financial compensation to
terrorists.
169
Perhaps most importantly, my vision gives the Palestinians the time
needed to rise up and meet the challenges of statehood…..President
Abbas, I want you to know that if you choose the path to peace, America
and many other countries will be there. We will be there to help you in so
many different ways. And we will be there every step of the way. We will
be there to help. In other words, for the first time in many, many decades,
I can say: It will work. It is going to work. If they do this, it will work.
Your response to this historic opportunity will show the world to what
extent you are ready to lead the Palestinian people to statehood.
The Middle East is changing rapidly. On my first trip aboard (abroad) as

President, I traveled to Saudi Arabia to discuss our shared priorities with
the 54 leaders of the Muslim and Arab countries. I made clear that all
civilized nations share the same goals: stamping out extremism; creating
opportunity for the region’s youth. And we have to take care of the
region’s youth; the region’s youth is growing up with no hope. We have
to take care of the region’s youth. And existing in harmony with one’s
neighbors.
Since that time, immense progress has been made. A growing number of
nations have taken strong stands against terrorism and radicalization. You
see it. Thanks to the courage of U.S. forces, the ISIS territorial caliphate
- 100 percent - not 95 percent, not 99 or any other percent - 100 percent
of their caliphate, ISIS, is destroyed. And its savage leader, al-Baghdadi,
is now dead……The Iranian regime is isolated and weakened greatly. We
eliminated Qasem Soleimani, the world’s top terrorist. And, as you know,
he was with the head of Hezbollah….In truth, Jerusalem is liberated.
Jerusalem is a safe, open, democratic city that welcomes people of all

faiths and all places. It is time for the Muslim world to fix the mistake it
made in 1948 when it chose to attack, instead of recognize, the new State
of Israel. It is the time….so many squandered opportunities - in the name
of senseless causes, is beyond measure. The Palestinians have been the
primary pawn in this regional adventurism, and it’s time for this sad
chapter in history to end - end quickly, end now. It is never too late for
170
courageous leaders to set a new course, to pursue what is right, to change
the future only for the better.
America is prepared to work with all parties on our vision……But

America cannot care more about peace than the stakeholders in the region.
There are many Muslims who never visited Al Aqsa, and many Christians
and Jews who never visited the holy sites in the West Bank described so
vividly in the Bible.
My vision will change that.
Our majestic biblical heritage will be able to live, breathe, and flourish in
modern times.
All humanity should be able to enjoy the glories of the Holy Land.
This part of the world is forever connected to the human soul and the
human spirit. These ancient lands should not be symbols of conflict but
eternal symbols of peace.
Thank you again for all of the work you have all done, and all of these
incredible honored guests for being here.
171
THE JUNE 2021 SPEECH IN THE KNESSET BY INCOMING
PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL, NAFTALI BENNETT 208
I want to begin my words by saying, on my own behalf, and in the name

of the members of the designated government, in the name of this House,
and in the name of all the citizens of Israel – thank you. Thank you to the
outgoing Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, for your many years of
service, replete with achievements, for the sake of the State of Israel. As
Prime Minister you acted throughout many years to embolden Israel’s
political, security, and economic strength…..Expressing gratitude is a
fundamental principle in Judaism. This is the time for the people to say to
you, thank you.
Honored ladies and gentlemen, this is a special moment. The moment in

which the baton of leading the people and the country passes – as in a
relay race – to the next generation. It is a sacred endowment.
The State of Israel is not ‘just another country’. It is the dream of

generations of Jews – from Marrakesh to Budapest, from Bagdad to San
Francisco – a dream we merited to see realized every day before our very
eyes. Each generation has its own challenges, and out of each generation
comes the leaders that can overcome them.
The external challenges we face are great: the Iranian nuclear project,
which is moving towards a crucial point; the ongoing war on terror;
Israel's image in the world and the unfair treatment it receives in
international institutions – these are all sizable and complex tasks.
208
May see Israeli newspaper ‘Haaretz’ of 13 June 2021 (‘Incoming
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's Speech in the Knesset).
172
At this time, we are also facing an internal challenge. The ongoing rift in
the nation, as we see in these very moments, which continues to rip apart
the seams that hold us together, and has thrown us – one election after
another – into a maelstrom of hatred and in-fighting. Such quarrels,
between the people who are supposed to be running the country, led to
paralysis.
One who quarrels, cannot function. And so Israel ceased to be managed:

