MAHOMEDAN FESTIVALS, FASTS, Aand obserVANCES.
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probably meant by "Feast of Esther," which is on the 13th of the 6th month (civil year)-March.
The 10th of the first month of the civil year is the day of ATONEMENT, on which they observe a fast from 6 P.M. cf the 9th to 7 P.M. of the 10th, and ask for- giveness for their sins. Other fasts were also instituted in later times, coun cted with the siege of Jerusalem (10th of tenth month), the capture of the city (17th of the fourth month), the burning of the temple (9th of the fifth month), and the death of Gedaliah (3rd of the first month) of the civil year.
Every sev nth year is to the Jews a Sabbatical year; and we find that Alexander the Great granted them an exemption from tribute on that year.
After seven weeks or Sabbath of years, that is, after seven times seven years, the great Festival of the JUBILEE was celebrated; and during the whole year they neither sowe nor reaped. On this firtieth year every one resumed possession of his in- heritance, whether it were sold, mortgaged, or alienated in any way, and Hebrew slaves of every description were set free, with their wives and children. Houses and edifices in walled towna were the only kind of property that did not return to the original owner in the year of the Jubilee.
MAHOMEDAN.
RAMAZAN.-The Mahomedan fast commences each day throughout the month of this name, when the first streak of light borders the eastern horizon, and continues until the stars are clearly discerned in the heavens. During the whole period not the slightest particle of food, not one single drop of water nor any other liquid, or smoke ever passes the lips from the dawn till the appearance of the stars in the evening. Each day during the fast is passed in occasional prayer, bosides the usual nimaz, and in rea-ling the Koran or lives of the prophets. The fast is broken by dates, in remem- brance of the Prophet's family, whose great luxury was supposed to be the date of Arabia, and some cooling draught is added if required. The conclusion of the month Ramazan is celebrated as an Eed festival and is hailel with great rejoicing and merriment. In every house the same dainties are provided, every amusement that can be thought of, is indulged in. In some houses the natch women are in the apartments of the gentlemen and the "domni" in those of the women.
EED KORBAN.-In commemoration of Abrabam offering up Ishmael; and this is the day on which they annually perform the Haj at Mecca. The followers of Mahomed claim to be de cendants of Abraham through his son Ishmael, who, they aver, was ch sen as the offering to the Almighty, and not Isaac, thus differing from the Jews and Christians, grounding their assertions on traditions which they deem conclusive evidence on the subj ct, in opposition to the authority of the Bible. The offering thus made is annually commemorated by the sacrifice of animals, such as camels, sheep, goats or lambs, according to each person's means, which answer the pu pose of honouring the memory of Abraham and Ishmael. The followers of Mihomed beli ve that the entrance to Pa adise is guarded by a bridge as narrow as a scythe, or some such equally sharp instrum nt, affording a precarious and unstable tooting. To enable them, ther for, to pass without danger, they beli ve that the animals they have sacrificed at the feast of Eed will be present to lend their aid to help them over in safety.
MOHARRAM.-A celebrated mourning festival bell annually in remembrance of the Erst martyrs of Mussalmans-Hassain and Hossein-the two sons of Fatima and Ali, from whom the whole race of Syads have descend d. Has ain was pois. ned by an cosary of the usurping Kalipha, and Hossein, the last victim of the descendants of the propet's family, to Ki: g Yazid's (son of Maviah) fury, suffering a cruel death after the most severe trials on the plain of Kurbala, on the tenth day of the Arabian month of Moharram, the anniversary of which catastrophe is solemnised with the most devoted zeal. Hussain and Hossein were, as above stated, the two sons of Ali, by his cousin
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