From Eliyahu
The book of Daniel foretells major political and military developments
starting with ancient Babylon, followed by Persia, Greece, Rome, and major
political and military events right down to the Latter Days, that is, the
final generation of this Age. Virtually all of these prophecies about
nations and world powers concern those countries and kingdoms that are most
impactful on Israel, the chosen nation of YHWH. Not only that, but these
prophecies unfold a prophetic order of events that help us to know where we
are in the stream of time. This becomes evermore critical the closer to the
End of the Age that we get, due to the fact that some of these upcoming
events require Yah's people to recognize them in prophecy so as to avoid
untoward consequences. When major changes occur on the world stage involving
Israel it behooves us to review the prophetic picture to see how those
changes will effect us.
For years I have been tracking events in the Muslim world around Israel.
This is the major theatre of interest in the prophetic picture. I've been
watching that for decades and I have recognized events I know to be
fulfillment of Bible prophecy. I have also noted certain changes that must
occur before certain prophecies could be fulfilled. I have publicly stated
some of those in advance, and have also predicted what would happen after
such changes would materialize. Tonight I'm sharing one such example from
2016. What I predicted in 2016 has now materialized, and this change
indicates that we are now within only a few years from the Great
Tribulation. This means important steps must be taken now by Yah's people.
My message tonight has to do with the historic Islamic rivalries within the
Islam of the Middle East. While rivalry has been ongoing between Sunni and
Shia Islam for centuries, it intensified with the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
The overthrow of the Shah and the establishment of an Islamic government
under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini marked a turning point. Khomeini's
leadership and the subsequent export of the Iranian Revolution's radical
ideology turned the Muslim world upside down, while the export of terror
around the world has been a menace for decades.
The Shia Crescent
Have you heard of The Shia Crescent? In recent years the term has been used
in Western political discourse to identify areas under Iranian influence or
control, as Iran has sought to unite all Shia Muslims under one banner to
wage jihad on the rest of the world, most notably the USA and Israel. The
success of this Shia initiative demonstrated the political weight of Shia in
the Middle East. Areas in the Shia Crescent include Lebanon, Syria, Bahrain,
Iraq, Iran, Azerbaijan, Yemen, and western Afghanistan.
The Syrian Civil War has been a significant battleground for Sunni-Shia
rivalry. The conflict began as a popular uprising against President Bashar
al-Assad's regime but quickly escalated into a sectarian war. Shia-majority
Iran and its allies, including Hezbollah, supported Assad, while
Sunni-majority countries backed opposition groups. The war has resulted in
widespread sectarian violence with hundreds of thousands killed and the
displacement of millions of people.
In late 2024 the Shia Crescent was largely overthrown in the Hamas/Israel
war. However, it was Sunnis who struck the final blow that toppled the Shia
Crescent with the overthrow of the Assad Regime in Syria. This put the Sunni
Muslims back on top in the Sunni/Shia rivalry. Now the question becomes:
What nation will lead the Sunni Muslims? Also, how will that end up?
Here we note that historically the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East
has been significantly shaped by the rivalry between Turkey and Egypt, both
vying for the preeminent position within the Sunni Muslim world. This
competition has deep historical roots, intertwined with cultural, political,
and religious dimensions, making it a compelling narrative of power and
influence.
Historical Context
The Ottoman Empire, which rose to prominence in the late 13th century, was a
dominant force in the Sunni Muslim world for centuries. As the center of the
caliphate, the Ottoman sultans wielded immense religious authority. Istanbul
(formerly Constantinople) became a hub of Islamic scholarship and culture.
During this period, Egypt was also a significant center of Islamic learning,
particularly in Cairo, home to the renowned Al-Azhar University, one of the
oldest and most esteemed institutions of Islamic learning.
However, the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the subsequent abolition of
the caliphate in 1924 marked a significant shift. Turkey, under Mustafa
Kemal Atatürk, embarked on a path of secularization and modernization,
distancing itself from its Ottoman Islamic heritage. Egypt, on the other
hand, continued to cultivate its religious institutions and became a center
of Sunni Islamic thought, particularly through Al-Azhar.
Modern Rivalry
In contemporary times, the competition between Turkey and Egypt for Sunni
leadership has been driven by both domestic and regional dynamics.
Turkey's Resurgence: Under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and
the Justice and Development Party (AKP), Turkey has experienced a resurgence
of political Islam. Erdoğan's vision of "Neo-Ottomanism" seeks to reassert
Turkey's influence in the Middle East, appealing to shared Islamic heritage
and Ottoman legacy. The AKP government has invested in religious
institutions and promoted Islamic values, positioning Turkey as a defender
of Sunni interests, particularly in opposition to Shia-dominated Iran.
Egypt's Continuity
Egypt, under various regimes, has consistently maintained its role as a key
player in Sunni Islam. Al-Azhar University continues to be a crucial center
of Islamic jurisprudence and education, issuing fatwas and providing Muslim
guidance to the Sunni world. Egypt's leadership has often used Al-Azhar as a
tool to project its religious authority, emphasizing its historical role as
a guardian of somewhat more moderate Sunni Islam.
You might remember that President Obama visited Cairo Egypt on June 4, 2009
and delivered a speech titled "A New Beginning," in which he addressed the
Muslim world. This event was co-hosted by Al-Azhar University, and Cairo
University. That Obama chose Egypt to host his remarks to the whole Muslim
world shows something of the status which Egypt holds there.
