There are only two authenticated photos of him, and unlike al-Qaeda leaders such as Osama Bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri, he does not appear in video messages.
Even his own fighters reportedly do not speak about seeing him face to face.
The ISIL chief also appears to wear a mask to address his commanders, earning the nickname “the invisible sheikh”.
But Baghdadi – a nom de guerre, rather than his real name – has good reason to maintain a veil of mystery.
One of his predecessors, Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi who headed the most violent terrorist group in Iraq until his death, was a high-profile showman whose secret location was eventually tracked down. He was killed in a US bombing raid in 2006.
The leader of al-Qaeda’s current incarnation in Iraq may be a shadowy figure, but his organization ISIL is pulling in thousands of new recruits and has become one of the most cohesive militias in the Middle East, reports say.
Baghdadi is believed to have been born in Samarra, north of Baghdad, in 1971.
Reports suggest he was a cleric in a mosque in the city around the time of the US-led invasion in 2003.
Some believe he was already a militant during the rule of Saddam Hussein. Others suggest he was radicalized during the four years he was held at Camp Bucca, a US facility in southern Iraq where many al-Qaeda commanders were detained.
He emerged as the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, one of the groups that later became ISIL, in 2010, and rose to prominence during the attempted merger with another terrorist group, al-Nusra Front in Syria.
He has not sworn allegiance to the leader of the al-Qaeda network, Zawahiri, who has urged ISIL to focus on Iraq and leave Syria to al-Nusra.
Baghdadi and his fighters have openly defied the al-Qaeda chief, leading some commentators to believe he now holds higher prestige among many Islamist militants.
“The true heir to Osama bin Laden may be ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi,” David Ignatius wrote in The Washington Post.
Zawahiri still has a lot of power by virtue of his franchises in Pakistan and the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa, reports claim.
But Baghdadi has a reputation as a highly organized and ruthless battlefield tactician, which analysts say makes his organization more attractive to young terrorists than that of Zawahiri, an extremist theologian.
In October 2011, the US officially designated Baghdadi as “terrorist” and offered a $10 million reward for information leading to his capture or death.
It notes Baghdadi’s aliases, including Abu Duaa and Dr Ibrahim Awwad Ibrahim Ali al-Badri al-Samarrai.
As well as the uncertainty surrounding his true identity, his whereabouts are also unclear with reports he was in Raqqa in Syria.
So there remain more questions than answers about the leader of one of the world’s most dangerous terrorist groups.
Muslim Shiites rejoice on birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi
The Shiites in Iran and all around the world, organize special ceremonies to celebrate the birth anniversary of the Savior of Mankind, Imam Mahdi.
Imam Mahdi was born in the year 255, Sha’ban 15, Hegira calendar, about 1490 of the Common Era and then for reasons he went into occultation.
This year his auspicious birth anniversary, 13 June, is being celebrated across the country and the whole world by all Shiites awaiting him.
What follows is an article by Dr Ghavidel in accordance to the occasion, presenting hadiths by prophet Mohammad and his households in addition to the Quranic verses regarding Imam Mahdi.
Muslim Shiites rejoice on birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi
In
His Name
The Most High
“The Last Era for the Pious men”
Holy Qoran:Araf:128
“We are not negligent of your affairs and are not forgetful of your remembrance. Had it been so, then terrible calamities would have struck you and your enemies would have destroyed you. Fear Allah, strengthen your hands, so that may relieve you of the tribulations that have affricated you.”
(Imam Mahdi (A.S.) quotation from Baharul-Anvar, Vole 53, Chap.21)
Such love, kindness, affection, and fondness are not found even in the partners. After seeing so much kindness and compassion, whose heart will not be moved for action? Whose eyes will not shed tears at the separation from such an Imam, while his love is glowing in his heart? When we see such magnanimity we yearn to place our forehead at his feet. But the burdens of sins benumb our agility and the clutches of bad conscience retard our steps.
