President of iran warns President Bush to convert to Islam, or else

Note from pastor Kevin Lea: The following full text of President Ahmadinenejad's letter was obtained from Iran’s news agency. I have interspersed comments in either indented italics or in [ ] (with italics) to help the reader understand what is being said, from an Islamic point of view. Where I have included verses from the Koran, they are indented and were obtained from the online version posted at: http://etext.virginia.edu/etcbin/ot2www-koran?specfile=/lv2/english/relig/koran/www/koran.o2w

I agree with those who believe this letter is a fundamentalist Muslim’s last warning before making Jihad. See related articles at Will Iran's Petroeuro Threat Lead to War? and Do We Worship the Same God

Full text of President Ahmadinejad's letter to George Bush
Tehran, May 9, IRNA -- Ahmadinenejad's Letter
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has written a letter to the US President
George W. Bush.

"The letter to US President George Bush carries the Iranian nation's views
and comments on international issues as well as suggestions for resolving
the many problems facing humanity," said the Iranian president here Tuesday.

The president made the remark at Tehran Mehrabad International Airport
before his departure for Indonesia to attend a meeting of the D-8 (Group of
eight developing Muslim states).

The letter was submitted to President Bush via the Swiss embassy in Tehran,
which takes care of the US interest section in Iran.

Earlier, Ahmadinejad had told reporters he had decided to send letters to
leaders of certain countries on the occasion of Year of Great Prophet
Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH)).

Muslims are required to say this phrase after mentioning the name of Muhammad, Abraham, Jesus, and all the other prophets cited in the Koran.

The following is the full text of Ahmadinejad's letter to George Bush:

"In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful,
Mr. George Bush,
President of the United States of America,

For sometime now I have been thinking, how one can justify the undeniable
contradictions that exist in the international arena -- which are being
constantly debated, especially in political forums and amongst university
students. Many questions remain unanswered. These have prompted me to
discuss some of the contradictions and questions, in the hope that it might
bring about an opportunity to redress them.

Can one be a follower of Jesus Christ (PBUH), the great Messenger of God,
feel obliged to respect human rights, present liberalism as a civilization
model, announce one's opposition to the proliferation of nuclear weapons and
WMDs, make "War on Terror" his slogan, and finally, work towards the
establishment of a unified international community - a community which
Christ and the virtuous of the Earth will one day govern, but at the same
time, have countries attacked. The lives, reputations and possessions of
people destroyed and on the slight chance of the presence of a few criminals
in a village, city, or convoy for example, the entire village, city or
convoy (are) set ablaze.

Or because of the possibility of the existence of WMDs in one country, it is
occupied, around one hundred thousand people killed, its water sources,
agriculture and industry destroyed, close to 180,000 foreign troops put on
the ground, sanctity of private homes of citizens broken, and the country
pushed back perhaps fifty years. At what price? Hundreds of billions of
dollars spent from the treasury of one country and certain other countries
and tens of thousands of young men and women - as occupation troops - put in
harms way, taken away from family and loved ones, their hands stained with
the blood of others, subjected to so much psychological pressure that
everyday some commit suicide and those returning home suffer depression,
become sickly and grapple with all sorts of ailments; while some are killed
and their bodies handed to their families.

On the pretext of the existence of WMDs, this great tragedy came to engulf
both the peoples of the occupied and the occupying country. Later it was
revealed that no WMDs existed to begin with.

Of course Saddam was a murderous dictator. But the war was not waged to
topple him, the announced goal of the war was to find and destroy weapons of
mass destruction. He was toppled along the way towards another goal;
nevertheless the people of the region are happy about it. I point out that
throughout the many years of the imposed war on Iran Saddam was supported by
the West.

Mr. President,
You might know that I am a teacher. My students ask me how can these actions
be reconciled with the values outlined at the beginning of this letter and
duty to the tradition of Jesus Christ (PBUH), the Messenger of peace and
forgiveness?

