Doharian Order

The Most Honourable Order of the Doharu (Hamanese: Kumunu Hamidi a li Doharu), known colloquially in the Staynish language as the Doharian Order is a monastic order that is operates primarily in the Hamanian Empire. It is, by far, the largest and most distinguished of the monastic orders founded in the Abrahamic religious tradition.

History

The Doharian Order was founded by six religious scholars in 1570. Muhammadu Salamu, Isa Bismilahu, Ismayilu Rahamanu, Ibrahimu Kadahu, Isaku Pahadu and Abudinu Wahatu were religious scholars who studied under the tradition of the Komodu school of thought in the high seminaries there. Through reputation, they were aware of each other. Muhammadu Salamu and Isa Bismilahu developed a close friendship and developed a radical interpretation of the Abrahamic religion. They called for the establishment of a pious class of religious leaders who were able and empowered to defend the Abrahamic religion through political, social and even forceful means. The establishment of a class in the vein of the Christian clergy had been avoided, with the support of the religion resting in state hands while spirituality was a decidedly private or social affair.

These ideas attracted Ibrahimu Kadahu, Isa Pahadu, Abudinu Wahatu and Ismayilu Rahamanu. These scholars were widely respected in the religious community of Hama and were well versed in secular disciplines such as law and combat. These six men established a covenant between themselves in the small town of Doharu, to protect and proliferate the Abrahamic religion. In 1590, King Ahamadu supported the exploration of Borea under Prince Ali Matu. This expedition soon turned into an invasion. Under General Yeshu Abadulahu, who was shortly appointed governor of the Hamanian territories in Borea, the Kingdom of Hama acquired vast territorial possessions in eastern Borea and nearly doubled the territory and population under Hamanite control. During the beginning of this time, these six men, who were nicknamed the Doharian Six continued to advance their ideals.

King Musa was greatly sympathetic to the Doharian Six. Through his patronage, in kind, treasure and political support, they were able to establish the Order of Doharu. They built the House of Doharu which was an orphanage. They identified and developed the talents in the dejected children. By 1645, they had built a disciplined order of warriors and scholars. These warriors were well versed in combat of all forms. They were also well versed in the Abrahamic religion. They were devout and loyal to its ideals, striving for high ideals.

In 1650, a squadron of Hamanian soldiers attacked a Kalatian village with the intention of capturing slaves. The incompetent sergeant caused a diplomatic debacle between the Kingdom of Hama and the Kingdom of Kalatianburg. The King was in a tight spot and enlisted the help of the Doharian Order.

Structure

The Doharian Order is a monastic order in that it is founded on the basis of a particular religion and has similar structures and beliefs to other monastic orders. Unlike the equivalent orders of Franciscan and Dominican Orders in the Catholic religion, the Doharian Order is a corporate entity. It has a remarkably centralized structure. The Sovereign of the Order is His Majesty, the King of Hama, currently Maduallahu. This is a ceremonial position as the Kings have lost a great deal of their power to this organization which can act fairly autonomously. The King has no role in the appointment of senior officials, the organization, structure, and doctrine of the order. The complex matrix of agreements, decrees, and laws has given the order a great deal of clout and influence within the Hamanian Empire. The King being the head of state has power over the organisation when it is acting in a secular and public capacity. For the purposes of this article we must distinguish between a class, rank and office. A rank is a formal structure and each member is assigned to one. Each rank determines seniority. A class is an informal group of members who are identified by qualifications or specialisations and other features. An office is a specific function or role in the order.

The head of the order is the Grand Master, currently Ruhadu Tamimu. The Grand Master handles the daily management, oversight, and administration of the Order. He is an immensely powerful figure in the Hamanian political system. He is respected in the Abrahamic scholarly community, he has a close relationship with the political establishment and has a strong voice within the organization. Ultimately the decision making lies with the Grand Council. The Grand Council is formed of the Masters. The Grand Council makes decisions on the beliefs, structure and other important components of the Order. It has the power to punish a member and resolve disputes. The Grand Council presides over and calls its meetings.