a lack of governance in the Negev and loss of the South for 12 years, riots
in mixed cities, the lack of state budget, the terrible disaster in
Meron…..Friends, as the Jewish people tend to be people with opinions…
and as we see here, the Parliament of the Jewish state, is a parliament of
opinions, and anyone who has ever seen a pair of students studying
Talmud together, or a heated debate about a product in the office corridors
of an Israeli start-up, understands the force for good of “disputes for the
sake of Heaven”.
But there are points in Jewish history in which the disagreements between
us have gone out of control, in which they were no longer “disputes for
the sake of Heaven”, times in which they threatened us, and all that we
have built with our sweat and blood.
Twice in history, we have lost our national home precisely because the
leaders of the generation were not able to sit with one another and
compromise. Each was right, yet with all their being right, they burnt the
house down on top of us. I am proud of the ability to sit together with
people with very different views from my own. This time, at the decisive
moment, we have taken responsibility. We understood that we have to
safeguard our home.
To continue on in this way – more elections, more hatred, more vitriolic

posts on Facebook – is just not an option. Therefore, we stopped the train,
a moment before it barreled into the abyss……The time has come for
different leaders, from all parts of the people, to stop, to stop this
173
madness….To the citizens of Israel I say: this is a sensitive moment, of
political change.
I call on all, to demonstrate maturity and restraint….The government will

work to promote Jewish immigration (Aliyah) to Israel, and the best
integration for them. We will strengthen the bond between the State of
Israel, and the Jews of the Diaspora. We will care for our brothers and
sisters around the world, we will fight against the wave of antisemitism.
We will safeguard the State of Israel, the nation state of the Jewish people,
as a Jewish and democratic state.
And that is just part of our plans. As I said, we have come to work! For
everyone.
From here, I turn to the ultra-Orthodox community. Although the ultra-

Orthodox parties chose not to join the coalition, that does not mean you
are not represented - I will represent you, we will represent you. The new
government will respect the study of Torah, the Torah which kept us safe
for so many years in exile, and at the same time will work to remove the
barriers which prevent the ultra-Orthodox community’s integration into
the employment market, and Israeli society….The government is setting
out on its path, as the greatest threat to Israel, the Iranian nuclear project,
is reaching a critical point.
The Middle East is still yet to recover from the effects of the first nuclear
deal, which emboldened Iran to the tune of billions of dollars, and with
international legitimacy….Israel will not allow Iran to be equipped with
nuclear weapons. Israel is not party to the agreement, and will maintain
full freedom to act.
Last month, we received a reminder that the conflict with the Palestinians
is still here. We must remember, and remind the world, that our enemies
deny our very existence in the Land of Israel, and that this is not a dispute
over territory. We need military strength, civil resilience, and a belief in
the justness of our path at times when the conflict raises its
174
head…..Violence and terrorism are not a natural phenomenon or destiny
with which we are supposed to just come to terms. The Palestinians must
take responsibility for their actions, and understand that violence will be
met with a firm response……The government will work to establish and
expand peace agreements with the Arab states, to increase regional
economic, entrepreneurial, and cultural cooperation, and to deepen the
direct connection between the peoples of the region, such as the
connection between the citizens of Israel and the citizens of the United
Arab Emirates.
Dear friends, on behalf of us all, I want to thank the President of the United
States of America, Joe Biden, for standing alongside Israel during the last
operation in Gaza, “Guardian of the Walls”, and for his longstanding
commitment to the security of Israel. President Biden said during the
operation, “Until the region says, unequivocally, they acknowledge the
right of Israel to exist as an independent Jewish state, there will be no
peace”.
It is important that this message be heard, and internalized, in the Middle

East. We greatly appreciate the support of the United States, our greatest
friend. My government will make an effort to deepen and nurture relations
with our friends in both parties – bipartisan. If there are disputes, we will
manage them with fundamental trust, and mutual respect.
….Now, hours before accepting this responsibility, I pray to God that He

