Directory_and_Chronicle_1880 — Page 48

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MAHOMEDAN FESTIVALS, FASTS, AND OBSERVANCES.

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give alms to the poor and presents to their fri nds on account of the lives of all the Jews having been saved by Esther, (it is therefore called "Feast of Esther,") which happened 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. of the 9th to 7 P.M. of the 10th, and ask for giv. ness for their sins. Other fasts were also instituted in later times, connected with the siege of J rusalem (10th of tenth month), the capture of the city (17th of the fourth month), the burning of the tempie (9th of the fifth month), and the death of Guedaliah (3rd of the first month) of the civil year.

Every seventh 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 sowed nor reaped. On this fiftieth year every one resumed poss ssion of his in- heritance, whether it were sold, mortgaged, or alienate in any way, and Hebrew slaves of every description were set free, with their wives and childr n. Houss and edifices in walled towns 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 of these hours not the slightest particle of food, not one single drop of water nor any other liquid, or smoke ever passes the lips. Each day during the fast is passed in occasional prayer, besides the usual nimaz, and in reading the Koran or lives of the prophets. The fast is broken by dates, in remembrance 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 f stival and is hailed with great rejoicing and merriment. In every house the s'me dainties are provided, every amusement that can be thought of, is indulged i... I some houses the nautch girls are in the apartments of the gentlemen and the "douni" in those of the

women.

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EED KORBAN.-In commemoration of Abraham ffering up Ishmael; and this is the day on which they annually p rform the Haj at Mecca. The followers of Mahomed claim to be descendants of Abraham through his son Ishmael, who, they aver, was chosen 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 subject, in opposition to the authority of the Bible. The offering thus mad is annually commemorated by the sacrifice of animals, such as camels, sheep, goats or lambs, according to each person's means, which answer the purpose of honouring the memory of Abraham and Ishmael. The followers of Mahomed believe that the entrance to Paradise is guarded by a bridge as narrow as a scythe, or some such equally sharp instrument, affording a precarious and unstable footing. To enable them, therefore, to pass without danger, they believe that t' e 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 held annually in remembrance of the first martyrs of Mussulmans-Hassain and Hossein-the two sons of Fatima and Ali, from whom the whole race of Syads have descen led. Hassain was poisoned by an emissary of the usurping Kalipha, and Hossein, the last victim of the descendants of the prophet's family, to King Yazid's (son of Maviah) fury, suffering a cruel death after the most severe tr als 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. Hassain and Hossein were, as above stated, the two sons of Ali, by his cousin

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