How to know a True friend! by kerminator

** It is not very often in this life, that we get the opportunity to find a true friend! Abou Fatma was a true friend to the end! ** See how you measure up! ** { This period is presented in the Book by Sir Winston Churchill " The River War " read for more on the historical points! "

From: simplytruth.com

Topic started by: Kerminator on 16, Dec 2010, 14:00 GMT

Title: Abou Fatma a True Friend!
Post by: Kerminator on 16, Dec 2010, 14:00 GMT

The Four Feathers is a 1902 adventure novel by British writer A.E.W. Mason that has inspired many films of the same title. We will consider the 2002 film version:

By 1884 over a quarter of the earth's surface had been conquered by the British Army. Plus all the worlds oceans was ruled by the Royal Navy (which account for 70% of the world) There was no greater honor for a young man than to fight for Queen and Country.
Those that refused the call to arms brought shame and humiliation on their friends and families...
Title Card: The Symbol of their disgrace was the white feather of cowardice...

This is a movie based upon the conflict in Sudan; between the British Army who are putting down a Islamic Jihad...

HISTORY
Sudan was a collection of small, independent kingdoms and principalities from the beginning of the Christian era until 1820-21, when Egypt conquered and unified the northern portion of the country. However, neither the Egyptian nor the Mahdist state (1883-1898) had any effective control of the southern region outside of a few garrisons. Southern Sudan remained an area of fragmented tribes, subject to frequent attacks by BLACK slave raiders.

In 1881, a religious leader named Muhammad ibn Abdalla proclaimed himself the Mahdi, or the "expected one," and began a religious crusade to unify the tribes in western and central Sudan. His followers took on the name "Ansars" (the followers) which they continue to use today and are associated with the single largest political grouping, the Umma Party, led by a descendant of the Mahdi, Sadiq al Mahdi.

Taking advantage of dissatisfaction resulting from Ottoman-Egyptian exploitation and maladministration, the Mahdi led a nationalist revolt culminating in the fall of Khartoum in 1885. The Mahdi died shortly thereafter, but his state survived until overwhelmed by an invading Anglo-Egyptian force under Lord Kitchener in 1898. While nominally administered jointly by Egypt and Britain, Britain exercised control, formulated policies, and supplied most of the top administrators.

Independence
In February 1953, the United Kingdom and Egypt concluded an agreement providing for Sudanese self-government and self-determination. The transitional period toward independence began with the inauguration of the first parliament in 1954. With the consent of the British and Egyptian Governments, Sudan achieved independence on January 1, 1956, under a provisional constitution. This constitution was silent on two crucial issues for southern leaders--the secular or Islamic character of the state and its federal or unitary structure. However, the Arab-led Khartoum government reneged on promises to southerners to create a federal system, which led to a mutiny by southern army officers that launched 17 years of civil war (1955-72).

Conversation after Abou Fatma {Black African Former Aid to General Gorden} had rescued the British Officer Harry Faversham {deserter} from wondering alone across the desert in Sudan!

Abou Fatma: Are you a deserter?
Harry Faversham: Something like that. I was sent to fight and I ran away.
Abou Fatma: Why?
Harry Faversham: Why? I just... There are many reasons why. Mostly I was afraid.
Abou Fatma: [laughs] I found you half dead crossing the desert alone. And you say you are afraid?
Harry Faversham: There's a different kind of fear. Why are you protecting me?
Abou Fatma: Because God put you in my pathway. I have no choice.
Harry Faversham: God? For An Englishman... and a Christian? Abou Fatma: You must have done something terrible to offend Him.

Abou Fatma continues on to help and protect Harry, even going to prison with him; always protecting him from the very face of death. A true friend!

Why because God placed Harry in his pathway of life!

Then later after the Regiment has returned to England, one of Harry's friends, another Officer Jack (one who had given him one a white feather) addresses the assembled Regiment and tells what the real meaning comradeship and the bond of friendship that exist among a band of brothers!

Jack Durrance: Speaking of those who did not return:

You may be lost, but you are not forgotten. For those who have traveled far, to fight in foreign lands, know that the soldier's greatest comfort is to have his friends close at hand. In the heat of battle it ceases to be an idea for which we fight. Not for the Queen, or the flag, nor for country! Rather we fight for the man on our left, and we fight for the man on our right. And when all the armies are scattered and all the empires fall away, all that remains is the memory of those precious moments that we spent sided by side, friends to the end! This is true Camaraderie! .

These are some examples of true friendship!