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VOL. IV, No. 4^#
DECEMBER, 1929
THE
SYRIAN WORLD
A
MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING
WITH SYRIAN AP^AIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE
RR
DESERTS OF FACT AND FANCY
AMEEN RIHANI
ZAHLE AND POINTS EAST
SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL
DRUZE EXHORTATIONS AND PRAYERS
DR. PHILIP K. HITTI
THE MURDER OF THE PATRIARCH
(A TRUE STORY)
IN OLD DAMASCUS
ADELAIDE E. FARIS
STAGING A DESERT SCENE
EMILE DUMIT
THE COPY 50c
��THE
SYRIAN WORLD
Tublished monthly by
SALLOUM
A.
THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS
MOKARZEL,
Editor.
104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y.
By subscription $5.00 a year.
Single copies 60c,
Entered as second-class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New
York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879.
VOL. IV. No. 4.
DECEMBER, 1929
CONTENTS
PAGE
/]
Deserts of Fart and Fancy
5
AMEEN RIHANI
Renaissance (Poem)
10
PAUL DEAB
Zahle and Points East
SALLOUM
11
A.
MOKARZEL
Restless (Poem)
18
DR. SALIM
Y.
ALKAZIN
Druze Exhortations and Prayers
DR. PHILIP
K.
19
HITTI
The Murder of the Patriarch (True Story)
FOUAD F. BuSTANY
I
22
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CONTENTS (Continued)
PAGE
In Old Damascus
27
ADELAIDE
E.
FARIS
/ Need You No More (Poem)
LABEEBEE
A. J.
35
HANNA
Staging a Desert Scene
36
EMILE DUMIT
Great
SYRIAN WORLD
Contest
4-0
Editorial Comment
The Contest
42
Arabic Newspapers
44
Spirit of the Syrian Press
4-5
Political Developments in Syria
50
About Syria and Syrians
"
ILLUSTRATIONS IN THIS ISSUE
The Tomb of St. John
General View of Zahle
Inner Court of the Umayyad Mosque
The Plain of Al-Bika(
53
\
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IN THIS ISSUE
u
AMEEN RIHANI minces
no words in exploding the popular American conception of the
stage sheik. After having traveled extensively in Arabia and
visited with kings and common
bedouins, and seen the real
sheikhs in their native habitat,
Rihani should know what he is
talking about. The reaction of
intelligent American public
opinion to his exposure of the
cinema sheik may be gathered
from the letter of Dr. Henry
Van Dyke of Princeton which
is printed as a footnote. For
those who wish to be enlightened, or disillusioned, this article of Rihani should prove invaluable. * * * DR. PHILIP
K. HITTI has succeeded in
procuring what were hitherto
supposed to be the inaccessible
books of the secret Druze religion He has made literal translations of some of the exhortations and prayers contained in
these books. They are of a nature to arouse the interest of
scholars and the general reading public. Some of these selections are published in this issue. * * * MISS ADELAIDE
E. FARIS made a trip to Syria
with her family a few years ago
and appears to have been fascinated with Old Damascus.
Being a college graduate with
a keen sense of appreciation for
the picturesque and romantic,
Miss Faris has drawn a vivid
picture of life in this historic
Syrian city. She takes you not
only to the bazaars and public
places, but lets you share with
her the privilege of a visit to
a private Moslem home. This
contribution by Miss Faris is
her first to THE SYRIAN
WORLD, and we feel sure our
readers will appreciate the valuable information she supplies.
* * * EMILE DUMIT, a
graduate of the American University of Beirut and now taking advanced courses at Columbia, contributed his share in interpreting the true character of
the Arabs to Americans by
dramatizing a desert scene
which was given at International House in New York. As
a literary product his effort is
commendable. That passage of
his play describing the desert
scene is reproduced in this issue.
* * * SALLOUM MOKARZEL continues his chronological narration describing his
trip to Syria. In the present installment he entertains the
readers with an account of his
visits to Zahle. Not only does
he give an account of general
�conditions in this popular Leb- prolific and versatile writers.
anese summer resort, but gives THE SYRIAN WORLD makes a
you also an introduction to many first announcement in this issue
personalities both residents and of a great contest for a FREE
visitors. If you would know TRIP TO SYRIA. The offer
,what is Kaif in Zahle, here is is unprecedented in the annals
your opportunity to get as fair of Syrian journalism and
an idea as can be had. * * * should prove of great appeal
PAUL DEAB is the pen name to the ambitious. The terms are
of a gifted Syrian-American most liberal, especially where
writer who has contributed be- provision is made that gift subfore to THE SYRIAN WORLD. scriptions in any number are
Her present poem must have counted as direct subscriptions.
been inspired by the dreary All contestants are guaranteed
winter days of the comely Con- adequate compensation for their
necticut hills. We are not per- efforts. * * * The political sitmitted to divulge her SEX or uation in Syria is taking a most
real name, although we would interesting turn, while in Pallike to have her receive due estine developments continue
credit for her ability. * * * to engage the attention of the
DR. 8ALIM Y. ALKAZIN world. Some of our reports on
and LABEEBEE A. J. HAN- the situation are taken from
NA have each a charming poet- original sources and never beical contribution. Our readers fore published in the American
may expect much more of these press.
I
GREAT SYRIAN WORLD
CONTEST
FOR
A FREE TRIP TO SYRIA AND RETURN
IS ANNOUNCED
ON PAGES 40 AND 41 OF
THIS ISSUE
V
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�THE
SYRIAN WORLD
VOL. IV. No. 4.
DECEMBER, 1929
Deserts of Fact and Fancy
By
AMEEN RIHANI
fHE desert has an irresistible fascination for those who have
never been through it. In the pages of a novel or on the
screen it never fails to cast its spell. The novelist and the film
producer wave a wand and lo, a banquet is spread for the eye
and for starving hearts. The imaginary banquet of the khalif
in the "Arabian Nights" cannot hold a candle to it. But the
guests at the desert feast, unlike the guest of the khalif, cannot
hit back. They eat up the glamour, which satisfies a certain
craving produced by civilization, and go home satisfied, fascinated. That the empty dishes were carried pompously into the
banquet hall by the phantom steward and as pompously whisked
away from before the bewildered guest, is immaterial. The
words of tue khalif—the novelist, in our case, and the film producer—have the fiat of magic.
The novelist, camera man, artist and musician are the stewThis article originally appeared in the Magazine Section of The New
York Times of Sunday, December 18, 1929. Under the same date, Dr. Henry
Van Dyke of Princeton, the well-known American critic, wrote the author
as follows:
"Your article on "Deserts of Fact and Fancy," in the N. Y. Times
today is admirable,—the kind of thing that can be written only by the man
who knows. I have enjoyed it and wish to thank you for the pleasure.
"Our age is cursed by the commercialized fakirs,—critics of the school
of Wynken, Bunkum and Pod. The Hollywood "Sheik" is an abomination to
God and Man,—a fraud.
"Oh, wot's the use, of "red gods," and "Pan" and all that stuff!
" 'The natcheral facts of Springtime is wonderful enuff.* "
"Let us go back to Nature, pure and simple and real, as the Master
from Nazareth taught us."
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
ards of the public; the explorer is the steward of science. The
first four seldom go beyond a certain limit in their travels; and
with the instruments at their command they order the desert to
them. The process of magic is reversed. The artist casts his
spell and the desert unfolds its mysteries.
But in the unfolding there is a wondrous transformation.
The little black tent becomes a castle; the poor roving Bedouin
becomes a "sheik"; the camel loses its hump and acquires the
wings of Pegasus; the raids for daily bread become kidnapping
parties; dangers are clothed in the glamour of adventure, and
the tantalizing mirage resolves itself into a blue lake of real
water. In a word, the wilderness becomes paradise, and artists
of every feather hover around it for inspiration.
One musician I know shipped his piano to the coast of North
Africa and there had it taken apart and carried on camels to his
magic castle—a charming little villa on the outskirts of the Sahara From that villa he caught the melody of the dunes in the
dawn and at sundown. From that villa, at his keyboard, he
soared beyond the dunes to the wells of silence in their heart.