There are prisoners in Guantanamo Bay that have not been tried, have no
legal representation, their families cannot see them and are obviously kept
in a strange land outside their own country. There is no international
monitoring of their conditions and fate. No one knows whether they are
prisoners, POWs, accused or criminals.

European investigators have confirmed the existence of secret prisons in
Europe too. I could not correlate the abduction of a person, and him or her
being kept in secret prisons, with the provisions of any judicial system.
For that matter, I fail to understand how such actions correspond to the
values outlined in the beginning of this letter, i.e. the teachings of Jesus
Christ (PBUH), human rights and liberal values.

Young people, university students, and ordinary people have many questions
about the phenomenon of Israel. I am sure you are familiar with some of
them.

Throughout history many countries have been occupied, but I think the
establishment of a new country with a new people, is a new phenomenon that
is exclusive to our times.

Students are saying that sixty years ago such a country did not exist. They
show old documents and globes and say try as we have, we have not been able
to find a country named Israel.

I tell them to study the history of WWI and II. One of my students told me
that during WWII, which more than tens of millions of people perished in,
news about the war, was quickly disseminated by the warring parties. Each
touted their victories and the most recent battlefront defeat of the other
party. After the war they claimed that six million Jews had been killed. Six
million people that were surely related to at least two million families.

Again let us assume that these events are true. Does that logically
translate into the establishment of the state of Israel in the Middle East
or support for such a state? How can this phenomenon be rationalized or
explained?

Mr. President,
I am sure you know how - and at what cost - Israel was established:
-Many thousands were killed in the process.
-Millions of indigenous people were made refugees.
-Hundreds of thousands of hectares of farmland, olive plantations, towns and
villages were destroyed.
This tragedy is not exclusive to the time of establishment; unfortunately it
has been ongoing for sixty years now.

A regime has been established which does not show mercy even to kids,
destroys houses while the occupants are still in them, announces beforehand
its list and plans to assassinate Palestinian figures, and keeps thousands
of Palestinians in prison. Such a phenomenon is unique - or at the very
least extremely rare - in recent memory.

Another big question asked by the people is "why is this regime being
supported?"

Is support for this regime in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ (PBUH)
or Moses (PBUH) or liberal values?

Or are we to understand that allowing the original inhabitants of these
lands - inside and outside Palestine -- whether they are Christian, Moslem
or Jew, to determine their fate, runs contrary to principles of democracy,
human rights and the teachings of prophets? If not, why is there so much
opposition to a referendum?

The newly elected Palestinian administration recently took office. All
independent observers have confirmed that this government represents the
electorate. Unbelievingly, they have put the elected government under
pressure and have advised it to recognize the Israeli regime, abandon the
struggle and follow the programs of the previous government.

If the current Palestinian government had run on the above platform, would
the Palestinian people have voted for it? Again, can such position taken in
opposition to the Palestinian government be reconciled with the values
outlined earlier? The people are also asking "Why are all UNSC resolutions
in condemnation of Israel vetoed?"

Mr. President,
As you are well aware, I live amongst the people and am in constant contact
with them -- many people from around the Middle East manage to contact me as
well. They do not have faith in these dubious policies either. There is
evidence that the people of the region are becoming increasingly angry with
such policies.

It is not my intention to pose too many questions, but I need to refer to
other points as well.

Why is it that any technological and scientific achievement reached in the
Middle East region is translated into and portrayed as a threat to the
Zionist regime? Is not scientific R&D one of the basic rights of nations?
You are familiar with history. Aside from the Middle Ages, in what other
point in history has scientific and technical progress been a crime? Can the
possibility of scientific achievements being utilized for military purposes
be reason enough to oppose science and technology altogether? If such a
supposition is true, then all scientific disciplines, including physics,
chemistry, mathematics, medicine, engineering, etc. must be opposed.
Lies were told in the Iraqi matter. What was the result? I have no doubt
that telling lies is reprehensible in any culture, and you do not like to be
lied to.

Mr. President,
Don't Latin Americans have the right to ask why their elected governments
are being opposed and coup leaders supported? Or, Why must they constantly
be threatened and live in fear?

