Introduction.

The Role of Sayyid Abd al-Rahman al-Mahdi in the Sudanese National Movement 1956-1958 The Mahdiyya was the primary weapon used by the Sudanese in their struggle against Ottoman control and European imperialism during the 19th century. However, their militant doctrine, which rejected anything connected to the masses, i.e., those who did not profess the Mahdiyya, and insisted on fighting them, underwent a significant transformation in the 20th century, especially after 1914. It now embraced cooperation with the British imperialists, who were the de facto rulers of Sudan between 1899 and 1956. This sharp turn from militancy to moderation was orchestrated by the new leader of the Mahdists, or rather, the leader of the new Mahdiyya, Sayyid Abd al-Rahman, the eldest surviving son of the Mahdi (1).

Sayyid Abd al-Rahman al-Mahdi, who was not revolutionary by nature, seems to have realized that the British had consolidated their rule over Sudan, and that the rigid tactical stances adopted by his father were no longer effective in dislodging them even slightly. He felt that the interests of the entire Sudanese nation and the Mahdist community in particular could be better served by cooperating with the British on the basis that Sudan belongs to the Sudanese. We now have enough data to assume that Sayyid Abd al-Rahman's adherence to constitutional legitimacy was not, in fact, a sincere conviction but rather imposed by political realities. Sayyid clearly understood that an armed uprising would only lead to total destruction. In the history of the Mahdiyya's march, a distinguished Sudanese poet and teacher, the late Ubayd Abd al-Nur, stands out for this difference between the Mahdi and his son, Sayyid Abd al-Rahman. Ubayd confirms that both were national leaders who strove for the country's independence. However, while the Mahdi fought the aristocracy with the force of arms, his son fought the British imperialists "with patience and tolerance" (2).

From his youth, Sayyid Abd al-Rahman (3) showed great interest in reorganizing the Mahdists into a strong religious-political community to achieve his lifelong dream: an independent Sudan under his leadership, if not under his throne. However, with his practical and realistic sense, he did not expect this to happen quickly, especially given the general atmosphere that prevailed against the Mahdists before 1914.