Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-12-29
(By Hell IN II. Hoffman. J

St. Louis. Dec. ga strange re
Iquest-that is. strange at least, to tn
world outside the orient. will be mad
of every one who visits the Mosqu
Of Omar, at the Louisiana Purchas,
| exposition next summer
Every one who enters this worlt
renowned place of interest will b,
compelled to leave off his shoes.
| This strange edict has been ISSUED
| by no less person than the sultan q
| Turkey.
This does not mean that a ban has
been put ON American or English made
shoes, nor does the sultan in making
this request mean it understood that
he does not favor the inartistic bull.
dog toes and heavy soled affairs that
the girls persist in wearing. neither
the high heels that have brought moth.
ing lbNt ills and general disfavor
among women.
The explanation for this seemingly
unique order is simply this: The
Mosque If Omar. even in its reproduc-
ed form, is to the sultan of Turkey
and his cO-religionists most sacred
ground. wherein no unholy feet con
taminated by the filth and CRIME of
the street, may trod
Therefore every one who visits this
the Mohammed&n place of worship
made sacred by the teachers and
prophets of old. can do so on one
condition only. he must remove his
shoes.
The sultan Of Turkey. III giving his
nf S11,,t ion, M - 1
representation of his country at the
worlds fair. did so upon one distinct
condition
He has eNacted promise from the
fair officials who waited upon him
with the invitation To participate in
the big exposition. and this promise
will be respected in accordance with
the sultan's wishes
Whatever represents my country
and subjects at the fair. | want to be
an exact and faithful representation"
the sultan is quoted as saying.
IN referring to being misrepresented
at the exposition. the sultan made
chief objection TO several dances that
have been credited to his people at
former international shows.
Therefore. in the promised exhibit
of his country. which bids fair to he
one Of the most interesting of the big
exposition, the wishes of the sultan
will be strictly adhered to in every
detail
Thus one Of the most ancient cos
TUNES IF the orient. as we'll as one of
the recognized features in Mohamme-
Gan worship Will be respected in ex-
hitting the Mosque of Omar at the
worlds fair.
As Mohammedan priest put it.
lin America people take off their
hats as mark of respect: in oriental
countries they take off their shoes"
In undertaking to produce that
most molly of holes to the Mohamme-
dan faith, the Mosque of Omar. the
sultan made it clearly understood.
that in no wise should it deviate from
the original temple Of worship in,
Jerusalem.
The Mosque of Omar as it will APP
pear at the worlds fair, 1904. will be an
exact reproduction If the famous
mosque as il stands today. and has
stood for over twelve hundred wears
IN the summit Ct the historical Mount
Noriah
The services and forms of religion
Just as they are carried on by the
today in that most an
lent of cities. will be identically the
same at the exposition.
In this beautiful old temple the
soul and center of the Mohammedan
faith. five prayers or services are held
every day. The services in the Ameri-
Fan mosque will he in no wise changed
from those of ancient custom. and will
De conducted by two high priests. who
are known personally to the sultan
IF Turkey.
vt daybreak, the muezzin. young
man, with a pleasing musical voice,
mounts the little spiral stairway lead
ing to the minaret. or tower. which is
used expressly for the purpose of call
ing the faithful to prayer.
In the first faint hush of the early
dawn. the clear, clarion notes of the
ring cut over the waking city.
Ii is Il simple call to worship en-
bodied in these words: All rise and
come and worship God, for the wor-
ship Cf GCd is better than diversion of
sleep
TIE muezzin repeats this call i'm like
manner for the noon prayer. the pray
er at ; o'clock and again at shutdown.
The last service is held at Q in the
evening The Mchammedan form of
worship is simple. As one of the
faithful expressed it: The Mohamme-
dan worship consists in praising and
thanking God for his blessings: not
in asking for more"
On reaching the broad marble plat
form or rather the Threshold of the
mosque. every visitor will be asked to
remove his shoes. \ caretaker, or
presides over this platform
to see that no harm is permitted to
the property left in his charge.
In lieu of the dusty or muddy shoes.
as the case may be. pair of Turkish
sandals or slippers are provided.
Many of the Mohammedan women
now wear their shoes over their slip
pers. On entering the temple they
simply slip off the shoes. The slip
nprS worn, ~, +I,is ara no nv