There must have been close to a hundred men in that small room. Quiet conversations and furtive glances. Then at one end of the room movement as a door opened and three men stepped out and onto a small raised platform. The gathered men became silent. One of the men I recognized from the governors residence. Imam Nabeel Sharafat, the cleric I had almost punched, looked out over the crowd.

“Salam Alaykum” he greeted us. And many responded “Wa alaykum salam", the traditional greetings of peace exchanged by Muslims with each other.

“My Brothers. I am here to inform you that the preparations for The Day of Ashura and our revenge are nearing completion. We have in hand all that is required. Allah, who is the best of plotters, has blessed us.”

Spontaneous cries of “Allahu Akbar” or “god is great” broke out in the crowd.

“If Allah is wills it, what he has set in motion will bring down death not only on the crusaders, but the apostates as well.

I cried “Allahu Akbar” like the rest and punched my fist in the air.