How long will Iranian president Ahmadinejad last? This from the FT:
A leading website in Iran has published a transcript and video recording of President Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad claiming to have felt “a light” while addressing world leaders at the United Nations in New York in September. Baztab.com – a website linked to Mohsen Rezaei, former commander of the Revolutionary Guards – said the recording was made in a meeting between the president and Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi-Amoli, one of Iran’s leading Shia Muslim clerics.According to the transcript, Mr Ahmadi-Nejad said someone present at the UN, possibly from his entourage, subsequently told him: “When you began with the words ‘In the name of God’… I saw a light coming, surrounding you and protecting you to the end [of the speech].” Mr Ahmadi-Nejad said he sensed a similar presence.
“I felt it myself, too, that suddenly the atmosphere changed and for 27-28 minutes the leaders could not blink,” the transcript continues. “I am not exaggerating…because I was looking. All the leaders were puzzled, as if a hand held them and made them sit. They had their eyes and ears open for the message from the Islamic Republic.”....
Some clerics are already uneasy at Mr Ahmadi-Nejad’s religious beliefs, especially his emphasis on the “missing imam” – the Shia leader who entered occultation in 941 and whom Shia believe will return to rule before Judgment Day.
Mr Ahmadi-Nejad referred to the imam during his UN speech and his cabinet has allocated $17m for renovating Jamkaran mosque near the holy city of Qom, which pilgrims believe the imam visits on Tuesdays.
His enemies will be rubbing their hands. From Amir Taheri:
Many mullas worried about Ahmadinejad's thinly disguised intention to drive them back to the mosques, are using their pulpits to pour invective on him. Last week they went as far as calling for his impeachment and removal from the presidency on unspecified charges. An Iranian website is even taking bets on Ahmadinejad being forced out within less than a year.
Comments