On June 5, 1916, Emir Hussein made a historic move that would ignite the Arab Revolt against Ottoman control. He positioned himself in a tower of his Mecca palace and fired an old musket towards the Turkish fort, signaling his followers to rise up. This act marked the beginning of a coordinated resistance against the Turkish strongholds throughout the Hejaz region that day.

The rebellion led by Hussein swiftly gained momentum, with various attacks launched against Turkish military points. This event symbolizes the quest for Arab independence during World War I and reflects the complexities and tensions of the historical context in the Middle East, as discussed in Scott Anderson's work. The uprising ultimately altered the political landscape of the region and paved the way for future developments.