Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-05-31


EDGAR Z. POLK.
there, showing the great truth that re-
ligion OF forms degenerates after awhile
into no religion at all. A true religion Is
necessarily a religion Of the heart 1t is
spiritual in its very essence.
THE MOSQUES.
The general plan OF the mosques is an
outer court. with a pool for performing
ablutions, especially washing the feet be-
fore entering the sacred precincts OF the
inner sanctuary; the inner hail. with
large dome in the center, handsome ORR
entail rugs on the floor, stained glass win
dows, a niche in the wall looking toward
Mecca, a pulpit on one side OF this niche,
no seats Friday was selected as the
Mohammedan Sabbath. as opposed to the
Jewish Sabbath on Saturday and the
Christian Sabbath on Sunday. Services
are at noon in the mosque. which none
but Mohammedans are permitted to at
tend, and at which they have some sort
of sermon. After these services are over
they may spend the rest Of the day as
they please, and they usually please TO
spend II in business and In the ordinary
pursuits Of life. So that, as a matter OF
fact, the Mohammedans have no Sab
bath of rest A people without a Sab
bath must necessarily degenerate physi-
cally, mentally and morally. And these
results we see in all Mohammedan coun-
tries.
So sacred are these mosques that they
can only be entered with feet either bare
and washed or covered with sandals. The
Gentiles or 'fnfdel dogs" as the Mo-
hammedans are fond of calling u.s. must
all wear these sandals in the mosque.
They are funny-looking shoes made OF
canvas or thin leather. They are usual
" a mile or two too big for person
feet They are tied on with strings around
the ankles, but even then they persist
I'm coming of, TO the horror OF the MO
hammedans and the annoyance Oh the
wearer. 1t is certainly a eomical sight 10
see a party of Gentiles going through a
noSoue with these sandals on Shipping
along in the most awkward fashion. But
that is the requirement, and II must DC
followed. These Mohammedans are pref
~ fanatfcal, and when they get stlrreu
nm they are liable to be dangerous
short while before we were In Jerusalem
some of the Clark party were IN lhe
mosque OF Omar. A Mohammedan was
az nraver. He had just returned from
Mecca. He thought some OF the party
we're making fun of him, and drawing
hi. revolver he shot six times, hlttlns
two ladies, one in the thigh, producing
nainfliI flesh wound, and another IN the
eve putting IL out. The affair produced
the greatest sensation, and has hao the
erect both Of restraining the Mohamme-
dams and Of making the tourists nioio
cautious.
SOME BEAUTIFUL MOSQUES.
There are said to be 400 OF tnese
mosques in Cairo alone. but many are IN
ruins. A good many are small put
coma are large and very handsome we
visited several of these. Among them
we're the mosque of Sultan Hassan'
which is the most imposing mosque In
Cairo. 1t was built from stones brought
from the Ghizeh pyramids about ASSV
A ID. Its dome is 175 feet high the
highest in the city.
Curiously enough the mosque Is ouilt
in the shape of a cross 1t Is salo'
though, that the Sultan Hassan was SO
well pleased with the beauty OF the
building that after fits completion he had
the arm Of the architect cut or to be
sure that he should never design more
beautiful Building. This same story Is
told in connection with other buildings
also. Just across the street from the
MOSQUE Of Sultan Hassan Is that or
Isman Pacha. He IL was who brought
Egypt in debt TO the extent or about
$40, 700 900, by building palaces for him
self and other extravagances, for which
purpose he borrowed money from Eng
land and France. until finally these gov
ernments were compelled to step In AND
assume a protectorats over the country
as q guarantee of the payment OF this
debt BY consent England was given
especial charge Of the affairs Of Egypt.
And now her officials are found every
where and dominate everything. But Of
this I shall have more to say later. For
these reasons the Egyptians have little
respect for the memory of Isman Pacha-
This mosque. which is now nearing COM
/ pletion. and so far as outward appear
! ances would indicate. will vie with that
Of Sultan Hassan just across the street.
is being erected by his family.
The mosque OF Mohammed ALI Is los
years old. He was the nrst khedive Of
| Egypt While the mamelukes were the
rulers OF Egypt he came on visit On
| account OF the high taxes imposed upon
them the people we're very much dissat-
isfied. The sultan OF Turkey told Mo-
manned Ali to take Egypt If he could.
He proceeded to do so by having all the
| mamelukes killed but one, who sue
ceeded I'm making his escape by jumping
his horse over a high precipice. All
then ruled Egypt so years. He was
! ignorant but had a big mind, and is
! held In high esteem. His mosque Is Of
alabaster brought from upper Egypt. 1t
was 25 years in building. The minaret
is 200 feet high. The clock in the tower
was presented by Philip of France In re-
turn for the obelisk now in Paris. The
design of the mosque is the same as that
OF st. Sophia at Constantinople, OF
which / shall have occasion to speak
later. There are 1900 lights in the
building They are only lighted three
times a year. The tomb OF Mohammed