The people of Africa are hardworking, creative and talented. They can play
an important and valuable role in providing for the needs of humanity and
contribute to its material and spiritual progress. Poverty and hardship in
large parts of Africa are preventing this from happening. Don't they have
the right to ask why their enormous wealth - including minerals - is being
looted, despite the fact that they need it more than others?

Again, do such actions correspond to the teachings of Christ and the tenets
of human rights?

The brave and faithful people of Iran too have many questions and
grievances, including: the coup d'etat of 1953 and the subsequent toppling
of the legal government of the day, opposition to the Islamic revolution,
transformation of an Embassy into a headquarters supporting the activities
of those opposing the Islamic Republic (many thousands of pages of documents
corroborate this claim), support for Saddam in the war waged against Iran,
the shooting down of the Iranian passenger plane, freezing the assets of the
Iranian nation, increasing threats, anger and displeasure vis-à-vis the
scientific and nuclear progress of the Iranian nation (just when all
Iranians are jubilant and celebrating their country's progress), and many
other grievances that I will not refer to in this letter.

Mr. President,
September Eleven was a horrendous incident. The killing of innocents is
deplorable and appalling in any part of the world [In Islam, innocents are considered as those Muslims who are killed in battle against the non-believers]. Our government immediately declared its disgust with the perpetrators and offered its
condolences to the bereaved and expressed its sympathies.

Which is a lie, since the Muslims of Iran joined the rest of the Muslims in the Middle East and in America who were rejoicing in the streets that the great Satan, America, had been dealt a blow of vengeance.

Koran - 4.93: And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his punishment is hell; he shall abide in it, and Allah will send His wrath on him and curse him and prepare for him a painful chastisement.

All governments have a duty to protect the lives, property and good standing
of their citizens. Reportedly your government employs extensive security,
protection and intelligence systems - and even hunts its opponents abroad.
September eleven was not a simple operation. Could it be planned and
executed without coordination with intelligence and security services - or
their extensive infiltration? Of course this is just an educated guess. Why
have the various aspects of the attacks been kept secret? Why are we not
told who botched their responsibilities? And, why aren't those responsible
and the guilty parties identified and put on trial?

All governments have a duty to provide security and peace of mind for their
citizens. For some years now, the people of your country and neighbors of
world trouble spots do not have peace of mind. After 9.11, instead of
healing and tending to the emotional wounds of the survivors and the
American people -- who had been immensely traumatized by the attacks -- some
Western media only intensified the climate of fear and insecurity - some
constantly talked about the possibility of new terror attacks and kept the
people in fear. Is that service to the American people? Is it possible to
calculate the damages incurred from fear and panic?

American citizens lived in constant fear of fresh attacks that could come at
any moment and in any place. They felt insecure in the streets, in their
place of work and at home. Who would be happy with this situation? Why was
the media, instead of conveying a feeling of security and providing peace of
mind, giving rise to a feeling of insecurity?

Some believe that the hype paved the way -- and was the justification --for
an attack on Afghanistan. Again I need to refer to the role of media.
In media charters, correct dissemination of information and honest reporting
of a story are established tenets. I express my deep regret about the
disregard shown by certain Western media for these principles. The main
pretext for an attack on Iraq was the existence of WMDs. This was repeated
incessantly -- for the public to finally believe -- and the ground set for
an attack on Iraq.

Will the truth not be lost in a contrived and deceptive climate?
Again, if the truth is allowed to be lost, how can that be reconciled with
the earlier mentioned values? Is the truth known to the Almighty lost as
well?

Mr. President,
In countries around the world, citizens provide for the expenses of
governments so that their governments in turn are able to serve them.
The question here is "what has the hundreds of billions of dollars, spent
every year to pay for the Iraqi campaign, produced for the citizens?"
As Your Excellency is aware, in some states of your country, people are
living in poverty. Many thousands are homeless and unemployment is a huge
problem. Of course these problems exist - to a larger or lesser extent -- in
other countries as well. With these conditions in mind, can the gargantuan
expenses of the campaign - paid from the public treasury - be explained and
be consistent with the aforementioned principles?

