On the matter of compliments, object of your critique.

Friends are like mirrors that reflect upon one another. Man can not find better advice nor more healthy nor more noble guidance than that emanating from his circle of friends. That is why, as soon as I opened your letter and began to read it I started to observe myself as if it was a mirror in my hands. Within it I found enough to quench my thirst for the critiques and observations contained therein. However I must admit I have not committed a single crime in the eyes of society. I probably blundered against your sensibilities which I just became aware of and did not really know about them prior to this moment. I have never acted like this in Morocco; in fact I was not even capable of doing so. Then I became aware that I was often the object of your complaints. Have you forgotten the comments by our friend Number 40 that were published in the journal "Al Widad" (The Harmony) with regards to the importance I attached to all matters be they large or small? Do you not recall how you supported his views in his garden in early 1928? Have you forgotten the discussions and arguments we had over the course of several days on this (very) subject? Was my thinking then not in harmony with yours of today, if not more? Did I not do service to the values of our association despite the divergent views of its members and the deep slumber into which they plunged? If you have forgotten the comments you made on this matter, be aware that they are transcribed such as they were in my memos. You never cease to amaze me with your strange thinking and fickle opinions.

Nonetheless the most direct ideas and most valid views were those you upheld in the past. You refused the praise or admiration one could have for the actions you undertook or for actions you incited sincere people to take. Perhaps you will tell me that I do not have such a clear view on this subject so as to allow me to proclaim it aloud with no shame or fear. You adapted to our beliefs and acted against your own views. You must know, dear friend, that my beliefs dictate that I consider that the interest for the common good is sacred and must be upheld above all else, including my own opinions. For my part, a young man must behave like an actor on stage capable of switching from the role of a rich man to one who is poor, from an oppressor to the oppressed and so on. But there should be no doubt that the common good is our ultimate goal. Ever since I have entered into active undertakings, my motto has been to uphold the common good as inviolable. As for my views, they are often in total contradiction to what I do. do.

It is not my practice to pour flattery and praise except when this is dictated by a need to acknowledge my interest in someone (such as you). This I would do with goodwill thinking that this would constitute an encouragement for you and a means to support your views and ideas. However when I realized that this attitude went against the common good I immediately retracted my words. So once again I adopt the posture I have had with regards to you when I was in Morocco. Moreover this is even before I received your observations with regards to my (perceived) lack of interest in matters in my charge. Otherwise, dear friend, I ask you to erase from your memory all that has passed (between us) including all the errors I have committed in putting you on the pedestal on which you find yourself. I offer you all my excuses and ask forgiveness.

The "Al Widad" (The Harmony) Association

This association is an enigma that puts me in total disarray. I see how it has regressed towards irrelevance at a time when it needs to step forward and demonstrate its vitality. The reason for this is that the members have fallen into permanent indifference. This may not be of real interest to you. As for me, I place much value in our persistence in the pursuit of those objectives which we affixed within the framework of our action plan. These are the foundations of our plan and to which we have agreed to respect our commitments to ensure their execution. I have no doubt that you are among those who support such a viewpoint and who will do all that is possible, neglecting no effort, to realize this goal.

I have thought long and hard on the best path which we must take to realize the hopes and dreams on which we base this association. The conclusion I have reached is to convince you to maintain total neutrality in your personal activities and to search for a path for success by taking into consideration, as I have, the need to work within the aegis of the association.

In other words, the work within the association, must in no manner, become mixed with the private lives of its members. This discipline must be adhered to and it is the most proper of disciplines for members working in concert within the association so as to assure the success and progress to which it aspires while avoiding all prejudicial interference to its smooth functioning. This issue is one I have pondered at length. However I do want to address a number of questions to you (and the members) and once I have received (from you) the requisite responses I will do all I can not to distance myself too far from positions you support and defend. I therefore ask with some insistence that you meet with all active members of the association at your place to relay to them my letter addressed to them which I will send to you shortly after this one. Please ask them to respond to the questions raised and do me the pleasure of sending me their replies in your next correspondence with me. I will undertake total responsibility for the new approach to our collective endeavors and I am convinced that you will be fully satisfied with the results which we will achieve.

The routing of mail.

This issue is one which often leaves me most perplexed for I do not know which route is safest and quickest. I believe that the English postal system is the best of all. Try it if you wish.

The letters.

I have received your first letter and after reading it, I observed the amount of activities you are faced with. Your second letter arrived at the same time as the last letter. As for the replies you provided, they resemble moral judgements insisting on avoidance of what is wrong and to always do what is right. Excellent! However you must bring about several improvements within the organization if you wish the association members to adhere to your principles.

My personal situation.

I have often asked you to defer questions about it until you receive (from me) a detailed account concerning it. But since you insist in your queries, I can tell you that I am alive and well, more so physically than morale wise. I am studying French and English. Hence my dear friend, even though it is your right to be concerned with regards to my well being, have a little patience until the aforementioned status report reaches you so as to satisfy your curiosity.

On the matter of the book " Present Times of the Islamic World".

I am very astonished by what has transpired. But I point out to you the need to avoid any forbidden official actions. This is not a sign of weakness on my part, but rather simply a desire to limit the damage. As for the behavior of the Controller of Public Order towards you, this is part of a carefully devised political ploy. You risk falling easily into the trap he has laid out for you if you do not hoist down your sails and refrain from any belligerence. Of course the (probable ensuing) humiliation and torture could engender passionate feelings that would be welcomed in all of our hearts. But the times are not yet right for this. For now, we are bound to execute the dictates of the government while continuing to propagate our virtuous beliefs amongst our kindred brothers and nothing beyond that. Tomorrow will be another day ....

Do you believe that the government will close its eyes on your activities to the point of giving you permission to publish a banned book? Be assured that French ingenuity in trickery exceeds any political capabilities. Consequently you must be prudent and behave moderately until the day when you succeed in building your position, one that is on a solid and imposing foundation on which we all can engage our forces in the battle.

My views on the book "Al Taqweem" (The Evaluation).

An agreeable book to read, contains a number of valuable pieces of information, however it leaves the impression that Morocco is witnessing a high level of cultural revival which does not reflect strictly the reality. That said, its author deserves to be complimented. I have asked you in vain to send me his address as well as that of the author of "Al Fatah" (The Conquest). I insist again that you send me their addresses. In addition I will send you a review on "The Evaluation" requesting your assurance of its publication in the magazine "Al Madrasa" (The School).

My chaotic organization

The chaotic situation you have found in all departments comes up frequently in your letters and you ask the reason for why this is the case. First of all, it is due to work overload and due to inadequate time management. All of this will be detailed in the report on my personal situation which will unfailingly reach you at the latest perhaps by next week, As to the reason for my current way of writing for the magazine "Al Widad" it is this: ever since a certain number of copies were lost in the mail, I decided to keep a copy of each edition for myself. I began to use carbon paper to obtain in one writing two copies. I also had to change ink after the original high quality ink had completely run out. I am therefore perfectly aware that my handwritten manuscripts are in a deplorable state but in a short while they will appear in much more presentable fashion. For your information, I am in the process of putting in place a new approach so that the magazine will appear three times a week and will still contain all the columns treated previously. We rely on the Lord in the success of our endeavor.