POST SCRIPTS

The article then goes on to briefly site the merits of a new caliphate and mentions polling data that suggests democracy is favored in the Muslim world. The writer quotes a famous Sudanese Islamic philosopher, Abdelwahab el-Affendi:

“Wisdom dictates that we should be pessimistic about the qualities of our rulers, something which should not be too difficult, given our experiences. The institutions of a Muslim polity, and the rules devised to govern it, should therefore be based on expecting the worst. *** Human experience shows that democracy, broadly defined, offers the best possible method of avoiding such disappointment in rulers and affords a way of remedying the causes for such disappointments once they occur.”

This sounds good initially…we’ve come to the same conclusions in the west. The next quote, however, which the writer believes would allow Muslims to create a “broadly” defined democracy while keeping to the Muslim faith, contains a few words that, in today’s atmosphere, are a bit chilling:

“The model we are proposing…entails a concept of an international order based more on coexisting communities than on territorially-based mutually-exclusive nation-states. The European Community and the United States of America reflect some of the characteristics of the model we have in mind.”

I would be encouraged by a system that could bring relative peace to the Muslim world. I’m just a bit bothered by the casual way that “international order” is used…almost as if it was the natural order. The chilling effect is then enhanced when the words that follow seem to suggest that some characteristics of democracy would remain but that American democracy is inferior to their model. Go ahead, read it again. If this new caliphate were being proposed with only the Middle East in mind why would the words “international order” be used? Also, the fact that bin Laden is in favor of it doesn’t exactly inspire calm…or confidence. This information does suggest yet another reason to consider that radical elements of this faith are deadly serious about dominating the world.

I tucked the above information into the back of my brain and thought little more of it until I read this intriguing exchange Wednesday night over at the blog “Tank” at National Review Online:

…But it is Sheuer's comments on al-Qaeda's vision of a global Islamic caliphate that are most striking.

The recent attacks fit bin Laden's strategic goal of ensuring "the pious Caliphate will start from Afghanistan." [9] In 1998, bin Laden pledged personal loyalty to Mullah Omar, describing him as "our chief" and "the legitimate ruler of the state of Afghanistan … [the] embodiment of Islamic respect." [10] These facts are downplayed by Western leaders who say bin Laden was paying lip service to Omar and that al-Qaeda is now solely focused on the jihad in Iraq. No one, however, should doubt bin Laden's resolve to help retake Afghanistan for Mullah Omar. In June 2000, Bin Laden stressed Afghanistan's central place in al-Qaeda's strategy" *** "Any aggression by the United States today against Afghanistan would not be against Afghanistan itself, but against the Afghanistan that hoists the banner of Islam in the world, the true, mujahid Islam, which fights for the sake of God… Allah has blessed Afghanistan, the people of Afghanistan… They were able to unify the country under the Taliban and under the leadership of Amir ul-Mu'mineen [Commander of the Faithful] Mulanna [our Mullah] Omar. So today, Afghanistan is the only country in the world that has the Shari'ah. Therefore, it is compulsory upon Muslims all over the world to help Afghanistan. And to make hijra to this land, because it is from this land that we will dispatch our armies to smash all kuffar all over the world." [11]

Seems bin Laden deems the caliphate central to his strategy. Some may recall a book on al-Qaeda's caliphate vision by a man who spent time in prison with Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. One of his primary sources was Saif al-Adel, currently in — yes — Iran. In it, described in detail are what is described as al-Qaeda's seven steps to the global caliphate.

The more I read the better my understanding of the seriousness of this problem. The more I read the more I understand the unbending resolve of President Bush and admire his determination to defend this country without regard to polling data or popularity. I am both humbled by and grateful to our fighting men and women who have chosen to defend this nation (and the free world) and who have seen this enemy up close and personal.

Jack Lee is right, we are coming to a point of decision for which there may be no turning back. America is strong when we stand together…but, “a nation divided”…you know the drill.

I love this land of ours and the idea of our republic being swept aside to be replaced by a new world order of caliphate is neither desirable nor acceptable…we must soldier on, around the world and here at home. We cannot count on most in the general press to keep us accurately ar adequately informed. We are ultimately responsible, and so, must endeavor to uncover this important information for ourselves.