ملف ١٩٢٤/١٧٠٧ "الجزيره العربية - تقارير عن الوضع في جدة. (١٩٢٤-١٩٣٠)" [و‎‎٢‎١‎٢] (٨٩٨/٤٢٨)

sst&asts^sr *■* •«*-» ■■
15. More strong still is the denunciation of the Maharqiati ri r AToi i u i j i •
appeal to the Viceroy to. obtain British sunnort i ’ , c , c .J a i , Mahmudabad and his
'Come to Mecca to remonstrate with Ibn Saud over hw ^r” ce f cnbed as inten dmg to
or their rebuilding Certain Tnrh'nn lls 1 bemob tion of tombs and to arrange
oi men reDuiiamg. Certain Indian papers are quoted to show that even amona the Indian
Moslems themselves this appeal for intervention bv a Cln.Vi^ P f
statement from Mohammed ’Irfan secretary of Pip T V m °v ei is deplored. A
length. It denounces interference aS S 18 t° qU ° ted at
take the great responsibility of meddling in such an affair which wodd be Tb eTch™ Imi
promise not to interfere m Hejaz politics. a acn oi tier
f r A^nn ® ev ® nt y thousand pilgrims have now arrived by sea. There is talk of a nilsrimase
of 00,000 Nejdis this year, and fears have been expressed in some quarters At a claToil
ensue when this host meets the Mahmal and its escort. It is impossible, of course to state
at this juncture whether or not the fear is justified. Two facts have a bearing howevA
on the situation. The first is that the Nejdis had last year, and did not take it, as much
TheAelond^tW tAI A yea !’ ° f retall;, ‘ ln g on the Egyptian escort of the Sacred Carpet.
The second is that Ibn Saud must necessarily exert every effort, and all his authority over
his countrymen, to see that no untoward accident occurs. He is justly proud of the se^urhy
he has introduced mto the Hejaz, and a brawl at the pilgrimage would enormously injure
his prestige throughout the Moslem world. The famous Ibn Jalawi, of Hasa, is said to be
coming on pdgriniage this year. If he does come, Ibn Saud may use his influence among
the Ikejdi chieftains as an instrument for keeping order. But nothing can be done about the
Mahmal until the King s return. The Egyptian consul in Jeddah will then discusss with His
Majesty conditions for this year s ceremony and report to his Government, who, in their
urn, lie says, will have to consult the Egyptian ulema. Time for this is getting very short.
. i ' . . . ® P 1 S ri f i:ia o e f rom Persia is again officially discountenanced this year. In an
article criticising an interview with the Persian Minister in Egypt reported in the “ Sivasa,”
o yaiio, the Wahabi position is again dehned. The Wahabis do not interfere, the editor
writes, with the performance of religious duties. They only prevent what is contrary to
religion and the Koran, and only enforce duties clearly laid down, such as public prayer
and the Ramadan fast. As for the question of visits to tombs, it is pointed out that the
orthodox doctrine in this respect was laid down at last year’s Islamic Conference, and visits
which conform to. that are still allowed. Moslems who abide by the Koran and the traditions
are cordially received; but those who insist on practices contrary to religion must not expect
a welcome in the Hejaz. The writer suggests that this is not merely £C Wahabi ” doctrine,
but ordinary Moslem orthodoxy. In this matter, he concludes, Ibn Saud must put his duty
towards God before considerations of worldly policy, whether his relations with Persia and
India are adversely affected or not. The King must place the satisfaction of the Almighty
before the satisfaction of mankind.
18. '. Reports of shortage of water in Mecca are officially denied. There are, at the
present time, in Medina and Mecca, about fifteen deaths from smallpox each week, many, \!\
I understand, among Javanese pilgrims. This is heavier than usual but not, according to
my information, sufficient to be alarming.
19. Administration of all but the simplest matters is now at a standstill in the Hejaz
until Ibn Saud returns.
20. One slave has been sent back to Africa during the period under review.
Jeddah, April 25, 1927.
NORMAN MAYERS,
Acting Agent and Consul.