Facts : 1 Further measures In 655, Uthman directed the people who had any grievance against the administration to assemble at Mecca for the Hajjbr Facts : 2 He directed the governors and the Amils throughout the empire to come to Mecca on the occasion of the Hajjbr Facts : 3 In response to the call of Uthman, the opposition came in large delegations from various cities to present their grievances before the gatheringbr Facts : 4 The rebels realized that the people in Mecca supported the defence offered by Uthman and were not in the mood to listen to thembr Facts : 5 Uthman rejected his offer, saying that he didn t want to leave the city of Muhammad (referring to Medina)br Facts : 6 Muawiyah then suggested that he be allowed to send a strong force from Syria to Medina to guard Uthman against any possible attempt by rebels to harm himbr Facts : 7 Uthman rejected it too, saying that the Syrian forces in Medina would be an incitement to civil war, and he could not be party to such a move