The flags illustrated in the figures are all from the sections within the armies at Omdurman or Atbara. Figures A, B, E and F are on display at the Khalifa's House in Omdurman. Figures C and D are at Blair Atholl castle in Scotland.
Figures A, C and D show very plain borders. Figure E shows a rather more ornate border than usually found. Figures B and F are rare in that they don't follow the standard pattern at all. In Figure B, the creed "There is no god but God Muhammad is the Apostle of God" is worked out in white letters around the central inscription, which reads "Al-Mahdi naura ainihī", "May (God) lighten (enlighten) the Mahdi's eye."
Figure F is nearest to the normal creed, but separated out in five lines which read:
- 1st line: "Lā illāh ilā" (there is no god but )
2nd line: "allāh Muhammad" (God, Muhammad )
3rd line: "Ahmad al-Mahdi" (Ahmad al-Mahdi is )
4th line: "Kahlīfa rasūl allāh" (the Successor of the Apostle of God)
5th line: "Salām alaihi" (Peace be upon him)
FIGURE A
Flag captured at Omdurman, in the Khalifa's House, Omdurman, The Sudan. This flag, measuring 41/2' x 3' has a standard, though abbreviated inscription, in more ornate lettering than most. It reads: "In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful; There is no god but God and Muhammad is the Prophet of God; Muhammad al-Mahdi is the Successor of the Prophet of God." The letters are black on a white background. The border is faded blue, except the section at the top left and bottom right, which are red.
FIGURE B
Flag captured at Omdurman, in the Khalifa's House, Omdurman, The Sudan. This is a most interesting flag, measuring approximately 4' x 3', as it does not have he usual inscriptions and carries the same design on both sides. A white background with a light green border, red designs in the center, and white lettering. The five green dots at the bottom of the flag appear at the top on the reverse, and green design at the top appears on the bottom on the reverse side.
The white letters on the red rectangle in the center read: "Al-Mahdi naura ainihī" = "May (God) lighten (enlighten) the Mahdi's eye."
There are white letters embroidered insight the red ovals on each side of the central inscription. They read:
- Top right: lā 'allāh
Bottom right: 'ilā 'allāh
Bottom left: Muhammad
Top left: rasūlu 'allāhi
FIGURE C
Flag captured at Atbara or Omdurman at Blair Atholl, Scotland. A standard flag (there are two of this identical pattern on display), blue background, white border and lettering. Four lines of writing reading: "O God, O Compassionate One, O Merciful One; O Living One, O Subsisting One, O Lord of Majesty and Honor; There is no god but God and Muhammad is the Prophet of God; Muhammad al-Mahdi is the Successor to the Prophet of God."
FIGURE D
Flag captured at Atbara, at Blair Atholl, A reddish-brown background with white letters and a faded blue or green border. Three lines of writing reading: "O God, O Compassionate One, O Merciful One, O Living One, O Subsisting One. O Lord of; Majesty and Honor, There is no god but God and Muhammad is the Prophet; of God, Muhammad al-Mahdi is the Successor of the Prophet of God." The normal formulae are run into each other, rather than separated on four lines of writing.
FIGURE E
Flag captured at Omdurman, c. 4' x 3', Khalifa's House, Omdurman, The Sudan. Four lines of inscriptions in multi-colors:
- 1st line: Black, green and red letters: "O God, O Compassionate One, O Merciful One"
2nd line: Black and red letters: "O Living One, O Subsisting One, O Lord of Majesty and Honor"
3rd line: White and Red letters: "There is no god but God and Muhammad is the Prophet of God"
4th line: Red and Black Letters: "Al-Mahdi is the Successor (Khalifa) of the Prophet of God"
FIGURE F
Flag captured at Omdurman, c 5' by 3'. Khalifa's House, Omdurman, The Sudan. Note: This flag was most likely attached to its flagstaff at the top, so that the lettering would in fact be read sideways.
- 1st line: "There is no god but"
2nd line: "God, Muhammad"
3rd line: "Ahmad al-Mahdi"
4th line: "Is the Successor (Khalifa) to the Prophet of God"
5th line: "Peace be upon Him (Salām alaihi)
EXAMPLE OF STANDARD LETTERING USED ON FLAGS
A Note on Mahdist Flags
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© Copyright 2004 by Milton Soong.
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