Interview
NY Times
May the peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.
Furthermore, these are some questions that we would like your eminence to answer as soon as possible for the purpose of publishing them in an article about your mission and the group of Imam Al-Mahdi PBUH. There are many popular American newspapers willing to publish this article, such as The New York Times, Washington Post, and Newsweek.
Regards.
The sender: Zyad Qasim Al Zubaidi, an independent journalist from New York, United States.
Q1 We would like your eminence to briefly introduce yourself to the western community.
My name is Ahmad. I used to live in Al Basra, a city in Southern Iraq. I finished my academic studies and received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. I then moved to the honorable Najaf and lived there for the purpose of learning religious knowledge. After I became familiar with the religious teachings and the religious educational curriculum of the Hawza (a school of religious science) in Najaf, I had found that level of study is below average (I don’t say this according to me or based on my opinion). I had also found that a big disorder in the curriculum as they study the Arabic language, logic, philosophy, the origin of Jurisprudence, the knowledge of speech, creeds and Jurisprudence (the legitimate law), yet they never study the Holy Quran or honorable Sunna (the way of Muhammed PBUH or the Imams narrations). Furthermore, they do not study Divine ethics, which the believers should possess.
Therefore, I decided to stay isolated in my house and study their knowledge by myself without seeking anyone’s help. I have just kept in contact with some of them.
The reason that I have joined the school of religious science (Hawza) is because I saw a vision of Imam al Mahdi (PBUH) and he ordered me to join this religious school in Najaf. He also informed in the vision ofh what was going to happen to me, and everything he told me in the vision truly happened.
Q2 What are the main goals of your mission?
The goal of my mission is the same goals of the prophets Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (PBUH), which is to spread the true unification. The unification that Allah approves of, and to fill the world with peace and justice after it has been filled up with oppression and injustice.
Q3/ when did your mission start? And what was the situation and that time?
The mission started during the end of year 1999 in the school of religious science in Al-Najaf. It started to spread in public before the fall of the dictator Saddam Hussein by approximately 10 months. Also, the dictator Saddam Hussein tried to arrest and execute me, but because of Allah’s’ grace and mercy with me, Allah protected me.
Q4/ you have mentioned that you have studied in the school of religious science in al Najaf, who were scholars that taught you? And did you complete your studies?
I was in the school of religious science, and I was with the scholars, just like St Mary (PBUH) when she was in the temple and with the Jewish scholars
Q5/ what are the steps that you undertook in order to reform the school of religious sciences? And were they successful?
My attempts in reforming the school of religious knowledge started at the beginning of the mission and before the call had been public. The focal points of my attempts were centered on three points
Scientific reformation: I used two ways in order to do this. One of them was writing a book called “the path to Allah”. It had a positive effect were it effected the sheikh Mohammed Al Yaqubi. He became interested in the book and wanted to republish it (as I was told from some of the sheikhs and men that follow him). The second way to reform the school was by talking and discussing with the students and scholars the existing scientific disorder. Some people who believed in me and others who were affected in the truth of my speech used to help me.
Practical reformation: and it is related to enjoining the right and forbidding the wrong. I’ll provide you with an example for this, when the dictator Saddam tarnished the Quran when he wrote it with his own dirty blood, Muslims know that blood sully and it is forbidden to sully the Quran. At that time I asked the scholars to take a stance, at least by issuing a statement, but they apologized because their souls were dearer to them than the Quran. If they truly believed that there is no power unless by Allah, then they would have taken a stance while being certain that Allah will always be there to defend them. And I personally took a stance. I used to condemn this malignant act that the tyrant Saddam done and in multiple times, during my lectures in assemblies, I said that Saddam wrote his death using his own hands when he wrote the Quran in his sullied blood, and instead of helping me they started moving away from me. In fact one of them kicked me out in a polite manner!! Because he was scared that if Saddam arrested and executed me, than he will be executed as well. Reason being is because he listened to my speech that was against the tyrant Saddam!! After all, I didn’t get any response from them in this area (Practical reformation).