grant me wisdom and understanding to lead the State of Israel.
“Heavenly Father, Rock and Redeemer of Israel, bless the State of Israel,
the first flourishing of our redemption, guard it in your abundant
kindness, spread over it the shelter of Your peace. Send forth your light
and truth to its leaders, ministers, and advisors, and grace them with Your
good counsel. Strengthen the hands of those who guard our holy land,
grant them deliverance, and adorn them in victory. Give peace in the land,
and grant its inhabitants eternal happiness.”
175
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185
Afrasiab Mehdi Hashmi Qureshi joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan
in 1984. He worked in the US, UN and Asia-Pacific Divisions of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad; and as Staff Officer to the
Secretary General, Foreign Affairs. He was posted as Political Officer to
the Pakistani Missions in Washington DC, New Delhi and Beijing. He
was serving as Pakistan’s Alternate Permanent Representative to the
IAEA in Vienna, when India conducted the nuclear tests in May 1998,
forcing Pakistan to respond.
Afrasiab was posted to New Delhi the second time where he worked as
Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner to India from 2006 to 2009.
Subsequently, he was appointed Director General (South Asia) at the
186
Foreign Office in Islamabad. Earlier, he also worked as Desk Officer for
the United States from 1986 to 1987; and later in 2002 as Director
(Americas) in the Foreign Office.
In 2011, Afrasiab was appointed Pakistan’s High Commissioner to

Bangladesh, with concurrent accreditation to Bhutan. In 2014, he took
charge as Additional Foreign Secretary in the Foreign Office. In 2016, he
proceeded to New Zealand as Pakistan’s High Commissioner, with
concurrent accreditation to Samoa, Tonga and Kiribati. Ambassador
Afrasiab was promoted to ‘Grade - 22’ in 2017, senior most grade, in the
civil services of Pakistan.
Afrasiab was born in Muzaffargarh, Pakistan. He studied in Lawrence

College, Murree; and Government College, Lahore. He has also served as
Member, Board of Governors of The Lawrence College. He is the son of
Mian Muzaffar Mehdi Hashmi, author and a columnist, who served as
Member, National Assembly of Pakistan (MNA), from 1965 to 1969.
Afrasiab is the grandson of Mian Khuda Baksh sahib Qureshi of Thattha
Qureshi, Muzaffargarh.
Ambassador Afrasiab has written a number of books. His articles have

been appearing in newspapers and journals.
Books authored by Ambassador Afrasiab
1. The Greatest Man in History is Muhammad (Peace be upon him)

(A Jellyman New Zealand Paperback Publication; First edition
published in Wellington in January 2017. Fourth edition published
in Islamabad in June 2020; ISBN 978 - 969 - 9837 - 04 - 3).
(E-book ISBN: 978 - 969 - 9837 - 12 - 8)
2. 1971: Fact and Fiction

(Fifth edition published by the Center for Global and Strategic
Studies, Islamabad, in March 2021; ISBN 978 - 969 – 9837- 06 -7).
(E-book ISBN: 978 – 969 – 9837 - 13 - 5)
187
3. Encyclopaedia of Dates, Quotes, Documents, on Pakistan, India,
China & the United States; and their Relations [7000 BC to 2013
AD] (in Two Volumes)
(First edition published in Dhaka, Bangladesh Defense Journal
Publishing, 2013; ISBN 978 - 969 - 9837 - 00 - 5).
(Second edition published by the Army Institute of Military History,

Rawalpindi in August 2021; ISBN 978-969-9837-08-1).
(E - book ISBN: 978 - 969 – 9837 - 11 – 1)
4. US Relations with South Asia

(Second Edition, The WordMate Islamabad, July 2002).
5. 1971: Saqoot - e - Dhaka (Urdu)

(Kh. Publishers, Islamabad, 2018; ISBN 978 - 969 – 9837 - 05 - 0).
6. Ancient and Contemporary Pakistan

(The Makhdooms Lahore, December 2015; ISBN 978 - 969 - 9837 -
02 - 9).
7. What could happen in the world, tomorrow! [End Times: Messiah,

Jesus and the Mahdi; Armilus, Antichrist and the Dajjal]
(E - book published in Islamabad, in October 2021. ISBN 978 -
969 - 9837 - 10 - 4).
8. Scholars Diplomats [Books authored by Pakistani Diplomats 1947

– 2021]
(E - book published in Islamabad in October 2021; ISBN 978 - 969
– 9837-09 - 8).
188
Articles by Ambassador Afrasiab
1. My Prophet, My Guide, My Leader

(Ravian, annual magazine of Government College
Lahore, 1983).
2. The RSS: Hindu Nazis of India

(Global Village Space, November 2019).
3. General Fahreddin Pasha, the Last Ottoman

Governor of Medina
(The Nation, 8 December 2020).
4. What happened to those who betrayed Pakistan in 1971

(Global Village Space, December 2019).
5. 1971: Makafaat - e – Amal (Urdu)

(https://archive.org/details/saqot-e-dhaka-1971).
6. The Greatest Man in History is Muhammad [Peace be upon him]

(HILAL English, https://www.hilal.gov.pk/eng article/detail/Mzkx).
7. Pakistan and Bangladesh: Two brotherly countries, part of one

large Muslim Nation
(Hilal English, December 2019).
8. Will Apology to Bangladesh help?

