RUSHDI PASHA (c. 1864-1928), Egyptian statesman, was born about 1864, and educated in France. On his return to Egypt he became successively a judge in the Mixed Tribunals, a judge in the Egyptian Court of Appeal, and Director-general of Wakfs. He became minister of justice in 1908, and two years later min ister of foreign affairs, on the assassination of Boutros Pasha, re turning later to the ministry of justice. In April 1914 he was made prime minister and at the outbreak of the World War was acting as regent in the absence of the khedive. The fact that Egypt was still technically part of the Ottoman empire, and that Turkey at first declared for neutrality, made his position ex tremely difficult. He had, however, a strong cabinet, and, when Turkey entered the war on the side of Germany, he agreed to the proclamation of a British protectorate. Abbas Hilmi was deposed, and Prince Hussein chosen as sultan by the British gov ernment.
After the Armistice, there was a strong movement, led by Saad Pasha Zaghlul (q.v.) for the recognition of Egypt's inde pendence. Rushdi pressed the British Government for a defini tion of the position, and even asked to be received in London with Adly Pasha to discuss the question. This proposal was not and on March 1, 1919 he and his cabinet resigned. A
few days later Zaghlul Pasha was arrested by the British authori ties and deported to Malta. This step led to serious rioting, and he was soon released and continued his journey to Paris to champion Egypt at the Peace Conference. The British Govern ment had to appeal once more to Rushdi Pasha, who consented, after the release of Zaghlul, to form a ministry again. The treat ment which he had received had, however, greatly diminished his prestige, and he was obliged to resign again ten days later. He retired into private life, and did not take office again until the Milner Commission (1919) had made its report.
An Egyptian cabinet was required which should have sufficient support in Egypt to undertake negotiations in London towards an agreed settlement. Adly Pasha was made prime minister, and Rushdi became president of the Council, being chosen to accom pany him to England. He was, however, failing in health, and his final illness was probably aggravated by his anxiety with regard to the negotiations, as he believed that the British terms would prove unacceptable. He died on March 13, 1928.