THE HEJAZ: Gone

Curious heads along the curious streets of Jeddah, port of Mecca, craned to see Husein, abdicating King of Hejaz* and Calif of Islam (TIME, Oct. 13). It was announced that Husein would sail away—none knew whither.

In Mecca, AH, the son of Husein, strove to keep the crown in the Hasbinite family by stout resistance to the raids of the Wahabi tribesmen. Heading the Wahabis, Ibn Saud, Sultan of Nejd, harried Ali’s forces, then slipped in between Jeddah and Mecca, isolating the port and cutting Mecca off from the sea.

Ali offered peace. His letters were torn up; his messengers detained. Many Meccans left their city. Bedouins were reported to have sacked the Royal palace. From Tranjordania, 7000 “Volunteers” set off to help Ali Raise the seige of Jeddah, whence came a plea for British intervention from Mohammed Bey Tawall, head of the Jeddah Council of Notables. Said Mohammed: “Surely Britain has some responsibility—she put Husein upon his throne.”

Here follows a description of the present King Hejaz by Lowell Thomas (see next Column):

“Ali, the eldest son, is a small, thin, well-groomed prince. He has delightful manners, great personal charm, and is an accomplished diplomat. He is deeply religious, the essence of generosity, and a martinet on all questions of morality. Like the other members of his family, he has far-reaching views and aspirations for his country. But he has no personal aspirations beyond the Emirate of Mecca, to which he will in all probability, fall heir to the death of his father.”

He has not had to await the death of his father for the Emirate of Mecca. As King of Hejaz, he is automatically Emir of Medina, the place to which the profet of Mohammed fled from Mecca to escape his enemies, where he died and where he is buried.

* Hejaz or Hijaz is classical Arab for barrier: hence in its geographical significance it denotes Judiasm and Christianity in Palestine and Mohammedanism in Arabia.