The main reasons for being deprived of his esteemed presence, is explained thus by the Imam himself: “If our Shias (May Allah give them the grace of obedience) had fulfilled the covenants, then surely there would have been no delay in our meeting and they would have received the blessing of our visitation.”
The fifteenth Sha’ban, 1435 (A.H.) – June. 13, 2014 – is the birth anniversary of the Twelfth infallible Imam from the Prophet’s household (SAWA), Imam Mahdi (AS) whose followers look forward to his Reappearance day and night.
A-The only Savior
Majority of the world religions, irrespective of their being divine or earthly, believe in the advent of a Savior. The spiritual leaders of different religions have discussed and debated this subject. Savior is described as deliverer of mankind, who will appear at the ultimate stage with justice and Equity after it has been filed with tyranny and oppression, eradicate deviation, ignorance and atheism and disseminate moral and spiritual guidance and monotheism.
B- Importance of Subject
Holy Prophet (SAWA) said: “whoever dies without recognizing the Imam of his time dies the death of ignorance.” It clearly indicates that cognition of the infallible Imam is compulsory for each and every one.
Holy Prophet (SAWA) is reported to have said: “there will be twelve caliphs’ successors after me. Verily the proofs of Allah on the creatures are twelve of them, the first will be my brother and the last of them will be my son.” They asked “which of your brothers and which son? He replied: “My brother Ali, son of Abi-Taleb. My son Mahdi, the one who will fill the world with justice and equity when it is fraught with injustice and oppression.” (Faraaedus-Simtain, Vol.2, Page 226)
Holy Prophet (SAWA) said: “Even if a single day remains from the eve of dooms Day, Allah the Almighty will prolong that day till be raises a man from my progeny.“
C-WHO IS MAHDI (A.S)?
After clarifying that cognition of Imam is a must and there will be twelve successors after the Holy Prophet (SAWA), now it is better to know him as it is found Islamic Traditions. According to many authentic documents available in Islamic sources, the following identification has been found for Imam Mahdi (AS).
Name: Mohammad
Agnomen: Abul Qasem
Title: Mahdi
Birth: Friday, fifteenth of sha’ban 255(AH)
Father’s name: Imam Hassan Al-Askari (AS)
Mothers’ name: Nargis khatoon
Commencement of minor occultation and Imamat: 260(A.H)
Commencement of major occultation and Imamat: 239(A.H)
Similarly with prophet Noah (A.S): Longevity
Similarly with prophet Moses (A.S): Concealed birth
Similarly with prophet Job (A.S): Patience
Similarly with prophet Jesus Christ (A.S): Brilliance
Place of reappearance: the holy Kaaba
Time of reappearance: No one knows except Allah.
D- Bright Future of Peace and Happiness
The Holy Prophet (SAWA) said: “Glad tidings are to you about Mahdi (AS)” thereafter he said: “The inhabitance of the heavens and the inhabitance of the earth are happy with him. He shall distribute the wealth equally, free Mohammad nation from need or want and comfort them with his righteousness.”
Islamic scholars, based on the infallible saying of the opinion that the sign of Mahdi (AS) is that he shall be harsh with rulers, generous with people in distributing wealth, and gentle with the helpless in easing their pain. The master of the faithful Ali (AS) says about Mahdi’s characteristics: “at the time when they (people) shall suit the guidance to follow the desires, Mahdi (AS) shall alter the desires to follow the guidance.
At the time when they interpret the Quran to follow their own prudence, Mahdi (AS) shall realize (their) prudence to follow the Quran. Mahdi (AS) shall demonstrate to you justices. Mahdi (AS) shall enliven the commandments of the Quran and Sunnah which were until the dead and lifeless. Imam Mahdi (AS) shall fill the earth with equity and justice after it has been filled with cruelty and oppression.”