The Masters form the highest rank in the Order. They are the elite of the order. They train junior members, they are knowledgeable on and relied upon to give judgments on important issues. They are highly respected and out rank other members. They are to be accorded a certain degree of respect and obedience. Many of the Masters are aged between 40 and 50 because they must retire at the age 60. After this age, they are referred to as the Elders. The Elders are retired masters who are respected. Many of them become trainers or help manage the order, most if not all Deans are Elders. Beneath the Masters are the Deans. The Deans are the heads of the seminaries, schools, and offices of the Order. Neither Deans nor Elders form a rank. The latter form an office and the former form a class.

The second true rank is made up the Knights. The Knights are a powerful group. Masters are forced to work solely for the order. Knights, however, can and are often appointed to judicial and military office. In Hama, most, if not all of the flag officers of the military such as Generals, Admirals and so on, are drawn almost exclusively from the knights of the order. Almost all senior judges are drawn from this class. Many knights specialize in a particular discipline such as law, religion or military sciences, so as to become eligible for important positions in those fields. The Grand Council of the Order often advises the King on key appointments to the judiciary and military, diplomatic service, and other areas, exclusively putting Knights of the order as nominees. In essence, the Knights form a powerful social class and political rank.

Beneath these are the Warriors. Beneath these are the mere Members. Least of all are the Apprentices. Apprentices are not a rank (in that they have no formal recognition or authority within the order). They are pupils who are being trained to be members. They are a class. There are many offices within the Order that vary according to function. Some serve as teachers, scholars, librarians, weapons masters, administrators and so on. But the Grand Master is the highest office of all.

Beliefs

The Doharian Order is founded on the Doharianist tradition of the Abrahamic religion as was discussed under the section on history. They are strict monotheists. They believe in the omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, immutability, infallibility, immanence and transcendence, and sovereignty of a single, united, indivisible and incomprehensible Creator. They ascribe to many of the values of the religion on moral issues such as abortion, homosexuality, marriage and so on. But they have a stricter code by which they live.

The Doharian Code is a collection of a strict set of rules by which each members must live. There are many rules, but some are more prominent than others. The highest calling is for each member to be free from mortal attachment. This forms the basis of their beliefs. Members must loose themselves from all attachments to their community, family or lovers and never to seek to restore these bonds again. They are called to lifelong celibacy. This calls for strict discipline, an a life of frugality, meditation, prayer, diligent study of the scripture and charity. This also calls for a strick control of diet (for example restriction from the consumption of alcohol). This order zealously guards these tenets. Those who accept the calling to be members and are, in turn, accepted, must submit to this strict code. A deviation is punished heavily, even with death. Even members who act in public and military office are subject to the discipline of the order. Corruption, contempt of the law, sedition, disrespect of the order are punishable by death and shame (a broad term for punishments that include amputation, often of the tongue, and banishment).

Membership

This order has had an interesting history. It may have been founded by some of the most eminent religious, legal and military men in the Kingdom, but hardly any person of respectable birth has been a member. Many of the members are taken as children. They are often orphans, or they come from disadvantaged backgrounds. It is regarded as a great honor to become a member. Many poor families are willing to give their children to the order. Virtually no members are accepted as adults. This creates an interesting culture in the order. There are strong bonds between members and a strong chain of command and line of discipline. Almost all members are Hamanites. There are approximately 20,000 members.

Finances

The Doharian Order is incalculably wealthy. This organisation owns hundreds of hectares of land. It has amassed treasure, from many victories in battle. It receives incredible sums in donations from believers all over the world.. The state pays the organization a hefty stipend.

Philanthropy

The Doharian Order has a vast philanthropical apparatus. It funds schools, clinics, social programs, development programs and is a major patron of the state.

Politics

The order exerts a great deal of power in the Hamanian political system. Its support protects the authority of the reigning King and propels nominees to the office. It controls the judiciary and military. It has a heavy voice in the Abrahamic religious community. It supports conservative views on social and religious issues, but steers clear of political and economic ideological stances.