38th issue of Arab Revolt’s mouthpiece reprinted

AMMAN — A reprint of the 38th issue of Al Qibla newspaper, the mouthpiece of the Great Arab Revolt, is distributed with today’s Jordan Times issue. 

The newspaper, which was printed in Mecca a century ago, dedicated its editorial to a commentary on statements by the allies in World War I (WWI) recognising the newly born Hashemite Kingdom in Hijaz. 

The editorial was written by the paper’s general manager, Muhebeddine Al Khatib, who said it was a blessing that allies saw in the fledgling Hashemite Kingdom an interest for them.  

Then the writer explained why the Ottoman empire collapsed, citing lack of political reforms and the policies of the ultranationalist Union and Progress government. 

He said world powers gave up on Istanbul and braced for the emerging Arab Islamic state in Mecca. 

The four-page paper, which stopped printing in 1924, also ran in the issue news of the Revolt, along with other local stories about the daily life in Hijaz, at-a-glance news of WWI developments and other international news.

The distribution of the paper (1916-1924) by The Jordan Times and other local dailies is part of celebrations of the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt.