File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎31r] (59/450)

I beg to say, first of all, that I have no connection whatever with the British
Government. I am not in its service and do not hold any position under it. From the
day that the Sherif started the movement in Hejaz I have intended to express my
opinion publicly, but I have had to postpone doing so on account of my time being
limited, and also on account of Ramadan. I say now that we Moslems must let our
^intellect guide us and our thoughts rule our actions in this grave matter, in order that
we should avoid partiality and follow the right path. We must always adopt the
truth. .
It is a well-known fact that the Ka’aba is the sanctuary of every Moslem. It is
our belief that the sun of Islam will dawn ultimately upon the plains which weie uhe
first to see it rise. The holy revolt bears witness to this. There is not a country m
the Islamic world like the Hejaz, whose ulemas and notables are the fittest’ co gi\ e an
opinion in this matter. . Therefore it is our duty to consult them regarding the e\ents
taking place in their country, and enquire <>f them whether they approve. ^ I can but
think°that they have given their consent and that they are the supporters of the revolt. ,
We firmly believe and witness before God and all men that the Fmir^and Sneni or |
Holy Mecca is one of the greatest-ulemas and a leader of Islam. God forbid that he j
should commit an action that is not in accordance with Shariaat or contrary to the i
evident truth. _ .. .
The caliphate or leadership can be obtained in three ways; hirst, by election
resulting from the unanimous proclamation by Moslems like that of Abu- tj.iki ;
secondly, by succession, as in the case of Omar Ibn Khattab; thirdly, by authority em
power like the Amawis and Abbasides. They were all Arabs from Koreish, and to all
of them could be adapted the words of the Prophet: “ The leadership wnl remain m
sli ^
The Turks do not possess any of the above-mentioned qualifications, therefore the
Sherif of Mecca is lawfully entitled to the caliphate, and not the Turkish sultan. ^
The supposition of some Indian Moslems that this revolt was engineered _ by
Christian Powers who will eventually interfere with affairs in Hejaz has no foundation,
and it is a crime before God to harbour such a thought. The people of the Hejaz who
have undertaken this revolt are more firm in their faith than those woo^ entertain
doubts, and more vigilant over the preservation of Islam. They will never allow any
interference by the English or others. . . „
Tell me, oh reader, what is the advantage that Christians can expect irom
occupying a barren land and a country that cannot bring any material oeneht It
Christians had any evil intentions with regard to those places they would have acred at
the time the Turks proclaimed a Holy War in obedience to the Germans and for the
latter’s benefit. But the Allies never gave a thought to an attack in Hejaz, and thus
proved that they had no religious hatred. ^
Besides, if our brothers from Hejaz had asked the British Government to sen
them Christian troops we should have had grounds to suspect them, but as Jong as
Moslem troops are fighting we have no reason to blame them. If^ someone says that
the Moslem soldiers do not know how to manipulate guns, we should not take the
slightest 'notice of him ; the courage and heroism of the Arabs are too well known.
Others may say that the Arabs are incapable of organising a Government^ ot mstitu mg
a political administration, and introducing civilisation and progress m He]az^on account
of their lack of experience in great undertakings. We will ask them : Whaw good lave
the Turks ever done in the Holy Places ? And we will add that the existence of a
oreat leader of the Arabs like the actual Sherif is a guarantee for the realisation o
their vital aims and the assurance of security. The Arabs are not traitors ; they wu e
loyal to their Emir. . . . i
We Moslems of India, must stand compact, and entertain one opinion only with
regard to this great Moslem event. In order to attain this aim we must convoke at
Bombay a meeting of the Mohammedan leaders in India and the Arabs inhmtmg tms
country. This assembly will, in the name of the Moslem Indians send a warning to
the Turkish Government, through a neutral Power, asking it to grant Heiaz full
independence under the rule of the Sherif, If Turkey refuses, the Moslem Indians
will protest vigorously and will help the Arabs to drive the Turks out ot the Holy
Pla ° Another suggestion is that a mission of Indian ulemas, notables, and prominent
personalities should proceed to Hejaz and assemble " n *q he f ^Alrm can
Sherif, in order to discuss matters relating to Islam and the Moslems.
come of this to any of the Powers.
E