Evening journal., 1922-12-15
NEAR EAST in
religion GRIP
New Caliph of Turkey
Is Official Without
Portfolio
HERETOFORE, HAVE
ALWAYS RULED


about the Mohammedan faith seem
TO add confusion to many Discus
sions about Moslem problems.
"A caliph without temporal pow
er Is a more radical departure in
the Islam world than the Western
mind at first can grasp" says a bull
letin from the Washington head
quarters of the National Geographic
Society.
THE easiest way to dispel some
Of these illusions is by pointing 10
several striking likenesses between
the worlds two newest among the
major religions. The term 'Moham-
medan,' like the term Christian is
nickname. Both names were given,
with contemptuous intent, by enc
mics OF the religions.
THE term Christian was quick
" adopted by followers OF the Naza-
rene. The term 'Mohammedan
never has been adopted by the fol-
lowers Of the Prophet. He sought
to avoid the employmnt OF his own
name by supplying one--the name
hammedanism would be known. He /
further sought 10 make this word |
meaning resignation, imply the FIVE
cardinal points OF the new faith.
The first of these points was the
brief creed, There is no God but
Allah, and Mohammed is his pro- !
phet The other four enjoined
prayer giving OF aims. the fast OF
Ramodan and pilgrimage 10 Mecca.
"Another significant parallel be-
tween Christianity and Moham
mechanism is that both are the re-
iigions of millions OF people of races
alien to that OF their founders
Christ was Jews Mohammed was
an Arab. II is the Mohammedan-
ism modified by the Turkish tenn
perament and nationality that has
clashd with Western civilization in
recent centuries.
Most misleading OF all the illus
IONS about Mohammedanism how
ever. is the tacit assumption that
the Mohammedan world is a reig-
ious unit. Seen a long way off
the sects and groups fade away. In
reality there are two great branches
of. Mohammedanlsm, the Sunnites
and the Shiites. Among both these
branches, and also outside them,
there are sharply drawn cleayages.
f'Recent caiiphs, who have been ,
the sultans of Turkey, have claim
ed spiritual supremacy over the Mo-
hammedan world OF some 100000 {
eco souls. But in actual fact the
sultan OF Turkey had little more
spiritual asoendancy over the Mo
hammedsns outside Turkey than the
King OF England has over the Epis-
copaiians in the United states. In
fact there would be no urgent Near }
East problem ct this moment had !
mis- leadership been recognized Oh :
the other eide OF the Bosphorus in
Asia Minor.
"a very important difference be-
tween the Western mind and the
Mohammedan viewpoint has hitn-
erto. precluded a spiritual ascend
ancy OF the latter which would cut :
across all lines OF temporal power .
and include even warning ma )
lions. The Mohammedan has no
priests. Islam is the most prag-
matte OF all religions Heretofore, D
II csliph did not rule he wasn't
a caliph. A spiritual ruler up to !,
now has been incomprehensible to :
the Moslem mind. Naturally. then.
caiiphs have sought to rule by the y
sword
"Ideas are potent factors in geo y
sraphy. Not only does the Moham- :
nedan conceive it dificult to pray
Thy kingdom Come and then '
light for different kind OF king \
JON. but in peace time. his religion :
ind his law go haDd-in-hand. Mo-
was a law giver, not only !
n the Mosaic but also in the jus \
inian sense. There are as many y
odes of law among MohammedaDs n
s there are sects; and as many II
.ipds OF lawyers as there are codes. Il
Imong the Sunnites, the Orthodox -
major division OF Islam. there are II
our schools OF law. A Hanaite y
would As soon engage a Malakite II
awyer as a Presbyterian congrega- y
ion would be likely to employ Y
Unitarian preacher. y
-T.s cry rod 'calipah' has an y
which dates back ia y
childhood days when you lived y
mong these fantastic Arabian y
tights at the court OF Caliph Ha- y
up al Rashid. Rashid was a bona y
ide .caliph. and in your later years y
1 reading OF the historical facts n
bout the caliphste furnish no fewer u
thrills than the immortal tales. u
some Early Successors" =
rWhen Mob mined died his coun- 4
ielor Abu Bekr. the companion Of y
rs flight. or Hegira, became caliph, 1
literally successor. Abu y
3ekr means father OF the virgin q
Re was Mohammeds father-in-law | y
rhY second caliph or successor. was
omar. another father-in-law OF the y
Prophet. who started organizing y
rmies and began spreading Islam y
'ver the map In very literal sense. y
omar was the first to hear OF the \
tile Emir al Moumenin.' Prince OF y
he Faithful n
From the first. Ali, husband Of VI
lohammed's daughter. Fatims. con N
dered himself the logical successor VI
, the caliphate. Not until Abu N
ekr and Omar had ruled. and an, VI
her caliph, Gilman had his day ny
ID had been murdered as was y,
mar before him. did All become AV
liph y.
"Certainly Mohammedanism can *
termed emphaticalIy a mans re- "
'ion.' Yet, at this early date. two ~
omen were the moving spirits In "