The family remained in Suakin. Sayyid Ali alone went to Egypt. Sayyid Ali stayed in Cairo for about five years, during which he received knowledge, resided near and frequented Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, and visited the Dar Al-Kutub. Some believe he obtained an official certificate from Al-Azhar, the "Ijazah of Al-Alimiyyah." However, it seems, as Abu Salim mentioned, that he did not receive a structured education. Sayyid Ali returned to Suakin, and the Mahdist movement had receded. The Italians occupied Kassala in 1891, and after the fall of Tokar in the east, this opened the way for the Khatmiyya to regain their influence and status in that region. The tribes there welcomed him warmly. After the fall of Khartoum, Sayyid Ahmad, Sayyid Ja'far, and Sayyid Al-Hasan, along with Sayyida Fatima, moved to Kassala, which officially became Sayyid Ahmad's. As for Sayyid Ali, he moved to Khartoum in 1899. Some wished to portray Sayyid Ali's return to Sudan as if he were part of the invading army. Dr. Gali mentioned a view by Abd Al-Ajeed Abu Hasbu, which he circulated in his memoirs, stating that Sayyid Ali Al-Mirghani was the religious figure chosen by the conquering expedition to accompany them on their journey and assist them in implementing the policy of the invaders. Dr. Abu Salim believes this contradicts history and is what his opponents, the Nile, and their schemes published. Sayyid Ali did not work for the Egyptian government in any capacity. When the conquest of eastern Sudan occurred, Muhammad Hamed Khair, in his book about the Khatmiyya, stated that the myth of Sayyid Ali entering Sudan with the British was an invention of Kitchener's soldiers themselves, as they wanted to gain the sympathy of the tribes throughout the country. The dual rule in Sudan sought to find allies among the religious leaders. In the early years of its rule, it demonstrated its concern for Islam and its non-rejection of the principle of Sudanese people resorting to their true Sharia. This was evident in Cromer's speech to the Sudanese nation on January 4, 1899, in which he responded to an inquiry from one of the sheikhs to the listeners about whether Islamic Sharia rulings would be respected and enforced in the country. Lord Cromer replied to this question affirmatively. Among what he said was, "I have received special orders from Her Majesty."