But the bulbuls in his garden and the European canary in its
cage were his traveling companions.
3
It would be fatuous to doubt that the song of the bulbul in
the heart of the dunes has a charm ineffable. But through all
my travels in the deserts of Arabia—and I have been rocked
on the hump of a camel for fifty days—the only birds I have
seen were of two kinds, a dumb little creature with silver-lined
black wings, which in a sandstorm, gave us an exhibition oi a
ship, at sea in a gale, and one of like feather but larger, which
seemed to take pleasure in flying low before us and circling,
when he got ahead of us, to keep within sight of our caravan.
He could only repeat his do re mi.
"What is the name of the bird?" I asked. "That is UmSalem (Mother of Salem)," replied the chief. "And where is
the Father of Salem?" asked Baddah, the wit if the caravan.
"And where is Salem himself?" This from Hamad, who always
tried to vie with Baddah. Well, we met only the mother of
the family and heard her repeat her do re mi. But my friend
in his little villa on the outskirts of the desert, soaring on the
keyboard of his piano, heard the whole sonata. And later the
song of the desert enthralled London and New York.
The real song of the desert, of the men of the desert, is
enlivening, exhilarating. It has, for the traveler in the desert,
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�DECEMBER, 1929
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a certain fascination. But to a Western audience, if it were
faithfully reproduced, it would be a barbaric yawp. In the wilds
of the unknown, in the infinite vastness that is expressive chiefly
of danger and of death, the purely artistic is unnatural and does
not, of course, exist. It is only in the oasis, under the cool shadow of the palms, in the bosom of friendliness and security,
that one hears the soft strains of a Bedouin mother's lullaby or
the bewitching plaintive notes of a Bedouin girl in love.
And where are the love scenes: The novelist may not go to
the expense of building or hiring a villa on the outskirts of the
desert. But he sits on the porch of a modern hotel in a town
near the coast and, while sipping whisky or soda or Amer Picon,
evokes the hidden, the unknown. He may even, for the purpose
of his magic, take an excursion in the moonlight to the nearest
oasis or the nearest dune. The rest is a mechanical process, which
is achieved behind a mahogany desk in London or New York.
As for the heroine, who must always be a tall blonde with
a firm chin and a piercing blue eye, she might venture out alone
and find an interpreter in the bazaar. The interpreter soon rises
in the hierarchy of romance to a "sheik." But the "sheik" will
not carry his beloved to his castle hidden among the dunes. He
is bored, and not being used to fetters he mounts a swift camel
and disappears in the moonless night. He may not have so much
as a black tent in the desert. He may have to sleep on the sands,
under the stars.
The "sheik," the harem of the "sheik," the luxury and glamour of the desert dwelling of the "sheik," and the little army of
fierce-looking knights, on the swiftest dromedaries or the most
fiery Arab steeds, in quest of the European girl for the harem
of the "sheiks"—nothing is more thrilling, more bewitching in
the pages of fiction or on the screen; nothing is more poignantly
pathetic in reality.
Don Juan is eternal. But this Arab Don Juan is cinematographic. In spite of the most magnificent incarnation the "sheik"
is a failure. He is the product of our mechanical age. Everything about him, even his name, is false. It is not "sheik" but
shaykh, which in Arabic means a venerable old man, or a man
of learning or of authority. We speak of the Shaykh of AlAzhar University, for instance, or the shaykh of a certain tribe.
Among a few families of the Christians and Druzes of Mount
Lebanon, shaykh is also an inherited title. But of the material
things of life, little or nothing goes with it.
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
Even when a shaykh has a harem of two or three or even
four wives, which is nowadays very rare, he cannot afford an
"ensemble." He must segregate them or he is lost. For one
woman alone is a problem, two together are an enigma, three
or four are a conspiracy. Imagine women huddled together like
sheep, or as we behold them on the screen lying in silken ease
in the harem quarters, and a black slave, whip in hand, ordering them to the bath. It is a libel upon womankind anywhere in
the world.
Imagine, moreover, such a scene in the desert. One Arab
shaykh I knew had three wives, each one living in a separate
compartment in the long black tent, but his wealth consisted only
of a horse, a camel and a few sheep. "And how can you support
your womenfolk:" I asked. "Allah be praised," he replied, "it
is by their help that I can keep the fire burning and the coffee
brewing for the guests."
But such desert domesticity is too sordid for the screen. We
must have glamour, romance. We must have the thing that grips
and thrills and enraptures. Here is a raid. Five or ten Bedouins
on mangy camels or on horses that look more, like Don Quixote's
Rocinante than Arab thoroughbreds, and a flock of sheep tended
by a boy shouldering a gun. The raiders shriek their warning
and gallop forth invoking the assistance of Allah. The boy fires
his gun in the air and runs away, hastening to tell his master.
The raiders meanwhile have driven the flock before them and
changed their course to elude the pursuers. They disappear
among the dunes. The owner with a few of his men, his children or his neighbors, pursues them in vain and returns to his
tent in the comfort of resignation. But in a few days later,
trusting in Allah, he goes out raiding to replenish his stock.
Sometimes there is an encounter, an exchange of shots, a casualty
or two, and the recovery of a part of the stolen property. It also
happens that when the two parties, the raiders and the raided,
are of equal strength and valor, a truce is called, which is followed by a council of war and a division of the booty. The Arab
is a sportsman and raiding is his favorite game. You beat us today; we'll beat you, Allah willing, tomorrow.
The womenfolk are seldom involved in these raids. The
cut-throat Arab is the flower of chivalry. He is also a man of
wisdom. If within the sanctum of the harem a comely Husnah
is pining for her handsome Hasan, who may be of an enemy
^
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DECEMBER, 1929
«-"
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tribe the father tries to persuade her with the prosaic kindness
oi the bourgeois gentleman; and if she is not persuaded and
the kidnapping takes place, in nine cases out of ten the parents
resign themselves to Allah. In the exceptional case there is a
raiding party and the father of the self-willed Husnah is content with the booty. A few camels or a dozen sheep are better
than his minx of a daughter. She is a punishment to the enemvhusband.
'
But this worldly wisdom does not scintillate upon the screen.
Resignation has no glamour. Cynicism is the enemy of romance
ir.ven primitive people, however, are capable of cynicism. Desert realities sharpen the edge of the spirit and naivete soon giveway to a veneer of sophistication. The roving Bedouin will tell
you, for instance, that dependence upon Allah is conducive to
true piety when the waterskin is full. For does he not, every
time he quenches his thirst, praise the All-High, the All-Giver?
lo the native the desert has no charm. Even to the traveler
with a purpose or on a mission, the charm is intermittent and
often fleeting. A continuity of joyous intervals is impossible,
unless it be on the screen.
The wizards of the studio sift and synthetize and reconstruct.
Ihese celluloid artists must serve a public avid of romance
Hence, the scenes and spectacles that have become stereotyped
We behold them in every film of the desert. Castles on the
sands, silhouettes of caravans treading the razor-like edge of
the imagination, Arabs charging on fiery steeds, armed with rifles
and swords and spears and with nothing to do but kidnap the
sheik s" prettiest wife or a European blonde.
I recall an instance of the film producer's zeal in behalf of
the public. It was in a representation of the Queen of Sheba's
visit to King Solomon. Whether she did visit him or not is immaterial Let us concede that she did. In which case she would
have had to travel from Saba (Sheba) in Southwestern Arabia
by one of two routes, either through the mountains of Asir and
the Hedjaz to Petra and thence to Jerusalem, or by sea from
one of the Red Sea ports to Akaba and thence through Petra
to her destination. But the obliging Queen makes a long detour
in her travels for the sake of the cinema public. She goes through
the desert of Central Arabia that the producer may have a few
sand hills to complete the picture.
