Barmenistan

[FPC]

The Apostolic Army in Majatra attack town in Northern Ekérge

Breaking: The Apostolic Army have claimed responsibility for a bomb detonated in the town of Nzlluh, situated in Northern Ekérge, Barmenistan. At approximately 12:30 on 12th April, a bomb was detonated in an apartment building inhabited largely by Ahmadists, 4 people were killed and 6 badly injured. The police are still searching for the culprits and the office of the Speaker of the Sultan are still to make an official statement.


Grand Central Apartments, in the aftermath of the attack.

A statement from Jusuv Frj, the leader of the Apostolic Army and Religious Advisor to the Sacred Hosian Union (a political movement in Barmenia), claimed that the bomb was detonated by "a brave Hosian martyr, working under the orders of the Apostolic Army." He claimed this was the first of many attacks under his leadership, and that the AA would not cease until Barmenia is "cleansed of Ahmadi filth."

[Zanz]

Twin Sultans pronounce joint condemnation of Apostolic Army in Majatra

After a terrorist attack in Nzlluh that killed 6 (four in the initial blast, two after critical injuries) and injured 4, Ahmadi Sultan Intrsmor and Felinist Sultan Jemrjkai made their first official act a joint one, condemning the Apostolic Army in Majatra and its leader, Jusuv Frj, who advises a minority political movement, for their role in the deadly blast.

Jusuv Frj and the Apostolic Army in Majatra are exemplary of the savage barbarism inherent in their intolerant and anti-Jelbic cult. Hosianism is a violent and dangerous scourge, and the tolerance shown by our generous father, Sltn Jens I, was abused and exploited. We warn Mr. Frj and all who would follow him: we shall not make the same mistakes.

The young Sultans are believed to be willing to take a much more hard-line stance toward the Apostolic Army than their father was, as he was under heavy pressure from Vanuku and Beiteynu while neither of the Twin Sultans has yet come under scrutiny. It is doubtful that even Vanuku, with a large Hosian minority, will oppose the Twin Sultan's approach toward a terrorist group whose leader has promised "many attacks" that will not cease until "Barmenia is cleansed of Ahmadi filth."

Twin Sultan Jemrjkai meets with representatives of Pontesian Cedar Progressive Party

Delegates from the pro-Jelbic and pro-Felinist Pontesian Cedar Progressive Party met with Twin Sultan Jemrjkai in Varishehr, the symbolic center of the Felinist Sultanate, to discuss the "shared aims" of that party in Pontesi and the Felinist Sultanate. The CPP stands in staunch opposition to the ruling government of Pontesi, and is the inheritor of a party outlawed by that government some time ago.

Twin Sultan Intrsmor, when asked about the visit, stated that the Ahmadi Sultanate supports to interests of the Abuek Pntekai and will work to ensure that Barmenistan is a friend to Jelbicism across the continent. He did, however, note that Twin Sultan Jemrjkai had overstepped his bounds in receiving the delegation in Varishehr, rather than in Sekhmet, where the two might have met the delegation together.

[Polites]

Osean Preacher Dismissed
Kathuran cult leader disgraced


Ismail Rabban was clearly involved in the horrific Hosian terrorist attack

September 4284 - The death of Sultan Jens I has brought political disgrace to his protégé, the cult leader and heretical preacher who claimed Messiahship for himself. The Twin Sultans have initiated a more thorough enforcement of the Sultanate's legislation against cults, and as a result Ismail Rabban was dismissed from his post as advisor to the Sultan, not only due to his status as a cult leader, but also due to his likely involvement in the terrorist activities of the Apostolic Army. Whatever the heretic may claim, he is a prime representative of anti-Jelbic Kathuran nationalism, using universalistic ideals as a weapon against the Jelbicness of Barmenistan. In spite of the "Messiah"'s pacifistic claims, it is clear that his "Ruhi" cult has political and military aims. It has been recently revealed that Ismail's father, Arun Rabban, had been involved in an Osean terrorist organization that sought to overturn the Sultanate's previous religious legislation through violent means, and as the apple does not fall far from the tree the young Kathuran clearly has similar political and religious goals. The heretic's universalistic and pacifistic teachings and his insistence that his "Ruhi" faith lacks political ambitions are thus just a cover for an attempted Hosian takeover of the Sultanate, as Ismail Rabban is seeking to impose his own Osean Hosian Caliphate over Barmenistan, providing a more peaceful veneer for the more openly sectarian goals of the Apostolic Army while leading Ahmadis and Felinists away from the revealed religions and towards Hosian worship. Under these circumstances the Sultanate would do well to initiate a more thorough crackdown on all the new Hosian cults and secure the existence and future of the Jelbic people of Barmenistan.

