French Political And Military Mission To Hejaz 1916 Ad

Abstract

The article attempts to discuss the problematic transformation of France’s policy towards Muslims performing the Hajj in its colonies in North and West Africa in 1916. From a policy of strictness and preventing the Hajj as the main cause of political unrest within the French colonies, and a spreader of infectious diseases such as cholera, to a policy of encouraging its Muslim subjects to perform the Hajj and covering all expenses, under the slogan of France’s friendship with Muslims.

This article also attempts to shed light on the real reasons that prompted France to organize the Hajj in 1916, through French and British archives. It also reveals the extent of France’s manipulation of the religious feelings of Muslims in its colonies in North and West Africa, and the role played by both Qaddour Ben Ghabrit and Al-Arabi Qadi in the success of the French political and military mission to the Hijaz in 1916.

The study reached a number of results that can be summarized by saying that the mission’s success in achieving the goals set for it was a partial success, and not as the French government claimed and its press promoted, and that in light of the results achieved by the mission, France will work to draw up a future policy towards its dealings with the Muslims of its colonies.