The Gulf Crisis and New World Order — Page 158
Nimh Frid ay Sen11011 Ja11 18, 1991 on the T. V. for the latest situation in Iraq. In this programme several Muslim scholars (ulema) were proclaiming President Saddam as the reincarnation of Saladin in their passion-driven rhetoric. But Saladins are not the product of emotionalism and blind faith. When I had called for a Saladin, I had not hoped for a icon erected in the realm of emotions that would be named Saladin. Becoming Saladin requires a lot of qualities, and it takes a long interlude of patience to nurse them. The first goal that Sultan Salahuddin had set for himself was to unify the world of Islam. He spent the better part of his Ii fe in consolidating the fragmented Arab stales and bringing them under the sway of a central government. It was only when he had put his own house in order, to his complete satisfaction, that he challenged all the world powers in his defense of Palestine. It is a widely known historical fact that all the Western powers got united with the ve ngeance, to make repeated attempts lo break Saladin's power. The united front they bad put up against Saladin was no less, perhaps more, than the present united Western opposition to Baghdad, and they rallied together with such zeal as if they were going to engage in a religious war. In fact their zeal had reached maniacal proportions in this respect. But in spite of the fact that Saladin was comparatively less strong and had no claim to being an accomplished military strategist, he achieved victory after victory by the grace of God Almighty. He had several outstanding qualities. For instance, he was a pious and righteous man who placed his trust in God. He is unique in respect of his character being found above reproach by even the most prejudicial among bis European critics. They could not point an accusing finger towards him, charging him with any act of tyranny or immorality. Some have admittedly, looked for at least one instance in which Saladin may have run counter to a sense of humanity, outraged human values, acted tyrannically or been guilty of immorality. They acknowledge that no such instance could be found in his life. But there is one episode which, according to the same writer, the West did its best to orchestrate, although it has no substance. This episode is set against the backdrop of an expedition in which a European prince bad set out for Medina with the evil intent of exti rp ating the burial place of the Holy Prophet of Islam'. . . Saladin caught up with him when he had reached very close to Medina, and thwarted his evil designs. When this prince was brought in captivity 158