Financial repair: And it is related to the money given as charity to poor people. That was the last thing before the call became public and I found many students from the school of religious science that helped me, a few of them because of the poor but the majority was because they themselves were suffering from the financial discrimination that was practiced in the school of religious sciences. In this area, many results were achieved after I waded through with some men from the school of religious science who supported me. There were numerous negotiations that took place with the religious scholars in Al-Najaf, and amongst those scholars were Mr.Al-sistani, Mr. Saed Al-Hakim and the sheikh Mohammed Ishaq Al-Fayath. Most of them only responded by speech, and the truth be said that sheikh al Yakobbi didn’t argue. In fact he confessed that what was happening was wrong and he said we need to consider financial repair after one of the people that believed in me reminded him of The Prince of Believers Imam Ali (A.S) and how he dealt with the fiscal policy. After all, the results about this matter were immediate and facilitated but the groups didn’t want to take extra steps forward.
Q6/ and how was your relationship with some of the scholars in Al-Najaf and other than Al-Najaf? And how is it now?
It was Okay. However, now, most of them are demanding to either arrest or kill me. In fact, some of them have publically decreed to kill me and murder like Al-Ha’iri in Iran.
Q7/ were there any pursuit attempts from Saddam’s system? Kindly mention it briefly.
Yes, and some of those who knew with me got arrested. Also, others who didn’t even believe in me got arrested. After publically announcing the call, A couple of the students that were in the school of religious sciences got arrested even though they didn’t even believe in the call, but the reason why they got arrested was because they knew me and had a relationship with me.
Q8/ what is your opinion about the war that toppled Saddam’s system? Also, what is your opinion about the American forces in Iraq and the current political process their?
In a sacred narration from Allah’s the glorious (the oppressor is a sword. I take revenge from it and revenge on it) so Saddam was a tyrant and he received his punishment from Allah’s sword. Yet, I do not believe in people electing, but I believe in the almighty Allah choosing his prophets and guardians (PBUH), even if it’s against people’s desires.
Q9/ have you participated in the elections and the government in anyway? What’s your relationship with the government?
I have not participated in any of the elections or government, and every now and then, the government comes and destroys one of the places of worship of the supporters and further arrests a number of them. Finally they have closed down the office of Al Imam Al Mahdis’ supporters in Al Najaf and they also arrested many of the supporters. That was before the event of Al Zarkah, and one of the arrested people was Al sayed Hassan Al Hamami who is one of the most well known scholars in Al Najaf. He is the son of the passed away scholar, Mohammed Ali Al Hamammi.
Q10/ what is your relationship with the political parties and the political movement that exists in the Iraqi field? The supreme council? Al da’awa? Al Sadr Line? Al Fadila? And others?
They are invited like all the other people to believe in this call.
Q11/ do you have supporters in other countries?
Yes, in Iran, Pakistan, al Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Morocco, Najd and Al Hejaz (Arabic peninsula), Lebanon, china, Australia, Canada, England, Sweden, USA, and others.
Q12/ I have heard that you have followers from Sunna, Christians and other religions? Please mention how this happened and are there any examples?
Most of those who believed, believed either because they have met the supporters in the outside countries and they have showed them proof of this call, or they have visited the website. Most of them saw visions in their sleep and they believed or some of them had some sort of a metaphysical proof. An example of this was a letter from a Christian Egyptian who believed in this call and sent a letter to the Ansar brothers (supporters of Imam Mahdi) through the internet.
Name: Emanuel Raphael
Country: Egypt
Letter’s content: to the delegate on the savior.
I have a letter for you written 322 years ago from the bishop Sarkhases Mekha Al Ma’amadan that is saved and stamped although I did not know how to solve its mystery but the name of your majesty is clearly on it. Kindly send me a preferred address.
With my respect,
Emanuel
Age: 71
Q13/ what do you think of those who call themselves opposers and others? Also, what do you think about denominational violence and making people homeless?
Is there a reasonable person who would call killing people on the roads, schools, universities and shops a resistor to the wrong?
Q14/ why did some political views accuse your religious movement of being the reason behind the event that happened in Zarka? And what motivates you to do this?
