CO129-423 - Governor Sir May - 1915 [7-8] — Page 536

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Manifesto of the Council of the Great Ulemas.

Owing to the present turmoil (wor) the Council of the Great Ulemas assembled together in the Ezher Elsheriff and after due deliberation they have thought it desirable to issue the follow- -ing Manifesto, exhorting Hus sulmen inhabiting these regions (Egypt) to maintain undisturbed tranquility and quietness, and have addressed it to the Ministers of the Kejlis Elnazar (the Cabinet) and ordered it to be published in the daily newspapers. The Mani- -festo runs as followH;“

In the name of the Most Merciful God.. Blessed be God

who warned his creatures not to join in sedition and commanded them to hold aloof from all eval doings and from their effect and consequences. The prayer and salaam upon our prophet Mohammed who taught the people all that is moral and good and enjoined them to shun disturbances, to maintain tranquility in the land and to reject all evil; and the prayer and salaam upon all his disciples who walk-

-ed in his foot-steps and followed his precepts.

All you Mussulmen are aware that the flames of the

present war have spread over many regions and countries whereby the

whole world is greatly affected. Oh! you Egyptians, God has forbid-

-den you, unless you are personally affected, from walking in the

flames of war and has commanded you to protect your habitations

from its resulting harm and evil.

It is, therefore, your duty now to remain tranquil and

maintain calmess, advising each other in that respect, and not

to concern yourselves in things that are not yours. Cod said "0: "true believers, take care of your souls. He who erreth shall not "hurt you, while ye are rightly directed". Be then careful not to interfere in anything which does mt concern or affect you, and so

shun harmful consequences, otherwise you will be throwing your-

-selves into the fire with your own hands. God said "And throw not "yourselves with your own hands into perdition and be good, for God

"loveth those who do good". Avoid the society of the seditious and

the