Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 1926. THE AGA KHAN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10704, 30 March 1926, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 1926. THE AGA KHAN.

The reported proclamation, by certain of his followers, of Aga Khan as the new Messiah is of interest, not because of any significance that may attach to the movement but because of the outstanding I'omantic personality of the central figure. His Highness Aga Sir Sultan Khan Mohammed Shah, to give him his full title, is the acknowledged leader of TO million Mohammedans and the guide, counsellor and friend of the British Government. In Indian politics he is a unique personage, who, owning no territory whatever, yet wields more influence than any Indian prince or rajah. It is hardly an exaggeration to say that he is the greatest religious and political force east of Suez. The Aga Khan claims descent in a direct line from Ali by his wife Fatima, daughter of the Prophet. In a country like India, where pride of birth, - enshrined in the sacred institution of cast, is the basic foundation of the social community, the Aga Khan is personally regarded as being a sacred individual. In India the very water in which he performs his

ablutions is preserved and distributed among his followers; those who seek admittance in flis presence approach hare-footed. His residence in Bombay is no whit less holy ground than is the Vatican.' Hot yet 50 years of age—he was horn 48 years ago in Persia — the Aga has travelled widely, and no other Indian possesses a tithe of his knowledge of foreign affairs. He exercises a vast and

absolutely unquestioned influence over his followers, not only .in India itself but in East Africa, Central Asia, Egypt' and Morocco as well. He lias wielded liis power well, and bas rallied to bis side the best elements among bis coreligionists. As a Mohammedan Prince the Aga Khan exhibited a rare courage when be issued a powerful appeal to Mohammedans throughout the world to support the British Raj in the critical days of the autumn of 1914, and his eloquent manifesto to the whole of India, telegraphed from Lausanne on the morrow of the

signing of the Turkish Peace Treaty, was a public service of inestimable value. The personal connection of the Aga Khan with

the new movement need not he feared as a menace to British rule in India, and any underlying tendency in that direction that may influence those of his followers who have invested him with the new role will without doubt he checked by the unswerving loyalty to him that animates the vast number of bis disciples.