The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-11
ISLAM IN UNION SQUARE.
MUEzzIN NABAEoFF CALLS TEE
FAITHFUD TO PRAYER.

Thee. Seems 90 n. Split .. the Mohaus-
redau Church, hut Muhsnmsd webb
nays re In the Only True sheiH with
the Money, and the Others Do.'t count.
An altogether new and interesting sight met
the view OF people who CHANGED to be on the
east side OF Union square at 10 o'clock yes
terday morning. It even aroused the curiosity
Of the few actors who insist that the Rialto
belongs to that neighborhood. and who show
their tenacity to this tradition by gathering
each morning near the Morton House.
Just at 10 o'clock man appeared at the top
OF the stoop Of an unpretentious brick build
ing at & Union square. He was gray-bcarded
and thick bodied and wore the red fez OF the
Mussulman. He stretched out his arms as he
looked pleadingly toward the east. On the
sidewalk Was q group Of people awaiting the
Mussulman's summons to prayer. which came
to their ears in these words:
God IL gr.s,I Ged is great Cod is great, eed b
great
Ibsar witness that there /, no god but God.
1 bear witness that Mohsmmsd IL the apostle Of
Cod.
Come to prayers Come to prayers Com. to sal
Walton.
Prayer is better than slsepl
God 10 great Cod IL great
There 10 no god but Cod There 10 no god but Godt
This ia the Azan or call to prayers made by
the Muezzin from the mosque. 1t was given
for the FIRST time In this country by Emin l..
NabakofT. who. according to Muhammad Alex
ander Russell Webb, Ia one bearing no au-
thority. and. indeed, is what Muhammad
Webb is pleased to term fakir. Nevertheless,
the call and the meeting which followed may
be taken to show that the Mohammedan
Church in America is large enough to have
split. Muhammad Webb. the first apostle Of
-. a.. ri ,Nrr- h. all Ia nplv
chip from block already well grounded. but
others contend that there will be two branches
oi Islam in this country unless Muhammad
Webb comes to their terms.
country by a syndicate OF wealthy Mussulmans
Hajee Abdullah Arab. a merchant prince of
Jeddah, Arabia. large amount OF money
Ss as pSi0 tSroSs seA the New World and IN
charge Of this work is Muhammad Alexander
Converted t to Islam several Years ago Uesk
~ paper. the Mosieyn World was started and
bureau 81 Vas ,bs e. s Mess
prepared and sent out. and meetings are held
on Fridays and sundays; The call for prayer
reason that Muhammad Webb has not yet at
tempted the practice Of religious ceremonies
lectures at the meeting place on Friday even
ings. on SUNDAYS meetings Of inquiry are
Sammad Webb. '''''' .''''''.> w.
NemlItanCeS from tH6 Olu WOTlu como T6Gu-
larly. and the converts. while not numerous,
are said to be growing In number. At frequent
tours. Last week he returned from a trip to
western cities. where he says he was most
hos1hitaoiy Teceysd; within 1a few weeks e iGps
Mohammedan literature into English and nre-
pare text books for popular instrnoti9n: The
moved to better quarters. and after short
time mosque will be ready for the weekly
service OF Islam. according to the ancient
Muhammad Webb says he is not alarmed
Hs explained matters in this way:
calling himself fmin l. NabaEofr. and claim
Ing to Be MMpsss I with RECOGNITION from
chSrTs Of our bfanch at LiverpSo wh % there
pSsaIe u which Tsguiar services are
od He makes living BY runninI Nickel f
the-slot MACHINES which yield love letters, for
tunes &c. had received letters Of warning
chance to o,d do .,v some e. good He be;
When returned from iecturing tours many
complaints were made. Nabakofr was finally
at our headquarters: He went away. and I
have not heard from him until his appearance |
II learn that a man named John A. Liant IA
associated with Nabakon IN this work; Liant
sstonshins IN Islam a' When 8 pap S
reported that l was custodian OF fund
safs 9s tsso had rom sni
Sl,OO0.0OO for this purpose. anu the news GER |
tainly produced wonderful results Our clerks |
were overloaded with letters OF inquiry and |
our ONCE became q resort for people who We're |
willing TO follow Islam for what there was in |
It. Mr.. Liant came here from Tarrytown where, |
as he said he had been running a newspaper.
He was most enthusiastic follower Of Mo- |
manned taking most violent interest in |
he wanted to run the Mosie'S 8otld at saIary
OF $50 q week. When / refused this propo- |
sition Mr.. lants interest In Islam began to |
vans, and lost sight OF him until he Joined |
Muhammad Webb. who Is known as Sheikh- |
ul- Islam because OF his office as chief tea cher
In this country. seemed greatly amused over |
the Union square meeting He said that the |
would not be tolerated in a NOLAN M dan |
country. A call for prayer. made at 10 o'clock |
In the morning would be considered bias phe- |
nous by true Mussulman. The call should |
first appears from the east. The first namaz. !
or prayer. called the FUR, Is said before |
sunrise; the second. or zuhar, after the |
sun has passed the meridian. or between
II Sos and NJ; the third or ssr between
magrib. Immediately after sunset. and the |
fifth prayer. or isha, lust before retiring.
These prayers are known as furz, or obligatory.
and there are three others known as punnat,
more devout MohammedanA Auhammad
webb says that all OF these prayers Will be given
Ia proper form when his mosque Is opened,
The ablution. or Woozoo should be made be-
meeting In the Union square hall Mr. Webb |
says that none Of these ceremonies has been
attsm pied at the Mohammeda headquarters.
because It was thought best not to DO any
The turkish Consul In this city was inter-
ested In the meeting at Union square, and