The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1923-05-11

Prepared by the National Geographic So
ciety. Washington. II. c.
The deposing of the sultan Of
turkey, not only from the position Of
temporal ruler Of the Turks but from
the far more powerful one of Caliph of
Islam, opens an inter esting new chap
ter in the history Of MOhamnedanlsm.
The step taken by the Turkish Nation
allsts in stripping the once nominally
powerful caliph of his power, and his
retirement TO Mecca under the wing
OF the king Of Hejaz, might cOnceivably
lead to very interesting developments;
for politics and religion are insepa-
rable in the Near East, Il fact that
western observers, far from the many
cross-currentS of the region, do not
always realize. Some prevalent mis-
conceptions about the Mohammedan
faith seem 10 add confusion TO many
discussions about the recent develop
ments IN Turkey.
The easiest way TO diSpel some Of
these illusions is by pointing TO several
striking likenesses between the worlds
two newest among the major religions.
The term "Mohammedan,' like the
term "Christian," is a nickname. Both
names were given, with contemptuOus
intent, it is believed, by enemies of the
religions.
The term christian" was quickly
adopted by followers Of the Nazarene.
The term "Mohammedan" never has
been adopted by the followers of the
Prophet. He sought to avoid the en-
ployment of his own name by supply
ing one-the name "Islam'-by which
he hoped MOhammedanism would be
known. He further sought To 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 Mehammed Is his prophet
The other four enjoined prayer, giving
Of aims, the fast OF Ramadan and pill
grimage to Mecca.
Another significant parallel between
Christianity and Mohammedanism is
that both are the religions Of millions
Of people OF races alien TO that Of
their founders. Christ was a Jew
Mohammed was an Arab. II Is the
Mohammedanism modified by the
! Turkish temperament and nationality
that has clashed with western civiliza-
ton In recent centuries.
Most misleading Of all the Illusions
about M0hammedanlsm, however, Is
the tacit assumption that the Noham-
medan world Is a religious unit. Seen
a long way off, the sects and groups
fade away. In reality there are two
great branches Of Mohammedanism,
the Sunnltes and the Shiites. Among
both these branches, and also outside
them, there are sharply drawn cleav-
ages.
Sultan Didn't Rule All.
Recent caliphs, who have been the
suItang ~ Turkey, have clIined splr-
ltual supremacy over the MOhamlne-
dan world II some 3DO,OOD,DDC souls.
But In actual fact the sultan " Turkey
had little more spiritual ascendancy
over the MOhammedans outside Turker
than the King Of England has over me
EuIscopalIans IN the United States. In
fact there would be no urgent Near
East problem ~ this moment had his
leadership been recognized on the 9th
or side Of he BOspO.us In Asia Minor.
4 very important difference between
the western mind and the MOham-
.t.-.y,fyt Hru kffhE-% TPa-
Guided % spiritual asccnGancy IN Islam
which would cut across all lines u
temporal ppwcf and lnclud" even war
ring nations The NCnammedan has
mo priests. Islam IL one ~ the most
uragunflc ~ religions. Heretofore II
. callph dld MT rule he wasn't 2
roll,h 4 spiritual ruler up 70 nOw
has been luromprehr1Isiblc n the Mos
lem mind. And II remains ~ be seen,
! whether the radical step taken BY the
JurkIsb SatlOnalists In setting mp a
callpb sborn ~ temporal power Tfll
accomplish 81 permanent change. Be
ing temporal rulers primarily, callphs
naturally have sought 10 rIIe by the
sTOrd
The Nohamnedan's religion and his
law no hand IN hand. Nobammed was
a law giyer, not only In the Mosaic
hui, also IN The Justlnisn sense. There
are no many cOdes Of law among
Mobsmmedans as there are sects snd
/; as many kinds ~ lawyers 40 there are
c,des Among the Sunnites, the Orrho-
| dor malor division NJ Islam. there are
sour schools ~ law. a Hanafite would
n. ro1n engage n NaIakIte lawyer as
. yregbyfeton congregation would be
fksIy 10 employ u Unitarian preacher.
Tie yery word "caIlph" has an al
tnrnmeni whicb dates lark 70 child-
bnoo da,s whru me lived Among those