This email forward lists a collection of supposed facts about connections between ancient times and modern day Iraq. The climax of the piece is the claim that a verse in the Islamic holy book the Koran (Quran) predicts the US invasion of Iraq.
The message relies heavily on the final Koran reference for its impact and "wow" factor. According to the message, Chapter 9 Verse 11 (9.11) of the Koran relates how "a son of Arabia" will invoke the "wrath of the Eagle". The son of Arabia is interpreted as referring to deposed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. The eagle references are interpreted as symbolizing the United States and its invasion of Iraq. And of course, the verse number (9.11) is supposedly an eerie connection to the attacks on the World Trade Center. However, a little research soon exposes the claim as totally false. There is no verse in the Koran that refers to the "wrath of the eagle" or any other elements contained in the "verse" quoted in the message. Chapter 9 Verse 11 of the Koran is concerned with repentance and charity. Abdullah Yusuf Ali's translation Of The Holy Qur'an, records Verse 11 as:
But (even so), if they repent, establish regular prayers, and practise regular charity,- they are your brethren in Faith: (thus) do We explain the Signs in detail, for those who understand.
