Evening star., 1914-11-15

b1ems are never lighted except during
the services in the holy fast, the month
known as RhamaZan, fast which is a
most severe lenten period. No devout
or orthodox Mussulman during Rha-
mazan touches a mouthful of food or
a drop of water from sunrise till
sunset.
The Sacred Mosque. in the holy city
of Mecca, is unlike any other mosque
in the world. The pilgrimage to Mecca,
which gains for the devotee honors iii
paradise and the right to wear the
green turban on earth, must be per
formed in the first ten days of the
month of Zilhije. On the last stage OF
the journey the pilgrim dons his two
seamless garments. On his feet must he
worn sandals, and his head must be
left uncovered as he goes with songs
of thanksgiving on his lips into th.
sacred city.
On arrival he at once enters the great
mosque Masjidu-l-Haranl in the center
of which is the enormous open court i'll
which stands the kaaba. The pilgrim
marches round the kaaba seven times
and kisses the sacred black stone. He
also runs seven times from the SUM
nit of Mount Safa to that of Mount
Marwa. The station OF Abraham and
other sacred spots must be visited
and certain ceremonies performed.
and prayers offered which require sew
eral days for their performance. At tnS
end of his visit on the tenth day Ih'
final ceremony arrives.
1t consists of casting seven stones at
each of these pillars, in memory o1
Abraham having so treated the devii-
After each pilgrim has sacrificed an
animal in the valley of Nina, and has
rested three days, a final circumnavt-
cation of the kaaba is made. He pelts
the pillars once more, drinks Of the
waters of the well of Zemzem, and
goes home.
:: =
In the Turkish vilayet of Scutari, in
hbania as in other Mosiem depen
dencies of the sublime porte. the in
habitants have long shown their strong
objection to both taxes and military
service. 1t is said that chronic dis
obedience exists and the frequent out
breaks of violence against the sui
tan's officials have to be carefully
hushed up. Not long ago two tax gath
erers were forcibly driven out of dis
trict near Scutari and forced to take
refuge with Turkish Official in
with more Imagination than regard for
the truth, concocted Il highly amusing
account of how the two officials in
question were paying a delightful visit
to the vail awaiting promotion from
Constantnople. They evidently got il,
for they never came back.
The greatest Mohammedan festival
is with reference to the sacred carpet.
oh
year to Mecca. The finest weaves OF
the orient are selected and they are
carried through the streets of Cairo
and other Moslem cities with much
eclat and rejoicing. On arriving at
Mecca the sacred carpet is cut up into
small pieces, which are given to the
pilgrims as most sacred relics.
Not only do the Mohammedans have
prayer beads, but n rosary also rs a
part of every Moslem's dress. 1t con-
tains many beads, one bead for each
of the ninety-nine sacred names or
Allah The Mohammedan never asks
for anything in his devotions, know
ing that Allah will give him all that
of his beads by an Islamite is said to
be a serious ceremony. For if one of
the ninety-nine names of God are
out of turn the whole number
must Immediately be begun new.
The dancing and bowling dervishes
are fanatical NIohammedan monks
who. although living in a community
house, are allowed to marry. The
dance is whirling round and round
upon the toes. with eyes closed. to the
drumming of a kind of tom-tom. The
deyotees at first turn slowly, then
whirl round until completely exhaust
ed, while repeating inaudibly sacred
texts. The scene at the dervish house
in Constantinople and other Moslem
cities is most impressive. 1t is an odd
but pregnant with the mys-
ticism and rigid orthodoxy of the Is
lam faith.