The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-02-07


bound to assert itself ere long in
ways that will command the attention
of civilization. The loud mutterings,
to be heard in the cafes and bazars,
are not the thoughtless vaporings OF
the idle; a very considerable proper
ton of the people, including the pro-
gressive, educated Young Egypt
party, are thinking definite things
concerning the overthrow OF the Eng
lish power. Lord Cromer's recent de-
parture was made the occasion Tor so
many outspoken criticisms against
the British that 1t was preceded, as
precautionary measure, by the
parade of all the British forces, fully
armed through the streets of Cairo
Missions and Politics.
All this has relation to the mis-
sionary propaganda. This upheaval
and restlessness is cracking the hard
surface of Mohammedan exclusivenesS
and intolerance. Where the news
paper and the worlds spirit enter,
there religious prejudice cannot abide.
In their seemingly hopeless assault
upon Islam, the missionaries have a
powerful reinforcement in the fledg-
ling modernity of New Egypt.
On the other hand, the missionaries,
by their schools and literature, have
done more than little to awaken
Egypt from the torpor Of centuries.
British officials and Egyptian reform
ers have alike definitely and publicly
acknowledged the influential contribu-
ton to the country's higher welfare
made by the American missionary.
Old Egypt, the land of the dead, is be-
coming one of the worlds new ma
lions, blessed with prosperity al
most equal to the amazing fertility
of its SOIL
The Sword Of the Prophet.
Cairo is the citadel and cradle of
Mohammedanism. Sanguine Chris
tians predict that, as the magnificent
Mohammed Ali mosque, which over
looks the entire city, from the sum-
nit of the ancient citadel, is now sur
rounded by the soldiers of a Christian
power, so the religion which it rep
resents is bound to succumb to the
advance of Christianity Which is
more easily said than done. This is
a thoroughly Mohammedan city. The
Christian may still hear himself cursed
as an unbelieving dog. in the bazars
and in the mosques.
What has often been called the
largest university in the world, the
highest educational institution of Is
lam is situated here; and when l WIS.,
tied it the sibilant sound Of serpentine
hate followed me through all the vast
Enclosure. The books say that there
are 10000 students taking the 12-year
course in the Ell Azhar mosque, al
though the officials told me that the
number is more than $4,000. This is
now the fountain head of the force
by which Mohammedanism has con-
quered 232.966,17O of the worlds popu-
lation. The only reason that this
force is no longer expressed by the
sword, as formerly, is that the great
world powers, which are Christians,
prevent. Curiously enough, the
Christian emperor of Great Britain
anu India rules over more Mohammed-
ans than any other sovereign. In
Egypt there are about 100000 fol-
lowers of Islam, 100000 Coptic Chris
tians, and a small scattering of Jews
and Protestants.
Studying, Eating, Sleeping in Church.
This Azhar mosque is like only it.
self. The students, who, have come
from every part of the Mohammedan
world, do not study occidental fash
ion. in classes and under teachers. /
could find no traces of organization
whatever. The students-all men, of
course, sat, reclined or lay about the
floors in nondescript fashion Occa-
sionally cluster would have their
heads together, swaying to and fro,
and repeating some passages aloud
and in unison. There were no mod
ern books In evidence whatever. In
deed, this university" is really a
school of theology; it will have moth
ing to do with the modern sciences
or scientific learning. What other
universities teach it eschews; and it's
branches Of study would be looked for
lin vain in any college in Christendom.
A man may graduate from the Azhar,
and yet be unable to pass an exam
nation in the studies required for
admission to an English grammar
school. But they know the Koran,
and are ready to die for the faith
of the prophet.
The mosque is also lodging house.
The students sleep where they study,
and apparently they sleep and study
when they please. Likewise, they eat
where they sleep, after the primitive
.tyle of the east. The passing of the
occasional tourist arouses sufficient in
terest to set the students to Kissing;
b.. / was more disturbed by the YER
min of the place than by these hostile
demonstrations, knowing that there
is no real danger, since Britain rules
with a strong hand
unsratefulness of "The Faithful"
The famous "howling Dervishes" of
Cairo are no longer to be seen by
visitors. because of fanatical out