[Zanz]

Sultan Jemrjkai to marry Juliana Mede

A spokesperson for Felinist Sultan Jemrjkai announced today that the eighteen year old will marry Juliana Mede, whose name has a storied history in Felinist Barmenistan, and whose triumphant return to Barmenistan after her family's over four hundred years in Selucia as a result of the Barmenian Refugee Crisis has been a source of concern among Barmenian Ahmadis. The marriage to the Mede princess will cement the legitimacy of the Thaller-Banmek-Sntazed dynasty in Barmenistan, said the spokesperson for the Sultan, and is a great victory for Felinism in the Twin Sultanates. Juliana Mede is High Priestess of the Temple of Lions, and has quickly become a dramatically popular public figure in Felinist Barmenistan.

"The Sultan is pleased to have the opportunity to marry one as pious, as intelligent, and as catlike as the High Priestess," said the spokesperson. "The Felinist Sultanate can surely expect a great litter of princes and princesses versed in all the most important aspects of our faith, and a secure and righteous future for our nation."

A spokesperson for the Ahmadi Sultan Intrsmor had no immediate comment.

Ismail Rabban, radical cleric, arrested in connection to bombings in Nzlluh and Kazulian Consulate

Ismail Rabban, once a close advisor to Sultan Jens but now known to be an agent of the terrorist Apostolic Army has been arrested in Murdhe by police forces of the Felinist Sultanate.

The disgraced cleric, who preached a treacherous belief in non-violence and universalism designed to lull Sultan Jens into a false sense of security has been irrefutably linked to the terrorist attacks in Nzlluh and at the Kazulian Consulate in Sekhmet, said the forces of Sultan Jemrjkai.

"Though Sultan Jens was misled by the utopian and impossible teachings of the false prophet Ismail Rabban, the Sultan Jemrjkai, versed in the history of Felinism and of its enemies, was not fooled. The false prophet poses a danger to Felinists in the Sultanate as well as to Ahmadis, and has used his deluded mass of followers as tools in a disgusting game designed to rain terror and division upon a nation which has seen far too much of that in its history. He shall be given due process and treated summarily."

[Polites]

OOC: Warning - graphic content

Rabban Executed
Terrorist cult leader crucified


Footage of Ismail Rabban's trial

February 4285 - Following a string of horrific terrorist attacks claimed by the Apostolic Army the Twin Sultanate has taken a hard-line approach towards religious dissidence and violence. As a result, Ismail Rabban, the self-proclaimed Messiah who has misled and deluded millions of Barmenians and even managed to ensnare the late Sultan Jens I, was tried and executed. The heretic was accused of treason, terrorism, blasphemy, national apostasy, and engaging in cultish activities, and most egregiously, due to his partial Mede ancestry, he was accused of aiming to usurp the Thaller dynasty and install his own regime, drawing crowds of naive supporters to his cause by using utopian idealism as a cover for his nefarious political purposes. Due to his threat to the legitimacy of the Felinist Sultan, who recently married a member of the Mede Dynasty and thus solidified the Thaller-Banmek-Sntazed family's claim to the throne, his trial took place at the court of Twin Sultan Jemrjkai. Having been found guilty of all charges brought against him, the terrorist cult leader was sentenced to flogging and death by crucifixion, an ancient penalty brought to traitors in the Selucian-speaking world. As per Barmenian law, the execution of the Osean cult leader was broadcast live, leaving no doubt that the "Messiah" is now dead, and his unspeakable blasphemy lies died with him. His followers have been driven underground, and some have even fled the nation in order to escape rightful punishment for their crimes. Regardless, the head of the snake has been cut, and the body will soon wither and die. The court of Ahmadi Sultan Intrsmor has not yet offered any comment regarding the execution of the cult leader by the Felinist court, but doubtlessly both Twin Sultans can now rejoice that Barmenistan has finally been freed of the cult leader's insanity.


Rabban's final moments

[Polites]

'Ruhi Faith' Carries On
New cult outlives founder


Nasiba Rabban was elected as Caliph of the Messiah

May 4285 - The gruesome public execution of cult leader Ismail Rabban, who stood accused of terrorism and treason, did not seem to extinguish the so-called "Ruhi Faith" he established. After a period of mourning, the 19 Apostles of the Messiah have gathered once again, and aiming to assist the young faith in overcoming the traumatic episode of the founder's death, they have elected Nasiba Rabban (née Shábaz), wife of the executed "Muntadhir", as the first "Caliph of the Messiah". The Caliphate in the heretical cult's view is a strictly spiritual and doctrinal position, with the role of providing an authorized interpretation of the religion's scriptures and safeguarding the Covenant of the Messiah, and implies no political authority. The Dīatēqē Rūḥānētā, one of the Ruhi cult's holy books, also provides for the establishment of a democratically-elected "Universal Spiritual Assembly" as the law-making institution of the faith, to be established once the Caliph finds the necessary conditions have been met. Needless to say, with the small sect in disarray it may take decades before such an ambitious body is ever established, or even at all, Azaeran-willing. The new Caliph appears to be located under the jurisdiction of the Ahmadi Sultan Intrsmor, perhaps harboring some false hope that some sort of sibling rivalry will prevent the Twin Sultans from jointly enforcing the law of the land.

