After ISIS declared the formation of the ‘Caliph State’ in parts of Iraq and Syria, its leader,’ Al-Baghdadi’, made his first public appearance in a mosque of the Iraqi city of Mussel where he gave the Friday speech on 7/4/2014. His organization committed many massacres against the civilians in Syria and Iraq, and did a favor to the Assad regime by deforming the face of Islam, but also the face of Syrian Revolution and by fighting and hijacking it from the people who started it. Despite all that, he talked in his preach about fighting the evil, protecting the oppressed and working to gain heaven rather than the current life. And as all that hypocrisy was not enough, he appeared wearing an expensive watch, which contradicted his preach.
The Story of the Caliph and the Watch
By Tarif Youssef Agha
The man stood on the pulpit and said
Give me your loyalty as I’m the ‘Promised Caliph’
I’m the one who slaughtered, crucified and whipped you
I’m the one who gave you his word, then broke it
There is no difference between me and the oppressors
My deeds are my witness to what I say
But regarding my fancy watch, the proverb says
‘May the envious eye be punched with a stick’
***
The man stood on the preaching stage and said
Give me your loyalty as obeying me is an order from heaven
I’m the one who never fought the (Assad) regime
I always fought those who protected you
I’m the one who stabbed the Freedom Revolution on the back
I killed and I shed blood
But regarding my fancy watch, the proverb says
‘May the envious eye become blind’
***
The man stood on the preaching stage and said
Give me your loyalty as I’m the ‘Sudden Caliph’
Look into the faith how it is dripping from my (cave man) beard
And look into my followers how they are dripping illiteracy
I’m in front of you and Assad is behind you
In this time of hardship, you will find me the best of the worst
But regarding my fancy watch, it is not my fault
That ‘Sand Timers’ are not available any more
***
The man stood on the preaching stage and said
Give me your loyalty as I’m the Hashimy from the tribe of Rabiaa (Arab origins)
You will recognize me as soon as I wear the turban
I will harvest all the heads that will oppose me
There is no difference between me and the Baath (party) comrades
When massacres call, we all will be at the front line
But regarding my fancy watch, relax
I will pay Zakat (wealth tax) according to the Shariaa (Islamic law)
***
The man stood on the preaching stage and said
Give me your loyalty as I did you a lot of favors
I made you a target to the plans of invasion and partition
I caused the entire world, the East and the West, to hate you
And I helped those who have sectarian plans
I harmed both; the reputation of the religion and that of yours
But regarding my fancy watch, I will keep it
Whether you like it or not
***
A Poem translation
(Can be shared without permission)
Tarif Youssef-Agha
An Expatriate Arab Syrian Writer & Poet
Member of the ‘Syrian Revolutionary Writers Assembly’
Friday July 11, 2014, Houston, Texas
http://sites.google.com/site/tarifspoetry