File 3300/1916 Pt 2 'Aden News Letters:- (Jan. 1917-Dec. 1917)' [‎113r] (225/620)

All this, by God, is disgraceful to the Muhammadan world generally and the
Arab nation especially. Could it be possible, after all this, that reliance could be
placed on any convention of such people and, after their Government had reached
such a stage ? By God such a thing cannot be endured and we are astonished to
see our brothers, and kinsfolk—the happy residents of Yemen—should rest quiet
looking on at the atrocities perpetrated by such a nation whose evil designs have
not been changed and whose wrongful deeds have not been altered. They do not
adhere to any religion and vileness and poverty were stamped upon them in every
part of the world. They have been cleared off from the countries and human
creatures have obtained their comforts. Lo the Arabs of Ivais and Kahtan have
placed themselves under the banners of Bani.Hashim and Adnan -(Saiyids) &nd
have been chasing them in the extensive lands. Oh illustrious and liberal Saiyid,
the opportunity which was never expected is now at hand. It is to be seized by
the teeth.
The conquering party amidst you are not to be taken in reckonings. Ex
terminate them, and cleanse the happy Yemen of their polution before they gain
their time. Supposing peace is concluded by the Powers and they are still amongst
you, they will of course have a strong hold on you. But if they are banished before
such time, you will be your own masters, the hope of regaining your grandfathers’
kingdom will be attained, your ties of relations will be improved, your communica
tion (with each other) will be quickened, the glory of the Arabs will be restored,
and the friendship betwixt your kinsmen the Arab Chiefs of the Peninsula of Arabia
and yourself will be consummated. The state of affairs of the Islam will also pros
per. Could it be possible that the end of a thing is rectified before the beginning
of it is ?
The Almighty God has facilitated the means and has guided us to the right
path. You are the first people to rise in the cause of success and cry out (to the
public) (come unto the Asylum of safety). May God guide us to the righteous
cause. Greeting is the winding up.
No. 217, dated Mecca, (26th A1 Ki’da 1335), the 13th September 1917.
From— Sharif Husain bin Ali, the Sharif, Amir of Mecca and the King of Arabia,
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To— Saiyid Ahmed Ali (of Ta’iz) Shaikh Muhammad Amin, Kaid bin Ahmed (of
the Kojaria), Hasan Ali Muhommad Ali, Hamid Ali and Mansoor Ali (of
’Udani) —all Arab Chiefs in the District of Ta iz.
Praise be to God, the merciful the compassionate.
After compliments. We, as known to all, desire to put none of the Moslims to
any hardship.
With reference to the assistance you referred to, owing to experience earned
they (he probably means the British) are vacillating as to granting such assistance
and at the same time it is feared lest the request for such a thing should be regarded
as an avarice and a means adopted for the gain of advantages, which fact has
already happened, and we swear by the lord of the holy Ka’ba that it is difficult
for us to move in such matters.
We however repeat to you that you should maintain such attitude that might
by the power of the Almighty God—protect you from evil. May God lead you
and us to do what is good.
Dated (27th A1 Ki’da 1335), the 14th September 1917.
From— Saiyid Muhammad bin Alawi As Sakaf, The Shaikh as-Sada of the holy
Mecca,
To—His Excellency Imam Yehia bin Hamid-ud-Din, The Imam of the Zaidis.
After Compliments. We are pleased to receive your letter of 8th Ramadan
1335 (28th duly 1917) which reached us in the end of the month of Shawal (18th
August 1917).