The Turkish Peace — Page 38
Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad 38 men, I would happily call off my numerous other commitments and attend this meeting to express my views on this far-reaching and important subject. However, experience suggests that such people who hold opinions contrary to the majority view are rarely given the chance to speak at such gatherings. Therefore, in my estimation, it would be a misuse of my time to attend the conference in person. But both a sense of sympathy and love for my people and an earnest desire to serve Islam prevails on me to articulate my thoughts, regardless of how they might be received. I have written this tract to express my views before those gentlemen who will convene together on this occasion, and send it through some of my esteemed companions. Accordingly, if by the grace of God Almighty my recommendations have an affect on certain individuals, they can further discuss the issues mentioned therein with my representatives. Worthy gentlemen! During the last conference held in September, I made it clear through a written correspondence that your efforts regarding the future of the Ottoman Empire should have their basis in the fact that a significant number of Muslims regard the Sultan of Turkey as their khalifa, and among the rest of the Muslim world, he is held in the highest esteem