The French, with their modern equipment and weapons, attacked more than once and were defeated. Bir Mellali fell into the hands of Muhammad al-Barani in the battle of Dassa on the first of... The French, who destroyed its zawiya and built a strong fort in its place. Thus, the conflict that the Sanusiya movement had desired for more than half a century. This conflict will continue for years, first between the Sanusiya and the French, then between the Sanusiya and the Italians. During the initial clashes between the Sanusiya and the French in Bir... Al-Mahdi became severely ill and passed away on Sunday, the 2nd of Safar, corresponding to June 1911. He was buried in the zawiya of Qaru. Ahmad al-Rifi proposed transferring the body to Kufra, which was done, and he was buried in the zawiya of al-Taj. Ahmad al-Sharif, who assumed leadership of the movement, sent a letter to the sheikhs of the zawiyas, mourning the death of his uncle, al-Mahdi. This is its text: In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. "He who created death and life, to test you which of you is best in deed. And He is the Almighty, the Forgiving. Glory be to Him in whose hand is the dominion of all things, and to Him you will be returned." To proceed: From his Lord, blessed be He, Ahmad, son of Sayyid Muhammad al-Sharif, son of Sayyid Muhammad al-Sanusi al-Khattabi al-Idrisi al-Hasani, to the esteemed, pure, and luminous Sayyid Sheikh... (the name of the sheikh of the zawiya to whom the letter is addressed is written). May God grant him salvation. Peace be upon you, and the mercy of God, His blessings, His forgiveness, and His pleasure. The reason for this inquiry about your conditions is that they are still subject to kindness and approval. If you ask about us, then by God's praise, we are residing under the flow of destiny, and in the power of Him who says to a thing, "Be," and it is. Al-Mahdi. (See Shukri -1).