But until the Ahmadi Sultan issues his own policy regarding the living followers of the executed terrorist, the new "Caliph" has a moment of reprieve, which has allowed her to return some semblance of order to the small sect. One of the Caliph's first acts was to organize the departure of one of the "Apostles", Ulugbék Hzar, to Istalia, where local businessman Vito Sarti has initiated the construction of Terra's first Bayt Maqdaš Rūḥān ("Spiritual Temple") for the Ruhi faith, and the "Apostle" is to support the small Istalian Ruhi community and assist in the construction of the Temple. Nasiba Rabban also directed "Apostle" Miranda Qardajaré to travel to Vanuku, where another small local community of the new cult has been established while the heretic was still alive. These actions show that the sect is aiming to overcome the death of its founder and establish itself as an international religion. If the cult is allowed to grow outside the borders of Barmenistan, then any hope of bringing this anti-Jelbic false teaching to an end may soon prove elusive.

[FPC]

Apostolic Army execute first Kazulian hostage
Today the Hosian terrorist group based in Majatra, executed one of two Kazulian prisoners they captured after an attack on the Kazulian Consulate in Barmenia. A video was posted online of the Kazulian born Anders Nelsen, being beaten and then summarily shot in the head. This was in response to a statement by the Kazulian Ministry of Justice which read "Pawl Vraljogadhiko, Abdlrahm Mouzij and Iqbal Amrun will remain under the nation's prison system." The Apostolic Army stated that the second hostage will be executed by Thursday this week if the Kazulians do not change their mind.


Anders Nelsen (Left) and Kristoffer Eriksen (Right) taken prisoner by the Apostolic Army following an attack on the Kazulian Consulate in Barmenia


Kutsyl Hzsrlji Krsyjogad commend execution of Ismail Rabban
A statement from the office of Quddus Buh, leader of the Sacred Hosian Union (Barmenian Political movement with connections to the Apostolic Army):

We commend the execution of this false prophet, he promoted blasphemy and sin and incited innocent Barmenians into sin, driving them towards Satanail. This represents a great step for the spread of Hosianism and gives us hope that one day the people of Majatra will see the light, and can be liberated. Additionally we hope that in the coming years we can gain seats in the Madjlis and begin to influence regional politics in a concrete manner. With the support of Jusuv Frj and his force for liberation and justice, the Apostolic Army, we believe that one day we can truly free Barmenia, from sin.

This comes after two terrorist attacks within two months both committed by the Apostolic Army, who have direct links to the SHU. Both the AA and the SHU have declared themselves against the Thallerist sultanate and many suspect more attacks will come, unless the organisation is destroyed. The upcoming wedding of Juliana Mede and Sultan Jemrjkai has led to increased chatter on monitored on-line forums, however no clear plan has been revealed and no-one can prove that AA officials are involved. Needless to say, the security will be tightened and extra care will be taken to insure everyone's safety at the event.

[Polites]

Westerners Convert to Cult
Western pilgrims visit cult leader


"Caliph" Nasiba Rabban receiving Artanian pilgrims

September 4285 - Following the election of Nasiba Rabban as the leader of the "Ruhi Faith" and after her sending "apostles" throughout Terra, a number of pilgrims have arrived in Barmenistan to visit the Caliph and to mourn the death of the "Messiah". The small group of pilgrims is composed mostly of upper-class Artanians, intrigued by the universalistic message of the new religion and impressed by the "martyrdom" of the terrorist leader, proving that the "Ruhi" faith is a colonialist plot initiated by the World Congress with the aim of destabilizing the Jelbic Union, removing the vitality of the Jelbic religions, and forcefully bringing the Jelbic nations and all of Terra under a global totalitarian Caliphate run by the World Congress. The executed terrorist leader himself had once sent a letter to the World Congress calling for the creation of a Terra-wide federation and the abandonment of national pride, with the clear aim of diluting and ultimately extinguishing Jelbic identity and language.