Furthermore, the Holy Prophet (SAWA) while mentioning the injustice and seditiousness of despotic rulers, said: “if there remains not more than one day for the earth, Allah will prolong the day until a person from my progeny comes and rule .the great events shall take place through his hands and Islam shall manifest itself…”
Hence, not Only Shia people but all people throughout the world expect him to establish peace and mercy for human kind.
E- Awaiting in the Perspective of Responsibility
Awaiting (Intezar) is result of two conditions. Firstly, he is not satisfied with the present situation and secondly, he expects the improvement in his circumstances. If either of these conditions are not fulfilled, then it is not awaiting and the person concerned is not an waiter (muntazar) {in Islamic terminology, waiter is equal to expectant}.
The awaiting of Imam Mahdi (AS) also holds the same distinct characteristics. Even here awaiting purports that an awaited is not satisfied with his present circumstances and is hoping for a bright and better future. The believer is a witness to the assault of the enemies of Islam which they are inflicting of Islam with their full might and munitions.
The geniuses of belief and deeds are not judged as per criterion set by the Holy Quran and traditions .Instead they are examined through the clannish prejudice and norms set by their forefathers, in such circumstances a genuine awaited should not sit idle. Rather the holy Quran has instructed him in these words: ”and say to those who do not act as much as you can, we are also trying. You all await and surely we all are waiting”.
(Holy Quran Hud:122)
It is open challenge for the enemies that let them make their best efforts. In the light of this challenge, can anyone say that waiting implies sitting idle and remaining oblivious? Or awaiting means to remain always alert and defeat enemies on every front. Of course, it necessitates that a believer should never exult on his strength but Household of Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) said: “the one who desire to be among the companion of Hazrat Qaem (AS), and then he must wait, adopt piety and behave courteously. If he dies in such a condition before the advent of Qaem(AS), then his reward will be similar to the one who attains his Qaems(AS) Era should always rely on Allah. “Because reliance on Allah gives victory to weaklings over their stronger adversaries.
Imam Sadeq (AS), sixth Imam of the infallible. ”Hence strive vigorously, await his arrival, congratulations to you all for your relentless awaiting” Ghaibat-e-Nomany, chap.11, tradition No16
He is true awaited who always seeks to please his Imam (AS). His every effort is directed at achieving the invaluable pleasure of Imam (AS) and it is but evident the pleasure of Imam is in abiding by the tenets of Islam and not in its sacrilege.
Out of many responsibilities which a true awaited has to reserve for himself, is to build his character. Character building implies following the tenets of Islam, developing good traits and purify his self in such a way that every aspect of his personality should reflect the teachings of progeny of the Holy Prophet(s).Often the friends and the helpers of Imam Mahdi (AS) are described with such superlatives;’
those who will believe in hidden Imam, they are the most pious one and their faith is of the highest degree. They will establish prayers and spend generously in the way o God. They believe firmly in the Holy Quran and other divine scriptures and they are certain of the Day Resurrection.(Qiamat).” Tafsir-e-Nor Saqlain, vol.1 .chap.Baqara
”They are obedient, sincere, honorable, good doers, patient.devout.helpers of the oppressed, cordial and pure hearted”
Kamal-u-dinn, chap.43, Tradition no 19
”Their hearts are of steel .if they cast a glance at an iron mountain, it will crumble and reduce to bits”
Ilzaam-u-naseb vol.1 page 67
“They will be braver than lions and sharper than spears”
Behar-u-al-anwar, vol.52, chap.27.Tradition no.17
“They will worship at night”
Muntakhab-al asr, section 9, chap.3.
”In the period of occultation, they will hold religious convictions and will not allow the devil to meddle with their faith”
Kamal-u-al -din, page 51
These excerpts were extracted from various traditions which clarify that in the period of major occultation, one of our pivotal responsibilities is to absorb the teaching of progeny of Holy Prophet (SAWA) in our character and personality so that we may not wander hither and thither while our beloved Imam Mahdi (AS) is far from our eyes.
