THE MAHDI’S PROCLAMATIONS IN INDIA.
The proclamation of the Mahdi, which has been found circulating in India, purports to emanate from “ The Slave of God, Maliomed-sl-Mahdi, son of Syed Abdullah,” and is addressed “To his friends who follow him and concur in supporting the true religv ’ The document, 1 ? which, according to Mahomedan fashion, is plentifully interspersed with texts from the Koran, begins by dwelling on the merit of engaging on a holy war, and wains the people that God has forbidden them to accept His enemies a* their superiors “ Learn ye,” it proceeds, “ that God hath chosen mo for the Kilafat-el-Kuhara ” (that is, principal Yiceregency), and “ Mahomed bath given me the joyful news that my companions are equal to kie.” The writer then goBR on to say that he sends Sheikh Othman-el-Bakree, whom he has appointed Holy Ameer of the Bedouin tribes and of all 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 cmsidered to have accompanied me, and Rhall bo included in the honors mentioned above lor my companions.” Then follows a warning address to the people of Souakim. Those who are friendly to the Mahdi are told to leave the town, and go to such place as Sheikh Othmau may point out ; whilst those who fail to do so are threatened with condign punishment. The faithful are then 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 tmall 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 the Arab tribes than for Indian Mussulmans. It is, however, significant that it should have penetrated to India ; and it is clear that the circulation of such appeals to religious fanaticism is dangerous to the peace of the Indian Empire.
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Temuka Leader, Issue 1210, 29 July 1884, Page 3
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336THE MAHDI’S PROCLAMATIONS IN INDIA. Temuka Leader, Issue 1210, 29 July 1884, Page 3
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