Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-02-08

ton ~ the late Turkish government.
Tie post Office az Mecca, under
Turkish regime. was certainly unique.
Sacks II letters were thrown out into
the narrow street leading 20 the post
U.fice. and there sorted by tie pill
rrims themselves. who opened them
and took their letters aud those OF
their friends also. a similar system
prevailed az Medina. Yenbo and Jld-
dab. King Husein 81 Hejaz. how
ever. has taken steps 20 Join the Inter-
national Postal Union, and has had
stamps printed In Egypt bearing the
inscription "Heiaz Post"
Foreigners Handle Its Commerce.
The commerce 81 Mecca is entirely
In the hands Of foreigners. mostly In
dinns. who sell rosarles. carpets and
silk s;uffs. One az the main occupa-
tious 81 the silversmlths Is the manu-
failure ~ rings. which are supposed
60 De constructed from silver that
was once part Of the sacred temple
doors and are reputed 90 be an effec-
tive remedy for certain Ills. Most Of
the natives. however. earn their liv-
Inc as guides e. the pilgrims and
grow wealthy during the season.
Sacred Mosque and Ka'sbs.
The sacred mosque, Mesjid el Ha-
ram with the Ka'aba as its center.
Is located in the middle OF the city.
Mecca lies In a hot, sandy valley, alb
solutely without verdure and surround
al by rocky. barren hills. destitute OF
trees or even shrubs. The valley Is
about 500 feet wide. and 4.OOO feet
long. and slopes toward the south.
The Ka'aha, or House OF God CBeit
Allah, is located In the bed OF the
valley. All the streets slope toward IL
and IL stands, as IL were. In the pit
u a theater.
The Ka'aba proper stands In an OBJ
long space go PAGES long and 200
broad. surrounded by colonnades,
which are used as schools and as
general meeting place for pilgrims.
The outer Enclosure has 10 gates and
six mInarets; within the Enclosure Is
the well Of Zem Zem. the great pulpit,
the staircase used 10 enter the ka'aba
door. which is high above the ground,
aud two small mosques called FL Ku-
hattain. The remainder OF the space
i occupied by payements and gray
q. where prayers are said by the four
orthodox sects. each having Its own
allotted space.
In the southeast corner Of the
Kn'aba. about 1--WE feet from the
ground. i the famous Black Stone,
the oldest treasure OF Mecca The
stone Is a fragment resembling black
volcanic rock, sprinkled with reddish
crystals.
Arriving within n short distance OF
Mecca. orthodox pilgrims. male and
female. put OF their ordinary clothing
ana assume the hiram. which consists
OF two pieces OF white cloth, one
tied around the lolns and the other
thrown over the back. Sandals may
be worn. but not shoes, and the heau
must be uncovered. After certain
ablutions the pilgrim enters the
mosque. kisses the Black Stone, ana
runs around the Ka'aba seven times
After specIal prayers he proceeds TO
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. sara
and AIirwa.
little books OF ritual prayers to be
used BIZ the pilgrims are sold 10 eN-
ervone. and there Is great punetiiious-
mess I'm observing every detail correct
IL. on the seventh day OF the PHI
yrImage there Is a sermon from the
rand pulpit. on the eighth DAY me
pilgrim goes 10 Nina. three miles ais
fant from Mecca. and 81 nds the night
TIE next morning he leaves for Ara
set another hill short distance from
Necea. and the following day Is the
vre.. dav OF sacrifice. simultaneously
deserved throughout the whole Mos
lsm world. Early In the morning inc
pllgrlms go 10 Nina. where they are
fhree pIllars. called the Great peNil
ne Middle pillar. and the FIRST ohe-
fTere each pilgrim filings seven pen.
-, ,o show his hatred Of Satan ana
nIs love OF God. He then performs
,be sacrifice OF n sheep. goat or eainei
according 60 his means. the VICTIM -
Inv nlaced toward The kaaba anu lns
1-rIse nlunced into the animais tnroa1
Nth the CRY -Allahu Akbar. Ims
ceremony concludes the pigrllnas
nroper and the pilgrim then begins Ni'
Journey back home