Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, a high level Iranian cleric, was more blunt when he addressed worshippers on Oct. 3, describing the situation as God's punishment. "We are happy that the US Economy is in anarchy and the anarchy is reaching Europe," said Jannati. "They are seeing the result of their own ugly doings and God is punishing them."  

Al-Qaeda, America's arch-nemesis in the region, was one of the first to express satisfaction over the financial crisis in a half hour video message early in the month. "The enemies of Islam are facing a crushing defeat, which is beginning to manifest itself in the expanding crisis their economy is experiencing," said American al-Qaeda member Ahmed Gadahn.  

"God has responded to the supplications of the oppressed people," Mufti of Mount Lebanon Sheik Mohammed Ali al-Jouzo told the state-run news agency Thursday. "It is the curse that hits every arrogant power