Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-28
Contradicted by Author.

But these statements are soon contra.
dicted by their author, because, Mr..
Curtis further says: In ancient times
the Mohammedan capitals were centers
sciences. =" On the Moslem Uni
versity OF ".Azhar'') students Of different
ages may be found discussing mathe-
mates. astronomy, philosophy and other
subjects with zeal and earnestness. In
the same university there is congiom-
crate form Of instruction in every branch
of learning from the A B C's Of the Arabic
language to the most abStruse problems
Of mathematics and philosophy.
These words speak for themselves. In
fact. fail to see how religion can be
considered as based upon ignorance when
the capitals of it's followers are centers of
art, literature learning and the sciences;
when, in the universities Of its believers.
every branch Of learning is taught, from
A C's to mathematics. philosophy. as
tronomy and other subjects. There is
more. Mr.. Curtis asserts that the Chris
tan religion is taught daily in the great
mosque that is occupied by the university
by a native convert under the direction
OF the United Presbyterian Mission That
is brilliant proof of the extraordinarily
liberal character Of the Islamic faith,
which tolerates the principles of rival re-
ligions to be freely preached before its
very altar.
Ignores Parliamentary Principles.
after so many involuntary testi-
monies in favor Of Islam, Mr.. Cur
tbs finds the means Of severely criticiz-
ing it, in spite of the fact that he
ignores even its rudimentary,f princi-
pies. Although the many contradictory
points of Mr.. Curtis article deprive 1t
Of all it's intended vigor. yet I cannot
help adding few remarks about what
Islamism thinks Of learning:
"A verset of the Koran reads: Those
who are learned can never be on the
anne level as those who are not The
of the prophets Demand science from
cradle to tomb Go even to China for
the sake OF learning Ali. one of the
most prominent apostles OF Mohammed
said Being learned Is the highest OF
all grades
Hundreds OF such examples could be
quoted. showing how highly science is
valued in the Mohammedan religion. In
the matter of trade. the prophet used
TO say: The tradesman is a friend Of
Gods
"Mr Curtis makes the objection. as
many other occidental writer's have
made. that We are always fatalists. and
that our doctrine Is :'Whatever is. is
right To give a short answer. shall
mention only a verset of the Koran, which
radically refutes all such unjust re-
proaches. end summarizes what 1t
thinks of fate 1t reads: Man hath
i
enough.
Decay Due to Tyranny.
Il am far from denying the present de-
cay OF the Moslem nations. On the con-
trary, l have long been studying the
cause that determined this decay. and
am now of the conviction that relig Oh
has had nothing whatever to do vita
this state of affairs. The fun Iamen a.
of ~ les in the continuous
archical tyranny. from which nearly all
Of the eastern countries nave suffered
during the last few centuries. 1t has
proved fatal to them. as 1t is always
doomed to be. Slowly losing ence ana
commerce, under the ann,hi. ating in
fiuerce Of absoutism. they have become
what they are at present. Mr.. Curtis
could easily find out this fact. because
lowed (by their rulers) to have news
papers or magazines or books. Here lie
hits at the principal cause of all the
evils: Ignorance In reality, Ignorance.
protected by the rulers, In spite of the
teachings of the religion. grad ly gnaw-
ed the root OF our civilization. This
has been ascertained by most or the Mos
lem nations, and they are now en-
Die but effective remedy Of removing the
cause Time will show what they are
worth.
Shows Breadth of Faith.
1.-The leaders Of revolution in the two
great Mohammedan countries {Turkey
and Persia). says your correspondent
were educated in Christian or Mos
lem schools and acquired their insnira-
ton and their ideas from Christian or
infidel teachers
when. once upon a time. the Chris
tan students were thronging to the Mos
lem universities of Andalousa. with tie
aim Of acquiring knowledge. none OF L G
Mohamnledans thought rhat this would
prove tie inefiiciency Of The ChriStivn