Enough of the absurdities. There is in the real desert, in
the heart of the red sand desert, a potent charm, an ineffable
�— ...,-, — —
THE SYRIAN WORLD
10
beauty. But such beauty and charm cannot be caught by the
camera. The glow of the atmosphere at dawn and sundown,
the subtle and elusive coloration of the dunes, the moonlit nights,
the vastness and the silence that no perspective can encompass,
the long weary hours on the march, listening to the crack of
your camel saddle or the tinkle of the caravan bells, hearing even
the still voice of your own soul in contemplation—these cannot
be reproduced on the screen. No, the pure joys, which are at
bottom spiritual, cannot be transported, cannot be filmed.
Even the minor gifts of the desert are not transferable.
The rocking for days on a camel, for instance, is a sure cure for
chronic indigestion. The sun soothes the exhausted nerves. The
evening breeze, vibrating through the moonlight, is reconciling.
The vast silence invites the heart to the higher, universal realm
of love. The infinite spaces, unfolding their horizons, one circle
of the unknown after another, stimulate the imagination.
But the greatest gift of the desert is essentially spiritual.
For the mind, free from the tension of life and all the problems
of a civilized society, issues like a chrysalis from its cocoon, a
full-fledged butterfly, and then experiences a strange reaction.
In the vastnesses of space and silence self is submerged and the
spiritual consciousness is awakened to a realization of the divine
in the universe.
RENAISSANCE
By
PAUL DEAB
When shrill winter winds make eerie the night,
And whistle their harsh and moaning song;
And black clouds hide the moon and stars from sight;
Winter is endless to us who long—
For warmth of spring and a zephyrous breeze,
For fragrant nights and the peepers' song,
And moonlight and starlight silv'ring the seas.
But we are impatient! O, God, we pray,
(Thy Mercy and Love temper everything)
Give us the strength to face each wintry day,
That we may live to be reborn in spring.
�mmmmmmmmmm
DECEMBER, 1929
11
Zahle and Points East
A Chronological Record of the Editor's Trip Abroad
By
SALLOUM
A.
MOKARZEL
IV
d.
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a
in.
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ne
I
(CROSSING the Lebanon range over the Damascus Road from
the direction of Beirut, one reaches the highest altitude at a
point called Dhour El-Baidar, or the heights of the threshing
floor. Here one needs some protection against the cold even in
mid-summer. There are no habitations for miles around, and
the low, square stone buildings seen here and there along the
way are the ice-storage plants upon which the city of Beirut
depended entirely in the past for its supply. Even after the introduction of ice-manufacturing plants, natural ice continues to
be used to quite a large extent. The sherbet you buy from the
itinerant saqi is cooled not with the manufactured, but with the
natural ice. And it is not ice at that—it is the natural snow flake
packed hard in winter and stored in the vaulted stone buildings
for summer consumption. You have it served in sparkling balls
whose very sight imparts a feeling of natural coolness that is
most welcome in the torrid heat of the seashore. Manufactured
ice somehow fails to produce the same psychological effect.
From Dhour El-Baidar you begin a slow descent along the
gently sloping terrain towards the Baka' plain. The plain, however, is not yet visible. You follow a long bend skirting the hills
forming the left side.of the valley until you reach the gorge,
and it is then that the plain, in its fascinating beauty, begins to
deploy itself before your wondering eyes. There comes from
that first sight a thrill indescribable. On the left you see Sannin,
and on the right, at a greater distance, Mt. Hermon, commonly
known as Jebel El-Shaykh. Anti Lebanon is directly ahead and
seems surprisingly near. A few villages may be seen along its
foot-hills but it presents a desolate and forbidding appearance.
The two ranges draw closer as you look south until they come
together close to Mt. Hermon near the Palestinian border.
But once this general survey is made the eye becomes riveted
to the beauty of the valley for the unending variety of designs
�12
THE SYRIAN WORLD
and colors it presents. The courses of its numerous streams are
traced by parallel lines of tall and graceful poplars which form
thickets here and there around ponds or lagoons. In places, one
can distinguish dark-green orchards, located principally along
the fringes of the plain, and forming a sort of hedge to what
appears from the heights like one immense field. Otherwise,
the whole plain is given up to seasonal crop cultivation.
The beauty of the Baka' grows on you as you draw nearer
and are able to discern the nature of the plantations and analyze
the variety of colors. Here is a patch that is uniformly dark-red
which apparently had been planted to winter wheat and is now
being prepared for another sowing. Yonder is a thick field of
dark-green which you soon distinguish as a vineyard, while here
and there are other fields ranging in color from delicate green
to golden yellow according to the earliness or degree of maturity
of the crop. The Baka' plain, seen from the heights of the western Lebanon range, is much like an immense carpet whose delicate designs and variegated hues are such as to give rise to boundless admiration.
Such is the approach to Zahle, claimant to the proud title of
the "Bride of Al-Baka'."
We reached Zahle by dusk of Saturday, July 27. It was
necessary to drive slowly owing both to the narrowness and to
the congestion of the old street. Here we discovered that the
automobile did not enjoy the right of way unless it pleased the
cameleer, or the muleteer, or the back driver to halt to let it pass.
But we were not in a hurry. We were coming for a week-end
and not rushing to business, American-wise. The indispensable
bath after the dust of the roadj-, especially when you do not
have the foresight to provide yourself with a burnus, could be
deferred a little longer. For here were sights to the fullness of
your heart's desire, and it were well to take them in slowly.
Such sights you do not encounter in the big, self-containing city
where there is bound to be some sort of uniformity. The main
street of Zahle was such a medley of people and things as to
stagger the imagination. It is more so on a Saturday night. For
Zahle is neither a big city nor a small town, nor is it self-containing. In all seasons its markets draw a large rural element
from miles around, while in summer it has that and the summer
residents and visitors to boot. I did not feel at all strange there
in my Panama hat, while my companion was in a tarboush. You
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DECEMBER, 1929
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could see scores in like attire before proceeding a dozen paces.
And, besides, you had the quaintness of the shops and their
helter-skelter formation to give you endless surprises. Due to
the topography of the city, which lies in a narrow valley and
does not permit of much digression or expansion from the limit
of the principal street, trades cannot be segregated into the bazaars typical of Eastern cities. Feed and vegetable stores, garages and harness shops, rug stores and drug stores, and cafes
galore, were all mixed together. And in many places of prominence along the street you could read many a signboard of a dentist or a physician with the typical Armenian ending of "ian."
Debouching from the business street, you come to the broad
boulevard running along the right bank of the River Bardoni
and flanked by modern hotels ablaze with light. This is the real
Zahle you long to see. Palatial homes massed above each other
on the steep sides of the valley converge on the rocks from which
issue the turbulent waters of the river. It can be readily seen
how valuable space is in this center by the fact that a large hotel
was built at the mouth of the gorge hewed in the side of the
rock. Close by is one of the old flour-mills still spouting torrents
of water from its several gaping openings to add a touch of rustic
picturesqueness to the landscape.
\
One cannot retire early on a summer night in Zahle. Of
course, the statement must be made with some qualification. The
Hotel Trabulsi, for instance, where I stopped for the night, is
a conservative family hotel where the orchestra stops playing at
midnight signaling the end of social activities. Then the doors
are locked and the patrons permitted to be lulled to peaceful
sleep to the magic tunes of the soothing Bardoni waters flowing
close bv instead of the strains of stringed instruments. But as
every rule has its elastic features, this hotel has an annex where
those afflicted with the Zahle insomnia may come in at any hour
of the night—or morning—without having to take off their shoes.
Abraham Trabulsi, who had been once in America and returned
eighteen years ago, rightly guessed the state of mind of one
coming to spend as much as possible of a wakeful month in Lebanon during the enchanting summer season and assigned me to a
room in the Annex.
My companion on this occasion, as on many others, was my
same cousin Joseph Mokarzel, publisher of Ad-Dabbour. He
constituted himself in this instance not only guide and guardian,
�=
14
THE SYRIAN WORLD
but "absolute dictator." He was to lead and I to follow. Zahle
was to him his second hometown!
