The sun., 1889-12-07
THE sHE1K-UL-1sLAM.
A Look st = Great and UaEnown AEan.
Ffvn ns Hts,na Taoseian

Ffvn the PIenna Ta9seian
CoNsTANT1NoPIiE, Nov. 2O.-The Emperor
Of Germany has left Constantinopla During
bis stay the great majority OF Turks here
showed themselves to be progressive by well
coming him warmly. There were some, how
ever. who regarded his presence with aversion.
They were the thoroughly orthodox Turks. who
have an unspeakable hatred OF everything
foreign. At the head OF these fanatics stands
the sheik ul-Islam, the highest priest Of the
Moslem world.
This Sheik- ul- Islam refused to nay homage
| to the German Emperor. He could not
even be induced to call upon him. Sheik-ul-
Islam's name is Omer Lufti. and he 10 a Turk
OF the old stripe. fanatical and bitterly ortho-
dox, yet withal very learned man. He was
reminded In vain By his friends that hospitality
is duty. according to the Turkish religion.
and that the Koran says: The guest is sent
by God" The Sheik- Islam tomer Lufti)
fortified his position against this verse with
other Koran verses and kept carefully away
from all celebrations in honor OF the German
Emperor. DioGenes. too. when Alexander the
Great came to Athens. did not wish to see the
great sovereign. and when Alexander COM
manded him to ask for Rrace-ordors, OF course.
did not exist In those days-the sage answered:
The one thing ! ask Of you is that you get out
OF my light" Another DioRenes lived In mod
ern times, the tier OF Amiens VIII o. during Napo-
Icons entry. hammered away on his roof The
Sheik ul- Islam Is not 80 wise and gruff as
Diogenes. nor SO industrious and Indifferent
as the tiler OF Amiens. He deserves, however.
some little attention.
The present Sheik- -ul- Islam Omer Lufti. Is
q great ank man with q repellent. parchment
colored face. Evory line OF his face is terribly
earnest. No ono ever saw him laugh. In the
hamlet Of Djurmlidjia he owns little cottage
with only three rooms. whore he formerly
lived with coal-b black female slave. whom he
married as soon as she became mother.
Some years ago he was made Hukuk Reisi,
that Is. President Of the Civil Court OF Scutari.
He WINS famous for his love for animals, and
was wont to keep and pet all sorts OF sheep.
goats. hens. and asses. Suddenly the unac-
countable disfavor OF the Sultan fell upon him.
and he was banished from Constantinoplo.
He was soon recalled, and was made Grand
Judge In Stsmboul. A short time ago he was
raised to the highest ecclesiastical dignity in
Turkey-he became Sheik- -ul- Islam. The sul-
tan gave him magnificent palace. In which he
and his black wife and his colored chill
dren now live.
This man remained true to his traditions in
ignoring tho German Emperor. His action
was much discussed, especially In view OF the
fact that he called upon the Shah OF Persia
during his last visit here Omer Luft how
ever is unfortunately only one OF many.
Turkish fanaticism possesses the clergy here
almost completely. They have been entirely
upset by the Emperor's visit. Terrible. fatefnl
days, these, according to the Turkish news
papers. The Sultan. representative Of the
Prophet went out to meet a Giaour, and even
rode in a carriage with woman. the Empress.
"Stupendous sin |" moan the faithful. That
means tho end Of the world. Hence earth
Quakes. hence conflagrations.
Heaven itself spoke. Saturday. Sunday. and
Monday OF the Emperors visit were foRgy and
there was no breeze. Nature was appalled, ut
the unheard-of event: the wind was still for
astonishmont: the sun and moon hid them
selves so as not to see tho awful sight say the
faithful. Then 1t rained. Mature wept" Is
the orthodox Interpretation OF It A srong
north wind blew on the day Of the Emperors
departure. " 1t was devil sprung from hell
to drive out the Giaour."
Such is the train OF thought followed by
the orthodox Turks: such the fantastic su-
perstitions with which the believers at large
are entertained; and the signal for all this
came from the Sheik-ul-Islam. Omer Lufti. the
highest priest OF the Moslem world.