The foundation of unity and progress and of the strengthening and liberation of the Islamic world was moral renewal, and Bediuzzaman saw the Society as spearheading a more widespread movement for moral rearmament through putting new energy into observing the Shari'a and following the Practices of the Prophet (PBUH). He stated: "The reason for our worldly decline was failure to observe our religion. Also, we are more in need of moral improvement than government reform." [^170]

[^170]:Op. cit., Asar-ı Bedi'iyye, 387.

In these articles Bediuzzaman is explaining in greater detail the aims of the Muhammadan Union as they appeared in the Society's Manifesto and Code of Rules. In addition, the Manifesto pointed out that at that time societies and parties of every shade and variety had been organized in different parts of the world, and stated that just as it was not injurious for a Muslim not to belong to the Society, so also belonging to it did not form an obstacle to belonging to other societies, whether religious or political. Societies were necessary, because "the desired fruits can never be plucked from Constitutionalism without parties and societies." The Society recognized ("does not even look askance at") the fact that under the Constitution all citizens, that is, non-Muslims as well as Muslims, were equal before the law. Furthermore, the Manifesto was at pains to point out that all its activities, and the activities it aimed to promote among Muslims, were to be within the law. [^171]

[^171]:T. Z. Tunaya, Türkiye'de Siyasal Partiler, i, 199-200, from Volkan, No. 75.

#### The Mawlid in Aya Sophia

*The Mawlid in Aya Sophia*

That a Mawlid was being organized by the Society in Aya Sophia to coincide with the Prophet's birthday was announced in the Volkan on 18 Mart 1325/31 March 1909. It stated that the Society "had entered a new era of tranquillity and progress having successfully surmounted all the attacks to which it had been subject, and the crises arising from those attacks." The Mawlid was to be "a gift to Muhammad's pure and unstained spirit. [^172]

[^172]:S. Albayrak, 31 Mart, 212-214, quoted from Volkan, No. 90.

The news of the Mawlid evoked a tremendous response among the population of Istanbul, and something in the region of one hundred thousand people gathered on the specified day. Never before had there been such a throng in the area surrounding Aya Sophia. However, despite the numbers, no untoward incidents occurred either before or after the Mawlid, and the whole occasion was most orderly; "a display of Islamic brotherhood and