Speech by His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Ethiopia at the Shah Jehan Mosque, Woking. England
25 August, 1936
Ladies and gentlemen,–
We are very glad to visit your Mosque to-day and to hear the comforting words which you have just said. As the calamity that has come upon my country is well-known to the whole world I need not trouble you by dilating on it. You know how valiantly my soldiers have fought against odds for the ancient independence of their country, but they had to give in before the most cruel methods of warfare. However, at this moment, there remains more than half of Ethiopia which has not yet been occupied by the troops of the invader, while the resistance of my people still continues even in the occupied territories. Hence, with our faith in the justice of our cause and the mercy of the Almighty, we hope for sucess in the end.
To the Muslim world, it is sufficient to repeat the words of the Prophet :
"Ethiopia, a hospitable nation, should remain free and independent. Woe betide him who molests her. »
I wish the Muslims of the world would come together and think over the words of the Prophet, as the time is ripe to put into practice one of the best recommendations of the Prophet.
I thank you for the invitation and for the opportunity to meet you this afternoon. It is very kind of you to give me such a hearty and friendly reception and to mention the little service that was rendered years and years ago by my people to the persecuted Muslims of that time.The kind and grateful acknowledgement of the Prophet Muhammad was more than sufficient recompense for the little service that was rendered. Since that time , Ethiopia has been the home of Muslims and Christians where they have lived in peace and amity . As this calamity that has come on Ethiopia affects the Muslims as well as the Christians we request you to remember us all in you prayers so that our sins may be forgiven and the mercy of the Lord be vouchsafed to us
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