The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-05-06
TUESDAY, MAY 6, 1871
HOLY WAR

HOLY WAR
Possibility of a holy war In
the Near East is haunting British
officials who bear a deep fear OF the
word "Jihad.' Jihad is an Arabic
word and means TO spread the
truth" As the traditional Arab
method OF doing this is with the
business end OF a sword, the term
has come dov Il the ages meaning a
holy war or sort of Mohammedan
crusade.
II was in the second book OF the
Koran, Mohammedan Bible written
by Mohammed about 500 A. D.. that
the prophet prescribed the exten.
sion OF his religious faith by war.
This wild desert Arab was a most
remarkable man.
Although hardly able TO read and
write. he produced a volume Of
scripture that has been the ,admira-
tion OF learned men for dozen cen.
turtles. AS an orator he had few
equals, and 10 the faithful who
would fight TO extend his creed he
promised reward for death on the
battle field by immrdiate transfer
70 a heaven filled with good food
and beautiful women.
According 10 the procedure
recommended by the prophet, when
a holy war was determined upon,
priests of Mullahs picked for their
oratorical ability would go from
village to village stirring up the
faithful. II needed little oratory TO
stir up the fierce, restless sons OF
the desert.
BY a succession OF holy wars
under wise caliphs in the century
that followed Mohammed's death,
they built themselves the biggest
and the quickest empire ever con-
structed by man.
Their tactics we're like those of
a Nazi Panzer division. Always at
lacking at binding speed, they be-
wildered all foes. From China TO
Morocco they extended their realm.
Only a miracle prevented them from
overrunning all Europe.
That was what the Jihad meant
in the old days. II tell into disuse
because a host OF theological sects
arose so that no TWO Arabs could
agree on their own religion, and
they much preferred killing each
other TO killing Chris tians. But the
old tradition survived and in all
Arab lands Mohammedan priests
taught that one day a Mahdi. "one
truly guided would arise TO lead
the Arab world back to unity and
conquest
When it is understood that In the
Near East and North Africa there
are more than a hundred million
Mohammedsns OF Arab or related
blood. the. menace 10 the white
mans rule latent in this situation
can readily be comprehended.
This is the dynamite that the
Germans and their man. Raschid
Ali Al Gallant. Axis-installed pre-
mier Of lraq, are trying to explode.
Al Gallant is being groomed as
prospective Mahdi. The powerful
Mufti OF Jerusalem, a sort OF arch
bishop of the Mohammedan relig-
ion, is said 10 be preaching holy
war in Al Gailani's behalf. Eloquent
priests are az work In the villages.
The desert is beginning 10 stir.
Fortunately the British have been
dealing with the Arab world for
two hundred years and have come
10 understand how they must be
handled. Fortunately also. the most
respected and powerful princes Of
the Mohamme dan faith are staunch
British allies.
The Arabian Peninsula, religious
homeland OF all devout Munammed.
ans, with its holy cities OF Mecca
and Medina, is ruled by Abdul Aziz
I'm Saud, most powerful and color
full Of all Arab rulers, who owes his
position 70 British influence.
lbn Saud, who gave hts name TO
Saudi Arabia. is figure out Of the
Arabian Nights. More than six feet
four inches In height. he is said 10
have been married 10 a hundred
wives and toNhaye a hundred sons
and an equal number Of daughters.
A devout Mohsmmedan, he drinks
no wine but dispenses patrisrchal
justice with mis- own sword. cutting
off the heads Of criminals whom he
himself condemns in tribal courts
OF justice.
Thus the British position In the
Arab world seems strongly but
tressed. But friendships IN the Near
East are chsngeful. Fanaticism IS a
force among the Arabs whose power
II is hard for European or Amer
lean 10 understand.