RIVALRY BETWEEN THE TWO SAYYIDS, AL-MIRGHANI AND AL-MAHDI

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R001800550005-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 27, 1999
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: August 27, 1948
• Content Type: REPORT

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COUNTRY
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oc.uArtly.UVUTAUL Lobo OtfiGLUZ OilLf 25X1A
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY REPORT NO.
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DATE OF TIN
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Anglo-Egyptian Sudan
Rivalry between the Two Sayylds,
al-Mirghani and al-Mahdi
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CIA LIBRARY
DATE DISTR. 27 August 1948
NO. OF PAGES 11
NO. OF ENCLS.
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SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
Political Position of Savyid Sir Ali al-Mirghani Pasha
dnmft.oran.11..c. MEV 1."MeffM.I.U...0....1,4?30". ??? 'Y.,. ?
l. The increasing influence of Sayyld Sir Ali al-Mirghani Pasha's Khatmia Sunni
Moslem sect has forced this essentially religious order into a position of
more and more political significance, Although Mirghani himself is politically
apathetic, nationalist political groups, aided by the common religious and
cultural links of Islam, have invaded the Khatmia to impose pro-unity, pan-
Islamic viewpoints, against the will of Mirghani, Seizing this opportunity,
the Egyptiene have come increasingly to identify the Khatmia with the Unity
of the Nile Valley movement, thus giving the erroneous impression that
Mirghani stands for the union of the Sudan with Egypt.
2, Mirghani has professed in vain that the Khatmia is not a political party and
that the common links between his disciples are purely religious ties. He
has exhorted his supporters to be guided by the policies of their respective
political parties and has confirmed the right of every member of his sect to
follow his own beliefs. However, to confuse the Khatmia followers, pro-unity
political agitators countered with the propaganda that the Khatmia had begun
to organize, under the supervision of distinguished leaders who were not
previously knona to have been involved in politics, and these agitators ,
claimed that a political party would be created which would openly uphold
Egypt.
3,, Conveniently-entrenched in the Khatmia? the pro-unity parties have gained
effective control of the orientation of the sect with regard to political
issues, thus presenting the Khatmta as the champion of the Unity of the Nile
Valley movement and the protector of the Sudan's rights in its dispute with
Great Britain. Whenever pro-unityeinspired demonstrations have taken place
against the British administration, the populace has taken refuge in Mirghani 's
compound when the police dispersed the =erode.
4. So long as Mirghani's position was merely that of a religious leader, Khatmia
received the protection of the Sudan Government, which accorded him more than
one British title, in addition to honorary membership in the northern Sudan
Advisory Council. Today, although Mirghani continues to receive a direct
British contribution estimated at lE14e000 per annum, the British view with
apprehension the growing political appeal of the Khatmia and its entanglement
in the pro-unity plot. It is partly to arrest this religious-political merch
of the Khatmia that theBritish have followed a policy of strengthening the
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political position of Sayyid Sir Abd-al-Rahman al-Mahdi Pashao
25X1A Comment. TheKhataia is the offspring of the Idrisia or Ahmsdia
MLA ea-deb vas introduced from Morocco. The followers of the
Idrisia today are to be found in Hongola and Berber. Connected with the
Idrisia, and the best known and most influential sect (tarlea) in the Sudan
at present, is the Khatmia, which was founded by Sayyid Muhammad Osman al-
Kabir of the Hejaz. The present head is Sayyid Sir Ali al-Marghani Pasha.
There is a. branch of the Khatmia called Imailia, with followers in Kordofan
and Debhae its present head is Sheikh Mirghani al-Sayyid al-Mak.)
Autent of Mirsils Egyptian Affiliation
5. The common links of Islam have led Mirghani and his Khatmia leaders to
cultivate and maintain relations with the Egyptian al-Azhar and other
religious organizations, This, in turn, has inspired friendship between
the Khatmia and Egyptian political leaders, which the Egyptians have exploited
Mirghani 's particular sympathy for the Ward was demonstrated when he
sent a telegram to Nahhas to congratulate him for escaping the most recent
attempt on his life. In thanking Mirghani for his telegram, Nahhas expressed
the hope that "Gad may strengthen our links and preserve our mutual love."
6. The recent visits of Morisse, Mieghani's daughter, and his nephew, Sayyid
Muhammad Osman al-Mirghani, to Cairo were occasions for rejoicing and cere-
mony in Egypt* When Osman visited Cairo in June, several Egyptian Cabinet
members as well as Nahhas, Salah Herb, and the Sudanese delegation, were
at the Itation to greet bine This manifestation VW interpreted `by pro-
unity circles as evidence of the esteem the Egyptians had for Mirghani.
Political Positimsfjmid Sir Abd-al-Rahman al-Mahdi Pasha
7. Added to the increasing prestige of Abd-al-Rahman al-Mahdi Pasha as an
important leader of an independent Moslem semi-religious order, is his new
political standing as head of the Sudan Independence Front. Anxious to
stabilize religious and political dissensions in the Sudan, the British
have used the Mahdi's growing influence to neutralize the religious-
political appeal of Mirghani 's Nhatmia. By dominating the pro-government
Independence Front political parties, the Mahdi has successfully-opposed
the combined efforts of the pro-unity parties.
8. In order to strengthen the Mahdi's position, the Administration has helped
him to develop his White Nile cotton plantation on Abbe. Island. His income
in 1947 was estimated to have reached 4E 1,500,000,,
9. The Mahdi organized the Sudan Independence Front with the approval of the
Administration. This Organization has acted as a bulwark against the
infiltration. of Egyptian nationalism? Support by the leading tribal chiefs
has materially simplified the Mahdils programl and the Administration has
benefited thereby.