Poor Joseph! He reckoned ill with actualities and did not
foresee that his dictatorship was destined to be short-lived. For
who breaks in on the quiet of our dinner but my old friend
Shukri Baccash, publisher of Zahle Al-Fatat, whom I had known
in New York in the dual capacity of editor and recruit in the
American Army during the war. Shukri had put on some flesh,
but did not suffer any loss of activity. All his old fire and zest
remained. He thundered and bellowed his disapproval of my
not having notified him of my coming in advance. Did I want
to slight him in his capacity as "absolute dictator" in Zahle ?
Joseph should have known better not to let me commit such a
faux pas.
And herein was my cue out of a dilemma and into salvation.
I sensed that in the apparently republican atmosphere of Lebanon,
the sub-consciousness of dictatorship was strongly in evidence.
Here were two editors supporting a republican government,
thinking and talking of nothing but absolutism. Is it possible
that therein could lie the remedy for the chaotic condition pervading the country?
But right then it was too early to venture on a discussion of
politics. The monster, once aroused, could not easily be put to
rest. I was only anxious to escape the holy wrath of my old
friend who had risen from a "comrade" in the ranks during the
war to the role of "dictator" in times of peace.
I could not but realize my shortcomings if I were to run
the risk of an argument with the "autocrat," especially when he
was in a buoyant and militant mood. I put the blame, therefore,
on the "other dictator," and the trick worked to perfection. The
immediate result was a heated argument as to who by right was
the real dictator. Neither would now tolerate my interference
or be satisfied with the explanation that occupants of such exalted
posts in the United States are called "bosses," and that bossism
could be of many forms,—national, state, and city. It seemed
for a while that a battle royal was developing with no quarters
asked or given; but, like all good citizens of a republic, the disputants finally settled the matter by a compromise, Joseph Mokarzel being conceded the "dictatorship" of Beirut and Shukri
Baccash that of Zahle.
Under the conditions, Shukri had the winning hand, became
we were then within the sphere of his jurisdiction and there could
�DECEMBER, 1929
15
be no appeal from his decisions. He fortwith proceeded to exercise his authority and took us in hand to show us Zahle.
Now to Shukri, Zahle at night converged on one focal point,
and meant but one spot, that being Wadi Bardouni, otherwise
the enchanted valley where springs the fountain of joy eternal
that characterizes the life of this Lebanese city. And truly it was
a dream of a place. Walking along the narrow path-way through
the deep gorge leading to the Wadi, one saw high cliffs rising
perpendicularly on both sides and a surging, turbulent stream
beating against the rocks and rushing madly through the narrowing defile, forming a miniature Niagara Rapids. Then at
the turn of a sharp bend in the winding way, one comes suddenly
into a dazzling view of brilliantly lighted cafes thronged with
holiday crowds whose merriment cannot fail of being contagious.
You pass between rows of crowded tables and every group insists
that you join their company. And there are those who either
prefer to walk or else do so perforce because they cannot find
places near the water, and their continuous milling motion lends
the scene an aspect of life and activity. The whole atmosphere
is charged with a spirit of buoyancy.
We crossed a plank bridge to the left and more spacious
bank of the river. Shukri led us to an abundant spring gushing
from the side of the mountain. "This is Ain Al-Baccash," he
said by way of explanation. "Not many years ago the spring, as
the name indicates, belonged to my family, together with all the
adjacent land. Through a pious impulse our grandfather donated
it to a religious order. Now the material benefit from the development goes to enrich a few monks, while all that is left us is
the consolation of a name."
Kaif, that subtly elusive Arabic term which defies definition
m English, can be better understood by describing its requisites.
Through all my recent travels in Syria I saw no better manifestation of it than at Zahle.
One of Kaif's primary requisites is water. If it is the gushing
spring or the running brook blending its soft murmurs with the
sweet notes of the songbirds it is ideal. Otherwise a pool or a
basin will serve the purpose. Water is life itself in the desert,
and inasmuch as the Syrians have fallen heirs to Arabic culture'
they have learned to appreciate most those amenities of life
which the Arabs exalted.
The other requisites are verdure and a graceful form, all of
�16
THE SYRIAN WORLD
which an Arab poet succinctly put in a single refrain. In the
Wadi all the above mentioned requirements abound. Water
not only runs in the river bed, but is brought by canals through
the cafes to impart a spirit of Kaif to those who are not fortunate
to find seating accommodations on the banks. And in these canals
some addicts to Kaif actually plant their tables and chairs and
sit astride the running water so as to enjoy it the more.
The Wadi is also thick with trees and shrubbery, while the
third requisite is fittingly represented by the women of Zahle
who are noted for their beauty and grace of form.
But the urban Syrians have improved upon the Arab conditions: they have added to them the arac and maza, and made of
the additions an art. Zahle is famous for its arac, although some
fastidious persons now prefer whiskey, perhaps because it is imported. But as to the maza, otherwise the relishes, it affords both
a feast to the eye and to the palate. You order a Khamsinia, or
fifty-gram measure of arac, and along with it comes a tray of
twenty or more little dishes of dainties at which the drinker
nibbles as he slowly and spasmodically sips his drink. There are,
besides, any variety of extra choice relishes sold by circulating
venders, from hearts of green walnuts to roast chicken or leg
of lamb.
Here and there you find a oud musician accompanying a
singer, while those groups that have not such an advantage are
entertained by the blind singer who performs on request.
Our fortuitous visit to the Wadi on a Saturday evening
was most fortunate. Shukri made no mistake in conducting us
thither to see the real life of the town.
Although this first visit to Zahle was by invitation from my
friend and fellow traveler Michel Maloof, I planned to have
it serve a double purpose. Hence my surreptitious entry without notifying my host. I trusted to his sympathetic understanding to accept my explanation, which he did.
Sunday, however, was devoted to my host, the peremptorv
claim of Shukri to dictatorial power notwithstanding. He would
not exercise his prerogative even if he could, because he also
was a guest, along with about twenty-five of Zahle's most prominent citizens and others, among whom were Deputy Shibl Dammns; Dr. Joseph Hitti; Dr. Ashkar; Shehadi Shehadi, editor
of Al-Kulliyah; Dr. Najib Farah; Khalil Harawi; Joseph AbouKhater; Abdullah Bey Abou-Khater, former deputy; Prof.
Boulos Kfoury; Anis Farah; Ibrahim Esper Elkhoury; Joseph
�A GENERAL VIEW OF ZAHLE
Lying snuggly in the Valley of the River Bardouni, at the foot of majestic Mt. Sannin, is the proud city of Zahle,
styled the "Bride of Al-Bika'."
�THE PLAIN OF AL -BIKA', LEBANON
The fertile valley that forms the dividing line between Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon, at the northern point of which
are located the famous ruins of Baalbeck.
�DECEMBER, 1929
i
17
Lawand; Raji Rahi; Iskandar Issa Maloof, the well-known
scholar and historian; Issa Abousamra; Ccasar Bey Maloof;
helix Fares; Joseph Mokarzel and others.
The Maloof residence crowns Zahle's highest hill and commands a magnificent view of town and countryside. The topography of Zahlc appears from this vantage point rising sharply
along the two sides of the valley, while stretching far into the
distance on one side are the town's famous vineyards, and on
the other looms the towering form of majestic and venerable
Mt. Sannin.
Mrs. Sassul Ferzan, Michel's elder sister, made a perfect
hostess. Naturally, toasts were drunk over real champagne and
the virtues of the emigrants sung in fitting poetry and prose.
The gentle atmosphere of Zahle is productive of the most flowery
language. Besides, Michel Maloof not only suggested many
civic improvements in his native town, but contributed liberally
toward their promotion.
Towards dusk, symptoms of the irresistible urge in every
good citizen of Zahle to direct his steps towards the inviting atmosphere of the Wadi began to be noticeable. So to the Wad;
we all repaired, and there joined in the life of the town up to
the respectable hour of midnight.
