Arab separatism was negligible before the 1908 Young Turk revolution

Evidence

In general, the revolution of 1908 brought considerable changes to the Arab position. Until that time support for Arab movements and committees was in­ significant. The committees which were formed in Syria and elsewhere aroused minimal response. On the contrary the overwhelming majority of Ottoman Arabs remained loyal subjects of the Ottoman Sultan and indeed, during the reign of Abdulhamid, seem to have enjoyed a privileged position. The Sultan himself had a small group of Arab favorites and intimates, including religious leaders and others, through whom he was able to maintain close and direct links with the Arab provinces. The concern of the Ottoman government with the Arab heartlands was manifested and strengthened by the building of the Hijaz railway from Damascus to Medina which was—ironically—completed in 1908. — Bernard Lewis, From Babel to Dragomans, 851

Categorization

• CANDY: The Hijaz railway to Mecca — the ultimate pilgrimage infrastructure — was completed the very year the Young Turks took power, an irony worth an elevator line.