Court of the Caliph: BC Hotseat Council Thread

[phonicsmonkey]

Following the death of the Caliph, a period of turmoil descended upon Baghdad and the Court. The Vizier Marshed disappeared, and wild rumours circulated about a possible challenge to the succession of the Crown Prince Abu-Bakr, about whom it was whispered that he should not be eligible due to his adopted status.

In the event the feared uprising did not materialise and, following the grand state funeral of the late Caliph An-Nasir, an orderly coronation was held at the Grand Mosque confirming Abu-Bakr as the Caliph of all Islam.

The day after the coronation, the new Caliph appears at Court flanked by the Royal Ghulam Guard in full regalia, and accompanied by a new Vizier, much younger than Marshed.

After a grand fanfare and an arcane religious ceremony conducted by a slew of Imans, Caliph Abu-Bakr rises to address the Court.

Lords and dignitaries of all the nations of the World, I greet you today as Caliph of all Islam.

My predecessor (may Allah grant him the bounties of paradise for eternity) achieved much in his too-short life, and I intend to follow his example in diplomacy and religion.

You are welcome at my Court, regardless of what war and conflict occur between your nations, as was always the way of great An-Nasir.

In terms of our diplomatic relations with other nations, I would like first of all to confirm our grand alliance with our most treasured neighbours the Seljuks (may their arrows ever fly swift and true), and with our more distant cousins the Ghaznavids.

I will also at this stage recognise the bonds of friendship in place with our Hindoo cousins the Rajputs, and thank them for their support of our previous Caliph's jihad.

We must, however, remain neutral in their dispute with their vassal and our erstwhile ally the Ghorids, although we would urge the Ghorids to come to a peaceful settlement and avoid further unnecessary bloodshed.

To the Omanis, although your faith be different to ours, we remain your allies and friends.

To the rulers of Egypt, we wish you Allah's luck and strength in your struggle to defend your homelands against the Franks. The Caliphate has long been your friend, and will remain so.

Our previous Caliph signed a peace with both the Romans and the Franks, and we will honour it, and remain neutral in their dispute. We appeal for their clemency with regard to the innocent of the ummah caught up in their war.

Allah u-akhbar!