Modern Parallel in Najaf?

[Malcolm Martin]

Dear All

Does anybody else see a parallel between the current events in Najaf:

- with Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Sistani, the highest ranking Shia
cleric, sorting out a rebellion, and the holding of Najaf, by Muqtada
al-Sadr against the Iraqi President, Ghazi al-Yawer (and his allies),

with the story of Gildas The Wise sorting out the rebellion, and holding
of Glastonbury, by Melwas against Arthur (and his forces)?

Please note - I am not suggesting there is a direct parallel between Ghazi
al-Yawer and Arthur, but rather a parallel between the concept of a (the?)
leading cleric in a country at a particular time, settling a dispute
between two warring parties, one of whom may be said to be in rebellion to
the other.

Please also note: I am NOT, repeat NOT, seeking to start a discussion on
the validity or otherwise of the Iraq war itself - I suspect that there are
as many different views (no doubt some held very strongly) on this as there
are members of this NG, and the validity or otherwise of the Iraq War
would really be well OFF TOPIC HERE. It is only possible parallel(s)
between current events (and not only in Najaf) and the Arthurian Matter
that interest me in this NG.


Kind regards

Malcolm Martin
London, UK

[RodneyFFC]

Malcolm,

Your comparison is very interesting. A number of modern Arthurian fantasy
stories and novels will take a parallel approach to a current or historical
event and put Arthurian characters, motives and the predetermined "Fate" of
certain Arthurian elements, characters and events as the "real" reason
something occurs.
I guess it goes back to the old saying about those who do not learn from
history, or in our case, mythology, which easily can be argued to be a type of
history, are doomed, cursed or fated to repeat it.

Rodney Parrish