In early-July, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made his first appearance to the world as the newly declared caliph (Islamic leader) of ISIS, now known as the Islamic State (or simply “IS”).  According to IS spokesman, Abu Mohammad al-Adnani, “The Islamic State decided to establish an Islamic caliphate and to designate a caliph for the state of Muslims. The jihadist cleric Baghdadi was designated the caliph of the Muslims.”

The 43-year-old Baghdadi was born in Samarra Iraq, and attained a PhD in Islamic studies at the University of Islamic Sciences near Baghdad.  Still studying in March 2003 when the US invaded Iraq, Baghdadi was not known to be connected to al-Qaeda.  However, by 2005 he was identified as a mid-ranking terrorist figure, captured and held in an American detention center in southern Iraq, but later released.  During his detention he was transformed into a devout Muslim, committed to jihad.  Later, he was believed to have been killed in a US strike on the Iraq-Syria border, but that proved not to be the case.

He assumed leadership of an al-Qaeda branch when then-leader Abu Omar al-Baghdadi was killed in a US raid near Fallujah.  More recently, in Baghdadi’s determination to trump his rivals while establishing a Sunni caliphate in Syria and Iraq, he has repeatedly defied al-Qaeda leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, by refusing to recognize his authority.  In addition, he has declared ISIS authority over Jabhat al-Nusra in Syria, and has set up his base of operations in the eastern Syrian city of Raqaa.

For a moment, let’s put aside Baghdadi’s pursuit of power, influence, and authority to widen our perspective.  In the broadest perspective, Scripture consistently describes conflict between the descendants of Isaac (Jews) and the descendants of Ishmail (Arabs).  (For example, Genesis 16-17, Psalm 83,  Jeremiah 49, 2 Kings 17-20)  Thus, there is little surprise when conflict erupts between Jews and Arabs.

What is more confusing, though, is the consistent conflict between Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims.  The battle being waged in Iraq right now is Sunni-Shi’ite driven.  United against Jews, but very bitter rivals between themselves, each pursues the power and prestige that Islamic theology seems to demand.  Thus, Sunni ISIS is growing in numbers as oppressed Iraqi Sunni citizens see this as a chance to break free from Shi’ite leadership in Iraq.  Iraqi government leaders, on the other hand, look to Shi’ite-strong Iran to prop up and maintain their control in Iraq.

Thus, we see and understand (at least to some degree) Israeli-Arab conflict and Sunni-Shia conflict.  But Baghdadi’s rise to power has illustrated Sunni-Sunni conflict.  ISIS and al-Qaeda are both Sunni, and in fact, al-Qaeda birthed ISIS.  Yet, the pursuit of power and influence has drawn even Muslims of the same Islamic persuasion into power struggles for “religious” reasons.  Consider this statement on terrorism from Baghdadi’s speech:

“Terrorism is to worship Allah as He ordered you. Terrorism is to refuse humiliation, subjugation, and subordination. Terrorism is for the Muslim to live as a Muslim, honourably with might and freedom. Terrorism is to insist upon your rights and not give them up.”
(Middle East Eye, accessed 9/26/14)

So, who is this man?  At least for the moment, he is the world’s #1 terrorist.  The US has put a $10 million price on his head, and most believe he has surpassed al-Qaeda’s Zawahiri in both financial and military power among radical Islamists.

Please pray for world leaders who are making moment-by-moment decisions regarding how to deal with ISIS and their radical leader.  The hope of our world today lies not in military might, but in our Lord Jesus Christ.  May He grant grace and wisdom to world leaders, and may we live our lives in readiness of His return.