I
thought it proper to publish this second declaration for the enlightened
compatriots and learned Muslims, thinking that there might be some doubt about
the endeavours and ideas of ours, the people of he Hijaz, who have started an
action for the reasons stated in the first declaration. I am warning our
brothers in the light of the latest apparent proofs and evidences.
The
foresighted Muslims and the learned, experienced personages of the Ottoman
community and the wise and intelligent ones of the whole world do not approve
of the Ottoman Empire having entered into the General War.[1] There are two reasons for this [disapproval]:
The first reason is domestic: the Supreme Ottoman State had
recently come out from the wars of Trablusgharb [Tripoli] and Balkan, and her
military and economic powers had suffered great fatigue, even ruination, and
the people who were her source of power had become exhausted. The soldiers in
the Ottoman nation had been called under arms for wars one after another just
after they had returned home and started earning the livelihood for their
household, and this situation had become a tragedy for the people. Because the
General War to which the Unionists have recently forced the State is extremely
terrible and destructive compared to the previous wars, it has been very unwise
to have led the people to such a dangerous war by loading the people with heavy
taxes and torturous duties.
The second reason is foreign: the Unionist government has
[1] The First World War.
made a big mistake
in choosing the side on which to take part. The Ottoman Empire is an Islamic
State. The geographical situation of her lands is of great importance and
extends widely. The length of her coastlines is greater than the length of her
borderlines. Therefore, the Ottoman dynasty, those exalted sultans, have almost
always cooperated with those states which have had a Muslim majority and a
dominant naval power. This policy of theirs has nearly always been successful.
The inexperienced, ignorant leaders of the Unionists, being taken in by the
appearance and deceived by baseless, false words, have changed this policy of
the Ottoman sultans (rahmat-Allâhi ’alaihim ajma’în). Those who are able to
distinguish right from wrong and who are well versed in history have foreseen
the bad and very bitter results of this stupid decision and avoided cooperating
with the Unionists. Even I explained my view in detail and tried to warn them
by giving historical examples when my opinion was asked for by telegram about
entering into this last war, this disaster. The answer I then telegraphed is a
sound document showing my ideas, goodwill and loyaltly towards the Empire and
my struggle for the protection of the honour of Islam.
The
bitter, destructive consequences we had feared and piteously told of at the
beginning of the war are coming about now: the border of the Ottoman Empire in
Europe is almost drawn back down to the city walls of Istanbul today; the
vanguards of the Russian army are torturing the Ottoman people in the provinces
of Sivas and Musul; the British army captured the provinces of Basra and
Baghdad; thousands of Ottoman children have been captured in the desert of al-Arish
as the result of Jamâl Pasha’s stupid guidance. There is no doubt that the
faithful compatriots, who see this grievous course and the disaster the Empire
will suffer as a consequence of this course directed by the Unionists, are to
choose between two things:
The
first is [to accept] the eradication of the Ottoman Empire from the [world] map
- her annihilation.
The
second is to find the means of protection against this disastrous annihilation.
I leave it to the whole Muslim world to investigate, to think, to consult one
another, and to make the necessary proposals on this matter.
We
took action rightfully before the dangers encircled the country and annihilated
Muslims. If we could know, or even hope, that we would he helpful to the
country and the nation by being
loyal to this
unconscious, stupid administration of the Ottoman Empire, which is a plaything
in the hands of a dictatorial minority, we would not say anything or move in
any way, but be patient and endure every hardship, even die. But it is very
obvious that this [silence] will do not good but make the situation worse. How
could it not be obvious while there is a hundred-percent probability that if we
follow the way were are forced to follow [by the Unionists], we will suffer the
disaster which the nations who followed such ways have suffered. Is there
anyone who does not see that the Unionists have broken the huge empire into
pieces and put the people into utter trouble? The huge empire is being
sacrificed for the pleasure of Anwar, Jamâl, Tal’ât and their friends.
The
foreign policy of the Ottoman Empire has been the established policy accepted
by the Ottoman sultans over the centuries of experience and consultations with
the notables of the Empire. This policy is the policy of co-operation with the
British and French governments. This policy has always been beneficial to our
State and nation throughout history. Those who made us neglect this policy are
the said Unionist dictators.
