File 1647/1918 Pt 1 'Arabia: Hedjaz; Hostel for pilgrims at Mecca; British Representative at Mecca' [‎239r] (320/525)

Content

The item contains correspondence and other papers regarding the planned establishment of a hostel at Mecca to house pilgrims from the British Empire, and the appointment of a British Muslim Representative at Mecca to look after the interests of such pilgrims. Topics discussed include:

• Estimated budgets and considerations over how both the hostel and the representative will be financed, and a proposal to divide the costs between the dependencies and protectorates from which the pilgrims originate
• The pre-existence of hostels in Mecca used by pilgrims from Egypt, and an agreement to instead divide the costs between the Government of India and the Government of the Straits Settlements, with the division being proportional to the average annual numbers of pilgrims originating from each territory
• The British Government’s agreement to contribute to the costs of the representative, but not to that of the hostel
• The appointment of Captain Nasiruddin Ahmed [Naṣīr al-Dīn Aḥmad, also written Nasi-ud-Din Ahmad in the item] as representative, and the temporary appointment of Captain Ajab Khan [‘Ajab(?) Khān] until Ahmed becomes available
• Suggestions that the title ‘British Representative’ might be interpreted as an attempt at political interference in Mecca and the proposed alternative title Mu’in ul-hujjaj il-Hindiyyin (Protector of Indian Pilgrims)
• Ahmed’s arrival at Mecca in June 1920 and meetings with King Hussein of Hejaz [Al-Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī al-Hāshimī]
• Ahmed’s resignation and his opinion that the position is untenable due to Hussein’s antagonistic attitude and placing of police surveillance and other restrictions on him
• A decision not to immediately replace Ahmed and to postpone plans for the hostel.

In addition to Captain Ahmed, the primary correspondents are: the Colonial Office; the Foreign Office; the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. ; the Treasury; the High Commission, Cairo; the Government of India; and the Government of the Straits Settlements.

Extent and format

1 item (260 folios)

Written in

English in Latin script

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