Maulana Faiz-Ul-Karim: A Controversial Personality of the Khilafat Movement

Abstract

During World War-1 (1914-1918), the Turks had fought by the side of the Germans. Turkey had been considered by Europe as a thorn in its side. The allied powers, in response, introduced the Arabs to the idea of Arab nationalism and self determination so as to fragment the ottoman Caliphate. In order to curb the Khilafat movement, the British Government decided to neutralize its religious appeal in Britishers continent. Britishers got Fatwa (religious decree) from the pro government scholar Maulana Faiz-ul-Karim and was duly signed by 95 religion scholars. An attempt was made in the Fatwa to prove that the Khilifat movement was against Islam, and Ottoman caliphs belong to the Tatari race not from Quresh.