They insisted on accompanying me to my hotel. The moon
hung low in the clear sky like a silver disk; the murmur of the
river running parallel to the road was soothing; the cool, dry
mountain air was exhilarating, and the temptation to exercise
one's limbs under this ideal setting was well nigh irresistible.
We broke into small groups and appeared like an army on a
slow march.
But whatever the hour, the Lebanese sense of good manners
would not permit of parting sans a further invitation. The hotel
was my temporary home and it was my privilege to act the host
to my hosts at the only place available. Would they not give me
the pleasure of their company for another half-hour?
There was a good representation of the fair sex in the crowd
and they appeared timorous. The hotel closes at midnight and
that hour had already struck. Plausible excuse.
Realizing my predicament in being anxious to entertain but
not wanting to offend, Shukri stepped in to exercise his prerogative of dictator. Michel's role as host had come to an end with
the expiration of Sunday, and the heralding of a new day was
�18
THE SYRIAN WORLD
DEt
the signal for Shukri to resume his authority. In that capacity
he commanded, and all obeyed.
Trabulsi was most obliging. No sooner were the doors of
the main drawing room flung open than he disappeared like a
flash to rouse his help. First in order was the bartender, then the
steward who prepares the maza, and finally the members of the
orchestra. The lively tunes which the musicians struck and to
which the company danced proved the men fit for any emergency.
But not all the music was instrumental. The dulcet songs of
George Jebaily, laden with passionate feeling and coming at that
tender hour of the morning, sent the company into delirious ecstasy.
The two other nights I spent in Zahle, although at different
intervals, were as full of pleasant associations. On one occasion
we were in the company of Ahmad Bey Showky, poet laureat
of Egypt, Isaf Bey Nashasheebi, a poet of Palestine and a certain Chinese poet resident of Paris. Showky Bey retired at midnight, but all the rest held the fort until Shukri, in the exuberance
of his enthusiasm, insisted that the Chinese poet sing the songs
of his native land. He sang, and the ladies fled.
On the other occasion, it was my privilege to be the guest of
Ibrahim Trabulsi together with Khalil Moutran, styled the
poet of the two hemispheres, Michel Maloof and others. Moutran Bey's oratorical ability proved to be on a par with his poetical gifts. He spoke in terms of the highest praise of the Syrian
and Lebanese emigrants. Moutran Bey, as behooves all good
poets, is not regular in his habits. We broke company on that
occasion with the break of dawn.
RESTLESS
By
DR. SALIM
Y.
ALKAZIN
Not for the superhuman power
That stills or backward turns Life's wheel
I crave, but that Life's woe and weal
Be crowded in one fleeting hour.
D
Peoi
enlig
Drus
centi
ritui
anot
liirio
trem
Hitt
pray
V
th
pari
whi<
begi
puri
rem
si on
regs
kno'
thus
com
tion
ing
hisl
�DECEMBER, 1929
19
Druze Exhortations and Prayers
By DR. PHILIP K. HITTI
of Princeton University
Editor's Note:—In his latest work entitled "The Origins of the Druze
People and Their Religion," Dr. Hitti gives the world one of the most
enlightening and scholarly studies on the Druzes. The mysteries of the
Druze creed have ever been the despair of scholars who, throughout the
centuries, have advanced many opinions and conjectures as to the tenets,
rituals and moral precepts of this people. Confusing between one creed and
another in the East is made easy because of the existence of so many religious sects, all more or less shrouded in mystery. It is, therefore, extremely significant that in one of the several appendices to his book, Dr.
Hitti gives a literal translation of some of the Druze exhortations and
prayers which help to shed light on their religious beliefs.
Exhortations and Prayers by
AL-SAYYID ABDULLAH
AL-TANUKHI
I*
I
Exhortation to the tAqil
IT IS incumbent upon the 'Aqil (enlightened, initiated, wise)
that he should direct his energy only to the next world, preparing for it the provisions of piety, and not trusting this world
which is a world of passage and not of settlement. He should
begin with training his character, sensing its good qualities and
purifying it from whatsoever alienates it from Allah (may He
remain high!), such as bodily passion, greed for worldly possessions, anger, revenge, ill-temper, pride over others, and selfregard—all of which stand as a screen between him and the
knowledge of his Creator (may He remain high!). And if he is
thus screened from the knowledge of his Creator, he then becomes a victim of evil habits.
"On the other hand, if the worshiper makes his chief ambition and desire the religion of Allah and the fear of Him, holding fast to His commandments, abiding by His laws and turning
his back upon what He has forbidden, then shall the Lord (may
�to
THE SYRIAN WORLD
He remain high!) accord him success, bestow upon him His
wisdom, and enlighten his heart rendering it like a polished mirror in which the divine facts are reflected. For wickedness, feebleness, evil whisperings and corruption lie dormant in the innermost part of the souls; and if the light of Unity and gnosis
(Arabic Ma'rifah,—knowledge) should shine upon it, then all
wickedness therein is destroyed, extinguished and exterminated—
just as when the light of the sun shines, the light of the planets
is eclipsed and entirely put out. Although the planets' light is
extinguihsed in effect, yet it is in heaven in fact, but so long as
the light of the sun is shining, the planets can produce no effect
whatsoever. When the sun sets, however, then the planets will
appear. Such is the case of the soul. As long as the light of
reality and the knowledge of Allah (may He remain high!) are
shining upon it, its darkness and its wickedness are dormant and
have no trace. But in case wisdom and the knowledge of Allah
(may He remain high!) set, then will evil qualities appear and
reveal themselves in the same way as the stars reveal themselves
when the sun sets.
Nothing, therefore, is more incumbent upon the 'Aqil than
to persevere in the reJigion of Allah, to abide by it day and
night, and to bend every effort to keep the company of those
who are useful and godly, so that they may add to his enlightenment. He should also imagine that Allah (may He remain
high!) is with him, watching over him, and not departing from
him for one wink of the eye. At all times should he be mentioning Allah's name, waiting upon Him, and not neglecting
Him for one instant. He should fear no blame in the pursuit
of truth, but should rather devote all energy and direct every
sound mental power to the acquisition of the favor of the Lord
of mankind, and the following of the path of right guidance
which leads to victory on the last day.
II
Covenant Between Allah and Servant
Said Allah: "O my servant, ten for thee and ten for me:—
Be industrious and I shall give thee aid; demand, and I shall
bestow; repent, and I shall forgive; thank, and I shall increase;
depend, and I shall suffice; strive, and I shall give thee success;
beseech, and I shall respond; be content, and I shall enrich thee;
ask, and I shall give."
�DECEMBER, 1929
21
III
Prayer
O my God! Here is thy runaway slave returning to thy
door, thy disobedient slave coming back for reconciliation, thy
sinning slave bringing to thee his excuse. Pardon me by thy
indulgence, accept me through thy bounty, and look unto me
with thy mercy. O God! Forgive me my past iniquity, and
guard me against committing iniquity in the remaining days of
my life; for in thy hand is all good, and unto us thou art compassionate and merciful.
IV
Prayer to Be Recited Before Sleep
In thy name, my Lord, I lay down my side; and in thy name,
I lift it up. Protect me, O my God, against thy punishment on
the day in which thou gatherest together thy creatures. In thy
name, O Lord, I live and I die; and in thee I seek refuge against
the evil of my own self, as well as against the evil of every
creeping creature subject to thy control. Thou art the first: so
before thee there is naught. Thou art the last: so after thee
there is naught. O my Lord! Thou hast made my soul, and
protectest it; thine is its death, and thine is its life. If thou,
therefore, causest it to die, wilt thou pardon it; and if thou
permittest it to live, wilt thou preserve it?
O my Lord! I beseech thee for health. I pray thee to awaken
me at the hour that is most agreeable to thee, and to use me in
the kind of work that is most acceptable to thee. Let thy grace
draw me nigh unto thy favor, and alienate me from thy wrath.
As I pray thee, grant my request; as I seek thy pardon, forgive
me; and as I call upon thee, answer my prayer. "In the name
of Allah, the merciful, the compassionate."
