The Lehi sun. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1913-1949, 1922-02-02

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prepafed by the National Geographic So.
ciety' Washington, d. c)
Enough the World war changed the
temporal map Of Arabia raising the
narrow strip Of the HeJaz, formerly
turkish province, into kingdom,
II did not alter the place In the world
Oh Mecca, chief Of the Hejaz cities.
Ihat mystic city under Arab control
stun Is the center Of all Mohammedan
thought and action as 1t was under the
| Turks.
Ihe Importance Of Mecca Is not due
TO It's resident population OF perhaps
lOO'OOO, but to the more than 100000
pilgrims who visit II each wear frDm
every nation Of Islam Statistics are
hopelessly contradictory and confus.
Ing regarding the number OF annua!
visitors. According to Turkish official
estimates, In 1907 there were no less
than $4,000 pilgrims. II is n marvel
how so many thousands can find food,
shelter and, most Of ALL drink, In
such desert city.
The religious capital of Islam. and
now the temporal capital Of the new
kingdom Of the Hejaz, affords an In
deS to the growth and strength OF
Mohammedanlsm In various parts OF
the world, for one can rightly gauge
the strength Of religious fervor in this
great non-Christian faith by the num-
Der Of those who go on pilgrimage.
From Java, Bengal, West Africa, Cape
Colony and Russia, as well as from the
most inaccessible provinces Of China.
they come every year and return 10
their native land-lf they escape the
hardshlps OF travel-tO tell OF the
greatness and glory OF their faith.
however much they may have been
disappointed in the actual condition
Of the city and It's sacred buildings.
When we consider Mecca, Moham-
med's words Of prophecy In the second
chapter Of his book seem TO have been
literally fulfilled: $50 we have made
you the center OF the nations that you
should bear witness to men," The
old pagan pantheon has become the
religious sanctuary and the goal Of
universal pilgrimage fer One-seventh OF
the human race.
From Sierra Leone TO Canton, and
from Tobolsk to Cape Town, the faith !
full spread their prayer carpets, build |
their houses lin fulhllment Of an Inn
portant tradition. even their out
houses y, and bury their dead orient
ed toward Mecca. II the old world |
could be viewed from another planet,
Its details disclosed, the observer
would see cOncentric circles OF living |
wOrshlpers covering an overwhelming
area, and one would also see vast
areas Of MOslem cemeteries with ey-
cry grave dug with Its main axis to
ward the sacred city.
Its Mysteries Laid Bare.
Mecca Is no longer yelled city. A
score Of intrepid travellers have un-
yelled II. From Bartema. Wild and
Joseph PITTS 10 Burton. Burckhardt
Hurgronje aud CourtellemOni, they
took their lives In their hands, herd
ed with strange companions, under
went untold hardships, and by luck or
pluck came scatheless out " this lions
den Of Islam According 10 Doughty,
scarcely a pilgrimage takes place with
out some persons being put to death
as intrudlng Christians. An educated
and Nous Moslem In Cairo admitted
recently that when he went on pilgrim
age and took pictures ~ the city his
life was endangered more than once
by the fanaticlsm OF the Inhabitants.
However, there are many who believe
that the establishment Of the new
kingdom will mean the removal Of re-
strictions against nOn-Moslems
The mixture Of races brought about
in Helas province for 50 many cen
turtles by he plgrinages has DOT been
conducive TO morals or good govern
nent No one who has read the nc
copnt Of social life al Meccn, rs given
by Hurgronie and other travellers, IN
Gliding Moslem pilgrims themselves
com doubt The need for social reform
In that city. Mecca Is the mlcrocosm
n Islam IN It's religious life ana as
lrotions. According TO llurgronJe'
~ is Islam. the official religion when
,rlpcs together and amalgamates all
me heterogeneous constituents Of MEG
"a, ne. on the other hand, this so
.lety itself YIELDS into a chaotic whole
no nreiudlces and superstltlons OF All
In other words Mecca Is
no sink.hole Of Islam. All witnesses
aree os 10 the fragrant immortality
'hicb neryades the streets, and even
he mosque, Of the sacred city the
Nv 'ro,.clence of the slave trade. the }