18 AUGUST 1906, Page 2

We deal in another column with Mohammedan unrest, but may

note that further confirmation of our view of the Pan- Islamic movement is furnished byan interesting communication in Thursday's Times. The Nawab Moohsun-ul-Mulk, the honorary secretary of the Mohammedan College at Aligarh, and generally regarded as one of the leaders of enlightened Moslem opinion, has recently discussed the claim of the Sultan of Turkey to be considered the spiritual head of Islam in a Mohammedan newspaper. His conclusion, based on authori- tative works on the subject, is to the effect that it is impossible for any man of even common understanding to think that the Sultan is the Khalifa of the Indian Mussulmans in the real sense of the term, or that they are bound by their religion to obey him. "They are the subjects of the King-Emperor, and owe their allegiance to him alone." At the same time, " loyalty towards our Government does not exclude sympathy with one's noreligioniste." The Indian Moslems all wish with one heart for the stability of the Turkish rule, and " earnestly pray God that friendly relations between Great Britain and the Porte may be firmly established." In conclusion, be declares that should there be war between the British Govern- ment and any Mohammedan Power, " we should, as loyal subjects, be on the side of our own Government ; but, as Mohammedans, we should also be sad about it."