The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-13
Shcik al Islam of Philippines
Comes To Solicit Aid for
the MOrOs.
BLOND AS 4 SCOTCH MAN

u'VutlIl sNiIltIlCfnS WIN tnt true pTlH-
ciples of Islam aud to raise money for
the education Of the Moros of the island
Of Mindanao.
Persons who called on the Shelk yes
terday at the Seville were inclined to
think at first that the very casual sort
of bsllboy who led the way to his rooms
had made n mistake. for no man could
be more unlike the popular conception
OF a great Mohammsdan leader than is
this lineal descendant OF the Prophet.
One expected to pause before the bow
OF a swIrthy man. a man of dark. pierre
ing eyes stout probably, OF distant and
reserved bearing.
Hut the Imperial ottoman Religious
Commissioner for the Philippines. which
Is his official title. is as blond as a
Scotchmau, u racial type h strongly
resembles. lie is tall and slender with
narrow shoulders somewhat stopped
from much reading OF the Koran or
from the bowed prayer which reaches
%eternally toward the east and Mecca.
His hair. fringes of which were percep-
tble from beneath the turban which in
dictated his high rank, is almost yellow.
as are his slight nustache and short
beard. His complexion is without color
almost dead white. and the unusual
portrait Is complete with eyes that are
light blue. gentle, humorous.
Descendant Of Fatin,a.
The turhin. which consists OF white
muslin wound gracefully around and
nearly concealing the I'd tarboosh that
all good Mcharnm5 dams wear. is the only
article Of clothing that distinguishes
him for what he liz. lie dresses iucon-
epicuuusly and tastefully after Occi-
dental fashions-a sack suit of light
gray, light gray silk socks. patent
leath low shoes. white shirt. pleated
Rtd starchcd 4 linen collar. rather high,
and a black silk bow tie. lie speaks
English adequately. though not nusntly.
As one talked with him ones nina
travelled back over twelve centuries to
the years when the dreamer OF the Tribe
Of korcish startled the world with a
new faith which n spread with the
sword, for the Shcik ul Islam of the
Philippines is directly descended from
the Prophet Nohammed. lie is a lineal
descendant of the proph,t's daughter
fatima, who was married TO Ali before
the Prophet died in 632 A.. u. lie car
ries with him his family tree. a mar
yellous document. by which he traces
back his ancestry for thirty-seven gener-
atiOrs TO .Ali and Fatiina.
Blu: where the Prophet preached
Islam over all and raised great armies
to subjuga,e m:n's minds and bodies,
his descendant breaches federation and
the rcconcilement of religious sects.
This, partly. is his business In America.
Speaking very earnestly as he talk d to
q reporter for THE sun. usually hold
ing himself within the confines of Eng
FISH. but occasionally. nj his enthusiasm.
wandering into Arabic (Which the re-
port. r did not understand. he talked
OF the purposes of his visit to the
United States.
To Publish Pamphlet.
Last spring he said. ~ was in
Beirut, The war touched Syria. II
Was necessary for me to leave because
j wanted to turn to my people in the
Philippines, BY the kindness of the
American officials | was permitted to
travel Oh the United states cruiser Ten
nessee from II irut to Barcelona. where
] remained until ] took passage on the
Manuel Calvo.
How long I shall remain here 7 do
not know. ! ann going to publish a
pamphlet which will attempt to do away
with some misconceptions that may ex-
ist here as regards Islam. I shall at
tempt TO write of the true holiness OF
my fairI. OF our sincere belief in and
dependence upon God. OF what Islam
has lone for the barbarous world. And
] snail preach that Islam wants to be
on good terms with other faiths, is
anxious to conciliate, 10 live on friendly
terms with Christianity. That is the
great note of modern civilization, ! be-
Iieve-the necessity for the ending of
chickering's and mean jealousics anon
religious sects.
~ nave another purpose. Much OF
my work has been among the Moros
of the island of Mindanao. The Moros
have caused more trouble to the Ameri-
can Government than any other race
of the Philippines. But 7 know that
n they were educated, rescued from the
old savage notions OF their tribes. they
would be good citizens and a credit 10
the American protectors. So I am
here to raise what money ! can to heip
carry on the education OF the Moros.
Three years ago | was in Constan-
ttnOple, secretary to the Sheik al Islam,
the spiritual head OF the Mohammedan
faith. The Mohammedans OF the Phil
ippines wanted a leader and so they
induced Col, Finley to go TO Constan-
tinople and ask the Sultan to select
a leader for them. The choice fell upon
me. When ] went to the Philippines |
ouH ll'dN At INV was uT1eT SONS
suspicion Of the theory that ! Nigh
be there TO stir up trouble, but after
a few months the officials found that
vas harmless. They were kind
enough to say that my influence has
been for good among the restless ma
tves of the islands, As soon as my
work is done in this country I shall
Seturn TO my people"
Uyn-sA uNl..-.s w.
Hts Eminence of Islam smillngly de-
olined 10 discuss the topic Of indepen.
dence for the Filipinos and he declined
to discuss the great war. saying such
subjects were political and not for n
religious teacher to go into. He was
worried about the plight OF Tah!r bin
Blum. a fourteen-year-old Moro whom
he took with him from the Philippines
q servant When the Manuel Calvo
arrived the immigration officials passed
the Shelk readily enough, hut they sen,
TAhfr bin Blum. a ather frightened
brown lad, to the detention station al
Ellis Island. Tbs Turkish CONSUL as.
eured tho Sheik last evening that with
out doubt the boys release could he
secured once the immigration authori-
ties were satisfied that he would no,
remain In this country. but was really
attached to the Sheik, n visitor.
To many of the passengers az vol
"A to the crew OF the Spanish liner the
tall, dignifed Sheik was a figure oil
interest, and to the members Of a trouy
Of Moroccan acrobats on their way
70 play in The Garden OF Allah" he
was one who must he greeted on
Bonded knee. For was he not a de-
scendant Of the Prophet and a mos,
holy man7