Page 123 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (2)

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NEGLECTED A KAMA 13

such as these bring one face to face with the religion of the
Arab and the things fundamental in his makeup and make an
impression on one as no other thing does.
One other experience may likewise show the spirit of the Moslem
and how early that spirit is inculcated in the youth. I was
sitting in the’ shop of a Moslem friend when a small boy who
worked in a coffee shop near by walked past. My friend had
at various times had coffee served to me and so I thought that
l would take my turn and do the same for him. I called the boy
and told him what I wanted, but when I tried to give him the
money, he would not accept it. My money had been defiled since
1 was a Christian and the boy had been taught that he must not
accept such money so my order was not Idled.
At the final breaking of the fast, all the Moslems gathered in the
courtyard of one of the mosques early in the morning and prayed
in unison together and heard a sermon which was delivered by the
•'metowah” or leader. It is an impressive sight to see them going
dirough prayers in such a great body and their religion is again
brought to the fore-front of all the impressions that the newcomer
receives. All these events added to the regular routine of the live
daily prayers and the hearing of the name of God on the lips of
Moslems at all times even in expressing the most trivial and com­
monplace things, impresses one more and more with the strength
and weakness of Islam and its devotees. Then it is that one re­
members the Gospel story of how the disciples of John came to
Jesus and asked Him why His disciples did not fast. Jesus says.
"Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bride­
groom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom
will be taken away from them and then shall they fast." We as cl
Christians know that Jesus is with us and we need not fast
and we long for the time when these people, too, may . feel that
presence of Christ and may also have no need of fasting. And
we hope that the Arab may always impress the newcomer with
|,is religion for our hope and prayer is that his religion may become the
true religion of Jesus Christ.
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