"Allah! There is no god but He, the living, the eternal.
Slumber doth not seize him, nor sleep. His is whatsoever is in
the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Who is he that can
intercede with Him but by His own permission? He knoweth
what hath been before them and what shall be after them; yet
naught of His knowledge shall they grasp, save what He willeth. His throne reacheth over the heavens and the earth, and
the upholding of both burdeneth Him not—and He is the high,
the great!"
�•- J
THE SYRIAN WORLD
22
The Murder of the Patriarch
A TRUE STORY
Depicting Conditions of Life in Lebanon in the Early
Nineteenth Century.
By
FOUAD
F.
BUSTANY
(Translated from the Arabic Original) •
- •• •
A BOU K1SHK was one of the leading notables of Kfar'kab,
an important town in the district of Baslcinta, in Lebanon.
His physical build was that of a veritable monster, and his character fitted in with his appearance. His small head rested on a
stout neck between two immense and slightly stooping shoulders.
But his most distinctive feature was his drooping thick lips and
his bulging eyes which had the constant wandering look as if ever
in search of a prey. His stomach was not only uncommonly large
but extremely flabby and loose, which was the cause for his
townsmen giving him the sobriquet of "Abou Kishk" (The
greedy glutton.)
Abou Kishk was blessed with four sons. Surely they were
a blessing to him, but not to the community. If such were possible, they even exceeded him in gluttony and greed, as their
methods of extortion were more subtle and effective. The family
being of one mind, they waxed exceedingly prosperous on the
proceeds of their loot.
Now it happened that Abou Kishk had a niece who fell heir
to a large fortune, and he immediately conceived the design of
taking her in marriage for one of his sons. His heart was set on
acquiring her money and property and, considering the success
of all his schemes in the past, he already began to count on her
wealth as his own.
But the niece added to her inherited cunning the natural subtlety of her sex, and while outwardly consenting to an engagement to her cousin, she secretly continued her amorous relations
with a comely youth of the neighbors.
'
The betrothal dragged. The girl was beating her cousin and
fianc6 at his own game. She had succeeded in wrenching from
him many valuable gifts of jewelry as well as large <JUm% 'of
�DECEMBER, 1929
23
money. And when the nuptials were delayed beyond the customary limit among the people of Lebanon, the wagging tongue
of gossip began to place on the matter all sorts of interpretations.
In time, the ugly rumors floating around reached the ears
of the young man and he attempted to force his fiancee into an
immediate decision. But the answer he received was a point blank
refusal to marry him and an unequivocal statement that she did
not care for him and never would.
The son of Abou Kishlc was beside himself with frenzy at
this unexpected turn of affairs. What is he to do for revenge?
His father is the one best qualified to advise him. And together,
the two decided on the elimination of the rival who was the cause
of the failure of their plans.
Not long after, the inhabitants of Kfar'kab were aroused by
the reports of several shots. The night was pitch dark and they
could not locate the scene of the shooting, but in the morning
they discovered the riddled body of the rival of Abou Kishk's
son along a lonely road on the outskirts of the town.
Three days later, two of Abou Kishk's sons were lodged in
the prison of Beit Eddin.
r
m
Abou Kishk had reckoned with everything except the implacable justice of Emir Basheer. In his passion for revenge, he
had discounted the Emir's uncanny powers for unraveling mysteries and visiting untempered punishment upon law-breakers.
He had forgotten that the unbending policy of this benevolent
autocrat was to stop murders by execution, and prevent shedding
of blood by the spilling of blood. And when he came to realize
his predicament the chance for retrieve had passed.
But a way must be found to save his sons. The use of force
or stratagem was out of the question, because the prison of the
Emir was impregnable. There remained no other alternative
but the power and influence of intercession. But who was the
one big enough to influence the Emir, especially where a contemptible case of cold-blooded murder was involved?
At that particular time, the Greek Catholic Patriarch Ignatius
Sarruf was visiting at a neighboring monastery, and to him went
Abou Kishk with a plea for intercession. The Patriarch, although
realizing that the Emir could never be influenced to stay the
course of justice, acceded to the request of the supplicant as a
matter of formality. He wrote to the Emir a letter couched
�24
THE SYRIAN WORLD
in the most submissive terms appealing to his mercy to spare
the condemned men for the sake of their aged father by transmuting their sentence of death to one of life imprisonment. But
before the Patriarch's messenger reached the court of the Emir,
the men had already been hanged in the outer court of the palace, and the news plunged the household of Abou Kishk into the
deepest sorrow and dejection.
"It was the Patriarch who caused the death of my sons," he
reasoned, "for he must have either purposely delayed the sending of the letter or else written something that did not denote
sincere solicitation. The Patriarch, therefore, must be punished."
Abou Kishk communicated his designs to his two remaining
sen? and the three began to concoct schemes for revenge. The
blow to their pride and prestige was too severe to be tolerated.
Their opportunity came on November 5, 1812, when the
Patriarch, in the course of his pastoral visits, was traveling over
a lonely road in upper Kisrawan. He was accompanied by a small
retinue of attendants and could conceive of no danger in the
peaceful reign of the Emir. Suddenly, three masked men sprang
from ambush and faced the Patriarch. As they levelled their
rifles they shouted, "Revenge for the blood of Abou Kishk's
sons." The Patriarch fell, bathed in his blood, and his followers
fled in all directions and spread the news of the tragic murder.
No trace could be found of Abou Kishk and his sons after
the tragedy. Rumors filled the air about their hiding places but
not one could be substantiated. Some said they had fled to the
farthest borders of Palestine, or to the mountain fastness of Houran, or had even crossed the seas to distant lands. Others, who
could not conceive of anyone risking the dangers of such journeys,
insisted that the murderers remained in hiding in some of the
inaccessible caves of the mountain.
But where the murder of the Patriarch had done most damage was in the blow it dealt to the prestige of the Emir. People
ceased to be awed by the proverbial reach of his power, and the
longer Abou Kishk and his sons remained at large the more the
Emir's authority became undermined.
There were persistent rumors that the culprits had sought
refuge in Cvprus. Cyprus, the distant island in the vast sea where
only the desperate in those days would venture! How can the
Emir ever find the means to drag the murderers from that distant and isolated land!
�DECEMBER, 1929
25
But the Emir was not to be daunted in his determination.
Me was laying carefully and secretly his plans and abiding his
time. And once he became reasonably sure that the murderers
had fled to Cyprus, he called to him Mahmoud, one of his most
trusted Druze lieutenants, and gave him the necessary instructions.
Towards the close of December and out of a raging gale, a
small sailing vessel sought the harbor of Cyprus and landed a
passenger in Lebanese attire who covered the lower part of his
face with the end of his silken shawl, apparently as a protection
from the cold. He went immediately about inquiring for three
of his compatriots who had preceded him to the island. Not long
afterwards, he found them in one of the cafes and accosted them
with a friendly greeting. The elder of the three was visibly
frightened and hastened to cover his face with the end of his
shawl, but the two younger men showed more presence of mind
and asked the stranger who he was and what he wanted.
"I, like yourselves," he replied with the most natural affectation of sincerity, "am a Lebanese exile. I incurred the wrath of
the tyrant and was forced to flee my home and country and face
the perils of the sea at this season seeking safety in this island."
The newcomer was master at the art of deception and the
three soon showed confidence in him as a brother exile. The
reason for his flight, as he disclosed it to the father and his two
sons, was substantially as follows:
"Being of the Druzes of Arkoub, and consequently a neighbor to the Emir, the latter caused my brother to be hanged for
having committed a petty offense. Since then I could think of
nothing but revenge and decided to murder Khalil, the Emir's
son. I saw my opportunity when the latter was out once on the
chase, but owing to my fear and nervousness, my shot went wild.
Some of my neighbors informed on me and 1 had to flee to this
distant island seeking safety."
The account was quite plausible, and for a month thereafter
the four Lebanese exiles exchanged accounts of their experiences
at home, and in this manner the Emir's emissary came into possession of the complete details of the murder of the Patriarch.