(MATRIX, April 29, 2021).
9. RSS (Rashtarya Swayamsevakh Sangh): The Largest
Terrorist Organisation in the world
(Hilal English, September 2019).
10. Narendra Modi Mindset

(SASSI [South Asian Strategic Stability Institute
University] Security Review, 18 December 2020).
189
11. Destruction of Libraries and Houses of Knowledge in
History
(The Nation, 3 December 2020).
12. A Romanian Diplomat who wrote the biography of

Prophet of Islam
(The Nation, 20 May 2021).
13. Pakistan should not Apologise to Bangladesh on 1971

[Islamabad considers the issue settled and fully resolved,
with the conclusion of the Bangladesh - India - Pakistan
Agreement of 9 April 1974]
(Writeup available in electronic version).
Ambassador Afrasiab has also written on other subjects including: US

Congress, American Foreign Service and Face Reading.
190

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Afrasiab Mehdi

WHAT COULD HAPPEN IN

Afrasiab Mehdi Hashmi Qureshi

(Center for Global and Strategic Studies, Islamabad)

Title What could happen in the world tomorrow!

Author Afrasiab Mehdi Hashmi Qureshi

Publisher CGSS (Center for Global and Strategic Studies,

Design Cyrus Qureshi

E-book ISBN 978 - 969 - 9837 - 10 - 4

NOT FOR COMMERCIAL SALE

Afrasiab Mehdi Hashmi Qureshi

2. CONCEPT OF END TIMES IN

3. END TIMES IN OTHER RELIGIONS 10

4. OVERVIEW AND ANALYSIS 17

5. QUESTIONS; AND WHEN & IF! 55

6. POSTSCRIPT (Personal Experiences with Spirituality) 66

Historiographers of religion have also applied the term to similar themes

According to a diplomat who served in his country’s Mission in Tel Aviv

Some may find the postscript on personal experiences with Islamic

Afrasiab Mehdi Hashmi Qureshi

According to The Jewish Encyclopedia, Messiah is “the name or title of

The most authoritative Jewish understanding of the Messiah can be found

Once far, now near.

Rich men laugh as missiles take aim,

Once old, now new.

Once hate, now love.

From serpent to dove.

In the Protestant view, a reference to the Second Coming is contained in

A number of Christians believe that the Second Coming of Jesus is

The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere, the ceremony of

As indicated earlier, in Islamic literature the Day of Judgement is

According to Hindu scripture ‘Srimad Bhagavatam,’ at the end of Kali

On their part, ‘Brahma Kumaris’, a Hindu spiritual movement that began

Now, the Dark Age of Kali Yuga has come

Plant the Naam, the Name of the One Lord

Do not wander lost in doubt and delusion

One who has such destiny written on his forehead

O mortal! this is the season of the Naam

In Buddhism, there is also the tradition of ‘Maitreya,’ the future Buddha,

In Buddhist tradition, there is a poem in honour of the future Buddha: 41

I am Maitreya, the Buddha of the sun.

I shine with equal love upon all.

I am called the coming Buddha not because

But, because I come to those at advanced stages

I am called the Buddha of friendship,

And do not accept the hierarchies of institutions.

Like a symphony, I unite the competing themes

I am found in optimism, in hope, and in faith;

I bless the discouraged and the lonely;

I give them a way out of the prisons of

I liberate beings from confinement;

There are many forms of liberation within the universe.

Each turning away from the past,

To turn away from identity entirely is a rare blessing.

Those who seek me need strength and determination

Knowing that there is a more perfect world,

Knowing that there is something to look forward to,

I am the Buddha of hope, and of striving; so that

Though the universe grows and disintegrates and

Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions of the world,

In his Gathas, the most sacred hymns of Zoroastrianism, believed to have

According to the ‘Dictionary of Asian Mythology’ by David Leeming, all

Abrahamic faiths: commonalities