involved in it to be either members of the Committee of Union and Progress or people of a like kind, that is to say, bandits, whom they held responsible for entering Turkey into the War, and for its defeat which had dealt the death-blow to the Empire. Although it never came to power, the old rivals of the CUP and now dominant political party, the Freedom and Accord Party, also considered the people involved in the national movement to be the chief enemy rather than the foreign aggressors. [^356]

[^356]:Tunaya, Türkiye 'de Siyasal Partiler, i, 29-30, 34-5.

In addition, many Western-inclined intellectuals opposed the nationalists, and their distorted writings combined with the propaganda of the British aiming to widen and play on divisions, were a cause of confusion among the people, shaking their faith even, and weakening their resolve to withstand the enemy. Thus, in his writings, Bediuzzaman pointed out the distortions, and in The Six Steps in particular showed with his usual clarity how the British were playing on their differences and answered their insidious suggestions so summarily and witheringly that it both illuminated its readers and heartened them.

Bediuzzaman also severely condemned those who disparaged their own nation and thought that "the interests and ambitions of the British nation were consistent with the interests and dignity of Islam" and accepted British protection. [^357] When asked which society or grouping he belonged to and why he was severely critical of the opposition, that is, the Freedom and Accord Party, he replied:

[^357]:Or the idea of a British Protectorate. Nursi, "Hutuvat-i Sitte," in Asar-ı Bedi'iyye, 117-118.

I belong to the society of martyrs. It is inauspicious to either deny or belittle a single saint. So it is extreme inauspiciousness to deny two million martyrs who are saints, and to consider their blood to have spilt in vain. For the opposition say that we were wrong to enter the [First World] War, and that our enemies were right; that it was not a jihad. Thus, such a judgement is denial of two million martyrs' martyrdom. In my opinion our most fervent prayer should be: O God, do not put harm amongst us!

There is a fact before which the most uncivilized and even the savage bow their heads in submission and respect, and that is, when confronted by an external enemy, two hostile clans of a tribe put aside their own enmity instinctively. It is astonishing therefore that people who are considered to be civilized and enlightened are far inferior to those savages; when faced with external hostility they intensify internal enmity. If civilization and science are thus, then man's happiness lies in savagery and ignorance! [^358]

[^358]:Nursi, "İşarât," in Asar-ı Bedi'iyye, 96-7.