explained lhese idcas and the importancc of his proposals, especially concerning the founding of the new schools, in his capacity as a man of religion, Bediuzzaman went on to remind the Sultan of the petition made to him by The famous traveler and scholar Abdurresid Abraham.

Abdurresid Ibrahim had sought asylum in Japan after having been exiled in 1904 from his native Uzbekistan by the Russians. and travelling both there and in China, had expended great efforts for the spread and revitalization of Islam. Seeing the ignorance and poverty of the many Muslims in China, he had sent requests to Sultan Abdulhamid for both material assistance and for religious scholars and instructors to be sent there. At the time, the Sultan was giving great importance to his Caliphate Policy, that is, Pan-Islamic policies, and had apparently responded favourably, instructing the Seyhü’l- Islam, Cemaleddin Efendi, to do everything necessary for its implementation. A certain time must have elapsed, however, for with unheard-of boldness, Bediuzzaman addressed the Sultan, saying:

 

"The rank of the Caliphate is not restricted to the official ceremony of the Friday prayers. Just as the Caliph possesses moral power, so too will he have material power, and guarantee and be responsible for all the dealings of the Muslim community in every corner of the world. Abdurresid Ibrahim Efendi is a great striver in the way of Islam. It is a grievous sin to let his request remain fruitless. Even if the office of Seyhu'1-Islam has no power, praise be to God, there are many men of religion in this country ready to sacrifice themselves for this cause. Why has this request not been proclaimed and broadcast throughout the Ottoman lands?"

Bediuzzaman then went on to criticize to the Sultan's face the denunciations and networks of spies and agents for which his regime was so notorious. Bediuzzaman had been the subject of such a report in 1906. As someone who never hesitated to speak out in the cause of freedom in that time of repression, it was inevitable that he should have been. He said to Sultan Abdulhamid: