Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-06-28
ARAB KINGS
GOLFERS NOW
ABOUT EMPTY
DETECTION of Pilgrims Brings
Distress, Sheik Envoy
Explains.

TOXIC, June 28-TO plead the cause
Of a deserted Mecca, Sheik Siddik Elka-
diri. envoy from Hussain l, King Of the
Arabians. is in Japan. Sheik Elkadiri is
a Mohammedan, and it is the cause OF
religion, not poIitics-he mentioned this
fact first as IL to relieve himself Of any
stigma-that brings him to the cities of
China and japan.
1t is regarding the age-old custom
Of Mohammedaus from all parts of the
world to visit the sacred city of Mo-
manned once every year that brought
the Sheik to Toxic. Mohammedans, OF
whom there are 6O,OO0,0O0 in China and
30. 100000 in Russia be they the poorest
or the richest, feel that they have not
fulfilled their obligations to the Great
Prophet" unless they journey at least
once during their lifetime TO Mecca. The
wealthy Mohammedan, it is known, often
makes the trip once every year, the time
Ter the pilgrimage being arranged so
that the city of Mecca is reached in
August Wars in China and revolutions
in Russia have made it impossible for the
Mohammedan to make his pilgrimage to
the city. the symbOlical sign of which IL
the Crescent.
WAR CHECKS
MECCA PILGRIMAGES.
1T was no uncommon thing" said
Sheik Elkadri in Toxic recently, before
the Great War. for 100000 Mohamme-
dams to fill the city of Mecca each August.
I In 1913 there were 100000 and in 1914
there were 100000. During the years Of
the war there were never more than To-
600. and last year during the month OF
August, 1900 came"
What particularly concerns the King
Of the Arabians. or rather the King or
Hejas. the only independent section OF
Arabia, is the matter of relieving Mo-
hammedans who are unable to obtain
passports annually from Japan and Rus
STA. The annual visits Of the pilgrims
to Mecca are the chief source of in
come to the town. Each pilgrim must
bring a pound to the King, representing
So and it can he seen that in the days
when 100000 of these pilgrims visited
the City Of Mecca, 1t was more profitable
to the king and to the country than to-
day. when $1,000 are able to get there.
RUSS REVOLUTION
ADDS TO FEAR.
WARS In China and revolutions In
Russia. added to the natural fear Of gov
ernments that dangerous characters might
I e applying for passports, have made 1t
almost impossible for Mohammedans
from China and from Russia to get
started home for the annual visit to the
city of Mohammed II is necessary for
them to start in May If they ars to reach
Mecca in August, and so, while we hope
to have arrangements made for passports
this year, we doubt very much If We
will be able to get the arrangements
made by this year"
Asked regarding Mohammedans In
Japan. Sheik Elbadiri said that there
were none, but that his object in coming
here was to arrange for his country to
leave Japanese ports.
"Consulates must be established In
Hardin. in Shanghai and in Toxic" said
the Sheik II have made application in
China and will see Count Uchida while
am In Toxic. Returning to Shanghai
will get word of the final decision, which
I have reason to believe will be favor
able. and will then send word to King
Hussain If I am successful in China
and Japan, 1 hope by 1922 to have the
first consulates ever opened in this part
of the world by Arabia established.
may lie stationed in Shanghai or in To-
kio. The consulates will he small es-
Adjustments with one or two men In each