Page 121 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (2)

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12 NEGLECTED ARABIA

bidden during the fast, Some Moslems even go so far as not
to swallow their spittle for fear that they will break the fast
and lose merit.
'I'he first evidence to us that the fast was about to begin was the
sight of various groups of Arabs out on the plains just outside
the city trying to get the first glimpse of the new moon which
would usher in the month. Late on the night of the 16th of
April, two cannons were fired by the ruling sheikh, signalizing that
the fast had begun. The following morning before it was light,
we were awakened by the loud beating of a drum, This was a
warning to the people that they should get up and prepare their
early meal and eat it before light appeared when it would be un­
lawful to eat or drink. Needless to say these warnings continued
throughout the entire mouth. At the end of the month the men
who beat the drums through the various districts of the city arc
rewarded by those who have been awakened. The month itself
can hardly be called a fast, but rather a turning of night into
day for night becomes the time for eating and drinking (possibly
more eating and drinking than they do during the other months)
and also the time for visiting the coffee shops and houses of
friends; while the day becomes the time for more sleeping than
that to which they are accustomed.
It was interesting for me to note how the people regarded the
fast. Shortly before the fast began, l made it a point to ask a
few men what they thought of Ramadhan. Without exception they,
replied that it was one of the finest times of the year and that
they looked forward to it very much. When pressed further aiu|
asked why they especially liked the fast, they replied. “Is not any.
thing that we do for God a pleasure?” But this liking wore oil
gradually as the month progressed until toward the end some uf
those men admitted to me that they were glad that it was nearly
over.
But if it is true that this fast is especially to the liking of the
average Moslem, it may also be said that the opposite is true
for missionaries even though they have interesting experiences, j
do not know of any time in mv life that l have heard Christ slurred
or maligned as much as in that short month. It seemed that thc
natural (|uestion to ask me was whether I was fasting and when
I gave the negative answer, the next question was. “Why not:’'
When the answer that C hrist had not given us the command t„
fasl was given, it seemed in be ihe signal for a derogatory reniaik
about C hrist. It so happened one of these times that a lew Jew*
were present when these questions were put and one of the Moslems in
the crowd said, “The Jews hate Christ, the Christians blaspheme (ii*l
concerning Him, and the Moslems alone love Him and know die
truth concerning Him.” At another time when the subject u{
Christ again came up, another Moslem said, “How do you kilo*
that Christ did not command you to fast? Your Scriptures arc
not the truth concerning Him for they are written bv men. Why
1 myself could write as good a book as your holv book.’* Beiuarkt