ملف ٧٠٥/١٩١٦ الجزء ٢ "انتفاضة عربية: التقارير العربية؛ تقارير السير م. سايكس" [و‎‎١‎٨‎٠] (٤٥٠/٣٥٧)

secure increased conveniences to the Hajis. He also says that it has been the wish of
the British Government to maintain Moslem dignity in the Holy Places. Does Lord
Crewe think that this is not the case now ? Does he think that the Sultan of Turkey
is not a Moslem ? Does he think that a rebel official of the Sultan of Turkey is capable
\)f becoming the custodian of the Holy Places? Will this rebel command the respect
that the Sultan of Turkey does? We consider the opinion of Lords Crewe and Cromer
as their individual opinions only and not that of the English Government.”
2. Hindu Papers.
The “ Nayak ” (Calcutta) of the 28th June is surprised that the Mussulmans of
Arabia should have risen against the Turkish Government. Turkey is fighting with
great heroism against England, the greatest country in the world; has^ driven a
Christian Power out of Gallipoli and Kut-el-A.mara, and has kept General Xownshend
a prisoner at the latter place. There is, therefore, nothing in the Arab revolt which
may cause rejoicings in the Moslem world. The late Sultan of Turkey did much to
facilitate the pilgrimage to Hejaz. It is a well-known fact that the existence ol Moslem
dominion in the world depends solely on Turkey being victorious in the war, for
otherwise England and Russia will divide Turkey between themselves. The present
situation in Asia Minor is such, that if Russia continues extending her power, and
Turkey is weakened under Hun influence, Mecca will perhaps pass into the hands of the
Christian Huns. England has always been a protector of religions. Arabia has been
obliged to rise against Turkey out of consideration for her own future. Besides, this
event will help the English to weaken German power. The Mussulmans of India and
Eo-ypt are loyal to England; and if the Mussulmans of Arabia also take the British
side Turkey’s downfall will have no effect on Mussulman interests. It will be a very
p-ood thino- if the Holy Places of Mecca and Medina pass into the hands of the Koreish
dynasty, "indeed, the loss of these two places is as disgraceful to Turkey as its possession
by the Koreish dynasty will enhance the dignity of the Moslem world.
The “ Damik Bharat Mitra 5 (Calcutta) ol the 2 nd July says .
The Moslem League has protested against the Declaration of Independence by the
Sherif of Mecca. This feeling of the League seems to be shared by all thoughtiul
Indian Moslems, but Lord Crewe and Lord Cromer have expressed their approval of
the Sherif’s conduct. It would not be well for us to express our opinion on the subject
because it is a question which has close connection with the spiritual requirements of
the Moslems who do not want that their Holy Places should pass out of the hands of
t p “n? custodians of the heritage left by the Prophet There - ample histonea
evidence to show that the Sherif of Mecca has never been held m honour by the
Moslems.
The “ Hitavadi ” (Calcutta) of the 30th June does not exactly know whether the
fact of traWa throwing off the Turkish yoke will please or displease the Mussulman
community^ but sincere “Englishman” and other papers are rejoicing over the event
ihe paper is inclined to think that Arabia’s Declaration of Independence is favourable to
the interests of the Allies.
The “Dainik Basumati ” (Calcutta) of the 3rd July is surprised at the hasty
opinion expressed by the All-India Moslem League on the Arab revolt, and observes .
“The a-entlemen responsible for the expression of this opinion do not seem to have
itie gentlemen ^ The Sherif of Mecca is as good a
given the question any careful L ' ^ there anv r e as0 n to suppose
Mussulman as the members of the Moslem L ea ^ " ^ - devotion to £f am .
that the Mussulmans of Arabia and Egypt a 3 / f A2kia a anc [ Eownt what
Now if the Arab revolt can commend itself to the peoples of
can there be in it for the Moslen League to find hiult whh^ The question whether,
after the dethronement of Abdul Kami y th Y e satisfactorily decided
Turks when they deth ^°“ e f 3 d tricf adherents of the Islamic faith, because of their
LTnf in^e |eik-u Alam ^a^the Mussulmans’of iS Th
“they wel nol pre'paredTo accept the Caliphate of the Sultan, so they ought not