# Endnotes explained — Saïd the Fisherman

> Chapter companion for Saïd the Fisherman by Marmaduke Pickthall.

## What happens

The endnotes provide historical and contextual annotations, including an anecdote about the exiled Khedive Ismaìl Pasha, explanations of Ottoman classifications and taxes, a prophecy about the fall of Islâm, and details about the Damascus massacre of 1860.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religion and Superstition

The endnotes discuss religious classifications, a prophecy about Islâm's ruin, and the role of religious identity in the Damascus massacre.

### Violence and Chaos

The endnotes describe the violent suppression of the Damascus riot and the massacre of Christians.

## Character check-ins

### Ahmed Pasha

Mentioned in the endnote about the Damascus massacre; ordered troops to fire on the mob.

## Key lines

> It has been told me for a fact that when the exiled Khedive Ismaìl Pasha (known to London street-boys of the period as old Ishmel Parker) was at Naples, one of the officers in attendance on him challenged an Italian in a café for having dared to insult a Prophet of his (the Egyptian’s) religion.

A story is told that while the exiled Khedive Ismaìl Pasha was in Naples, one of his officers dueled an Italian who had blasphemed against the Prophet.

_Anecdote illustrating religious honor and conflict._

> It was predicted in the beginning of the present century by a much-revered sheikh that when the first of the sevens falls the ruin of Islâm will commence, and when the second falls it will have been completed.

A revered sheikh predicted that the fall of the first seven would begin Islâm's ruin, and the second seven would complete it.

_Prophecy influencing fatalist tendencies among Muslims._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters/endnotes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sa_d_the_fisherman_se/chapters