Now
we oppose the ignorant, foolish policy and brutal, torturous administration of
the Unionists. We see that the Empire is being led to destruction and we never
approved of it. It should be known by everyone that our opposition is against
Anwar, Jamâl, Tal’ât and their accomplices. Every Muslim approves this just
action. Every compatriot supports and is with us on this right cause. Even the
Head of the Empire, the Caliph of the Faithful, is on our side with his heart
and conscience. The most sound evidence supporting this is that the Walî-’ahd
(Heir to the Throne) Yûsuf ’Izz ad-dîn
Effendi has been attacked and martyred by the Unionists.
I
say again: the great Ottoman Empire is being sacrificed for the evil intentions
and by the destructive actions of these dictators. We seek refuge in Allâhu
ta’âlâ from their wickedness.
I
can't help exposing another evil deed of the Unionists, which warned and made
us take action, for the noble Turkish nation:
Jamâl
Pasha, one of the excessive chiefs of the Unionist society, hangs or shoots to
death whomever he wishes in Damascus. He has founded a night-club in Damascus,
and the daughters of the notable families of the city have been used as
servants in this scandal-house of prostitution and drink during the
orgies he arranged with the officers he ordered to accompany him. Speeches
insulting our national and religious feelings have been yelled out.
Is not this vile
behaviour of his a trampling on the chastity and dignity of Turkish Muslim
women as well as a disregard for the commands in Sûrat an-Nûr of the Qur’ân
al-karîm?
Does not this behaviour of Jamâl Pasha show that the Unionists do not at all
respect the religion of Islam or Turkish and Arabic customs?
I
have mentioned some of the grievous, destructive behaviour of the Unionist
partisans, who lead the people and the Empire to ruination. I write all these
in order to awaken my Muslim brothers living on Ottoman lands and in Muslim
countries, thus to serve my milla [Muslim world] and country. I want to
communicate to my fellow-countrymen that the Unionists are acting out of
caprice wihout thinking of the safety of the Empire and the nation. Let alone
believing and respecting the Divine Orders and Prohibitions, they are even
striving to change and spoil these sacred rules. Therefore, I ask my Muslim
brothers not to support this destructive, discordant, stupid and vile course of
theirs. It is not proper to obey those who disobey Allâhu ta’âlâ and who
oppress men! He who has the power to reverse their actions should try to do so
with his hand, tongue and heart! If there are those who cannot see the harm of
the Unionists and who approve of their actions, I am ready to hear them out.
Our salâm be upon those who are on the right path and who do useful work!
11 Dhu’l-Qa’da, year 1334 [1916]
Amîr
of al-Makkat al-Mukarrama
Sharîf Husain ibn ’Alî
These
two declarations reveal Sharîf Husain Pasha’s sincere intention and whole
faith, as well as his wrong ideas and harmful conclusions. His greatest mistake
was that he could not understand the aggressiveness of the British against
Islam throghout history. [It was certainly wrong to fight against the British
who would dominate the seas and had big power of army and arms. But, to
cooperate with this fierce enemy of Islam is a bigger mistake.] It is seen that
he had not heard about the raid made by the British forces upon Istanbul to
annihilate the Ottomans during the time of Sultan Salim Khân the Third. The
British even barbarously attacked Muslim countries in Asia and Africa and
colonized and exploited them during that same period. They annihilated the
Muslim ’ulamâ’,
Islamic
books, Islamic culture and morals in those countries. The British deceived the
Ottoman Sultan ’Abd al-Majîd Khân (rahmat-Allâhi ’alaih) and placed freemasons
in important posts of the State and started
spoiling the faith
and morals of Muslims through them. These freemasons brought up those who acted
as spies for the British during the First World War. They annihilated the Great
Empire demolishing it both from within and from without. In his book Inhitat-i Islâm, Grand Vizier Sa’îd
Hâlim Pasha wrote in detail how the State was annihilated. Sharîf Husain Pasha
supposed that the most perilous enemy of Islam would help Islam, very probably
because he had not studied the historical evidences.
An influential person like Sharîf Husain Pasha, who understood the evilness of the Unionists, could have done away with Jamâl Pasha and the degenerates hired by the British in Damascus and could have prevented the treachery committed on the Palestinian front by those who fought to win better posts. He could have done this easily. If he had done so, the Ottomans would not have suffered defeat, and a great Hâshimî Muslim state would have been founded on the Arabian Peninsula, and the blessed cities of Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem would have remained in his hands.