Mecca August 11th 2003

Mullah Abi

There had been conversations on what to do if this day ever came, debates that took up the whole of the night. Arguments, death threats, and a few actual fist fights, no deaths but emotions ran high. Then the West bank happened... that scared even the most arrogant of us. Baghdad changed even more minds, and then Teheran died, an entire city dead. There would be no surrender, no mercy, no appeasement.

"Sharr."

The arab word for evil, we didn't bother with anything fancy, or go into mythology. If you decide to destroy the most holy site in Islam, then you are evil. There were people of the faith from around the world, Shia, Sunni even... ugh sufi's were here or communicating by phone or internet. This agreement would be considered a binding Fatwa for everyone of the faith, whether they liked it or not.

It was... yeah as horrible as it seemed, it would be settled with a vote, the losers would have to accept the wisdom of the majority.

"All muslims, parahuman or not are welcome to fight the battle, those that die in the fight against Sharr will be recognized as dying as martyrs."

This was the least controversial part of the Fatwa.

"All sins committed by those who fought against Sharr in defense of Mecca will be recognized as having done a service to Allah, their sins, whatever they maybe are forgiven. Those who hold up past transgressions after their service to Allah will be themselves sinning against Allah."

There were grumbles.

"People of the book, infidels, and atheists will be allowed to fight in defense of Mecca, any who die will be recognized as martyrs and will have earned salvation, likewise past sins will be forgiven."

There were looks of anger.

"Any nation that sends their people to die in defense of Mecca will have their past sins against Islam erased. Any past grievances will be forgiven and forgotten on pain of damnation."

The speaker paused.

"Finally, we recognize that Ironwood is not human, nor is he a member of the faith, and that he has committed grave and horrible sins, but he has shown a desire to repent for his evil deeds. He will be allowed to fight in the battle of Mecca and given a chance to earn Allah's forgiveness."

A few people were forced to sit, the speaker glared at them, we were not going to have another fight, not this close to the battle with Sharr.

"It is not the place of us humans to question Allah's mercy, all of the Endbringers were given a chance to repent, a chance to save themselves from damnation, all but 1 has refused Allah's divine grace. Ironwood is being given a chance to earn his redemption and earn a place amongst the rightous, as for the rest of his family if they don't change they will be judged for their evil deeds, and Sharr... for this affront against Allah he is surely damned."

A speech made in commity, we are at heart a pragmatic people... We looked at our buttons, devices and other machines, one man, one vote. Mullahs, Imams, and millions of the faithful, it was up to Allah now. I grimaced, and sighed.

"I trust in Allah."

I voted yes, I waited, my breath hitched as the votes came in, the Fatwa passed, there were No votes but the Yes side won.

"ON THE 13TH, WE FIGHT FOR ALLAH!"

There was a manic cheer, then we went to our knees, the world was coming to Mecca, Humanity was coming to Mecca and we would pray for victory.