EL MAHDI AND THE TURKS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2358, 19 March 1884, Page 3

EL MAHDI AND THE TURKS.

■— From a document sent in December last by Osman Dignah, the leader of the rebel Arabs to the commander of the beleaguered Egyptian garrison at Tokar in the Soudan, which document ■was published in the Standard of 3, it would appear that dislike of the Turk has much to do with the rebellion. The letter states :—“ He who denies the Mahdi denies God and the Prophet. He who does not believe in him is a Kaffir, and whoever opposes him will be cursed in both worlds. Be it known that he does nothing except by the order of God and his Prophet, and the jehad which he is waging against the Turks is by order of the Prophet. A vision of the day of judgment has shown the Mahdi that the spirits of the Turks who have been slain will complain to God, saying, ‘ Oh, God, the Mahdi has killed us without cause.’ But Mahomet himself then appears, and says, ‘ Your sins be on your own heads. My Mahdi warned you with full information and proof, but you prepared to follow your own false moolahs.’ The Mahdi says, { Why should we have all this trouble and slaughtering amongst ourselves ? There are the Christians aud Jews to be brought over to Moslem ; these are the races to begin with; Nevertheless, the Turks Will not accept baptism by advice, aud they must therefore be baptised by the sword—all save those who are under the mercy of God. We will kill the Turks, and burn their skins, in spite of all their dignity and power. The Mahdi intends soon to proceed to Egypt, for have not the soldiers in Falak and Kowein, in Kassabah and Mudiryah, all surrendered ?’ ”