§ 26. Mr. PICKTHORNasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Mufti of Jerusalem was selected for his appointment by the High Commissioner for Palestine or elected by his fellow Moslems?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI am glad to have the opportunity to make this matter clear. The Mufti of Jerusalem holds the appointment of Rais el-Ulema or President of the Supreme Moslem Sharia Council. His Eminence was elected to this office in 1922 by a Moslem general committee which was itself elected by secondary electors.
§ Captain PETER MACDONALDIs it not a fact that the Mufti is not and never has been a Government official, as has been alleged?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI say that he was elected by Mohammedans, but he is recognised by the Government.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs it not the case that the Grand Mufti does receive £600 per annum from the Palestine Government?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREAs I explained before, in respect of purely judicial functions he receives, as do the Judges in Palestine, remuneration from public funds.