Qadi Mohammed Raghib bin Rafiq (His Biography and History) (1287-1378 AH/1870-1958)

Abstract

Political and administrative pioneers, who lived through the modern and contemporary history of Yemen, had a tangible impact on the management of political and administrative life in Yemen. legal personalities emerged, who had an active role and participation, and sincere attempts in building modern and contemporary Yemen.

Historical events continued after the withdrawal of the Ottoman Turks from Yemen in 1918 following their defeat in the events of the First World War. Imam Yahya Hamiduddin assumed power in Yemen as an independent ruler, and Yemen was transformed from an Ottoman state to an independent state.

Imam Yahya was keen to seek the help of Turkish men of governance and politics who preferred to remain in Yemen. Qadi Mohammed Raghib was one of the men who preferred to remain in Yemen and worked in the government of the Imam Yahya Hamiduddin as counselor and Minister of Foreign Affairs at that time.

Through the documents, letters, and personal interviews left by the Qadi, which contributed to illustrating the features of such personality's life and his different participations in building the independent Yemeni State.

The research addresses several topics after recounting the personal biography, his governmental work, and his role in the work of the management of Yemen's foreign relations. His role in fostering external relations with different countries of the world, and his role in in renewing Yemen's relations with Egypt have also been illustrated.

Then the research presents his travels to foreign countries, recounting some of the writings and views written about Qadi Mohammed Raghib and his political role vis-à-vis the revolutionaries, free people and intellectuals. Political news reports that the Qadi was keen to convey to Imam Yahya were presented so that he could be informed of the course of the world's events, most notably the Palestinian events and Jewish migration.

The research concluded with Qadi Mohammed's social relations with the Sana'ani community and his close friendships with certain legal personalities of the State. His life was also full of generous giving until his death, may Allah have mercy on him.