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Al-Ahram Weekly 25 - 31 March 1999 Issue No. 422 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 25 - 31 March 1999 Issue No. 422
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Focus Profile Features Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters The Pasha and the pilgrims
From the preface by Mohamed Zaki El-IbrashiSultan Selim I was in Cairo in 925AH/1517AD, completing the conquest of Egypt, when he received from the Sharif of Mecca, Mohamed Abul-Barakat, through the mediation of the latter's son, Said Abu Nu'oumi, the keys to the two Holy Cities of which he thereby became the protector, or the servant: Khadim Al-Haramayn Al-Sharifayn. As a testimony of piety, the sovereign then ordered the distribution among the Ashraaf and the poor of Medina and Mecca, by a delegation composed of two qadis [judges] under the leadership of the Emir Musliheddin, the sum of 200,000 florins: this is the origin of the surra [purse].
Previously, furthermore, the Sultans of Egypt had been accustomed to sending every year gifts that they named Sadaqat Misr (or Mahmal) to the Holy Cities. But Turkish historians affirm, based on certain traditions, that Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror had already established the pious custom of the surra shortly after the conquest of Constantinople.
It was therefore of capital importance that the Ottoman Sultans preserve the title "Servant of the two Holy Cities" by maintaining the Caliphate. It is in this respect that the role of Mohamed Ali Pasha became considerable, and his assistance infinitely precious. We perceive here the major reason for which the Sublime Porte decided to bestow upon him the title of Vizir and the office of Vali of Egypt: the need to guarantee his military cooperation to expel the Wahhabites, who so frequently seized the two Holy Cities.
The victories of his son Tussun won them both the Sultan's warm congratulations, as well as gifts: ceremonial robes, swords and daggers of which the hilt was encrusted with precious stones.
In Muharram 1228/1812, the keys of Medina and, a little later, those of Mecca, were sent to Sultan Mahmoud II through Ismail, Mohamed Ali's son. We offer for documentary purposes the translation of the letter dated 15 Rabi' Al-Awwal 1228, in which Mohamed Ali announced the good news, which earned him the title of Ghazi, to the Sultan:
"Charged by my august sovereign with the task of purging the Higaz of the incursions of the Wahhabites, I sent off the expeditionary troops under the orders of my son Tussun Pasha, commander-in-chief of the Higaz, confident of divine favour, convinced of victory through the grace of the Prophet and in the hope that the heretics would all die by the sword. But having heard of the approach of our valiant army, and perceiving that they would be incapable of resisting its irresistible attack, they took flight. The army entered Jedda victoriously on 19 Muharram, and a thousand soldiers were despatched toward Mecca under the command of Ser Sheshma Mustafa Bey. Six days later, they entered the Holy City. The two sons of the rebel Saud having fled in the direction of Taif, our army pursued them and this city was taken.
photo: from Maged Farag, 1866, The Khedivial Post
"My son having informed me in his letter that Mecca and Taif are ours, and the key of the Bayt Al-Haram [the Ka'ba] having reached me, I have the honour of sending it to Your Imperial Majesty through my son Ismail."
From this moment on, the stewardship of the two Holy Cities became one of Mohamed Ali Pasha's concerns, as well as a heavy burden for the Treasury of Egypt. Mohamed Ali Pasha then undertook the pilgrimage, since, starting in Jumad Al-Akhar 1231/1816, his name is always preceded in firmans by the title Al-Hagg. This pious tradition was followed, during his father's lifetime, by Ibrahim Pasha, who was named Shaykh Al-Haram.
Mohamed Ali Pasha safeguarded the decency of public places in the Holy Cities, making sure in particular that no forbidden beverages were sold in the coffee shops, and that no one smoked there. He organised the pilgrimage as Amir Al-Hagg, then as Bash-Bugh of the Jerda [military detachment or expeditionary force]. He established waqfs [endowments] for the benefit of the Holy Cities, opened sabils (fountains), as well as undertaking the repair of sacred tombs, mosques, and madrasas, which he had carried out by Egyptian workers, paying for their voyage and subsistence, and drawing upon the Egyptian Treasury for the monthly stipend of 1,000 piastres given to the engineer sent from Constantinople.
It was not only this occasional expense that Egypt incurred. Mohamed Ali Pasha was also responsible for disbursing to the Sharif of Mecca an annual pension of 25,000 piastres, a sum which had been fixed as early as 1191.
Other donations, in cash and in kind, were also drawn every year from the Egyptian Treasury. Thus, 1,000 gold pieces were given to the Quftan Aghasi, while 366 ardabs of wheat (plus freight and the cost of transport on camel-back or equivalent) were sent to the respective qadis of Mecca and Medina.
Firman 587, dated Jumad Al-Awwal 1249/1833
To (the name is missing), named Mubashir [supervisor] of the troops of the Jerda.
Since it is in the highest interest of the Empire to safeguard the well-being of the pilgrims who are travelling to the Higaz by way of Damascus, he is notified that this task has been accorded, by conferring upon him the title of Bash-Bugh of the Jerda, to Mohamed Ali Pasha, Wali of Egypt, who, in conformity with the orders given and in accordance with ancient custom, will send one of his emissarys with a large contingent of troops, who will march to the vicinity of Medina to meet the pilgrims returning from that city. He will have to advance in the area of Mezerib in order to meet them before they have reached the source of the Hediye. The mutassallims of Jerusalem, Nablus and Gaza, with the Jerda troops they have equipped, and the Sheikh of the Bedouins of Damascus, along with other Bedouin troops, will have to begin their journey at the fixed time in order to meet the above-mentioned emissary; and the mutassallims of the sanjaqs [the Sultanate's military corps] of Jebel Ajlun and Legium [Qasr Awit], with 300 Jerda soldiers on horseback, following a man trusted by the Bash-Bugh, must also, at the fixed time, march to meet the pilgrims, advancing to the above-mentioned source, and beyond, if need be. The Mubashir who, given his experience in similar duties, has been made responsible for the organisation of the Jerda, will ensure that the above-mentioned personnel bring troops chosen in sufficient number and enough supplies for the pilgrims, and also that all depart at the fixed date to arrive at Mezerib in time, where they must unite with the above-mentioned emissary. There the roll will be called, and the list of those present and those absent, established in a signed and sealed official deed, will be sent to Constantinople. The meeting with the emissary of the Bash-Bugh will have to take place a few days before the corresponding date of previous years. From Mezerib they will have to advance to beyond the sources before the arrival of the pilgrims. The Mubashir will have to advance until Ada, where the meeting of the pilgrims with the Jerda will take place. From there, he will have to ensure that the pilgrims' return take place in perfect safety until Damascus. Whoever does not obey all these prescriptions will be punished.
Translated from the French by Pascale Ghazaleh
