File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎179v] (356/450)

with the same reverence and respect as they did before the war. This reveren_ nd
respect has nothing to do with the personality of the Sultan, but with his services o
Mecca and Medina. Now, if the Sherif wants to acquire that honour tor pmse
naturally it will be a very great change. Such changes cannot but cause anxie y o
the Moslems.” —
The “Sadaqat” (Calcuttaf of the 2 nd July says
“We have already said that there cannot be any event so sad for the Moslems of
India as the fact that the present war has created a very sad change m the re ations
existing between Britian and Turkey. We are affected by this change simply because
our fate is hound up with that of the two countries in question. _ While one is our
protector, the other is the guardian of the Holy Places. This is why the Indian
Moslems have ever been anxious for the maintenance of good relations between t em.
It is our conviction that if we wish to stand among the rising nations oi the woi d, we
should maintain our connection closely with England, because by loving hei a one we
can reach the summit of our desires. When we look from the Moslem standpoint, then
it becomes clear to us that the solidarity of the Moslems depends upon the met that
the Moslems should make Mecca and Medina the centre of all their hopes and suppli
cations. Under the circumstances, we have to show our deepest respect to the bultan
of Turkey. In spite of this connection with the Sultan, the conduct of the Moslems
since the declaration of war has been so good that even the Imperial Government had
to acknowledge it. This should be considered a severe test of the^ practical loyalty of
the Moslems. Thank God that Moslems have not been found wanting.
“ The Moslems were just becoming used to the new condition of things during the
war when suddenly and in a most unexpected fashion the Declaration of Independence
by the Sherif game upon them like a great surprise. But there is nothing to wonder at
in this. The Turks and Arabs have been at variance for a long time. ^ Taking advantage
of the present difficulties of Turkey, the Arabs want to establish an independent State.
No one can say how far the Sherif will succeed in this. No one, whether a Moslem or
a non-Moslem, can deny this fact: that the action of the Sherif of Mecca is pure and
simple rebellion against Turkey. His action is capable of ho other interpretation.
“ If this rebellion had only a political aspect, then we would have called him a great
rebel like Sir Boger Casement, but in the eyes of the Moslem world the action of the
Sherif is more heinous than this, because this action of his has created the apprehension
that the Holy Places may become the scene of bloodshed.
“It is especially forbidden in the Koran to shed blood kp the^ Holy Places.
Should not then the Sherif be considered an enemy of Islam who is going to involve
these id oly Places ?
“We are extremely grateful to the All-India Moslem League and Maulana Abdul
Bari for expressing their indignation and abhorrence at the conduct of the Sherif of
Mecca, and we hope that other Moslem Anjumans will follow the lead of the Moslem
League. The problem of the Holy Places is a purely religious one and has no
connection with war, and we can deal with it in perfect freedom. We distinctly
remember that when the Italians during the Tripolian war wanted to make an aerial
raid on the Holy Places, the British Government, exerted its influence and prevented
them from doing so. When the British Government has got such a consideration for
the feelings of its Mahommedan subjects, then we believe that it will prevent the Sherif
from doing anything which will endanger the Holy Places.
The “ Sadaqat ” (Calcutta) of the 4th July says :—
“We regret very much that the opinion expressed by Lords Crewe and Cromer in
regard to the rebellion of the Sherif of Mecca and the protection of Holy Places is
altogether against Moslem sentiment, and are at a loss to understand what justification
they had for dealing with the question of the protectorate of the Holy Places of Hejaz
and Mesopotamia, seeing that the British Government itself has declared the present
war as one exclusively prompted by political considerations. It we remember aright,
when an attempt was made to discuss the question in Parliament, the Government
stopped it, and issued a declaration to the effect that the British Government is only
opposed to the present Turkish administration and not to the spiritual headship of the
Sultan of Turkey. We recognise the fact that Turkey did not do well in joining
Germany. It would have been better if she had sided with England. She will have
to suffer for her mistakes. But all this does not in the least affect the spiritual
position of Turkey. Lord Crewe thinks that the action of the Sherif of Mecca will