Introduction
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The entire Muslim Sunni world is in ferment and the faithful among them feel that a Caliphate is around the corner.The Caliphate was ruled by Caliphs. Who were the Caliphs? These are spiritual rulers who are directly descendant from Muhammad himself. The area over which these Caliphs ruled was the Caliphate and the last rule of the Caliphate ended in 1253. It was all over by 1299, when the Turks conquered the Arabs.
To Sunni Muslims the caliphate is a period that is like a shining star' It was a period of great advancement in the world of science and medicine and most Muslims feel that the Caliphate will now come back.
How has this dream which was a mirage earlier become a reality now? This is entirely die to the charisma of one man named Abu Bakr al- Baghdadi. Single handed this man has shown the beacon and the faithful have flocked to his banner.
ABu Bakr Baghdadi as a Leader
Baghdadi was born in 1971 and perhaps for some time he served as an officer in the Iraqi army. This was during the time Saddam Hussein was in power. Details of his past life are sketchy, but all this pales into insignificance when we realize the magnetic hold and charisma of the man, who has mesmirised millions of Sunni Muslims.
Baghdadi claims that he is the Caliph. He buttresses his claim by claiming lineage from Mohammed as he was born in a tribe to which Mohammad belongs. He has studied as well and has a doctorate in theology.
A fact not known to many is that Baghdadi was arrested by the US military in 2004, but after a few months was released as it was felt he was not a man of importance. The period of his incarceration in a US prison in Baghdad had a catalytic effect on him as he turned to Jihad and thought the time had come to revive the Caliphate. He was greatly helped by the fact that both Syria and Iraq, which were part of the earlier Caliphates were destabilized by the Western powers and thus he had an open field to establish himself.
Baghdadi began to generate tremendous appeal as a successor to the earlier Caliphs. His claim that he was a direct descendant of the lineage from Mohammed further captivated the Sunni Masses and created an aura around him as a man who was the rightful follower of Muhammad.
Baghdadi also sidelined the Al Qaeda leadership as they in practical terms achieved nothing. The earlier leader Osama Bin Laden and later Al Zuwahari who succeeded Osama just hid in the mountains of Pakistan and Afghanistan and had little to show after years of combat.These leaders apart from a few sporadic acts of terrorism, were not able to wrest any territory. They could not establish any worthwhile rule or order in any area.
Here in lies the difference as Baghdadi captured large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria and was able to set up his administration. This was a clear indication that the Al Qaeda leadership had achieved nothing to what Baghdadi had achieved. Baghdadi also went global and lent sustenance to Groups in Africa and Libya. These groups like Boko Haram also captured large areas in central Africa. Baghdadi thus had something to show and the Arab armies of Iraq and Syria were just not capable to dislodge him. In addition Baghdadi was helped by the US decision not to commit ground troops in Middle East and as such he was able to consolidate his rule.
Baghdadi believed in the pristine form of Islam as laid down in the Sharia. He quoted chapter and verse to justify his actions. These actions included beheading and mass rapes. This served a two fold purpose to frighten and spread fear in the people under his sway and also a warning to the west not to intervene. His capture of women gave him a means to give sexual gratification to his cadre.
Baghdadi set up his own administration and there is no doubt that initially the West treated him with kid gloves. The ISI under Baghdadi could sell oil, from the oil wells they had captured and this gave returns of millions of dollars and helped finance his war. Thus Baghdadi was not short of funds. There is evidence to show that Turkey and some other powers were buying oil secretly from the ISI. The USA under Obama was in a bind as it was opposed by Iran, which backed President Assad of Syria and the USA and the west wanted his removal. The West thus allowed matters to drag on and this gave greater strength to Baghdadi and the ISI.
The Real Face of Baghdadi
The West had however not understood Baghdadi. He was planning a global conflict and his appeal began to transcend boundaries and Muslims from Pakistan to USA were his ardent followers. He created a cult and all along talked of establishing a Caliphate and he as the Caliph. This had tremendous appeal to Sunni Muslims, who flocked to join his banner from all over the world.
Baghdadi showed leadership qualities when he recruited a mass of Muslims to carry out terrorists attacks from all over the world. This was the genesis of the Paris attacks and the downing of the Russian airliner in the Sinai. It must be mentioned that nearly 130 French men were killed in the Paris attack and 220 in the Russian airline crash which was blown up by a bomb.
We cannot say whether Baghdadi bit of more than he could chew, for he has invited concerted military attacks from both Russia and France. The fact is that despite heavy air bombardment Baghdadi still survives and the ground forces of Syria and Iraq are unable still to recapture the lands lost to ISI. Perhaps the man had anticipated this. His philosophy is simple and he believes that death and life is as per the will of Allah and that is one reason he is hell bent on his present path.
As things stand Baghdadi remains the strongest force in the Middle East and unless ground troops are committed there can be no victory. Here also the entire scenario is fraught with danger as we know that boots on the ground in Iraq led to anarchy and one wonders whether the same may not happens again.
Baghdadi is a shrewd leader. He has counted his gains and losses. Perhaps he feels he is a messiah. The question remains how can the world dislodge him. Even now a steady stream of fighters from all over the world are flocking to him. He promises a dream and 72 virgins as per the Koran. He also promises restoration of the caliphate. There is no doubt he is a great motivator and in a perverted way a leader. His despotic rule, rapes and beheading have not ended and they continue. Baghdadi to many is a great man, time alone will tell whether he has unleashed Armageddon, the last battle between good and evil.
Final Denouement
How will posterity remember Baghdadi? This is a difficult question as it will depend who finally triumphs in this war unleashed by him. If he wins he could well be considered a martyr and in case he loses he will be equated with men like Hitler.
Thus the final denouement will depend on who is the winner. We must remember that at the Battle of Badr fought in 624 AD, between Muhammad and the Quraysh. It was a no holds barred battle and the Muslim army of won. The Koran mentions this battle and and now we know that Muhammad spared the lives of the prisoners and even looked after them. This battle is mentioned as a battle between good and evil.
This is where Baghdadi has tripped as the Battle of Badr shows , there is an element of mercy in Islam, which is non existent as far as Baghdadi is concerned. Baghdadi has flouted the example of battle of Badr and transgressed what Muhammad did, despite claiming a lineage to him. He has executed prisoners of war and circulated videos of the same. He has raped women and also allowed his men to rape captive women. Thus he stands in my view condemned for all time . But President Truman dropped the A - Bomb on Japan and caused the death of 200,000 men and women and yet is thought of as a great President. So one cannot foretell the future, but a resurgent Islam which has cowed the peace lovers led by Baghdadi is the real danger.
Baghdadi does not fear death and has repeatedly said that the Allah decides on matters of life and death. Even if he is killed , will this movement vanish? One cannot guess an answer or make a forecast.