Ahmed Barzani - Religious Beliefs

Religious Beliefs

Even though he was a renowned and respected Naqshabandi Sufi cleric and spiritual leader, Barzani became infamous for harboring extreme religious eccentricities considered very unusual for an Islamic cleric of his stature. He was central to a religious cult that had nothing to do with Naqshabandi beliefs. In 1927, when Barzan had been brought under administrative control, one of his Mullahs, Mullah Abd al-Rahman began proclaiming Barzani to be god and himself to be his prophet. He further invited Barzani's followers to abandon the Mecca qibla. Mullah Abd al-Rahman was eventually killed by Sheikh Ahmed's brother, Muhammad Sadiq for attempting to substitute Shaykh Ahmad's name and his own in the call to prayer.

About ten weeks later, the Balik tribe announced its attachment to Sheikh Ahmad, recognizing the Sheikh's divinity. In 1931, Barzani's religious eccentricity led to war with an old Naqshabandi rival, Shaykh Rashid of Lolan, leader of the Baradust Kurds. Rashid ordered his clan to attack Barzani villages on July. The ensuing vicious cycle of raids and counter-raids eventually culminated in November with the defeat of the Baradust Kurds, despoliation of their villages and the exile of Rashid to Iran.