It is a proven fact that as much as a man holds Imam Mahdi (AS) dearer that much he will be attracted towards good deeds and benevolence. And he will cleanse his self from bad habits and vices. Numerous such incidents can be found in the books, particularly youth who felt the Love of Imam Mahdi (AS)in their hearts which changed their entire lives .Undoubtedly Love is such an elixir by which every impossible is made possible
Muslim Shiites rejoice on birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi
Canaan Joseph shall return, whose face,
A little time was hidden: Weep no more.
Oh weep no more in sorrows dwelling-place
The roses yet shall spring from the bare floor.
And heart bowed down beneath a secret pain
Oh stricken heart! Joy shall return again. Wish you a happy 15th sha’ban 1435
Maliki: People Forming Battalions to Help Army Combat ISIL
Nouri al-Maliki said on Wednesday that the country’s armed forces are preparing to confront the terrorist group called the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a day after the militants belonging to the group seized Iraq’s second-largest city, Mosul, Al-Alam reported.
The prime minister called the latest development on the part of the terrorists a conspiracy against the country.
Maliki described terrorism as a major threat to the country and called for Iraq’s unity against the terrorists.
“The government will never permit Mosul and Nineveh to remain under the shadow of terror and the terrorists,” Maliki said after an emergency cabinet meeting.
He thanked the Iraqi top religious figures for their support to the government and army and said in some provinces people have formed armed battalions and ‘will soon enter the battlefield.’
The Takfiri militants seized several areas in Iraq’s Kirkuk following the capture of the neighboring Nineveh Province. The violence in Iraq’s Nineveh has forced over half a million Iraqis to flee their homes.
Maliki has asked the UN, the European Union, and the Arab League to help the country fight the terrorists.
Violence has been also raging elsewhere in the country with bombings and shootings across Iraq.
Iraq’s Interior Ministry has said that militants have launched an open war in Iraq with the aim of pushing the Middle Eastern country into chaos.
During the meeting on Wednesday, Zarif said that Tehran is prepared to boost bilateral relations with Japan, and welcomed the Tokyo government’s efforts to help enhance cooperation in different fields.
Kishi, for his part, submitted the written message of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for President Hassan Rouhani, which ensures the Japanese government’s resolve to boost cooperation with Iran in areas of mutual interest, and underlined his government’s willingness to promote bilateral ties with Iran.
He also hailed the Iranian administration for its efforts to create an atmosphere of international confidence and adopting new approach regarding foreign policy.
Diplomatic relations between Iran and Japan were formally established in 1926 and throughout history, the two countries have maintained a friendly and strongly cooperation in various arenas.
The two countries’ officials have held talks in different economic, trade, political, scientific and cultural fields in recent years to explore new ways for expanding bilateral ties.
Kishi in a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Morteza Sarmadi on Monday stressed the Japanese companies’ enthusiasm for increasing their activities and investment in Iran’s market.
He welcomed the positive trend of the nuclear talks between Iran and the Group 5+1 (the US, Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany) which has led to the easing of some sanctions against the Islamic Republic, and announced his government’s support for the negotiations and Tehran’s constructive role in these talks.
Kishi also underscored Iran’s good and extensive economic and trade capacities, and said Japanese firms are willing to play a more active role in Iran’s lucrative market and invest in different sectors.
He expressed the hope that his country’s companies could make long-term investments in Iran after the removal of certain existing obstacles and preparation of the grounds for enhanced trade and economic exchanges.
senior negotiator Seyed Abbas Araqchi talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Ryabkov in italy
“There have been constant talks and dialogue with the Russians on Iran’s nuclear program, and now on the threshold of the next round of Vienna negotiations they are of greater importance,” Araqchi said after holding talks with Ryabkov at Rome Airport on Wednesday night.
He added that in his talks with the Russian Deputy foreign minister, issues discussed in nuclear talks between Iran and the Group 5+1 (the US, Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany) went under consultation and discussion.