What has been said, are some of the grievances of the people around the
world, in our region and in your country. But my main contention - which I
am hoping you will agree to some of it - is:

Those in power have a specific time in office and do not rule indefinitely,
but their names will be recorded in history and will be constantly judged in
the immediate and distant futures.

The people will scrutinize our presidencies.

Did we mange to bring peace, security and prosperity for the people or
insecurity and unemployment?

Did we intend to establish justice or just supported especial interest
groups, and by forcing many people to live in poverty and hardship, made a
few people rich and powerful -- thus trading the approval of the people and
the Almighty with theirs'?

Did we defend the rights of the underprivileged or ignore them?

Did we defend the rights of all people around the world or imposed wars on
them, interfered illegally in their affairs, established hellish prisons and
incarcerated some of them?

Did we bring the world peace and security or raised the specter of
intimidation and threats?

Did we tell the truth to our nation and others around the world or presented
an inverted version of it?

Were we on the side of people or the occupiers and oppressors?

Did our administrations set out to promote rational behavior, logic, ethics,
peace, fulfilling obligations, justice, service to the people, prosperity,
progress and respect for human dignity or the force of guns, intimidation,
insecurity, disregard for the people, delaying the progress and excellence
of other nations, and trample on people's rights?

And finally, they will judge us on whether we remained true to our oath of
office - to serve the people, which is our main task, and the traditions of
the prophets -- or not?

Mr. President,
How much longer can the world tolerate this situation?

Where will this trend lead the world to?

How long must the people of the world pay for the incorrect decisions of
some rulers?

How much longer will the specter of insecurity - raised from the stockpiles
of weapons of mass destruction -- hunt the people of the world?

How much longer will the blood of the innocent men, women and children be
spilled on the streets, and people's houses destroyed over their heads?

Are you pleased with the current condition of the world?

Do you think present policies can continue?

If billions of dollars spent on security, military campaigns and troop
movement were instead spent on investment and assistance for poor countries,
promotion of health, combating different diseases, education and improvement
of mental and physical fitness, assistance to the victims of natural
disasters, creation of employment opportunities and production, development
projects and poverty alleviation, establishment of peace, mediation between
disputing states, and extinguishing the flames of racial, ethnic and other
conflicts, were would the world be today? Would not your government and
people be justifiably proud?

Would not your administration's political and economic standing have been
stronger?

And I am most sorry to say, would there have been an ever increasing global
hatred of the American government?

Mr. President, it is not my intention to distress anyone.
If Prophet Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ishmael, Joseph, or Jesus Christ (PBUH)
were with us today, how would they have judged such behavior? Will we be
given a role to play in the promised world, where justice will become
universal and Jesus Christ (PBUH) will be present? Will they even accept us?

My basic question is this: Is there no better way to interact with the rest
of the world? Today there are hundreds of millions of Christians, hundreds
of millions of Muslims and millions of people who follow the teachings of
Moses (PBUH).

All divine religions share and respect one word and that is
"monotheism" or belief in a single God and no other in the world.
The Holy Koran stresses this common word and calls on all followers of
divine religions and says: [3.64] Say: O followers of the Book! Come to an
equitable proposition between us and you that we shall not serve any but
Allah and (that) we shall not associate aught with Him, and (that) some of
us shall not take others for lords besides Allah; but if they turn back,
then say: Bear witness that we are Muslims. (The Family of Imran)

The more complete text –

3.61-64 But whoever disputes with you in this matter after what has come to you of knowledge, then say: Come let us call our sons and your sons and our women and your women and our near people and your near people, then let us be earnest in prayer, and pray for the curse of Allah on the liars. Most surely this is the true explanation, and there is no god but Allah; and most surely Allah -- He is the Mighty, the Wise. But if they turn back, then surely Allah knows the mischief-makers.   Say: O followers of the Book! come to an equitable proposition between us and you that we shall not serve any but Allah and (that) we shall not associate aught with Him, and (that) some of us shall not take others for lords besides Allah; but if they turn back, then say: Bear witness that we are Muslims.

