By Karoly,
For us ordinary mortals it is hard to imagine the leaders of nations, with their lofty offices and their entourage of intelligentsia, to behave in childish, immature and ignorant manner. Also it is true that even colossal failures in history like Hitler and Mussolini, who got their many calculations grossly wrong, had solid objectives, credentials and wherewithal to set out for the adventures they did. But sometimes when we behold the imbecility of the leaders of some Muslim countries with none of these to back them, one cannot help venturing to lend them a piece of advice or two.
Iran is the case under consideration, in the backdrop of the war rhetoric and provocative statements of President Ahmedinijad, which has loomed in the possibility of another war in the Arabian Gulf. If materialized, this war will potentially usher in unprecedented catastrophe for the whole world; but still it will directly affect the Muslim world, rather than America or the Europe. But Ahmedinijad seems to care little for the facts, despite not having much to substantiate his inflated ego.
In recent memory Ahmedinijad has made several threats to “wipe out” Israel from the world map, and has even claimed that Iran is now the “strongest nation” in the world. The latter claim should cast strong doubt on his mental equilibrium. Also Ahmedinijad does not seem to be sure about what he is saying at times, threatening to destroy Israel at one occasion, and then retracting at another. Not surprisingly, this has earned the ire of even the moderate Europe, and Israel has declared Iran an existential threat.
Iran may be justified to pursue peaceful nuclear technology to meet the demands of its growing population, especially with the shrinking oil reserves, but still Ahmedinijad’s rhetoric against America and Israel is untimely, misplaced, unwarranted and dangerous. What is more concerning is that Ahmedinijad seems to be Left-oriented, with his intimate poses with Hugo Chavez et al, and could be probably influenced by the same misconceptions which once led Saddam, who was a socialist, to disaster.
As per all available indicators including reports from IAEA inspections and American, Israeli intelligence investigations, and by Iran’s own admission, Ahmedinijad lacks the nuclear know-how even to run his generators. Nor is Iran a Germany or Japan in matters of innovation and technology to play another axis power. So it becomes hard to explain his rashness in challenging the mightiest power in history, which not only reportedly possesses enough arsenals to blow the earth several times over, but also has the history of using nuclear weapons in war. That too at a time when two neighbours of Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan, are under American occupation.
At the same time some opportunists in our country, particularly the Left and Jamaate Islami, have ventured to fish in these muddy waters. CPM is going out of the way to flaunt their love for the Muslims and “support” Iran (which even their China prefers not to do), obviously with an objective to pull down the UPA government from power to pave the way for the fascists at the center. Jamaat media too is raising the bugle call for war, and is firmly allied with Iran against America. But one can remember that all these craze and frenzy were evident even before the Afghan and Iraq wars also, and the culmination of all of it is for all to see. But Jamaat is not concerned about these too much, as their only objective is to channelize maximum Muslim votes for the communists.
There is no disputing that the Palestine, Iraq and other vexing issues are of paramount important for Muslims and there should be no compromise in solving them. Also it is true that all wars are not fought to be won. But Nijad should realize that in the current situation he is not likely to get the support of any other Muslim country for the war, in which both America and Europe will be united against him. Even though some despots in countries like Syria apparently back Iran, it is solely motivated by a desperate concern to safeguard their own seats of power, rather than by any Pan-Muslim sentiment.
So obviously he cannot claim to be fighting “for the Muslims”. Also Ahmedinijad should appreciate that it is the Arab countries that have greater claim and responsibility on Palestine and Iraq than Persians, and so he should choose only to work in tandem with all other Muslim countries instead of undertaking any lone adventure. Unwarranted clash with other civilizations and suicidal moves are not what Islam calls for, (nor is pulling down a secular government in India on that pretext).
It is incumbent upon the religious and intellectual authorities in Iran to pursue Nijad to act more sensibly. The Muslim scholars from world over too should intervene before it is too late, as we don’t want another calamity to afflict the Muslim world. Above anyone else, it is the duty of the Iranians themselves to read the writing on the wall and take initiative to save their nation, lest they want the ignominy of Saddam to befall their beloved leader.
Finally, we would do well to reminisce the advice of Prophet Muhammad about the person who makes holes in the ship. If you prevent him from doing that everyone will be saved, else all will perish. This simple advice is applicable to all, even for the leaders of nations.