When they demolished the places of worship of the supporters, in Najaf and Karbala, they also closed down the bookshop that belonged to the Ansar (supporters) and they also stopped the media from broadcasting the event. So when the Zarka sedition occurred, it was broadcasted over media. At that time, they viewed some of what they demolished and closed down for the supporters as an attempt from them (i.e. the government) to accuse the supporters for what happened. And as a result they arrested the supporters for a crime they haven’t committed. They done this so that the responsibility of the Zarka attack will be on the supporters, and so that people agree that the supporters deserve the treatment they were treated. But thanks to Allah, the truth was revealed and their crimes became clear. However, the government, until this very day, is still arresting some of the supporters, and until this day they haven’t allowed the supporter’s bookshop in Najaf and Karbala to re-open.
Q15/ some accuse that the supreme council, Bader organization and even the Iranian organization are trying to restrain some of the shitte adverse movements? What do you think?
According to this council and its divisions, I will tell you an incident so that the speech is authenticated. In the past month of Thul-hija which is approximately two months ago, a conference had been held in al Najaf and they asked some of the Shia scholars (almaragi’) agencies in this conference to fight against this call. it has been broadcasted on the satellite channels and after some days from this request the unfair authority in al Najaf attacked the supporters, arrested them and shut down their office.
Q16/ some people claim Mahdism has some skewed and astray works. So what is your answer to that?
If you mean the Mahdism, the supporters of Imam Al Mahdi, then I personally didn’t see anything wrong from them. The majority of them are worshippers who pray all night, who fast, worship Allah night and day, don’t commit sins, they enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, they believe in Allah and all of his holy books, his messengers and prophets. They also believe in angels, they believe in the unseen and the big and small resurrection. So if people see that as astray then how would the Mahdi and the right path be?! Also most of them were from the followers of the scholars, some were from the “badr corps” “the call” and the “sader line”
Q17/ there are many movements that claim the Mahdism, like Al-Hasani, Al Marsomi, Jond al Samaa “army of heaven” and others. Is there what combines them all?
They are like all the other people who are invited to believe in this call and many of Mahmood Al Sarkhi Al Hassanis supporters have believed in this call after they have seen the truth.
As for the movements that appear at the same time with the true movement, then its like the presence of the Samaritan and Belam bin Baaoura with the Moses the prophet of Allah, and its like the presence of Musailimah the liar, Alaswad and Sujah with the prophet of Allah Mohammed (PBUH). They were all a way to Satan to mislead the people from the truth that is represented by the messengers and prophets (PBUH).
Q18/ what do you think of al Sestani?
He is invited like other people to believe in this call. However, many of his past followers have believed in this call after the truth had been revealed to them.
Q19/ what is the story behind choosing the star of David as a symbol to your call?
It’s the choice of Allah not mine. The hexagonal star is the Star of David (PBUH), he is a prophet sent from Allah and we are the heirs of the prophets.
Q20/ has any of your followers held weapons even if it was for self defense?
Until now no, even though the groups that are connected to the Iraqi government have broken through and destroyed the sacred places of worship in Najaf and Karbala. They closed the office in Najaf and arrested the supporters and they are still arresting more.
Q21/ how do you invest your prints, activities, etc.?
From the donations of the supporters as their number is not little in Iraq and outside Iraq and all thanks are due to Allah.
Q22/ where do your supporters settle?
In Iraq, some in the gulf countries and others in Iran.
Q23/ what are the forthcoming steps? Are you afraid of being arrested or murdered by the Iraqi government or by any other parties?
From the Iraqi satellite channel (it is a media channel invested by the Iraqi government, it conveys the Iraqi governments point of view and it defends it) and in a news program (and after the Zarka event, after it was revealed that I had nothing to do with it) they contacted a person by phone and that person decreed to kill me. The program reporter or the channel that is belonged to the government didn’t denounce that. And that proves that they agree to his opinions and think that it’s a clear statement of their intentions.
Q24/ where is your majesty now?
In Iraq.
Q25/ is there anything else you would like to talk about?
I would like to speak to the Christian nation in America and in the West;
O you who are waiting for Jesus (PBUH), have you read in the bible the saying of Jesus (PBUH): ((But now I go unto him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have spoken these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.))
Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you. 8 And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and ye behold me no more; 11 of judgment, because the prince of this world hath been judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come.
So that is Jesus (PBUH) promising you that the comforter will come in the bible that you believe in, and I am the comforter for the messengers of Allah and his prophets. If you were searching for the truth, then the truth has emerged.