Mr. President,

According to divine verses, we have all been called upon to worship one God
and follow the teachings of divine Prophets.

"To worship a God which is above all powers in the world and can do all He
pleases." "The Lord which knows that which is hidden and visible, the past
and the future, knows what goes on in the Hearts of His servants and records
their deeds."

"The Lord who is the possessor of the heavens and the earth and all universe
is His court" "planning for the universe is done by His hands, and gives His
servants the glad tidings of mercy and forgiveness of sins" "He is the
companion of the oppressed and the enemy of oppressors" "He is the
Compassionate, the Merciful" "He is the recourse of the faithful and guides
them towards the light from darkness" "He is witness to the actions of His
servants" "He calls on servants to be faithful and do good deeds, and asks
them to stay on the path of righteousness and remain steadfast" "Calls on
servants to heed His prophets and He is a witness to their deeds" "A bad
ending belongs only to those who have chosen the life of this world and
disobey Him and oppress His servants" and "A good end and eternal paradise
belong to those servants who fear His majesty and do not follow their
lascivious selves."

We believe a return to the teachings of the divine prophets is the only road
leading to salvation. I have been told that Your Excellency follows the
teachings of Jesus (PBUH) and believes in the divine promise of the rule of
the righteous on Earth.

We also believe that Jesus Christ (PBUH) was one of the great prophets of
the Almighty. He has been repeatedly praised in the Koran. Jesus (PBUH) has
been quoted in Koran as well: [19.36] And surely Allah is my Lord and your
Lord, therefore serve Him; this is the right path. Marium [Mary]
Service to and obedience of the Almighty is the credo of all divine
messengers.

The God of all people in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, the Pacific and the
rest of the world is one. He is the Almighty who wants to guide and give
dignity to all His servants. He has given greatness to Humans.

We again read in the Holy Book: "The Almighty God sent His prophets with
miracles and clear signs to guide the people and show them divine signs and
purify them from sins and pollutions. And He sent the Book and the balance
so that the people display justice and avoid the rebellious".

All of the above verses can be seen, one way or the other, in the Good Book
as well.

Divine prophets have promised:
The day will come when all humans will congregate before the court of the
Almighty, so that their deeds are examined. The good will be directed
towards Haven and evildoers will meet divine retribution.

I trust both of us believe in such a day, but it will not be easy to calculate the actions of
rulers, because we must be answerable to our nations and all others whose
lives have been directly or indirectly affected by our actions.

All prophets, speak of peace and tranquility for man -- based on monotheism,
justice and respect for human dignity.

Do you not think that if all of us come to believe in and abide by these
principles, that is, monotheism, worship of God, justice, respect for the
dignity of man, belief in the Last Day, we can overcome the present problems
of the world -- that are the result of disobedience to the Almighty and the
teachings of prophets - and improve our performance?

Do you not think that belief in these principles promotes and guarantees
peace, friendship and justice?

Do you not think that the aforementioned written or unwritten principles are
universally respected?

Will you not accept this invitation? That is, a genuine return to the
teachings of prophets, to monotheism and justice, to preserve human dignity
and obedience to the Almighty and His prophets?

For those who understand Islam, the above statement to President Bush is a veiled threat, which is consistent with the Koran’s teaching to give the infidel a chance to become a Muslim, but if they refuse, then kill them.

3.18-22 Allah bears witness that there is no god but He, and (so do) the angels and those possessed of knowledge, maintaining His creation with justice; there is no god but He, the Mighty, the Wise. Surely the (true) religion with Allah is Islam, and those to whom the Book had been given [Jews and Christians with their Bible] did not show opposition but after knowledge had come to them, out of envy among themselves; and whoever disbelieves in the communications of Allah then surely Allah is quick in reckoning. But if they dispute with you, say: I have submitted myself entirely to Allah and (so) every one who follows me; and say to those who have been given the Book [Christians and Jews] and the unlearned people [pagans]: Do you submit yourselves? [Have you turned from Judaism, Christianity and paganism, and submitted to Islam?] So if they submit then indeed they follow the right way; and if they turn back, then upon you is only the delivery of the message [kill them wherever you find them] and Allah sees the servants.   Surely (as for) those who disbelieve in the communications of Allah and slay the prophets unjustly and slay those among men who enjoin justice, announce to them a painful chastisement. Those are they whose works shall become null in this world as well as the hereafter, and they shall have no helpers.

