Rensselaer Standard, Volume 1, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 September 1879 — BIRTH OF THE PROPHET. [ARTICLE]

BIRTH OF THE PROPHET.

A Bite of Moslem Fanaticism in Correspondence New York Observer. The anniversary of the birth of the Prophet is carefully observed by the Modems in Egypt. They do it by keeping a festival of a whole week, giving to this week the the name of the birth or the time of the birth. Their testing, however, is largely of a religious character, that Is, ail the spectacles of the week are generally connected with religion. These always take place in the open air or in tents, erected In some wide, open space in the outskirts of the city. Cairo is the stronghold of Islam in Egypt, and the Moolid or natal festival there is much the most noted one. Its crowning performance, the doea, or trampling, is not observed elsewhere, and annually attracts a vast conoourse to witness this triumph of fanaticism and barbarity. The dosa always takes place at 1 o’clock p. m., as the Sheikh and the devotees must all pray in the great mosque precisely at noon, the Sheikh continuing long enough for the devotees to reach the ground and take position before his arrival. We went early, yet wC found ourselves compelled to stop behind a row of carriages, three or four deep, backed up to a wide, street-like space, several hundred yards long, in which the devotees were to be laid. Soldiers were everywhere present to preserve the line, but when the carriages of the Viceroy’s temily and those of the various great Pashas drove up, they were conducted inside the street and ranged two or three deep along the sides. Each carriage contained two-richly dressed ladies, their faces covered with Swiss kerchieft, in the Turkish fashion, which displays their magnificent black eyes in the most coquettish manner. The Viceroy himself drove down about noon in very dashing style, and was conducted to a handsome tent which had been placed for him. He had not attended for a long time previously, but it is now his policy to be very religious. •At last the devotees appeared in a body, chanting and swaying their bodies as if unable to be still. Friends accompanied them and assisted them to stand. The impression they desire to make is that they are in a religious frenzy through the greatness of their faith and the intensity of their devotions in the mosque. But unbelievers roundly assert that a large part of the devotions consist in getting themselves well under the influence of hasheesh. They were laid one by one in the middle of the street, their faces downward, resting on their arms, and as closely packed as possible. We supposed they numbered between 300 ana 400. All of them belonged to the lowest classes of society, and this remark will apply to any Muslim procession that I have ever seen. Our carriage driver said he had “lain down” thrdfe times.

The horse which the sheikh rides is kept on purpose for this use. The greatest care and attention is lavished upon him, and his sacred back never bears any other rider. He was about the ordinary size, and in very fine condition. Many attendants accompanied the sheikh. He held the reins, but was himself held in the saddle by two or three grasping him on each side. He was an old mao, aud one might have supposed his neck broken from the manner in which his head rolled from side to side. This is to indicate that his thoughts are in heaven, that his elevation of soul is overpowering his body. When he reached the end of the ne of devotees there was some delay. When all was in readiness, two men supported the sheikh and four men took hold of the bridle, t\vo on each side, and literally pulled the unwilling animal over the backs of the victims. Sometimes his feet would slip between the bodies, aud then the rocking of the old sheikh was painful to see. Just os soon as the horse passed, those who had been tramped were jerked up and carried off into the tents. If their faith is strong, they can not be hurt, but some of these cried out in great pain, and were immediately cursed by Muslim bystanders for infidels. It is a terrible sight, which few wish to witness a second time. And when I looked over the 25,000 persons who had given it the countenance and encouragement of their presence, I felt conscience-strick-en that we had swelled the number. That afternoon, in conversation with one of the most intelligent native men in the country, I inquired what would be the effect if all Franks and native Christains would “severely let the Muslims alone.” “Nothing they so much desire! It is abominable to them that Christains can witness the mysteries of their religion. ’ ’ Dr. Hogg confirmed this, saying that our presence diminished instead of increasing their enthusiasm.

The dosa is a mere tradition, not commanded in the Koran. Muslims say that when Mohammed was flying from Mecca to Medina, he was so closely pursued that he could not have escaped had not his followers laid down and allowed him to ride over them. Perhaps not many , believe this tradition, but the honor of Islam would be impugned if it were not every year repeated in their great city.