He invariably joined them in all their bitter complaints against
the tyranny of the Emir.
One morning, however, Mahmoud came to join his companions affecting a condition of extreme terror. He had learned
by secret channels, he said, that the Emir had discovered their
�26
THE SYRIAN WORLD
hiding place and was bent on using every effort to extradite them.
It was him, Mahmoud, that the Emir was seeking most, because
of the attempt he had made on the life of his son.
This explanation tended to appease the fright and anxiety
of Abou Kishk and his sons for the all too natural reason that
another was running even a greater danger than they were. The
result was that they confided in him the more fully.
Mahmoud was not lacking of a plan. He had many relatives
among the Druzes of Houran who would be only too glad to
welcome and protect them. The Emir could never reach them in
the inaccessible wilds of Al-Lajah, and the Druzes would never
deliver to an enemy a refugee to whom they would have given
asylum.
.
It was therefore decided that they sail back to Lebanon ana
make their way along the northern border to the interior. Mahmoud was to risk a secret visit to his family and meet his companions in the town of Baalbeck. While in northern Lebanon,
father and sons could feel absolutely safe as the Emir had no
reason to suspect their return. Besides, the distance was too great
for him to get the news immediately even though they were
detected.
.
On this understanding, Mahmoud left his companions soon
after landing at a deserted spot along the shore of Al-Batroun.
The three made their way slowly up the mountain until they
reached the town of Al-Hadath.
The night of the third day following, twenty heavily armed
horsemen were besieging an apparently deserted house on the
extreme border of the town. Their captain ordered the occupants to open the door and surrender, but shout as he may,
there was no response to his commands. The door was finally
battered down and the soldiers of the Emir entered the house
with levelled rifles.
Crouching in the farthest corner were three abject looking
figures whose tongues had been tied by fright immediately they
realized their plight. Only too late did they realize that the
hand of the Emir was all too far-reaching.
Abou Kishk and his two last sons were hanged on the same
scaffold that served to hang his two other sons before. The news
spread rapidlv throughout the land and struck terror in the hearts
of the lawlessly inclined. In every home in Lebanon could be
heard the exclamation of surprise and admiration:
"MasMM! He has dragged the murderers from Cyprus!
�DECEMBER, 1929
W!
27
In Old Damascus
Impressions of a Syrian-American College Graduate
of her Visit to Syria.
By
ADELAIDE
E.
FARIS
a.
'QNCE to the Mediterranean—again to the Mediterranean.
You'll come back!"
That is the wise prophecy given on the first glimpse of the
countries bordering those blue waters—a prophecy truer than
is realized at the time, for then shoulders are smilingly shrugged
&s
in light assent.
But there had been no reckoning with the "after effect"
the memories of laughing skies over blue, blue waters—yes,
different from all others, else why the expression "Mediterranean
blue —hills and valleys made round and graceful with time
sunrises and sunsets, starlit and moonlit nights that made David
of old break out into unsurpassed song, riotous color, perfumes
from a hundred flowers, soft, lazy breezes barely breaking
through that too comfortable Mediterranean warmth. The sea
itself, at times an easy, jelly-like mass, too satisfied to moveagain gently rippling—and occasionally showing its vigor with
rollicking waves.
Yes, if one doesn't actually revisit each little place—one returns a thousand times—remembering.
Damascus, the oldest existing city in the world, is enough
to offer unlimited possibilities. One peeps into a past that has
gone by everywhere else, but is a today in Damascus.
The train ride from Beirut to Damascus is a delightful one
A few words must be said about the train. There is nothing
"express" about it, for when it isn't stopping it is just going.
An excellent walker might get there first. At the different stations the water jugs are filled and fresh fruits—even tiny crisp
mictie (small cucumbers)—may be bought from any of the many
peddlers who come to the windows of the compartments. One
goes through rich and fertile valleys with small, winding rivers.
There are masses of trees heavily laden with ripe fruits—peach,
apple, plum, lemon, orange, pear, pomegranate, cherry, almond,'
walnut—oh, an endless number of varieties. Brightly hued
�28
THE SYRIAN WORLD
flowers are everywhere. There is an atmosphere of abundance,
content, prosperity and mellow beauty—a suitable entrance for
Damascus, the city of age, mystery, color, where merchants'
wares from all of the Eastern World find their destination,
where every kind of fruit may be obtained, the city that Mohammed likened to paradise. It is a striking contrast to the route one
takes by automobile, through barren hills and empty plains.
The city itself,—how can one describe Damascus, not the
new section, for that is like any American or European city with
its civic center, park, automobiles and hotels j but the real Damascus, the Eastern section that is as remote and different from
the Western section as it is from Chicago. Shut your eyes and
see color, color, color, and more color—not crude, harsh shades,
but rich, sleepy reds; bright reds that Saladin might have worn
in the Crusades; deep blues that remind you of the Mediterranean—dazzling blues that rival the skies above j greens—restful greens of the fields j a glowing orange that brings to mind
the luscious ripe apricots of the fertile valleys. Smell the odor
of soft and mysterious perfumes—attar of roses, jasmine, that
come from jars of exquisite workmanship. Hear the click-click
of the Kibkabs—(shoes made of wood, some even inlaid with
mother-of-pearl)—on the shaky cobble stones; see the women walking around with their faces veiled, men with their
baggy trousers, turbans, or fezzes. Move to one side, press close
against the wall, when you hear a pitter patter and down the
narrow street come several donkeys or horses or even a few
camels. The driver will shout "Ou aa, ya Hourmey" (get out
of the way, lady.)
. In the midst of all this comes a carriage, top down with
the driver proudly tooting a shrieky horn—you must get out
of the way!
Let the low purring of the bubble-bubble of the narghile
(Turkish pipe) soothe your tired Western nerves—for you are
in the East now! Yes, the two shop-keepers across the street are
smoking their pipes and are having a friendly chat. That shout
you just heard merely announces the commencement of a game
of damma.
Are you thirsty: Here comes the little boy selling drinks
and crying out "Tybeen Bardeen" (they are deliriously cold.)
Or perhaps you are hungry. On the corner they sell hot kibi
(little round cakes made of lamb meat and wheat) and there
the woman calls out "Tybeen Sukhneeyne" (deliriously hot,)
�DECEMBER, 1929
29
Now one sees a group of men drinking coffee from tiny demitasse cups in brass holders. They are merchants who have no
customers at the moment and so are enjoying a social hour.
rime is not money in Damascus! The narrow streets are empty,
it seems. Of course, it is about four o'clock and all good followers of Mohammed are praying.
Yes, you're in Damascus, the city that claims the distinction
of being the oldest in the world.
f'j
The bazaars of Damascus are fascinating. It is folly to enter
them, for you cannot force yourself to leave them. Merchandise
from all the Near East and Northern Africa finds its way into
this center. Merchants from everywhere go to this city, for it
is the place to buy and to sell. You find there anything you could
ask for—Eastern things, of course, and oh! so many you wouldn't
ask for, because you have never known they existed. Here they
Jiterally open up and shut down shop, for the doors slide up and
down like the top of an old-fashioned desk.
The streets take their names from the merchandise that is
sold in them. Silk is sold in one street, cotton in another, silver
m another, gold in its street, candy in the candy street. They are
naively named Suk El-Harieer (Silk Street), Suk El-Fudah
(Silver Street) and so on. It is really very convenient, for if
you are buying, say, a piece of jewelry made of silver, you can
inspect the jewelry in all of the stores, and then go back to the
piece you have decided upon. The proprietors of the stores will
be in their doorways, waiting for you and watching you go from
store to store. They find out what you are looking for and what
price others offered you. Each will call to you and tell you he
will sell that scarf cheaper than anyone else! He has all of his
scarfs ready for you to see and he tells you how much more
beautiful his are than the others'. When you buy in Damascus
everyone knows what you have bought and how much you have
paid for it.
