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

heeClhg OF pilgrims, ana the cOrrup-
ton Of the late Turkish government.
The post Office at Mecca, under
Turkish regime, was certainly unique
Sacks Of letters were thrown out into
the narrow street leading TO the post
Office, and there sorted by the pill.
grims themselves, who opened them
and took their letters and those Of
their friends also. A similar system
prevailed at Medina, Yenbo and JId.
dab, King Huseln Of Hejaz, how
ever, has taken steps to Join the Inter.
national Postal Union, aud has had
stamps printed in Egypt bearing the
Inscription "Hejaz Post"
Foreigners Handle Its Commerce.
The commerce OF Mecca Is entirely
In the hands OF foreigners. mostly In
dams, who sell rosarles, carpets and
SILK stuffs. One OF the main occupa-
lions of the silyersmiths Is the manu-.
facture of rings, which are supposed
to be constructed from silver that
was once part OF the sacred temple
doors, and are reputed to be an effec-
tive remedy for certain Ills. Most OF
the natives, however, earn their lv-
Ing as guides TO the pilgrims and
grow wealthy during the season.
Sacred Mosque and Ka'aba.
The sacred mosque, Mesjld Ell Ha.
ram with the Ka'aba as Its center,
Is located In the middle OF the city.
Mecca lies In hot, sandy valley, alb
solutely without verdure aud surround
ed by rocky, barren hills, destitute OF
trees or even shrubs. The valley IN
about 300 feet wide, and 1000 feet
long, and slopes toward the south.
The Ka'aba. or House OF God (Belt
Allah, Is located In the bed OF the
valley. All the streets slope toward Il
and II stands, as II were, In the plf
OF a theater.
The ka'aba proper stands In an oh
long space 900 PAGES long and 900
broad. surrounded by colonnades
which are used as schools and ms
general meeting place for pilgrims.
The outer Enclosure has 10 gates and
six mlnarets; within the Enclosure 10
the well OF Fem Fem, the great pulpit,
the staircase used to enter the Ka'aba
door. which Is high above the ground,
and two small mosques called El Ku.
battain. The remainder OF the space
Is occupied by pavements and grav-
ell, where prayers are said by the four
orthodox sects. each having It's own
allotted space.
In the southeast corner of the
Kaaba, about fiSe feet from the
ground, Is the famous Black Stone.
the Oldest treasure Of Mecca. The
stone Is a fragment resembling black
volcanic rock. sprlnkled with reddish
crystals.
Arriving within a short distance OF
Mecca, orthodox pilgrims, male and
female, put of their ordinary clothing
and assume the hiram. which consists
OF two pleces OF white cloth. one
tied around the loins and the other
thrown over the back. Sandals may
be worn, but not shoes, and the head
must be uncovered. After certain
additions the pilgrim enters the
kisses the Black Stone, aud
runs around the Ka'aba seven times.
After special prayers he proceeds 10 |
the place OF Abraham, then drinks from
the holy well, and once more kisses
The Black Stone. After this follows
the race between the two hills. Safa
and Mlrwa.
Little books Of ritual prayers 10 be
used by the pilgrims are sold Ia ey-
nry0ne. and there is great punctiious.
ness In observing every detail correct
~. on the seventh day OF the pill.
grlmnge there tx sermon from the
grand pulpit. ON the eighth day the
pilgrim goes to Nina, three miles dis.
ant from Mecca. and spends the night.
The next morning he leaves for Ara
Tat, another hill n short DISTANCE from
Mecca, and the following day Is the
great day Of sacrifice simultaneously
observed throughout the whole Mos
EN- world Early In the morning the
pilgrims go 10 Nina, where they are
hree pillars, called the Great Devil,
he Middle Pillar, and the First ono.
Iere each pilgrim filings seven peb-
lies to show his hatred OF Satan and
liz love OF God. He then performs
he sacrifice OF sheep, goat or camel,
to his means the victim be-
ng placed tOwurd the Ka'aba and the
nIfe plunged Into the animals throat
With the cry "Allahu Akbar" This
CEREMONY concludes the pilgrimage
roper and the pilgrim then begins his
quincy back home