Mr. President,
History tells us that repressive and cruel governments do not survive. God
has entrusted the fate of men to them. The Almighty has not left the
universe and humanity to their own devices.

Many things have happened contrary to the wishes and plans of governments.
These tell us that there is a higher power at work and all events are
determined by Him.

Can one deny the signs of change in the world today?

Is the situation of the world today comparable to that of ten years ago?

Changes happen fast and come at a furious pace.

The people of the world are not happy with the status quo and pay little
heed to the promises and comments made by a number of influential world
leaders. Many people around the world feel insecure and oppose the spreading
of insecurity and war and do not approve of and accept dubious policies.
The people are protesting the increasing gap between the haves and the
have-nots and the rich and poor countries.

The people are disgusted with increasing corruption.

The people of many countries are angry about the attacks on their cultural
foundations and the disintegration of families. They are equally dismayed
with the fading of care and compassion. The people of the world have no
faith in international organizations, because their rights are not advocated
by these organizations.

Liberalism and Western style democracy have not been able to help realize
the ideals of humanity. Today these two concepts have failed. Those with
insight can already hear the sounds of the shattering and fall of the
ideology and thoughts of the Liberal democratic systems.

We increasingly see that people around the world are flocking towards a main
focal point -- that is the Almighty God. Undoubtedly through faith in God
and the teachings of the prophets, the people will conquer their problems.
My question for you is: "Do you not want to join them?"

Mr. President,
Whether we like it or not, the world is gravitating towards faith in the
Almighty and justice and the will of God will prevail over all things.

When considering the following verses in the Koran it becomes clear that this is a warning to convert or else.

8.38-40 Say to those who disbelieve, if they desist, that which is past shall be forgiven to them; and if they return, then what happened to the ancients has already passed.  And fight with them until there is no more persecution and religion should be only for Allah; but if they desist, then surely Allah sees what they do.   And if they turn back, then know that Allah is your Patron; most excellent is the Patron and most excellent the Helper.

21.108-109 Say: It is only revealed to me that your God is one God; will you then submit? But if they turn back, say: I have given you warning in fairness and I do not know whether what you are threatened with is near or far:

That is, this letter is a warning, convert to Islam or be defeated. Our attack might come immediately, or in the future, as we determine is best.

Vasalam Ala Man Ataba'al hoda
Mahmood Ahmadi-Nejad
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran "

The following are additional verses in the Koran which make it clear the fundamentalist Islamic President of Iran is simply doing what he is required to do by Allah (offer peace), before he goes to war with those who refuse to submit.

2.190-193 And fight in the way of Allah with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely Allah does not love those who exceed the limits.   And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out, and persecution [torture] is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the recompense of the unbelievers. But if they desist, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allah [globally], but if they desist [convert to Islam], then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors [those who hold out against submitting to Islam].

3.31-32 Say: If you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your faults, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful   Say: Obey Allah and the Apostle; but if they turn back, then surely Allah does not love the unbelievers [and will use Muslims to kill you].

4.89 They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike; therefore take not from among them friends until they fly (their homes) in Allah's way; but if they turn back, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper.

5.49-51 And that you should judge between them by what Allah has revealed, and do not follow their low desires, and be cautious of them, lest they seduce you from part of what Allah has revealed to you; but if they turn back, then know that Allah desires to afflict them on account of some of their faults; and most surely many of the people are transgressors. Is it then the judgment of (the times of) ignorance that they desire? And who is better than Allah to judge for a people who are sure?   O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.