Ahmadinejad and Ali Akbar, peas in a pod

Let's not be judgmental about this.

By ALI AKBAR DAREINI, Associated Press Writer

TEHRAN, Iran - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday the Holocaust is a "myth" that Europeans have used to create a Jewish state in the heart of the Islamic world.

"Today, they have created a myth in the name of Holocaust and consider it to be above God, religion and the prophets," Ahmadinejad told thousands of people in the southeastern city of Zahedan.

The Iranian president previously expressed doubt that the Nazi destruction of six million European Jews during World War II had occurred. But Wednesday was the first time he publicly denied the Holocaust.

Ahmadinejad provoked an international outcry in October when he called for Israel to be "wiped off the map."

Touring southeast Iran, Ahmadinejad said that if Europeans insist the Holocaust did happen, then they are responsible and should pay the price.

"If you committed this big crime, then why should the oppressed Palestinian nation pay the price?" Ahmadinejad asked rhetorically.

"This is our proposal: if you committed the crime, then give a part of your own land in Europe, the United States, Canada or Alaska to them so that the Jews can establish their country," he said, developing a theme he raised in Saudi Arabia last week.

Germany and Israel condemned the remark, with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier calling it "shocking and unacceptable."

Wow! Don't get too upset Frank-Walter. That's almost as strong as the rhetoric you Europeans saved for Tookie's execution.

Here, try this:

"Ahmadinejad is a dangerous lunatic. He is a threat to world peace who must be stopped using force."

Actually, this is the umpteenth time Ahmadinejad has denied the Holocaust. Maybe ALI AKBAR has some sort of agenda?

Ali is the central figure at the origin of the Shia / Sunni split which occurred in the decades immediately following the death of the Prophet in 632. Sunnis regard Ali as the fourth and last of the "rightly guided caliphs" (successors to Mohammed (pbuh) as leader of the Muslims) following on from Abu Bakr 632-634, Umar 634-644 and Uthman 644-656. Shias feel that Ali should have been the first caliph and that the caliphate should pass down only to direct descendants of Mohammed (pbuh) via Ali and Fatima, They often refer to themselves as ahl al bayt or "people of the house" [of the prophet].

"Akbar" means "greater" or "greatest."

NOTE: "Islamic world" is not in quotes. That's ALI AKBAR's opinion. There is a Dar al Harb and a Dar al Islam, according to ALI AKBAR. Forget centuries of enlightenment. We're back to the future for some old-fashioned religious warfare, Templar Style.