What Islamic Iran has achieved vis-à-vis the evil duo, the US and zionist Israel is spectacular. The mismatch in military hardware could not be greater yet Iran has defeated the evil duo and emerged as a new global power.

Islamic Iran has successfully leveraged geography by controlling the Strait of Hormuz and mobilized its masses on the basis of spiritual awakening. It is on the verge of expelling US forces from the region.

Those Muslims not properly grounded in Islamic values can easily miss the importance of sacrifice in Islam. It is a fundamental aspect of life’s struggle for which Allah has promised immense reward.

In his continuing series on the early history of Islam, Abu Dharr sheds light on the role of Talhah ibn Ubaydullah, an early muslim who discharged his battlefield responsibilities with diligence. He was also a successful merchant and generous towards others.

The Strait of Hormuz has become an important weapon in Islamic Iran’s hand vis-à-vis its enemies. On the surface, it now controls tanker traffic and under the sea, it exercises control over data and communications cables. Both are major sources of potential revenue.

The US has fallen into the Vietnam Trap by misreading Iran’s resilience. Tehran is prepared to pay a huge price because capitulation would mean the end of the Islamic government. The US, a materialistic society cannot do so, hence it cannot win.

The UAE ruler, Muhammad bin Zayed is punching way above his weight. His tight embrace of the zionist entity has created fissures in the artificial entity called the United Arab Emirates. It is no longer united but is deeply divided and may disintegrate under the weight of MbZ policies.

The Sisi regime is pressing Al Azhar university to throw its weight behind the Arabian regimes, especially the UAE and against Islamic Iran. Al Azhar stands at a crossroads and can reclaim its past glory of independent scholarship by remaining faithful to Islamic principles.

There is a curious phenomenon that Bani Saud have monetized Hajj, an important Islamic obligation, while complaining about Islamic Iran’s monetization ofthe Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway, for the benefit of the Ummah.

Through technological indigenization, intricate networks across Lebanon and Gaza through local allies, and economic chokepoints, the Islamic Republic of Iran has collectively redefined the cost-benefit analysis of modern war in West Asia.

There are differences between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Their approach to political, economic and strategic issues manifest themselves at the practical level. The Saudis use their position in the OIC to project power; the Emiratis want to claim stability to attract finance.

In this series of articles, ICIT director Zafar Bangash offers his personal reflections on Hajj. These are not related to the performance of the manasik of Hajj but the Bani Saud’s mismanagement of this vital Islamic obligation.

If a mishap happens—and this is a common occurrence during Hajj—the Bani Saud’s default reaction is to close the roads around the area. They do not tell bus drivers where to go, they simply cannot go forward. It creates unnecessary problems and adds to endless confusion.

At every step of the way in performing Hajj, Bani Saud incompetence is the greatest impediment. Despite their decades-long illegal occupation of the Haramayn, they do not seem to have learned anything. Perhaps, they do not care.

Struggling for hotel accommodation in Makkah and then being checked out of it a full 15 hours before our departure from Jeddah was a deliberate fraud. The Saudi operators wanted to save an day’s hotel costs without caring for our comfort or well-being even though we had paid the full cost.

Donald Trump’s Beijing visit was a desperate attempt to seek Chinese help in salvaging America’s declining influence. He came away empty-handed and humiliated. It also signaled the end of US hegemony and the unipolar world order.