Imam Sharik al Jariffa of the Great Southern Mosque in Dubrovnik's Muslim Quarter stood atop a shabbily constructed wooden platform in the center of the Revolutionary Amphitheater, about four blocks from the Mosque itself. The summer heat had driven many outdoors after the conclusion of the friday celebrations. A large crowd of about 1,600 had gathered in the stoney amphitheater to hear Imam al Jariffa give yet another on of his city-famous seasonal sermons, one given at the end of each season to mark the start of a new one. Usually incendiary speeches of about an hour or so, the Imam's words electrified all who listened four times a year. Today's crowd was the largest since the Imam began these sermons, four years ago. This was likely due to the recent religious unrest in the city, mostly between the Muslim and Catholic denominations. The congregation had gathered to hear what his proposed solution to the matter would be. A quiet soon fell over the sweaty crowd of tired people, mostly dirty young men just coming from their jobs at the mines or factories. The Imam took the initiative and stepped up to the podium and began to speak twenty minutes in advance.
"For many a season we have borne the oppressive burden of occupation by an alien sovereign who cares nothing for the plight of the good Muslims who live in the same city as he. Are we second class citizens? Yes! Are we insignificant in the eyes of the Christians? Yes! Has our faith been forgotten and mistreated by our fellow Dalmatians? Yes, brothers! This is no secret to any of you. It matters not whether you are radical or moderate. It matters not whether you are liberal or conservative. It matters not from what place in the Old Lands your family has come. It matters that you are good, pious individuals with wholesome values and good hearts and passionate souls and a God who loves you. This is what matters my brethren. This is what matters."
The Imam paused for a long moment as cheers rose from the already exhilarated crowd. As they calmed down once again, he continued.
"Ten years ago, the Dalmatians led the revolution from which our current government has sprung. Some of you may have served in the war. Certainly all of you were affected by it. It began in this very city, stretching all the way to the Northern regions. After three years, our nation was to be free. But this, my brothers, was not to be. The Catholics, the Jews, the Protestants, the wealthy, the powerful, and the immodest all received this long yearned for liberty. But what of your everyday servant of God? What of he? What of the Muslim who suffers the day to day toils of a society that oppresses the meek and humble for being what they are. You young boys stand before me in ragged clothes, stained from the depravity of the coal mines. You stink of sweat and poverty. You have the odor of the oppressed about you. But I smell this stench and know that it will liberate you. This strength will set you free.You are the catalyst for the spring of our awakening. The 'Man in the Seat', as I like to dub the President, will be overwhelmed by a tidal wave of God-fearers, a surge of faithful defenders of the Prophet's Word! Let us take the country by storm and inaugurate a revolution of our own. This time, we make room for God in this world if heathens and infidels. This time you make names for yourselves and your families. Go and bring prosperity to the land and die for God. This he commands of you! This he begs you to do for the good of all man! This will set the people free in a sea of God's fire! This will be the last season of our discontent!"
He proclaimed these last few lines in a loud, strained voice, barely able to make himself audible above the gleeful clamors of the mesmerized crowd. And with these few simple words, the terror had begun. A youth in the center of the ocean of frenzied people fired off a flare gun, thus signaling the start of something terrible.
Presidential Estate, Dubrovnik. 3:30 PM, the next day
President Sergei Kruic, head of Dalmatian Dubrovnik's central government and Vice Chairman of the Southern Liberal Party, stood before a podium in front of a large paper backdrop with the governmental seal stamped on it. His election three months earlier sparked mass protests in the South after he defeated Jako Brincic, a Muslim conservative. The heavy Muslim population of the South denounced the election as fraudulent and argued that it was merely a referendum on the very religion and culture of Islam. With nearly half his cabinet being Muslim, the debate was a sour and dividing one. The religiously charged issue ignited with the Imam's words. Hours later, thousands of young men of Dubrovnik charged into the streets sparking an orgy of vandalism. Finally, at 6:02 AM the following morning, an explosion rocked the headquarters of the Central Defense Agency, about two blocks from the Parliament House. It was believed that a young man of twenty charged into the building with explosives strapped to his breast. The deaths of 23 CDA personnel resulted from this attack. This set off a wave of similar suicide attacks on public and private institutions across the Dubrovnik region. The Grand Governor Hall, the Krijic Stadium, and Dubrovnik University were all among the many targets that morning. The deadliest were the seven separate attacks at Dubrovnik International Airport, the countries largest airport, killing 346 and wounding over twice as many. Forty-seven of these victims were foreign nationals.
The President now stood before his people on live television and began to deliver a brief national status update to his people.
"My Dalmatian brethren, I have appeared before you twice now since these attacks have begun. I must now deliver even more sobering news. While the last of the attacks on Dubrovnik International Airport have ended, 346 are feared to be dead with untold numbers of wounded. Since these deadly strikes began at 6:02 this morning, 522 of our citizens have perished. An estimated 1,000 have been wounded. As a result, foreign consulates have also been the targets of vicious and unjustified attacks. Our intelligence confirms that Islamic extremists are primarily the perpetrators in these suicide incidents. Violence has now spread across the country as well. Similar attacks, though on a smaller scale, have been reported in Zagvozd, and Marina. We fear an incursion of the violence into Split as well. I can assure you, my fellow Dalmatians, that all attackers will be found and brought to justice. Our defense forces have been mobilized to confront this sudden wave of terror. Elements of the 15th and 17th Home Guards divisions have been dispatched to Dubrovnik and the surrounding regions. Also, I have ordered that all air traffic to Dalmatia must be ceased at once until the violence simmers. I ask my people to remain strong and pray to God during this time of tragedy. I also ask you to place your trust in the government and allow our brave men and women at arms to carry out their defensive duties unhindered. Thank you and may God keep our country safe."
Soon after, a brief statement was delivered from the Executive Office for the international community.
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Sovereign states of the world,
Extremist violence launched by several radical Muslim sects has taken hold of our young, humble country. We fear humanitarian and military crises are not far ahead. A total of 522 of our people have died as of this hour. We therefore request aid in whatever manner possible. Any humanitarian supplies that can be delivered or auxiliary defense troops that can be provided will be well received and for these things we shall be most sincerely grateful. Also, any nations who hold representative residences within our country are advised to bolster their defense contingents within their embassies before more foreign fatalities occur, thus sparking an even graver international incident. Thank you and may God bless you all.
