police chief and his men, and in the face of the bad behaviour of the unruly, induce obedience more effectively than the police superintendants. The police, therefore, should look on us approvingly as the police chief does, not suspiciously. Because he said that he really liked Zülfikar and that he was going to read it. Anyway, you do whatever you think is best.

Also, tell the police chief: "Our brother Said says that if you really do like Zülfikar you can have that copy as a gift, because it is his. And he says too that he will also give you a copy of The Staff of Moses, which is just as important as Zülfikar."

I have absolutely no time to write personal replies to the gratifying letters that have arrived from Denizli and Tavas and my circumstances do not allow it, so they should not feel offended. It is understood from Çakır. Yusuf's letter that he is totally committed and a full heir of Hasan Feyzi. ∗∗∗

► (163) ◄

The nine-year-old innocent child of our brother, a Nur commander and the Hulûsi of Isparta, Re'fet Bey, has written out the First Word from the Risale-i Nur so well that it shows he is destined to be a blessed Hüsnü and young hero among the children like the eleven-year-old Hüsnü of Safranbolu. May Almighty God give him to the Risale-i Nur and grant him success. Amen. I shall correct and send the copy I have written out, God willing. ∗∗∗

► (164) ◄ To Hilmi Bey, former Interior Minister and now General Secretary of the Republican People's Party

To Hilmi Bey, [^86] former Interior Minister and now

General Secretary of the Republican People's Party

[^86]:Hilmi Uran (1886-1957) had a lengthy political career, holding numerous posts and including ministries in various Republican People's Party governments. He was Interior Minister 1943-1946. [Tr.]

Firstly: The only petition I have written in twenty years was to you when you were Interior Minister. But I did not break my rule of twenty years and did not submit it. If you like, I can read it to you. I shall speak to you as both former Interior Minister, and present General Secretary. To speak for ten hours would be little indeed for someone who has not addressed the government for twenty years and spoken only once with one of its leading members and that on account of the government. So permit me to speak with you for an hour or two.