The 1923 Egyptian Mahmal Incident: A Historical Analysis of Al-Qibla's Political Coverage
Tracing the Mahmal’s Media Portrayal Amidst Regional and Historical Change
Keywords:
Al-Qibla Newspaper, Egyptian Hajj Mahmal, Hijaz Government, Egyptian Government.Abstract
As the official newspaper representing the Hijaz government, Al-Qibla documented the incident of the Egyptian Hajj Mahmal returning to Egypt without performing the Hajj rituals in 1341 AH / 1923 AD, through media coverage that discussed the details and circumstances of this incident. This study aims to analyse Al-Qibla's coverage of the incident. Using a descriptive methodology to interpret events within their historical and political contexts. Additionally, the study relies on the analysis of numerical data derived from historical records to provide a clearer understanding of the media and historical perspectives related to the incident. The study reveals that Al-Qibla's media coverage was not merely a documentation of the event but served as a political tool employed by the Hijaz government to strengthen its position regarding the return of the Mahmal and highlight its independent decision-making in managing Hajj affairs. This coverage occurred within the context of tense relations between the Hejaz and Egypt, as a result of British interventions that sought to strengthen their influence in the region by fueling disputes between Arab countries.