Araqchi added that the Tehran-Moscow consultations would continue in Vienna too.
The Iranian team also held bilateral talks with the French negotiators in Geneva on Wednesday.
Araqchi said the Iranian and French teams of negotiators had over 3 hours of useful talks in a positive atmosphere.
“These talks on the threshold of the upcoming Vienna negotiations were useful,” Araqchi told FNA on Wednesday.
He said that the two sides discussed issues related to the nuclear talks as Iran and the Group 5+1 are preparing for the next round of talks in the Austrian capital.
The French foreign ministry’s new political director Nicolas de Rivière, who has replaced the longtime lead negotiator and political director Jacques Audibert, was leading France’s negotiating team in today’s meeting.
Araqchi and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for European and American affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi were heading Iran’s delegation in the talks.
On Monday afternoon, representatives from Iran, EU and the United States had five hours of trilateral talks, followed by a bilateral meeting between the Iranian and American delegations in Geneva on Tuesday.
Meantime, the German’s top envoy to the Iran-Group 5+1 talks Hans Deiter Lucas is also due to meet his Iranian counterparts in Tehran next Sunday.
The bilateral talks between Iran and the G5+1 members come ahead of the next round of the multilateral negotiations among the seven nations to be held in Vienna on June 16-20.
In November 2013, the two sides signed an interim nuclear deal in the Swiss city of Geneva that came into force on January 20. The deadline for attaining a final deal is July 20.
Iran and the six world powers last met in their fourth round of talks in Vienna on May 14-16. Since the November deal, the seven nations have been discussing ways to iron out differences and start drafting a final deal that would end the West’s dispute with Iran over the country’s nuclear energy program.
After the May meeting, Iran said there has been no tangible progress in writing the draft text of the agreement and it blamed the US for the failure, saying Washington has made excessive demands beyond the agreements made in the previous rounds of talks.
According to reports, the clashes occurred in Mosul’s al-Wahda neighborhood on Wednesday, press tv reported.
About two dozen Takfiri members from the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL), including militants from Saudi Arabia, were killed in the clashes.
The Iraqi army says its forces have destroyed 60 vehicles belonging to the militants in the Northern city of Baqubah.
The deadly clashes and liberation of the Mosul neighborhood come after ISIL Spokesman Abu Mohammed al-Adnani called on the militants to march on toward the country’s capital, Baghdad, and Karbala.
Meanwhile, fresh reports from officials say ISIL militants have seized the town of Dhuluiyah and the Muatassam area.
The Takfiri militants gained control of parts of the country’s Northern areas, including the city of Mosul, on June 10. The militants first took control of Nineveh Province, including its provincial capital, Mosul.
On June 11, Iraqi forces managed to regain control of the central city of Tikrit.
Takfiri groups are reportedly entering Iraq from neighboring Syria and Saudi Arabia to undermine security in the country. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has said that the country’s security forces would confront the terrorists, calling the seizure of Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, a “conspiracy”.
Lieutenant Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Brigadier General Hossein Salami
“At present, the Islamic Republic of Iran is more powerful than ever before,” he said, addressing a local gathering in the Northern province of Semnan on Thursday.
He underlined that the nation’s enemies are at their weakest position.
The IRGC is fully ready to thwart any plots and foreign meddling in the country’s internal affairs, he said.
In relevant remarks in late May, Salami had underlined that while Iran is making progress in different fields, its enemies are on the verge of collapse.
Addressing a local gathering in Tehran, he pointed to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s achievements in various fields, and added the enemies are on the verge of collapse.
Salami said that the IRGC forces always have been forerunner in defending the Islamic Iran and Revolution.
The commander stressed that the IRGC forces always have stood against various threats posed by the enemies of the Islamic Republic and Revolution.
Defense analysts and military observers say that Iran’s wargames and its advancements in weapons production have proved as a deterrent factor, specially at a time of heightened threats by Israel and the US.
