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Al Shoura Court

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The Shoura Court is one of the most significant places in Al Khalifa Abdulla's house. It was where he daily consulted and exchanged views with the senior leaders of the Mahdiya state. In the state, Shoura (mutual consultation) was the customary way of making decisions. The Shoura court was also where the Shoura Council meetings took place. Several rooms attached to the court served these purposes, including guest rooms, rooms for the ministers, and an upper chamber for Al Khalifa’s personal retreat, his Khalwa.

Al Khalifa held annual meetings with members of the Shoura Council and the Majlis Al Hal Wal Aged, Council of Shariea, but emergency meetings could be called at any point. During the annual meetings, they discussed the most important matters and decisions of the Mahdiya state, as well as the nomination or removal of an Imam.

The Shoura Council comprised 46 members from every region of Sudan. Their chief duties were to provide consultation and advice to Al Khalifa and to take over his responsibilities in his absence. Sometimes there was an overlap in the Shoura Council’s authority with that of the Council of Shariea, which had 40 members: the Shoura Council selected thirty members and Al Khalifa ten members.

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Administration of the Mahdiya State during the rule of Al Khalifa Abdullah

Following Imam Al Mahdi’s death, Al Khalifa Abdullah assumed leadership of the Mahdiya State. He did not fundamentally change the administrative foundation drawn up by Al Mahdi for the government. However, his longer rule meant he could focus on filling in the shortcomings and inconsistencies that appeared during the practical application of Al Mahdi’s plan.

Al Khalifa had the absolute authority to execute his judgment as he saw fit. He gave his brother Yagoub authority over police affairs, while the Judge of Islam had judicial authority. Al Khalifa relied on his Amirs in military matters and would meet daily with his senior advisors in the Shura Court to discuss the State’s affairs. He split the administration of the country into eight Amalat provinces, gave the title Amil (Governor) to the ruler of each province, and the title Amir to the commander of the army stationed there.

Al Khalifa divided the Amalat provinces into two types:

Military Amala, on the outskirts of the states, governed by military leaders, and the main line of defence against invasion.

Urban Amala, as the central prefectures ruled by Al Khalifa Abdullah, and supervised by civil officials.  

Al Khalifa monitored the management of the Amalat using the postal system. He assigned to each Amil several Amirs to help lead and maintain their army, together with several tax collectors and a few confidential clerks who could correspond discreetly. When a crisis occurred, Al Khalifa Abdullah would send a delegation from the Trustees Council to investigate and solve it. Although Al Khalifa did not visit the Amalat, he would hold meetings on set dates during the festivals of Rajabiya (27 Rajab), Eid Al Adha, and Eid Al Fitr to keep himself informed of their affairs and to receive reports and consultations.

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Cover picture: Shura Court © Khalifa House museum