Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1890-05-02
THE sHElk.uL.IsLAM.
a Took at the Great and Unknown Ma
Who Is the Boss Moslom.

=
Who Is the Boss Moslom.
During the German Emperor's stay
the great majority OF Turks hore showed
themselves TO be progressive by well
coming him warmly. There were some,
however, who regarded his presence
with aversion. They were the thor
oughly orthodox Turks, who have an
unspeakable hatred OF every thing for
eign. At the head OF these fanatics
stands the Sheik-ul-lslam, the highest
priest OF the Moslem world.
This Sheik-ul-Islam refused to pay
homage to the German Emperor. He
could not even be induced to call upon
him. Sheik-ul-lslAm's namo is 0mer
Lufti, and he Is Turk OF the old stripe,
fanatical and bitterly orthodox, yet
wthal very learned man. lie was re-
minded in vain by his friends that hos
pitality Is duty, according to the
Turkish religion, and that the Koran
says: THE guest is sent by God"
The Sheik-ul-lslam (Omcr Lufti) forti-
fed 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 soc the great
sovereign, and when Alexander COM
manded him to ask for grace-ordcrs, 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 Diogenes lived in modern times,
the tiler OF Amicns, who, during Ma
poleon's entry, hammered away on his
roof. The Sheik-ul-Islam is not so wise
and gruf as Diogenes, nor so industrious
and indifferent as the tiler OF Amiens-
He deserves, however, some little at
tention.
The present Sheik-ul-Islam, Omer
Lufti, is a great, lank man with repel-
ent, parchment-colored face. Every
line OF his face is terribly earnest. No
one ever saw him laugh. In the hamlet
of Djurmlidjia he owns little cottage
with only three rooms, where he form
erly lived with coal-black female
slave, whom he married as soon as she
became a mother.
Some years ago he was made lIukuk
Reisi, that is, president OF the Civil
Court of Scutari. He was famous for his
love for animals, and was wont to keep
and pet all sorts of sheep, goats, hens
and asses. Suddenly the unaccountahle
disfavor OF the Sultan fell upon him,
and he was banished from Constantine
pie. He was soon recalled, and was
made Grand Judge in Stamboul. A short
time ago he was raised to the highest
ecclesiastical dignity in Turkey-he be-
came Sheik-ul- Islam. The Sultan gave
him q magnificent palace, in which he
and his coal-black wife and his colored
children now live.
This man remained true 10 his tradi-
tions in ignoring the German Emperor.
His action was much discussed, especial
ly In view of the fact that he called upon
the Shah OF Persia during his last visit
hero. Omer Lufti, however, Is unfort-
unately one OF the many. Turkish
fanaticism possesses the clergy hero
almost completely. They have been
entirely upset by tho Emperor's
visit. Terrible, fateful days these,
according to tho Turkish newspapers.
Inc oultan, representative VI Inc
Prophet, went out to meet a giaour, and
even rode in carriage with woman, the |
Empress ''Stupendous SIM" moan the
faithful. That means the end of the
world. Hence earthquakes, hence con-
aagrations.
Heaven itself spoke. Saturday, Sun
day and Monday OF the Emperor's visit
were foggy and there was breeze.
Nature was appalled, at the unheard-of
event; tho wind was still for astonish-
ment; the sun and moon had hidden
themselves 80 as not to see the awful
sight, say the faithful. Then it rained.
Mature wept," is the orthodox inter
probation of it. A strong north wind
blew on the day of the Emperor's de-
parture. ut was a dovil sprung from
hell to drive out the giaour."
Such is the train of thought followed
by the orthodox Turks; such tho fan
tastic superstitions with which the be-
levers 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.-Constan-
tinopole Cor. Vienna Tageblatt