Memorandum on revolutionizing the Islamic territories of our enemies (Title of a paper written in October 1914 by German archaeologist and Orientalist Max von Oppenheim which argued for enlisting the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire to call on the world’s Muslims to engage in a Holy War or jihad against the colonial powers, France and Great Britain)
This is a colourful and entertaining book about Germany’s military and diplomatic involvement with the Ottoman Empire during the Great War of 1914-18.
Kaiser Wilhelm’s enthusiasm for Islam
The first 80 pages or so provide background, describing Kaiser Wilhelm’s first state visit to Turkey in 1889 when he met the reigning Sultan, Abdul Hamid II, and his second visit in 1898 when Wilhelm grandiosely rode into Jerusalem through a breach specially made in its walls.
And they detail the very slow progress made on an ambitious commercial scheme to extend the railway line…
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