, 1888-01-13
FAST OF RAMADAN.
THE LONG MONTH OF AGONY FOR
HUNGRY TURKS.

Devices of Wealthy MussuImen to Escape
the Discomforts of Their Religion.
The BesGars Disposed of-In the Great
Mosque of St. Sophia.
Ramadan-that terrible month of daily
fasting and nightly feasting-is, like the
Chinese new year, governed by the moon.
This year, precisely at the moment the
new moon became visible, the evening of
May %, Ramadan began and continued
throughout the lunar month. The origin
of this long fast seems shrouded in mys-
terry, as it is said to have been observed
by the fire worshipers long before the
time OF Mahomet Ali, who thought the
command to all true believers to fast thus
eleven months in the year was quite too
much to require of mortal flesh; through
the Angel Gabriel he therefore besought
the great spirit to reduce the time one
half. Finding this still a heavy trial, he
again interceded and got the time fixed at
one lunar month, where it still remains,
and no doubt thousands of Mohammedans
ardcntly wish the time much more re-
duced.
by the more intelligent class it is less
religiously observed each passing year,
but To the pious peasantry it still means
real p%enance, as they faithfully abstain
from food, drink and even from the use
OF tobacco, during the entire day. Even
the "Hamals" (who are the real beasts of
burden here are so conscientious about
keeping this fast, that, with every nerve
qaivcring with fatigue, and in torment
with hunger, they will stand with q
tempting morsel in hand watching the de-
clining sun, patiently waiting until the
sunset gong is heard, then devour it in
beast like haste. In homes of afluence
the devoutly inclined sit at their tables,
with fork or spoon in hand, waiting also
for the welcome boom of cannon before
they can begin their nightly feasting. AS
a rule, they turn night into day and vice
versa. Still it is supposed some sleep is
INDUCED in, as precisely at 10 o'clock n
patrol passes through each street with n
large drum, bent upon awakening all
sleepers to q midnight feast, which may
be prolonged until the morning twilight.
Then the mouth must be carefully cleansed
and the fast resumed.
1t is now said that but few of the aris-
tocracy of Turkey pay any heed to this
fast, still they dare not publicly disregard
1t. The sultan Is credited with setting an
example of strict observance. If he does
SO literally, he must neither eat, drink
nor smoke during the long summer day.
Even to indulge in n delightful and re-
freshing perfume is sin.
This month of fasting is supposed to be
n revival season. to the Moslems, in
which they are to devote much time to the
study of the Koran. Hospitality, aims
giving, prayer and peacefulness are to be
especially cultivated. You near of the
rich man standing at his door at sunset
to salute and invite to his table the Door
who happen to pass by, sending them on
their way rejoicing in presents of money,
but you see little of this today. On the
contrary, you may observe ''the powers
| that hpN take Orpnt Mains ia rid tho oitu
of its swarms of beggars. Before Ramadan
begins the edict goes forth that all found
asking aims in public thoroughfares shall
be arrested. Those from the provinces
are to be sent to their homes; those who
are found to have neither homes nor
friends are to be set to work, If able.
Thus they who are inclined to keep this
fast in n literal manner are relieved of a
heavy draft upon their purse strings. An
'Iftar" or Ramadan dinner is c~eremonious
md absorbs much time. AS soon as the
sun approaches the western horizon q
large circular tray is brought in covered
with n variety Of sweetmeats, salads, salt
fish, Ramadan cakes, fruits and olives,
together with delicious sherbet. When
the sunset gun is fired every one takes an
olive, that fruit being the most blessed,
with which to break the fast. After par
taking Of these appetizers dinner is
brought in, which consists of eight or ten
courses, each tasted sparingly. Then
dainty cups of coffee and cigarettes follow.
After this the faithful are supposed to re-
pair to mosques for devotion.
Minarets as well as mosques are all
brilliantly lighted and throngs of worship
ers fill the spacious buildings. The
streets, too, are bright as day and as gay
as n carnival season, especially those OF
STEAMBOAT, which is, per Sc, the Turkish
quarter of the capital. Here you not
only find the mosques and bazars il
Illuminated, but the fruit and refreshment
shops us well, for eating, drinking sherbet
and smoking are the order of the evening,
together with no small amount of flirta-
tions, for now the Turkish beauty is
granted unusual liberty. Very few, how
ever, are seen among the pedestrians, mi
hundreds of fine carriages are found cut
ting their way though the dense throng
filled with yelled ladies who go abroad to
see and be seen-not to worship, for they
are excluded from the mosque at this
season. The Turks excus this injustice
by saying they would divert their
thoughts from holy contemplation, as
their beauty inspires n different kin Of
worship.
The last Friday of Ramadan is the most
sacred of all the Moslem Sabbaths. 1t
IS then that the great Mosque of St.
Sophia is most crowded with true believ-
ers, and the Giaour (Christian) Is care
fully excluded. A liberal ''bachshees,"
however, secured for oHr party an en-
| trance through a back door and along a
dinly lighted tunnel, built in the massive
outer wall, to lofty gallery, from which
the thousands of worshipers on the floor
beneath the great dome looked like pig
mics, and their voices, as they hanted in
unison verses from the Koran, came up to
Us like the roar of old ocean in a storm.
But more impressive still was the perfect
harmony of motion-when some 5000
PROSTATE worshipers rose to their feet,
then bowed again to the dust, the effect
was truly Neutrality-suspicious.. San Fran
cisco Chronicle.