**Entry of the Invading Army at the End of the Mahdia** Renewed on our northern borders, Kashtamr's army was able to penetrate our land, defeat the army of Mahmoud and Ahmed, which the Khalifa had sent to stop him, and then headed towards Omdurman. On Friday, September 15, 1898 AD, that page of Sudan's history was turned. While I realize that historians will write about its pros and cons, I assert that there is one matter on which people will not disagree once they reflect: that Sha'ban of the year 1297 AH is the month that witnessed the birth of the Sudanese nation, and it is the month of the appearance of Imam Al-Mahdi. On Thursday, September 14, the enemy began to aim their cannons at the dome of Imam Al-Mahdi. The invaders intended with this act of excruciating pain to kill the morale of the Ansar and spread despair and weakness among their ranks. But they did not achieve what they wanted. As the cannons struck the dome, we became even more eager for the encounter and more attached to death and martyrdom. The earth around us darkened, and we became more detached from this worldly life and more desirous of the hereafter. I saw the shells hitting the dome, scattering its stones, and these explosive stones hitting women and children. People witnessed all this and could hardly believe their eyes, filling their hearts with the proximity of martyrdom and the grace of God in the abode of bliss.

**The Battle of Karari** Our army went out to meet the invaders at Karari. The invaders, with their deadly weapons, prevailed and entered Omdurman on Friday, September 15, 1898 AD. I did not go to Karari with the army due to my young age. The Khalifa had ordered that the young sons of Al-Mahdi should stay behind, so they did. As for my brother Muhammad, he was among the first martyrs of Karari. When the invaders entered Omdurman, we left it. The purpose of this movement was to preserve the thrones for the women and the incapacitated, and to prepare for another confrontation for the men.

**Al-Kasra** We left Omdurman on the afternoon of Friday, September 15, on foot. Our departure was in two groups: one group with the Khalifa of the Mahdi and another group with Khalifa Sharif. The latter consisted mostly of families and children. I and the other sons of Al-Mahdi, numbering eight, were in this group. As for my brother Al-Siddiq, he was with the Khalifa of the Mahdi.

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