Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-02-20


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POWERFUL MoHAMMEDAN SECRET SOCIETY.
There exists in Egypt and Mohammedan
countries secret society called the Sen
oussi," which is greater in its influence and
numbers than any similar society ever heard
of. 1t had hand in Arabs rebellion,
counts the Mahdi, of the Soudan, as one OF
it's officers, and was at the bottom Of the
two movements, having iustigated both of
them. The Grand Master OF the Senoussl
boasts that he has, more or less, ct his com
mand about thirty millions Of Mohammc-
dams, that is, over q third of the tota! mum.
her of the faithful. The greater portion Of
these. being more or less subject to Chris
tian powers, dream Of nothing but OF the
universal empire promised by the Koran.
The feeling of intense hatred against the
hristian is deeply engrafted in their hearts,
and whether latent or irruptiye, the work
which goes on is permanent. They are at
anv moment prepared to seize the opportu'
nitv of struggle with civilized nations,
their sole aim is Ii holy war, with neither
truce nor mercy, against the unbelievers
and against all those who covenant with
tho inhdel.
Their headquarters are at Serhboub, on
the Egypto Tripoltan border. ltresembles
a fortified convent. Even ten years agoit
had sixteen big guns, purchased at Alexan-
dria, and several large factories, where gun
powder was produced, and small arms, OBJ
tanned in Egypt, remounted and repaired.
In February last the number O. big arms
had increased to over 3 hundred, and there
were, besides, twenty mitrailleuses OF Ger
man manufacture. According TO trustwor-
thy information two Italian and three
American vessels anchored during the
mouths of June and July last in the port of
Tabrouk- belongs TO the order-la'
den with arms, shot and shell, which were
Immediately forwarded over 200 kilor1eters
senarating the port from Serhboub There
was also at the latter place ii splendid ii.
brary, transported thither from Mecca, the
former headquarters OF the fraternity, sta
bles containing over 1000 horses, magnlti-
cent reservoirs and plantations, etc. Ac.
cordug TO the distinguished French author,
Duveyrer, the body-guard Of the master
who resides there consists of over 5000 AL
gerians.'
Scattered over .,he countries Of Turkey,
Tripoli, Tunis, India, and wherever Mo
hammedanism prevails, are centres VI nc
ton" some 500 or 900 in all. 1t has rep
resentatives in Constantinope and III
France. ITO give one solitary instance OF
the activity of these agents, l may say that
during the Commune Que Of the Senoussl
stationed ut Paris managed TO purloin from
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs III tho DUAL
d'Orsay, "A document of a surprising nature,
stamped with the seal Of the chiefs Of the
Touareg Radames tribe, who rank among
the most fervent adherents or The order.
They have recourse 30 the most
outrageous means TO attain the object they
keep III view. The grand master, VINO
styles himself, among other thiags, the
"khalifa,h or lieutenant OF God, corresponds
with his subordiuates hy lncans al relays OF
special messengers who, in very coltidcn
taI cases, convey verbal messages Cny.
10 such 1, Perfection are the ,neasi~ .; com
lpniriiic;. carried arUnrSt :hc Arais iha!
the Bedcuins Of The Pyraluids OF Olsen az
nounced the massacre rf Gel. Stewart r
party III Meraw! twenty four hours before
the oflicla news of il reached Cairo. In
The same way the tombardmeut nt Bei5er,
the surrender Of Tokar and the massacre
at Sinkat were known in tho bazaars of
Cairo long before the Official news of it was
received.
Some of their rules of life are also inter
esting: "Unquestoning obedience is strictly
enjoined, and even the sultan and all other
chiefs of Mohammedan States must conform
to the precepts of Islsmism as interpreted
by the order, at the risk of hostility against
them being declared as justified All EN-.
broideries, gold or silver ornaments, or
iewelry are strictly forbidden in the case Of
men, but are permitted to women. Tobacco
and coffee are likewise severely prohibited.
Tea is allowed, but it must be sweeten-
ed with brown sugar and not with white,
for the latter is defled by the bones of
animals, killed by unbelivers, which are
used to refine it, Members of the order are
forbidden to speak, salute, trade with, or
serve either Jews or Christians, and accord
ing to the precepts contained in sermon
preached in March, 1861, by Hadj Ahmed
Bn Bel-Kasep, Mokkadem of the town of
Rhat, any Jew or Christian who is 10 longer
a rayah-that is TO say, who is no longer
subject to Mohammedan government-be.
comes an adversary whom it is lawful, nay,
whom it is necessary to rob and kill at all
times and in ali places. The members of
the order who possess capital of over 60
pay annually 81 per cent thereon into the
treasury, which receives in addition vast
donations of cattle, land, slaves and money
Both the Turkish, Egyptian and Tunisian
governments have been most liberal in
granting 1t subsidies, lands and fiscal i'm
muities.
"sidi Mohamed Ben Ali Es-Senouss who dur
ing the last year of his life used to hide his face
with veil, lest the briiancy of his aspect should
dazzle his disciples, died few years ago in the
odor OF sanctity. Before his death he solemnly y
proclaimed his not only as his successor as the
chief of the order, but also as the Messiah. or
Mahdi. According to the Koranic tradition, tho
true Mshdi was to mako his appearance in the
130th year of the Hegirah-i. g.. A. D. 1SS3-at
which date he was to have attained his majority.
His fathers name was TO be Mohamed, his moth
er's Fatima. The present Grand Master Of the
senoussi fulills all these requirements and is
known throughout the Mussulman world by the
! name of Sidi Mohamed ell Mahdi.
"It may be urged that since Seuoussi clsims to
| be the true Mahdi, there can be no cooperation