THE ALLEGED INTOLERANCE OF ISLAM.
[To THE EDTTOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."]
Si,—In noticing Vol. V. of the "British Empire Series," pub- lished by Messrs. Kegan Paul and Co., in the Spectator of March 8th, your reviewer joins issue with the contributor, Mr. eorbet, who handled the topic of " Mahommedanism," asking the momentous question whether Islam is not bound to be intolerant. On this point we have certain evidence which may not be generally known, in the assertions of the late Sir Sayid Ahmed of Aligarh. Other enlightened Moslems are to be found in India who do not profess to be "bound by their law to give their own creed precedence over all other religions" in political and social action. Your reviewer may be referred to the published writings of Mr. Justice Amir Ali, of the Calcutta High Court. The importance of the matter is [We are, of course, well aware of Mr. Justice Amir All's writings, and fully believe that the learned Judge represents correctly the sentiments of the enlightened Mahommedans of Northern India,—a body of men from whom the regeneration of Islam might conceivably come had they any influence outside India. We fear, however, that they are a class apart, and that as a rule Alahommedanism either decom- poses, as in Constantinople, or takes on the fierce and utterly intolerant forms practised by the followers of the Mahdi and the Senoussi.—En. Spectator.]
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