A Letter to the British Empire, circa 1900 a.d.

**Tajir** · February 12, 2008, 09:10 AM

"I wish to rule my own country and protect my own religion. If you will, send me a letter saying whether there is to be peace or war. I intend to go from Burao to Berbera I warn you of this - I wish to fight with you. I like war, but you do not. God willing, I will take many rifles from you, but you will get no rifles or ammunition from me. I have no forts, no houses, no country. I have no cultivated fields, no silver, no gold for you to take. I have nothing. If the country were cultivated or contained houses or property, it would be worth your while to fight. The country is all jungle, and that is of no use to you. If you want wood and stone, you can get them in plenty. There are also many ant-heaps. The sun is very hot. All you can get from me is war - nothing else. I have met your men in battle, and have killed them. We are greatly pleased at this. Our men who have fallen in battle have won paradise. God fights for us. We kill, and you kill. We fight by God's order. That is the truth. We ask for God's blessing. God is with me when I write this. If you wish for war, I am happy; and, if you wish for peace, I am content also. But if you wish for peace, go Solvay from my country back to your own. If you wish for war, stay where you are. Hearken to my words. I wish to exchange a machine gun for ammunition. If you do not want it, I will sell it to some one else. bend me a letter saying whether you desire war or peace."

Sayyid Mohamed Abdullah Hassan, circa 1900 a.d.

I wonder if the queen ever responded -- there was a popular legend about her sending the Sayyid some flowers for what she perceived to be a fictional poem from one of her colonial subjects. :hmmm:

Anyway, its a powerful poem/message.

**Fianóglach** · February 12, 2008, 06:42 PM

The Mad Mullah! Her Majesty need not respond with a letter, the guns and bayonets of the Army did that for her, and defeated him. He was too busy stealing camels writing poetry and killing christians. Go in over his head I suspect, but his legacy lived on.

**Armoured_Crusader** · February 13, 2008, 03:52 PM

I wonder what the Queen did in answer to that emotive letter.
I'm glad you started a topic on it.

**Tajir** · February 14, 2008, 10:43 PM

The Queen tried her best to please or stop the Mad Mullah, even granting his wish to create an independent Somali state. But, it was this diplomatic move that caused his demise. With a state, Mad Mullah built permanent forts, and as a result, the British, fresh out of world war 1 with a new military tool -- planes -- launched the first aerial attack in African history and crushed the Dervish resistance.

Had there not been the creation of a Dervish "state" -- the Dervish resistance would be far more successful in their mission.

At his peak, the Mad Mullah had roughly around 100,000 men, 8,000 of them being cavalry, and 3,000 modern rifles bought from French traders.

Here is an article from the New York Times in 1904, showcasing the height of his power.

And here is another article showcasing his defeat against the Queen's Abyssinian allies, as well as showing the size of his large force.

**PoetWarrior** · February 29, 2008, 01:34 AM

hmm, i expect before too long we shall see a British empire series of Total War- i can't wait to play as my valiant countryman.
More interesting to me though, are the days of the Great Ahmed Gurey.

Dahir, watsup brother

**Medicus** · February 29, 2008, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by PoetWarrior

hmm, i expect before too long we shall see a British empire series of Total War- i can't wait to play as my valiant countryman.

Nah. I'm more interested in rising up as the Australians, and going on to conquer Indonesia and the rest of the Pacific. Don't worry Jankren - I'll be a benevolent ruler.

**EireEmerald** · May 19, 2009, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by Fianóglach

The Mad Mullah! Her Majesty need not respond with a letter, the guns and bayonets of the Army did that for her, and defeated him. He was too busy stealing camels writing poetry and killing christians. Go in over his head I suspect, but his legacy lived on.

what would you have replied?

**jankren** · February 14, 2008, 10:38 PM

Lol, poems might work to move Asian leaders but I doubt it did anything to European ones.

**Kiljan Arslan** · February 29, 2008, 09:31 PM

I say this guy was much more noteworthy

**Tajir** · February 29, 2008, 09:58 PM

^ the same Menelik II that was staining his bed sheets at the thought of the Mad Mullah?

New York Times article, 1910.

**Kiljan Arslan** · February 29, 2008, 10:17 PM

Uh huh, yeah really stained his bed sheets? Sure thats not propaganda also known as horse ****?

**Tajir** · February 29, 2008, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by Kiljan Arslan

Uh huh, yeah really stained his bed sheets? Sure thats not propaganda also known as horse ****?

NYT does not pick sides. Mr. Hassan was fighting for freedom and sovereignty, while Menelik was putting the hopes of his aspiring kingdom on the backs of various European powers.

Its late now, but I will post more on the shame that carried Menelik throughout his career as a political prostitute.