File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎216r] (429/450)

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Effect on other Parts of the Moslem World.
It will be seen that the effect of the Sheriffs action in Morocco, Egypt, and the
Sudan, on the Sunnis of Lower Mesopotamia, and, so far as can be judged from
Jnformation to hand, on the Moslems of Bosnia-Herzegovina, has been very different
>»om that in India and Afghanistan as repoited by the Viceroy.
(1) Morocco. —In a despatch dated 29th June, Mr. Herbert White, His Majesty’s.
Consul-General at Tangier, stated that no excitement had been caused in that part of
Morocco ; that the report of the Sherif’s revolt had passed unnoticed by the majority
of the people, and that among the educated there was uncertainty as to its truth,
German agents having persistently spread about the statement that the report was
devoid of foundation ; that the people of Morocco have no veneration for the Sultan of
Turkey ; that the transfer of the guardianship of the Holy Places would be welcomed
if it were accompanied by an assurance that there would be absolute immunity from
non-Moslem control ; that most importance was attached to the reopening of the road
to the Holy Places ; and that considerable enthusiasm would be aroused in Morocco if
it were announced that pilgrims could proceed to Mecca.
(2) Egypt. —The High Commissioner reported on 11th July that the general
attitude in Egypt in regard to the Sherif remained tranquil. He also reported that,
through an oversight of the censor, an allusion to the violation of the Kaaba had appeared
in the newspaper El Ahram on 9th July, but as it lacked confirmation it had passed
with little or no notice.
The Arab Bureau has put together a number of extracts from the local press which
are of value in estimating the situation :—The Mohaitam of 19th June published the
first notice of trouble in the Hejaz It pointed out that the Arabs had given men,
money, and time to the war and had for their reward been subjected to greater
oppression and renewed attempts to “Ottomanize” their civilisation. The result
being that in the Hejaz the Emirs have arrived at an understanding “ to strive with
“ all their strength to change their present condition. They show us that they are
“ the heirs of the old Arabian spirit, lighting the oppressors as did their forefathers.
“ Idle Committee will now see the fruits of its tyranny.” The Arab Bureau says that
this article “ with its half-veiled allusions to what the whole town was rumouring,
“ was generally thought to be inspired and. created a considerable impression. It
“ declared the direction in which much subsequent comment has run.”
El Akhhar of 25th June says :—“Every Arab who still feels in him the blood of
“ his ancestors, every Moslem on earth who knows how the Turk has scorned and
“ exploited Islam, making its interests subservient to the needs of the policy of his
“ own race, all who love justice and abhor iniquity will rejoice at the rebuilding of
“ Arab independence by the hands of their great Sherif. We hope that the present
“ indications that all Arab Emirs will throw in their lot with him and make his
“ movement universal will be fulfilled.” ' ,
To these quotations may be added another from El Ahram which the Near East
of 14th July reproduces from the Egyptian Gazette of 27th June. This is taken from
an article written by Sheikh Hamid Ibrahim, who, after referring to the different
views taken of the Sheriffs revolt, says :—
“ Arguments cannot change the established fact that the people of Arabia have for a long time past
longed to attain independence, and made various efforts to secure it, owing to the misrule and injustice of
the Turks. Their attempts failed on previous occasions because every one of their Emirs thought himself
fit for the leadership. Matters have uoav changed. The present movement has been started by an Emir
whose superiority cannot be doubted, for he is the influential descendant of the Prophet and the inheritor
of the wisdom, courage, and prudence of his worthy ancestors of the Koreish and Abd IVlunaf. All other
chiefs must bow before the Grand Sherif of Mecca, and follow him in the realisation of the long-cherished
hope of Arab independence and the revival of the old glory of fhe people .... Those among
Moslems who have a sense of fair play wall see that the Sherif’s movement is only right. It cannot be
disapproved, for all that the Moslems of the world desire in this 'respect is to have a safe path in the
Hejaz to the Holy Shrines, and it is to be hoped that the pillage and robbery which prevailed in the
Holy Land of Islam will henceforth cease to exist under the independent rule of the greatest Arab
Emir.”
(3) The Sudan. —The High Commissioner forwarded, on 13th July, a telegram
from the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. stating that so far as then known the Sudanese, of all classes,
universally acclaimed the Sherif’s action as being an Arab and anti-Turkish movement No. 5^6.
to restore the guardianship of the Holy Cities to the Arabs, their lawful and natural
guardians, in a further telegram, received here on IIth July, the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. says that
the incident of the bombardment of the Holy Places had become known in the Sudan
and had evoked yet greater bitterness against the Turks.