Author: Obaidullah Nimruzi
The Philosopher of Afghanistan: Sayyed Jamal al-din Afghan (Part 33)
The Appointment of Tawfiq Pasha and Foreign Interference in Forming the Government:
Following the resignation of the government, Tawfiq Pasha—who later became known as Khedive Tawfiq—was assigned the task of forming a new cabinet. He spent twelve days assembling his government; however, this process faced interference from two foreign ministers. After the government was formed, these two ministers realized that the National Consultative Assembly and the House of Representatives posed obstacles to their ambitions. Thus, they attempted to persuade Riyad Pasha, through encouragement and enticement, to dissolve the assembly.
The Dissolution of the National Consultative Assembly and the Resistance of Its Members
As a result of this pressure, a decree to dissolve the assembly was issued on March 26. The next day, Riyad Pasha went to the National Assembly to read the decree, but he was met with resistance led by Abd al-Salam Muwailihi and Sadiq Jamaluddin. They adopted the same position once taken by Mirabeau in the French National Assembly, declaring that the government’s claim regarding the expiration of the members’ term was incorrect, as their legal tenure had not yet ended.
The representatives insisted that the assembly would continue its duties and hold sessions in order to fulfill its responsibility to the nation. This resistance marked the beginning of a more serious confrontation between national forces and colonial powers—an event that had a significant impact on Egypt’s political destiny. (1)
The National Assembly from Its Establishment to Suspension and Revival
At the beginning of his reign, Khedive Isma’il established the National Consultative Assembly, which was inaugurated on November 19, 1283, AH / 1866 CE. The assembly consisted of 75 members elected for three-year terms. The election process was conducted by village chiefs and religious scholars across the country, while in cities like Cairo, Alexandria, and Damietta, community elders and notables were responsible for selecting representatives.
The assembly held sessions for two months annually, mostly in closed meetings. Despite this, it remained under the influence of the monarch, whose authority knew no bounds. In 1874–1875, the sessions were suspended, but in 1879, the representatives were invited again to resume their duties. Although subject to government influence, the assembly played a decisive role in raising public awareness and advocating for national rights. (2)
A Pivotal Session and Intense Confrontation with the Government
In this historic session of the National Assembly, the confrontation between the people’s representatives and the government reached its peak. Riyad Pasha, the Minister of the Interior, harshly accused the members of imitating the French National Assembly and said: Riyad Pasha: “Are you representatives of the people imitating the members of the French parliament who rebelled against their own government? If so, gentlemen, with those turbans on your heads and those layered garments you wear, you look like members of European and American parliaments!”
These insulting remarks sparked outrage among the assembly members and provoked strong reactions.
The Strong Reactions of the Representatives to the Minister’s Insults
Ahmad Ali Uways: “Pasha! You have insulted us… What do your words mean? You respond hastily to the representatives of a nation that pays your salary, and you degrade them?”
Abd al-Shahid Butrus: “I consider these words to be an insult from the Minister of the Interior to the Assembly, and I demand that this statement be officially recorded. Your words are disgraceful, and the Assembly rejects them.”
Sheikh al-Arab Ahmad Sufani: “I agree with the honorable representative who rejected this insult by the Minister of the Interior. I also ask the Assembly to investigate the minister’s conduct. The Egyptian nation is alive and aware, and its representatives will defend its dignity.”
Abd al-Salam Muwailihi: “It’s not about clothing—it’s about the intellect of the people!”
Abd al-Salam Muwailihi: “Pasha! Did you hear that? Have you now seen the consequences of speaking rashly? As I said earlier, this issue is not about garments—it’s about the representatives of a nation who all possess intellect. We are fully aware of our people’s demands, and our nation is in no way inferior in awareness and emotion to other nations.”
“Is it not shameful that you, a government minister, sit and converse with two foreign ministers—one English and the other French—while they supervise you and the government? Just yesterday, you told Egyptian journalists that the government had decided to dissolve the assembly and asked them not to publish anything in support of the representatives! Is this not an insult to the Egyptian people?”
“We studied at universities, we have read rational and religious sciences. Now, you tell us—what have you studied, and where?”
Sheikh Sabahi: “He studied in the military garrison!”
The Minister’s Outrage and the Unity of the Representatives
Riyad Pasha: “I will not accept these disgraceful and insulting remarks, and I will not allow anyone to say them!”
Hassan Abd al-Razzaq: “What Abd al-Salam Muwailihi said reflects the views of all of us. We unanimously support his words and take full responsibility for them.”
(The entire assembly loudly affirmed: “Yes! We fully support these words.”)
Riyad Pasha’s Humiliating Departure and the Assembly’s Historic Decision
Enraged by the unity of the assembly members, Riyad Pasha shouted, “I’m leaving! You are guilty… You are inciting unrest and revolution!”
Abd al-Salam Muwailihi: “Mustafa Pasha Wahbi! As the assembly’s secretary, record all these words without omission. The Egyptian people and the world must know who is ignorant and foolish—the Minister of the Interior or the people’s representatives?”
Then Abd al-Salam Muwailihi requested that the administrative board ensure that the sessions of the assembly continue without interruption. This proposal was unanimously approved. It was decided that one-third of the representatives would stay overnight in rotating shifts, while the others would attend sessions during the day. Furthermore, it was resolved that bread and other necessities be provided for the representatives staying overnight.
Riyad Pasha, overwhelmed by the assembly’s resistance, had no choice but to turn to the king. He conveyed the representatives’ message to the monarch—a message that emphasized freedom of thought and expression, demanded taxation of foreigners, and objected to the unjust policies of the Minister of the Interior, which had disrespected the people’s rights.
This historic session became a turning point in the Egyptian nation’s struggle for freedom and fundamental rights. (3)
Continues…
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References
(1) Hakim Mashriq al-Zamin, p. 60
(2) Previous source
(3) Hassouna, Muhammad Amin, Kifah al-Sha’ab (The People’s Struggle), Vol. 1, p. 239
