Indian ambassador writes on 'children of Abraham at war'

The event was attended by a number of ambassadors and diplomats, journalists, academics and government officials. Ahmad’s book, “Children of Abraham at War - The Clash of Messianic Militarisms,” explores the role of Messianic traditions in dividing the Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities in West Asia and other parts of the world, and fomenting hatred and violence between them. The book, consisting of 476 pages, has been brought out by India’s leading New Delhi-based publisher Aakar Books.
Launching the book, Aiyar applauded Ahmad’s deep research into the subject and highlighted the role of Messianism-based animosities, not just in West Asia but globally as well. Aiyar spoke at length about the Palestine issue, and criticized Israel’s settlements policy and the role this has played in hindering progress on the peace process. Aiyar specifically invited attention to the Goldstone Report that had highlighted Israeli violence and destruction in Gaza nearly two years ago and read out excerpts from it from Ahmad’s book. Aiyar pointed out that the book constituted an original contribution to our understanding of the West Asian scenario and the deep-seeded animosities that have bedeviled the region for so many years.
Welcoming guests, Ahmad said that developments in the last few weeks had once again highlighted the role of Messianism in promoting hatred and violence among the adherents of the three principal Semitic traditions. He recalled the recent remarks of an Israeli Rabbi who had prayed for a plague to destroy the Palestinian leadership, and the strong religion-based opposition from some sections of the US community to the setting up of an Islamic Center in New York. At the same time, he pointed out that Al-Qaeda’s ideologue, Ayman Zawahiri, in remarks commemorating the 9/11 events, had reiterated his organization’s commitment to violence against “crusader forces”.
Michael Dwyer, chairman and managing director of the British publishing house, Hurst & Co., has noted that the book has built “a composite picture of a highly influential yet often unacknowledged force in contemporary affairs.”
Professor Abdul Nafey of Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, has described the book as “a well-researched and scientifically argued work of high scholarly quality.” He has also pointed out that given the continuing fratricidal violence in contemporary human societies “the book will remain a valuable resource for years to come.”
Dr. Janardhan, a foreign affairs scholar based in the UAE, has said that the book is “eloquent and insightful, well researched, sensitively analyzed and lucidly presented.”
Ahmad, who joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1974, has served as the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs and headed the Gulf and Haj Divisions. He has worked in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas as additional secretary for international cooperation and as director general of the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA). In his early years in the IFS, Ahmad has served in Indian missions in Kuwait, Baghdad, Sanaa, Jeddah and in the United Arab Emirates prior to his posting to Riyadh, as well as in London and New York.
Ahmad writes and lectures regularly on political Islam, the politics of the Middle East and energy security. His book, "Reform in the Arab World: External Influences and Regional Debates," was published in July 2005. 
The book may be ordered from: Aakar Books, New Delhi. Phone: (+ 91-11) 22795505 Fax: (+91-11) 22795641. Email: aakarbooks@gmail.com.