Before the Throne

55

HORUS HERALDED, “Al-Sayyid Umar Makram!”

A straight-backed man, neither tall nor short, entered the court in his shroud, walking onward until he stood before the throne.

Osiris invited him to speak.

“I was born in Asyut,” recited Umar Makram, “and learned science, morals, and religion from the flower of the elite. Then I became chief of the association of the Prophet’s descendants, indefatigably repelling the powerful in defense of the suffering people. When the French came to invade our country, I called on the people to fight, and marched at their head, but our armies were routed and the French occupied Cairo. They chose me as a member of their local council, but I refused with contempt and escaped to Syria, leaving my money and property exposed to theft. When the French overran Syria, Napoleon brought me back to Egypt, heaping honors upon me, but I shut myself in my house. Then Cairo rose up in revolt, and I led the rebellion myself. After it was put down with brutality, I again left for Syria, and did not return until the French had gone.

“Next I directed the insurrection against the Mamluks, and another against the Turkish governor. I swore allegiance to the latter’s replacement when I saw that he inclined toward the Egyptians, as well as toward justice and probity. But I resisted even that governor when he forgot his compact with us — and he forced me to leave once more. I remained in exile until I died.”

“You are an individual from the people,” Abnum addressed him, “who based his life on the defense of the people, calling on them to fight for the first time since my blessed revolution. They rose up against the foreign governor, and through their own power, installed a new ruler in his place. Tell me, was the new governor a son of the people, too?”

“No,” Umar Makram replied, “but he was a Muslim, and he seemed just to me.”

“What a catastrophe,” recoiled Abnum. “Why didn’t you try to take over yourself?”

“The Ottoman government would not agree.”

“I tell you again, what a catastrophe,” argued Abnum.

“Perhaps you simply revered the unity of Islam, the religion of the God Who is One?” suggested Akhenaten.

“Indeed,” affirmed Umar Makram, “that is what I thought — as a believer in God and His Prophet.”

“In any case, I am happy with this son,” said Isis.

“You merit a place among the Immortals: your commendation from us shall state this clearly,” assured him Osiris.