On the 7th, Baba said:
The common cause of nationalism and the objective of achieving independence are sacrificed for want of unity between the Hindus and the Mohammedans, and they are harming their own cause by bringing religion into the matter. No one understands religion, and all this strife and squabble is born of irreligiousness.
Gandhi, who goes to England as the chosen leader of the Congress and the spokesman for India, this time will have no influence, unfortunately, owing to various reasons of conflicting ideals and party politics. Not only will his influence fail with the British people, but his influence will fall considerably even with his own people, the Indians, to the extent of failure. And with Gandhiji's influence gone, and "communalism" coming in, civil war will follow.
This is all very sad for poor India and for Britain, too. But sadder times are still to come before the sun of the New Era of peace and prosperity dawns on the world, for such is ordained.
The ship docked at Port Said at 3:00 A.M. on 7 September 1931, and Baba, Ali, Chanji and Rustom disembarked and spent half an hour walking on the shore.
The following day, a newspaper reporter, Mr. Tehmanker, confronted Chanji, "When will Meher Baba break his silence?"
Chanji conveyed the question to Baba, who replied, "If strong winds are blowing and you try to open your umbrella, it is blown here and there and it becomes difficult to hold. But when there is no wind and much heat and rain, then you will naturally open your umbrella. Similarly, when there is no movement of air and I find signs of 'heat' or 'rain,' I will break my silence."
During the voyage, Baba seemed eager to meet Gandhi and would often repeat, "It is always like this: When I don't allow visitors, people complain and ask, 'Why don't you allow us to see you?' And now when I want to see certain persons for my own reasons, they don't show any inclination. Now we should forget about trying to contact Gandhi. It is too late now."
Later, expressing his concern, Baba remarked, "Gandhi is a good man, but it will be better if he sees me. It would be to his great benefit. I love him dearly and I would like to meet him for his own good."