File 1707/1924 ‘Arabia:- Jeddah Situation Reports. (1924-1930)’ [‎398r] (800/898)

boundaries were defined, and, secondly, on the desire to put into force in these sacred
lands the laws of the Koran and the traditions of the Prophet,
To any limitation of the Hedjaz I make the following objections. At the present
moment the Hedjaz is still in negotiations for the independence of Arabs in their
countries. Moreover, even without the limitation it can be seen what dangers
abound : as witness Ibn Sand’s ambition in occupying Hail, the capital of the
Amirate of Ibn Rashid, and Jauf, the country of the Sha’lan family, and his attempt
to seize Koweit, his attack on Asir, the princedom of A1 A’idh—not to mention his
attack on the sacred city of Mecca; the attempt of the Imam of San’a to seize the
territory of Ha’id and Tahama belonging to the Shafa’is; the (attack of the) Idrissi
on Hodeida and its vicinity, and his [sic~] institution of a Constitutional Government
whereby the precepts of the Koran and the traditions of the Prophet are set at nought
even in the holy places and replaced by a secular code. I contend that this restriction
of influence is contrary to the laws of Islam, the precepts of religion and the
illustrious traditions, both material and moral. Moreover, it is contrary to
the principles of our revolt, in which the Hedjaz in particular and the Arabs in
general poured out their blood and treasure in their efforts to attain these two
honourable and sacred ends.
You are therefore requested to convey to the above committee, and every one
else whom it may concern, my strong protest, firstly, against the limitation of the
influence of the Hedjaz as explained above, for it will assuredly result in the Arabs
being divided and deprived of their vital and fundamental rights; secondly, against
what is contrary to the rules of the Koran. I hereby reserve my rights of opposition
and disavowal, both material and moral, in everything concerning this question.
HUSSEIN.
October 14, 1924.
His Excellency the British Agent, Jeddah.
(After respects.)
We find it necessary to communicate to you a copy of the above protest made to
the Acting Prime Minister of the Hashimite Government and to the Kaimakam
of Jeddah.
(Compliments.)
October 14, 1924.
Appendix B to Enclosure.
Summary of a Proclamation by Ibn Saud, dated. September 20, 1924, which was
received in Jeddah on October 16, 1924.
The motive prompting the issue of the proclamation is sympathy for the
Moslems and a desire for their welfare, both temporal and spiritual. Every effort
has been made to induce Hussein-bin-Ali to unite the Arabs, but his character was
not to be changed. Evidence of his thoughts is to be found in his acts,^ which are
repugnant, not merely to Moslems, but to non-Moslems too. Instead of following
in the steps of his noble ancestors this man neglected the rights of the Holy Place.
He has shown the greatest zeal in intriguing against Nejd and its people. In his
rashness he even debarred Nejdis from fulfilling one of the five Moslem duties, viz ,
that of performing the pilgrimage—apart from the brutality with which he treated
pilgrims in general. Out of reverence for the House of God we refrained from
interfering in Hedjaz affairs. Unhappily, we did not find similar forbearance in
him. When he was in Transjordania recently his aims became clear to the Moslems,
for he demanded the partition of Nejd and thereby made us despair of attaining
Arab unity. Ibn Saud is unaware of having done anything to provoke this rancour;
he has no desire for the vanities of Hussein or of his people, whether in regard to the
kingdom or to the Caliphate; his sole object is that the word of God may be supreme
and his religion exalted, and that the honour of the Arab world may be safeguarded.
Islamic zeal and Arab patriotism therefore led Ibn Saud and his people to
endeavour, at the risk of loss of life and property, to make the religion of
God supreme and to defend the sacred place. Ibn Saud has sent a force of Moslems
to occupy Taif in order to be near and to have an opportunity to come to
an understanding with his brethren. He wished his readers to know his views; if