Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 April 1896 — ISLAM’S HOLY COAT. [ARTICLE]

ISLAM’S HOLY COAT.

Relic Which is Exhibited to the Faithful Once Every Century. The Holy Coat of Mohamet, which ia exhibited for the adoration of the faithful once every hundred years, according to the tradition was presented by the Prophet to a Yemen dervish. Wiis-ol-Karani, as a token of gratitude for his services In discovering the use aml preparation of coffee, is a kind of “chukva.” or robe, with flowing sleeves somewhat similar to Western dressing gowns, which is worn iu the Levant liy those whom foreigners are aeeustomiMl to designate ns Turks of the old school. It is needless to add that its color is green—the hue altove all others sacred to the Prophet. The extent to which the garment is venerated by all true believers may be estimated by the fact that the principal and most cherished title of the Kultan is that of “Hndum-ul-Haremeen,” or Guardian of the Holy Relie.” The latter was brought to Constntlnople by Sultan Selim I, along with the keys of the holy cities of Mecca nml Medina, from Cairo, where they had been preserved Until tlint time in the keeping of the Caliphs. The shrine In which it was placed by the Kultnu Selim, and where it lias remained ever since until tills day, is within tlie precincts of the Imperial Treasury at Gulehane. It was thither that the present Sultan of Turkey betook himself in state recently. lie was seated alone on the back seat of his carriage, and facing him was old Osman Gliazl I’aca, the hero of Plevna. Alighting at the Bub-ul-Snida, *>r Sublime Porte, he, with his own bauds, unlocked, by means of a massive golden key, the silver grating or cage which protects the Holy of Holies from Intrusion by the profane. With another key of the same precious metal, he proceeded to open a huge cupboard or box compost'd of the purest ami most massive gold, and to extract therefrom a bundle, which he placed on a silver table of great beauty. One by one tin* Sultan removed the forty outer cloths lu which the Holy Coat was wrapped up, until the lust but one was reached. That latter consisted of some thin, transparent kiml of gauze, and is left Intact; for no mortal eye may Im>hold or human lips touch the snored relic unshrouded. Reverently, and with every token of the utmost veneration, the Sultan bent and kissed the dingy looking bundle, his example being followed by tlie Shlek-ul-lslam, the Grand Vizier and the various chief dignitaries of the realm, according to their rank, (luring which time the verses of the Koran were chanted by thcplemn. Subsequently all the men withdrew, and under the guidance of Ids Highness, Ynver Aga, the grand eunuch of the Imperial seraglio, the Valide Sultana, or mother Empress, along with the various wives of tlu* monarch and princesses of the family, appeared upon the scene and likewise paid their respects to the Holy Goal. As soon as they had closed their devotions and departed, the Sultan carefully wrapped up the bundle again In the niue-uml-tldrty wrappers which he lmd removed, after which he replaced It In Its golden cupboard, locked It. as well as Its silver cage or grating, and returned to Ids palace at Ytldlx Kiosk between a double line of troops, who kept a path open through the vast-multitude of people for the imperial procession. In the eveulng the Sultan sent to all those who had Is'cn present at this ceremony small white cambric handkerchiefs with the verses of the Koran embroidered on them, which had been specially consecrated at Mecca for the purpose. Resides this, splendid presents were made by the Padishah *to the Shlef-ul-Islum, the primate of the • Turkish Church, nnd iilho to Yavor Aga, a coal black and gigantic negro, who Is addressed as “Your Highness" and ranks with the Grand Vizier and bears the title of “I)ar ill Sadr Aghassl,” which, rendered in English, menus, “he whose post is behind the door of the sunctuary of bl'iss." The Grand Vizier and the Ministers also received tokens of Imperial good will in the slini>e of Jewelry nnd decorations.—New York Tribune.