New-York tribune., 1908-06-24
10, THE POOR MOORS!
Police Won't Let Them Eat Meat
at COney Island.

Police reserves and agents for the Society FOR
the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals routed
twenty-seven Moorish bandits who began tneir
annual feast to their patron at Coney Island yes
terday. The Moors, who were part of Raisuh
brgand tribes until they were engaged by Sic
Hassan Ben Ali to exhibit at Dreamland. had for
the first time since their arrival in this country
tasted meat from animal slain by one of their
high priests, when the society agents put
stop to the rites that had been going since
sunrise the sand dunes between Gravesend Bay
and Coney Island
The altar. which had been built and consecrated
by the representatives of Raisui. scattered by
the invaders. who at the same time disarmed every
one of the bandits and brought their leader.
Dowdie. the scribe. who took part in the neso-
tiations to free General Mclean from Raisulis
camp, to the Brooklyn office of the society, where
a promise made by Hassan that Dowdie and his
followers would not continue their feast and sac
rifce resulted in a parole being granted. while ef-
forts being made to obtain permit from
the Board of Health to carry out the festival of
Raisuli to-day and tomorrow.
The raid created end of excitement at Coney
Island, when it reported that the brgands
had raided the mp city adjoining the Moorish
camp Timer Park. While the most secluded
spot that could be found selected for the
ceremony, the agents of the Society for the Pre-
venton of Cruelty to Animals had difficulty in
locating the worshippers. The management of
Dreamland refused to allow the ceremony because
of the powder dance, which required the use of
large amount of gInpowder. At the bridge across
Coney Island Creek A crowd of indignant resi-
dents directed the police to the spot where the
shooting, playing of tomtoms and revelng were
going on while the Moors preparing their
in accordance with the L.anometan rites.
The sheep which was sacrificed to the Bedouin
patron was brought here from Morocco several
days ago. After being killed the sheep was
roasted and divided amcng the believers. AS
the last morsel was being devoured the police and
the society's agents rushed into the camp with
blank warrants for Dowdie and the younger Raj
su also a member of the troupe The
men, unable to understand English. thought the
demonstration hostile and Immediately prepared
to resist attack. but the arrival of police re-
serves soon quieted the worshippers, and they
agreed to give up their sheath knives and firearms
Then the raiders read the law to Hassan Ben
All and Dowdie, but the Mocrs raised a rumpus
when they were told they would not be allowed
to kill their own sheep in this country when their
religion makes it the most serious offence to eat
animal that has been killed by an 'unheiever
Hassan declared that the laws Of the United
States allowed religious freedom, but the societys
agents insisted that the health rules were being
violated.
grafton authorities that the men would be allowed
to worship in their native He sent
ca BILE dispatch to Tangier informing the Moroccan
government of the breaking ,up of the feast He
will fight the case, he declares that under his
contract the Moors to be allowed to eat meat
least a month.