10. In addition to controlling the Sudan Independence Front, the Mahdi's limma
Party-organized the Ansar Youth. This new group has become the strong-arm
instrument of the Mahdi and has been used on special occasions for the
purposes of coercion and intimidation. The Ansar Youth are well organized,
have their awn uniforms, and a clubhouse in Omdurman.
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110 Two daily-papers, En Nil and AI-Ummas represent the interests of the Mahdi
and expound the vif7n7OFTEt of Trelrffia Party and the Independence Front.
12. Members of the Mahdi clan have becone bitterly anti-Egyptian, as they fear
they would lose their authority and fortunes under Egyptian rule? The Mahdils
primary concern at present is to prolong the sts.tustgE in the Sudan,
13. In addition to his two sons, Siddiq and Hadi, the Mahdios family comprises
the following individuals who are actively engaged in various phases of
his work: Saaryids Yaqub al-Hilu, member of the Northern Sudan Advisory
Council; Muhammad MUhammad; Abdallah al-Fadil al-Mahdi; al-Hadi
Rahman al-Mahdi; and a1-Fadil al-Musha al-Mahdi, His most trmeted associate
is his eldest son Sayyld Siddiq al-Mahdia Siddiq went to the United States
in the summer of 1947 to represent the Sudan independence Front at the UN
Security Council, in support of the Sudan Government in the Anglo-Egyptian
dispute, Siddiq is ambitious and dreams of becoming King of the Sudan, on
the assumption that his father will secure the reins of goverment. The
Mahdi/s second sons by a second rife, is Sayyid Hadi a1-Mahdi. Both of the
Mahdils sons often go on inspection tours of the provinces or their cotton
plantations, Daring their tours they usually receive much publicity and
large ovations from Umma adherents? These visits serve to manntain liaison
with tribal chiefs who are mostly the Mahdi/s men?
Rivalry Between aI-Mahdi and al-Mirghani
14.J.WWW?eg ? agmuMP
14, Finding himself more through circumstances than by choice in the opposite
camp to the Mahdi? Mirghani has been increasingly subjected to the attacks
of the Umma Party leaders who resent the intrusion of the Khatmia in political
affairs?
15. Reasonably assured of the protection of the British administrations the
Xhatmia leadership has advised Mirghani that, in the eyes of the British,
both he and the Mahdi occupy an equal positions both being honorary members
of the Northern Sudan Advisory Council and having received similar titles
and honors from the British Government? For this reason the Ehatmia leaders
do not feel that the ambition of the Mahdi to secure the reinv of government
will be realized? When the Umma recently criticized the culttvation of
friendly relations by Mirghani and members of his family with Egypt, the
Khatmia warned that, -unless these attacks on Mirghani were stopped, the
friction between the two Sayylds might lead to civil war.
16. The most important point of dispute has been the stand of the two Sayyids
with respect to the recent constitutional reforms introduced Ln the govern-
ment (the Legislative Assembly and the Executive Council). Prior to starting
the discussions on the proposals in the Northern Sudan Advisory Council
Meetings the Governor General summoned Mirghani and the Mahdi to the palace,
OD pave the way for prompt approval of the measure. The government also
asked the two Sayyids, in their capacity as honorary Council Lembers, to sub-
mit written reports of their views on the proposed reforms? An affirmative
reply,fYom the Mahdi was a foregone conclusion, but there was considerable
doubt with regard to Mirghani's reply? The Ashiqqah Party-demanded an
investigation into the cause of the delay of Mirghani 'sanswers claiming
that Mirghani es reply to the Secretary of the Northern Sudan Advisory
Council had been received by the Sacra-Lary-a month late? There was mach
speculation concerning Mirghani's positionl which VW further intensified
when he did not attend the session of the Advisory Council*
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170 When the Advisory Council approved the proposed reforms as anticipated,
the Administration hastened to declare that the representation of both
Mahdists and, Mirghanists inside the Advisory Council had agreed to the
Legislative AsseMblyOrdinance, This statement seemed to indicate certain
doubts on the part of the Administration, as there are only to members
of the Khatmia in the Advisory Council. One is Mirghani himself, who
failed to attend the session and who could not have spoken for the Khatmia,
as an honorary member of the Council; the other member was noednated by
the Omdarman Lhnicipal Council, The Mahdists and the Administration,
therefore, had things very much as they wished.
180 Mirghani9s absence from the Council meetings was quickly interpreted by
the pro-unity parties and the Egyptian interests as indicatine that the
Said had rejected the setting up of an Assembly and that he was on a
protest strike and did not approve of other constitutional reforms proposed
by the government. According to the Ashiqqah Party Mirghani in his reply
to the Sudan Government had stated that his advice on the eve cf the creation
of the Advisory Council had been disregarded, He thought that the Council
did not represent Sudanese public opinion and now that this Council had
approved the proposals it certainly did not express the views of the
Sudanese people, Although Mirghani's real reply remained a mystery,
Khatmia sources agreed that the Sayyddb views were necessarily vague as he
maintained that he was strictly a religious man and that he had no specific
opinion on the subject,
190 On 22 June 1948 the Umma issued a statement which reflected the stand of
the Mahdi with regard to the constitutional reforms as followv:
Maa believe that the loyal Sudanese could render a great service
to their country through these institutions (the proposed
Legislative Assembly and the Executive Council), We want to
invite all the political parties to form a United Front shich
would work toward the restoration of the sovereignty of the
.Sudan, We register our appreciation for the action takeelby the
Governor General and the Sudan Government in enacting these laws
under the present circumstances, We also want to register our
admiration of the position of the British Government in empower-
ing the Governor General to take such a practical step toward the
self-government of the Sudan"
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