THE MAHDI'S PROCLAMATION.
The Arab rising in El Yemen may be attributed to the proclamation which has been found circulating in the East, which purports to emanate from "The Slave of God, Mahomet-el-Mahdi, son of Syed Abdullah," and is addressed "To his friends who follow him and concur in supporting the true religion." The document, which, according to Mahomedan fashion, is plentifully interspersed with texts from the Koran, begins by dwelling on the merits of engaging in a holy war, and warns the people that God has forbidden them to accept His enemies as their superiors. " Learn ye," it proceeds, " that God hath chosen me for the Kilafat-el-Kuhara" (tbatis, principal Vice-regency) and " Mahomet hath given me the joyful news that my companions are equal to his." The writer then goes on fo say that he sends Sheikh Othman-el-Bakree, whom he hath appointed Holy Ameer of the Bedouin tribes and of the other peoples who follow the path of safety. He directs them. to obey the Sheikh and to give him every assistance, adding " Whoever shall accompany him shall be considered to have accompanied me, and shall be included iu the honours mentioned above for my companions." Then follows a warning address to the people of Souakim. Those who are friendly to the Mahdi are told to ie-ive the town, and go to such place as Sheikh Othman may point out; while those who fail to do so are threatened with condign punishment. The faithful are theu promised victory and the spoil of their enemies, and are exhorted not to fear the strength and numbers of their opponents, because all these are strangers to God, and small parties of men have often overcome large bodies, through God's grace. It would appear from the context that this proclamation was intended rather for tho Arab tribes than for Indian Mussulmans. It is, however, significant that U should hsiv-.-. penetrated to Indit; and •;. is oL-ul-that the circulation of sue!- uppeah; to religious f;inatio~sm is to :b----peace of rbe Indian Empire.
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Bibliographic details
Kumara Times, Issue 2532, 2 August 1884, Page 3
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336THE MAHDI'S PROCLAMATION. Kumara Times, Issue 2532, 2 August 1884, Page 3
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