Mufti, the title of a Muslim legal expert who is empowered to give rulings on religious law.

CarolC 19 Jan 04 - 10:40 AM

Haj Amin al-Husseini was appointed to his position of Grand Musfti of Jerusalem by the British, who, by the way, created the position of Grand Mufti just for him.

Correction Carol - He was appointed to his position of Mufti of Jerusalem. The title Grand Mufti does not, and did not, exist. Haj Amin al-Husseini adopted the title himself. By the bye, previous Muftis of Jerusalem:

Mohammed Tahir Husseini (1890s)
Sheikh As'ad Shuqeiri (1914-1918)
Haj Amin Al-Husseini (1921-1948)
Sheikh Hussam Al-din Jarallah (1948-1954)
Sheikh Sulaiman Ja'abari (1993-1994)
Sheikh Ikrem Sabri (1994-Present)

The office appears to be a reasonably a well established and honoured one, with absolutely damn all to do with the British. Haj Amin Al-Husseini asked for the post saying that he could take the heat out of the situation that had resulted in the anti-Jewish riots of 1920 and 1921 - Too bloody right he could - He, and He alone, was responsible for spreading the lies and false rumours that started those riots (Possible example of "Arab paranoia or belief in outrageous conspiracy theories").

As for:
"My guess is that the British wanted bloodshed between the two peoples in order to serve purposes of their own."

To quote MGOH - "That seems very much like a gratuitous smear to me."

If your insight into the problems of the middle-east are based on such guesses, it's about time someone told you that you are not much good at guessing.