Chapter Four: the Islamic televangelist coded in association
The sun was setting over Massawa, the ancient port city on the coast of Eritrea, casting long shadows over the crumbling Ottoman architecture that lined the narrow streets. Known as the "Pearl of the Red Sea," Massawa had been a critical hub for centuries, from its days as a center of trade in the Ottoman Empire to its modern role as a key point in East African geopolitics.
Yusuf sat in the back of a battered Jeep as it rolled through the crowded streets toward the port, his mind heavy with the weight of the meeting ahead. His older brother, Ismail, had spoken of this man for months: Hassan Afewerki, the nephew of Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki, the long-reigning autocrat who had held a tight grip on the country since its independence in 1993. Isaias was a ruthless leader, both revered and feared, known for his iron fist and his vision of Eritrea as a self-reliant, unyielding nation amidst a sea of foreign interests.
For years, President Afewerki had kept Eritrea isolated from much of the world, cutting off foreign media and maintaining a notoriously brutal regime. But despite his harsh methods, he had loyalists, and his family wielded power like a sword. Hassan, though not as publicly known as his uncle, had long been involved in the shadows—rumored to be a key figure in arms deals and other covert operations. But today, Hassan was meeting Yusuf for something different, something far more important than any political or military maneuver.
Hassan had discovered something buried in the Quran, something so profound that it could reshape how millions of Muslims understood their faith: Code 19.
The Jeep stopped near the coastline, and Yusuf stepped out, inhaling the salt-tinged air of the Red Sea. Hassan was waiting for him by the pier, his wiry frame barely visible in the fading light. His expression was tense, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings, as if someone might be listening.
"As-salamu alaykum," Hassan greeted Yusuf in a hushed voice.
"Wa alaykum as-salam," Yusuf replied, moving closer. He could feel the weight of anticipation in the air, as if the very sea itself held its breath for what was about to be revealed.
Hassan didn't waste any time. "We're being watched," he muttered, gesturing for Yusuf to follow him toward a small boat moored at the dock. "But it's fine. They don't know why we're really here. They think it's just another meeting about arms deals or some trade agreement."
The boat was nondescript, its hull worn from years of use. They climbed aboard, and the captain steered them out into the open water. The city of Massawa grew smaller in the distance as they made their way toward the deeper, quieter parts of the sea.
Hassan leaned in closer once they were out of earshot of the port. "The code is real," he said, his voice laced with urgency. "The Quran is more than just a holy book, Yusuf. It's a divine message encrypted in ways that most Muslims have never understood. Code 19 proves it."
Yusuf had heard whispers of Code 19 before, but it had always seemed like a fringe theory, something people debated in small, obscure circles. Yet Hassan spoke with the fervor of a man who had uncovered a buried treasure.
"Tell me more," Yusuf urged.
Hassan's face lit up as he launched into his explanation. "It all goes back to Surah 74:30, where it says, 'Over it are nineteen [angels].' The number 19 is the key. It's a code embedded throughout the Quran, from the structure of verses to the frequency of letters. Dr. Rashad Khalifa uncovered this in the 1970s, and he showed that the Quran is mathematically constructed using multiples of 19."
Yusuf nodded, recalling some of the claims made by Khalifa. "But what does it mean for us now?"
Hassan leaned forward, lowering his voice. "It means everything. The number 19 governs the very essence of the Quran, proving its divine origin. The Bismillah—'In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful'—has 19 letters. The arrangement of chapters, verses, everything points back to this code. But it's more than just mathematics. It's a sign, a message that has been hidden from the masses for centuries. And it's been kept hidden by the very people who want to control Islam—the ones who push the Hadith."
Yusuf's heart pounded. He had always been wary of the Hadith, following his brother Ismail's teachings that the Quran alone was the final authority. But to hear Hassan speak of a conspiracy to suppress the truth was something altogether different.
"The Hadith," Hassan spat the word as if it left a bitter taste in his mouth. "It was never meant to be followed. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, warned us not to write down anything but the Quran. Yet here we are, with scholars and leaders insisting that the Hadith is necessary. They've used it to control the faithful, to manipulate Islam."
Yusuf thought of Ismail, of the way his brother railed against the Hadith in every conversation, citing verses from the Quran to support his arguments. Ismail had long claimed that the Hadith was a tool of colonialism, a way for rulers to impose their own interpretations of Islam. And now Hassan was saying the same thing.
"But how can we spread this message?" Yusuf asked. "How do we convince people that Code 19 is real?"
Hassan smiled, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Televangelism. We take a page from the Christians. They've built an empire on broadcasting their faith through television, through charisma and spectacle. We'll do the same. But instead of preaching about prosperity and salvation, we'll show the miracles of the Quran. The scientific truths, the mathematical precision—things that people can't deny. We'll use this to show them that Islam is the truth, but only if they follow the Quran alone."
Yusuf felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. The idea was bold, revolutionary even. But it was also dangerous. Eritrea was not a place where new ideas were easily accepted, especially ideas that could undermine the very foundation of Islamic authority.
"And your uncle?" Yusuf asked carefully. "President Afewerki—does he know?"
Hassan's face darkened. "He knows enough. He's aware of Code 19, but he won't let it see the light of day. He knows that if people start questioning the Hadith, they'll start questioning the government, the religious authorities. He's not going to let that happen."
Yusuf nodded, understanding now why they had to meet in secret, why Hassan had been so cautious. President Isaias Afewerki was a shrewd man, and he would not tolerate anything that threatened his control over the country—or its religion.
As the boat glided over the calm waters of the Red Sea, Yusuf's mind raced. Hassan's plan was ambitious, and if they succeeded, it could change the face of Islam forever. But there would be risks—serious risks. The kind that could get them killed.
But for now, Yusuf kept his thoughts to himself. He would see where this journey led, and whether Code 19 was truly the key to unlocking the mysteries of the Quran—or a dangerous road to ruin.