The Claim:

"Churchill said: 'Islam is as dangerous in a man as rabies in a dog.'"

The Reality:

This is a misquote. The original statement comes from Churchill's 1899 book The River War, where he criticized not Islam as a whole, but the fanaticism of the Mahdist revolt in Sudan-a militant movement he fought against as a young soldier.

The Actual Quote (With Context):

"How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia [rabies] in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy."
- Winston Churchill, The River War (1899)

Key Clarifications:

1. Targeted Criticism: Churchill was condemning the Mahdists' extreme violence, not Islam itself.
2. Terminology: He used "hydrophobia" (a medical term for rabies), not the simplified "rabies."
3. Later Revision: Churchill removed this passage in the 1902 abridged edition, suggesting he reconsidered its tone.

Who Were the Mahdists?

The Mahdist movement (1881-1899) was a rebellion against British-Egyptian rule in Sudan, led by Muhammad Ahmad, who declared himself the Mahdi (a prophesied Islamic redeemer). Their tactics included:

• Brutal warfare: Massacres of defeated enemies (e.g., the 1885 killing of British General Charles Gordon in Khartoum).
• Religious extremism: Enforced strict Islamic law and viewed outsiders as infidels.
• Expansionist raids: Attacked neighboring territories, including Ethiopia and Egypt.

By the 1890s, the Mahdist state had become notorious for its cruelty, even by 19th-century colonial standards.

Churchill's Role in Crushing the Mahdists

In 1898, Churchill-then a 23-year-old cavalry officer-joined Kitchener's Anglo-Egyptian army to reconquer Sudan. The campaign culminated in the Battle of Omdurman (September 2, 1898), where:

• British Maxim guns and artillery mowed down Mahdist warriors, killing ~11,000 with minimal British losses.
• Churchill participated in the last British cavalry charge and later criticized Kitchener's post-battle desecration of the Mahdi's tomb.
• The victory effectively ended the Mahdist state, restoring Sudan to Anglo-Egyptian control.

Churchill's harsh words in The River War reflected his horror at the Mahdists' tactics, not a blanket condemnation of Muslims.

Churchill's Nuanced Views on Islam

Despite his criticism of the Mahdists, Churchill had positive interactions with Islamic cultures:

1. Polo with Muslim Officers in India (1896-1899):
   - Played alongside Muslim soldiers, praising their skill and camaraderie.
2. Admiration for Istanbul (1910):
   - Vacationed there, calling it "the most wonderful place in the world" in letters.
3. WWII Muslim Allies:
   - Supported halal provisions and prayer rights for Muslim troops in the British Army.

Conclusion

The meme strips Churchill's quote of its historical context. While he condemned Mahdist extremism, he also engaged respectfully with Muslim societies elsewhere. To claim he equated all Muslims with rabid dogs is a distortion of history.

Sources:

• Churchill, The River War (1899, 1902 editions).
• Snopes (fact-check on the quote).
• David Fromkin, The Peace to End All Peace (on Churchill in Istanbul).