Tehran launched an arms development program during the 1980-88 Iraqi imposed war on Iran to compensate for a US weapons embargo. Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and fighter planes.
During the phone conversation on Wednesday, Zarif termed the terrorist Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) and Takfiri groups as enemies of all Iraqi people, and stressed the need for effective international support for the Iraqi government and people in the fight against terrorists.
He condemned the recent terrorist attacks which killed and wounded a number of Iraqi citizens, and announced Iran’s support for the Iraqi government and people in their campaign against terrorism.
Zebari who is in Athens, Greece, to take part in the Joint Arab League (AL) and European Union (EU) ministerial meeting presented a report to Zarif on the latest security status of Iraq, and appreciated the Iranian foreign minister for his phone call.
He also appreciated Iran for its political and spiritual support for the Iraqi government and nation, and said, “The Iraqi nation and government are determined to resist against all types of terrorism.”.
The two foreign ministers agreed in their phone talk that the ISIL and the Takfiri groups are the enemies of all Iraqi people.
Just days ago, the Takfiri militants gained control of parts of the country’s Northern and North-central areas, including the city of Mosul. On June 10, the militants took control of Nineveh Province, forcing “over 500,000 people in and around” its capital Mosul to flee, according to Geneva-based International Organization for Migration.
Reports also indicated that, on June 11, the militants seized the city of Tikrit; shortly afterwards, however, Iraqi forces managed to recapture the central city, located roughly half way between Baghdad and Mosul.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on the international community to support the Iraqi government in its fight against the militants.
Takfiri groups are reportedly entering Iraq from neighboring Syria and Saudi Arabia to undermine security in the country.
Maliki has vowed to continue fighting the militants.
Addressing a gathering in the Southeastern province of Sistan and Balochestan on Thursday, Naqdi said that the US is manipulating the Takfiri terrorists to tarnish the image of Islam and the Muslims.
He, meantime, underlined that although certain Western countries are trying to mislead the world people’s understanding of Islam and Muslims, the number of people converting to Islam is growing across the globe, including the US itself.
Iranian officials have always warned that major world powers and their regional allies are supporting and helping to the spread of Takfiri currents in the Middle-East.
They have repeatedly warned those states that are supporting Salafi and Takifiri terrorists in the region that their policy would backfire and the same groups would eventually target them as well.
“Takfiri groups are used as a tool by enemies of Islam and they seem to lack a true understanding of Islam,” Chairman of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi said in a meeting with Syrian Grand Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun in Tehran in January.
He highlighted the role of clerics in reinforcing the resistance of the Syrian nation as well as fostering unity in the Arab country, and warned against plots by enemies to incite religious and sectarian rifts among Muslims.
Boroujerdi also praised the resistance of the Syrian people against the foreign-sponsored crisis in the country.
Also in January, senior military aide to the Iranian Supreme Leader Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi warned that Takfiri terrorists are killing Muslims for the sake of Israel’s interests in the region.
“Takfiri groups are advancing Israel’s interests in the Middle-East through violence and terrorism,” Major General Rahim Safavi said.
“Through the massacre of innocent people in countries like Syria, Iraq and Bahrain, Takfiri groups are pushing the situation in the region in favor of the Zionist regime (of Israel),” he said.
The move was made on Thursday on the eve of the auspicious birth anniversary of Shiites’ 12th Imam, Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance).
Ayatollah Khamenei agreed with granting clemency to a sum of 1,052 convicts of different Iranian courts.
The pardon was made at the request of the country’s Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani.
Article 110 of the Constitution grants the Supreme Leader the right to pardon or reduce the sentences of convicts upon a recommendation from the head of the Judiciary.
The Article does not apply to all types of convicts, specially those who have been sentenced for their role in armed struggle against the Islamic Republic, armed or organized drug trafficking, rape, armed robbery, arms smuggling, abduction, bribery and embezzlement.
