The Khatmiyya Order: Religion and Politics

His son, Sayyid Muhammad Othman, although they were outside the country for some periods of their existence, they did not go far. Sayyid Ali remained in Egypt, close to his followers, corresponding with them and receiving correspondence from them, and closely following the news of Sudan. As for Sayyid Muhammad Othman, his presence throughout the Salvation period and until now has been between Saudi Arabia, Eritrea, and Egypt, which are closer to Sudan. Also, his special followers have joined him, so he is not far away. As for America and Europe, they are another world.

Also emerging from the mantle of Sayyid Muhammad Othman are the sons of Sayyid Muhammad Othman (Shambat) and the sons of Sayyid Al-Hasan (II) in Kassala, all of whom have influence on the Khatmiyya. Sayyid Muhammad Othman did not seek to be close to them in a way that would make them close to him. Sayyid Muhammad Othman (Shambat), his eldest son Sayyid Muhammad Amin, is a prominent young man who graduated from Cairo University, Khartoum branch, and studied law and comparative jurisprudence. He completed his higher studies in religions and played a significant role during the Salvation regime. He is currently preparing to obtain a doctorate. As for his brother, Dr. Ahmed, he is an academic who specialized in surgery and has no share in politics. He still has considerable influence among his followers.

And the sons of Sayyid Al-Hasan (II) in Kassala are Sayyid Abdullah, who is the current Khalifa of his father, and Sayyid Yassin and Sayyid Taha. They are close to Sayyid Muhammad Othman, but they are far from Kassala. They consider themselves representatives of the Al-Mirghani family, just like Sayyid Muhammad Othman.

The last person who can be counted among Sayyid Muhammad Othman's circle, and the most significant in deviating from him, is Sayyid Muhammad Sir Al-Khatm. He is Muhammad Sir Al-Khatm, son of Muhammad Othman, son of Jaafar, son of Bakri, son of Jaafar, son of Muhammad Othman (Al-Khatm). He is Sayyid Muhammad Othman's companion and his brother from another mother. He accompanied Sayyid Muhammad Othman from his early youth and lived with him through the major upheavals that befell the Al-Mirghani family. He married his two daughters to the sons of Sayyid Muhammad Othman. He is a very important man, as he has a good personality that is close to the people, unlike the Al-Mirghani family, who for a long time maintained a distance between themselves and the common people, let alone their followers. Sayyid Muhammad Sir Al-Khatm is the son of Sayyid Muhammad Othman from the branch of Sayyid Jaafar. His father, Sayyid Muhammad Othman, was associated with Eritrea and spent most of his time there. He passed away a short time ago. He followed the Red Sea region up to the borders.