In another attempt at misleading not only Ahmadis and Felinists, but followers of all religions, the Caliph has offered some doctrinal clarifications about the role of "Messiahs" in the Ruhi cult's view. Elaborating on the concept of progressive revelation established in the "Book of Knowledge" and the Ruhi belief that religious truth is relative and not absolute, the Caliph officially recognized such diverse religious figures like Terek, Shapur, Bahram Bidar, or Putera as Messiahs, in addition to the prophets of the Qedarite (OOC: Abrahamic) faiths. The goal of the false Caliph is obvious: she aims to destroy all religions, induce doubt in divine revelation, and unify the world under a totalitarian dictatorship based on her late husband's theocratic ideals. Given that the World Congress is a tool in the hands of Istalia and other imperialist powers, the development of a religion that sees that antinational body with favorable eyes is a major threat to all divine and human laws and must be eradicated as soon as possible.

[Zanz]

Barmenistan Security Service raids presumed hiding place of Apostolic Army, Kazulian hostage not located

Barmenistan Security Service forces raided a compound in the hill country of Sisle Yntmk late last night according to a statement from the Ahmadi Sultanate, but were unable to locate Kristoffer Eriksen, the Kazulian hostage taken during an attack by the Apostolic Army in Majatra on the Kazulian consulate in Sekhmet. The Apostolic Army has threatened to kill Eriksen if the Kazulian government does not release certain Apostolic Army prisoners currently in custody.

The Ahmadi and Felinist Sultanates have worked closely in concert with the Kazulian government to locate Eriksen, read the Ahmadi Sultanate's statement, and were acting on strong intelligence when they went forward with the raid on the Sisle compound. According to the statement, when BSS forces arrived there was no evidence that Eriksen had ever been there, though anonymous posts on social media and blog sites online have stated that Eriksen was moved immediately prior to the BSS forces' arrival. When asked about this, the Ahmadi Sultanate had no comment. Experts point out that, if it is true that Eriksen was at the compound and was moved, it is likely that a leak in the BSS or government apparatuses to the Apostolic Army may have led the AA to move the hostage.

Twin Sultanates issue warrants for arrest of cult leader Nasiba Rabban, suspends visas for her known associates

Nasiba Rabban is a valid target for arrest in the Felinist Sultanate following Sultan Jemrjkai's pronouncement of a warrant for her arrest as a "treasonous heretic with ties to the Apostolic Army in Majatra." This pronouncement was followed swiftly by a similar pronouncement from Ahmadi Sultan Intrsmor, and the wife of the late false-prophet Ismail Rabban is now wanted across the Twin Sultanates.

Both Sultanates also announced that all visas for known associates of the woman, who styles herself "Caliph," were suspended effective immediately. This came after an alarming reports that in Vanuku and Istalia small groups of devotees had taken to spreading the message of the false prophet Rabban.

While the joint warrants from the Twin Sultans will certainly make life difficult for the so-called "Caliph," her whereabouts are unknown and an arrest is unlikely.

Sultan Intrsmor to marry Ajisha Genzijé Kamék, princess of the Genzid dynasty

After the marriage of Felinist Sultan Jemrjkai to Juliana Mede, whose ancient family has a long claim on rulership in Barmenistan, Ahmadi Sultan Intrsmor announced that his first wife shall be Ajisha Genzijé Kamék, a descendent of the illustrious Genzid dynasty and of the same clan as the Prophet Ahmad, whose blood will lend great legitimacy to the offspring of the Ahmadi Sultan.

The Felinist Sultanate announced that it wishes the Ahmadi Sultan Intrsmor great happiness in marriage and "cautions the Sultan Intrsmor to watch carefully the actions of the new bride, who cannot be blamed directly for the actions of her predecessors, but who is undoubtedly genetically predisposed to violence and intolerance."

[Polites]

'Caliph' Surrenders
Terrorism wife turns herself in


False Caliph Nasiba Rabban in custody

February 4286 - After the Twin Sultans issued a warrant for the arrest of Caliph Nasiba Rabban, the wife of late "prophet" Ismail Rabban, many would have expected a prolonged manhunt to drive the false religion underground and force it away from public eye. But defying common expectations the false Caliph voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement and is now in police custody. Not long before her voluntary arrest the cult leader issued a statement insisting that a core principle of the Ruhi Faith that she currently leads is obedience to one's government, which includes obeying unjust laws insofar as this does not amount to a renunciation of the Ruhi Faith. In the same statement she has also instructed those Ruhis for whom the government suspended visas to not attempt to violate the travel ban and to obey the Sultanate's legislation, no matter how unjust the cultists may find such a course of action.

The arrest of the cult leader, irrespective of the public relations spin the "Caliph" may put on it, is certainly welcome news for the Twin Sultanates, who have been spared the cost of hunting down the hidden terrorist while managing to restrict the cult's movement and activities. Faithful Barmenians are now eagerly awaiting the cultist's trial, which will doubtlessly bring a harsh penalty to the wife of the executed terrorist.