The Silk Street is the most alluring. There are so many
lovely and colorful things on display, all hand woven. One learns
to differentiate between the silk that is native and that which is
imported. The former is pure and far surpasses the imported.
What shall you buy? Surely you must own an Abbaye (wrap).
Perhaps the one in peacock blue with strands of silver woven
with the silk to form an artistic design. You v/ill ask about the
price and Shafic, the blue-eyed proprietor (yes, and light hair)
�3J0
THE SYRIAN WORLD
will smile graciously and say "Whatever you wish—what does
it matter?" And he will drape the lovely thing around you and
tell you that you make it more beautiful. Again you will ask him
the price and he will shrug his shoulders and make you feel that
you are a little too eager about mere dollars and cents, for he
says "At your command, name your own price"
But in the
end you pay Shafic's price!
Scarfs are always popular. There is an array of them, small,
medium, large, square, and oblong, with tiny stripes and large
stripes. The first striped scarfs came from Damascus and the
Roman striped are really copied from them.
It is just as difficult to find old jewelry in Damascus today
as it is to find it anywhere. They proudly show you brand new
jewelry that was probably made in Czecho-Slovakia such as may
be found in any Woolworth store. One has to look in the outof-the-way places and in the tucked away corners of the shops
to find delicate filagree, twisted and braided silver, or the grain
of wheat design. The silversmiths like to dip silver in gold and
the effect is really very lovely.
The "Street called Straight" mentioned in the Bible is still
the long street of the city. Along it are many small places
where caned articles of wood are made. The men sit on the floor
singing, as they work on the wooden shoes (kibkab) or make interesting designs on the quaint bellows—it is all done in the same
way and with the same kind of tools that have been in use there
always,—and each man can finish completely whatever he is
working at and it is with pride that he sells what he has so carefully, almost lovingly, made. There seems to me something personal about each little bellows, about the wooden shoes, when
you buy them from the man himself.
The finest brass is made in Damascus and the brass factory
is not a noisy place, for everything is made by hand. And although
we wouldn't be without our great factories, it is a joy to find one
factory minus machines—aesthetically speaking! Pictures are
nicely hammered on some of the brass so that each piece tells a
story—mftny of them Biblical which is as it should be in this
city where St. Paul spent so much time. Designs are finely
chiseled on other pieces of brass and again there are articles of
chiseled workmanship with silver inlaid. Everything imaginable
is made of brass—tiny bud vases to large jardinieres; desk sets,
ornaments, lamps—one gasps when looking around the display
room. The stands that go with the large trays to form coffee
-
�PK.
m
DECEMBER, 1929
1
31
tables are of especial interest because of the way in which they
are made. There are men who sit on the floor and carve the
pieces of wood into intricate patterns and designs, manipulating
instruments by using their feet and hands at the same time. The
muscles of their toes are as well developed as those of their
fingers. The few men who can do this work have been taught
by their fathers who were in turn taught by their fathers and
so on. Certain families could do this kind of workmanship—it
was their specialty. Mother-of-Pearl inlaid furniture is made
at the same place. Everything imaginable is made here, too.
Living room sets, including divans, desks, chairs, tables of all
sizes and shapes, boxes, smoking stands and many other pieces
of furniture.
Yes, it is the exceptional person who can leave the bazaars of
Damascus without being heavily laden!
f
I
In spite of its remoteness, Damascus is a city where many
events have taken place—it has been in existence long enough
for much to happen, surely. St. Paul risked his life there and
the house where he was imprisoned is being made into a church
so that its identity will not be lost. One of the workmen, noting
your interest in the place, very kindly offers to demonstrate how
St. Paul made his exit. A basket is lowered from a window, pulley line effect, and the obliging workman laughingly jumps out
and bows.
The house where the early Christians held secret meetings is
still preserved and is under ground, giving proof of its age. It
also has been kept as a place of worship.
The beautiful Amawi Mosque is the third largest in the
world. You may visit it on a day when a group of men are
being taught the Koran—a sort of "Sunday School Class"—and
Mohammed help the pupil who doesn't know his lesson, for the
teacher is severely shaking his finger at one poor man. In the
center of the mosque proper is an elaborate tomb where they
say John the Baptist's head is buried. As one gazes in awe at it,
going back hundreds of years in history and visualizing the hardships endured by early Christians, a loud voice breaks the reverie,
saying, "Baksheesh for the sake of St. John's head"—this from
a Mohammedan. And of course, if you are a good Christian, you
give the Mohammedan "Baksheesh" for the memory of a Christian martyr in a Mohammedan mosque that was once a Christian
church! There are still Christian inscriptions all around the
�32
THE SYRIAN WORLD
walls. There is exquisite mosaic work on the ceilings and walls.
The mosque itself is built around a court in the center of which
is a large "bahra" or fountain. Many good Mohammedans bathe
their feet there before entering the mosque for worship, thereby
obeying their law of cleanliness. On entering the mosque, shoes
are changed for the slippers provided for the visitors.
The Damascus Palace Hotel was once one of the first inns—
in the oldest city—and has plenty of "atmosphere". Colorful
hand-woven Damascus draperies decorate the large windows
while chairs, divans and couches are upholstered in the same
material. Brasses and Mother-of-Pearl inlaid bric-a-brac are
placed here and there. The cuisine is excellent, one is served
French, Syrian or English dishes.
On the night of the anniversary of Mohammed's birthday
the roof of the hotel is a good place for the spectator. The celebration is carried on in the streets and everyone—Mohammedans
only, of course—rides an animal of some sort if he possibly can.
The riders, carrying torches and waving swords, shout continually.
I
The visit to the little Mohammedan school is a memorable
one. It is above one of the stores on the "Silk Street." The boys, I
of primary school age, all wear the red fezzes in small sizes and 4
they are certainly becoming to them. They are like any other
little boys, only more afraid of their teacher than our American
children! He is rather a severe looking person, more like the
teacher of our early Colonial times that we delight in picturing
perhaps a bit unfairly. But he loves them, all the same. One
can tell from the way in which he answers them if they know
their lessons! There are no girls here, for they go to their own
schools. The boys do not even turn around when the teacher is
in the room, but as soon as he is gone—the teacher for the boys
is a man—they certainly are natural again. They have a lively
time looking at the visitor and answering questions promptly,
and occasionally asking them rather bashfully. How they love
the trinkets or the pennies that you may give them. Are they
from America? That makes them more precious. Of course they
know a great deal about the country, they are going there some
day. But the teacher comes back again and the smiles of mischief are gone, all are at attention. There is a great deal of drill
work for the boys. When the bell rings, announcing the end of
*****
�INNER COURT OF THE UMAYYAD MOSQUE
The famous mosque of Damascus converted from a Byzantine Cathedral.
Syria and the third largest in the world.
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�THE TOMB OF ST. JOHN
Still preserved in the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus is the Tomb of St. John, held in great reverence
by the Moslems. The tomb occupies the center of the mosque facing the main entrance.
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�DECEMBER, 1929
33
the session, they scramble out as quickly as our boys on Main
Street do!
It is the anniversary of Mohammed's birthday, so the school
children will march through the business streets—just as our
children sometimes take part in the exercises on some holiday.
They march four abreast, wearing their fezzes and their faces
wreathed with smiles. And no wonder, for all the shoppers are
m their doorways waving and shouting, and, what is better,
showering the boys with candy—girls do not march. The old
streets are sweet with the fragrance of the attar of roses that
the onlookers have been throwing on the gay little school children, the hope of the country. They are singing patriotic songs
at the top of their youthful voices and the people in the streets
join with them. It is a gala time, the shops and streets are decorated with a riot of colored streamers of all shapes. Holidays are
big days in Damascus—and all the world is merry.
r
>
As one walks through the streets of Damascus one wonders
that there are no beautiful or even attractive homes. The streets
are narrow and dingy; there are high walls on either side, walls
that look rather uninteresting and unpromising. But again one
is mistaken. You are to enter a home that is not on exhibition,
as are some of the old and truly beautiful places. These homes
nave been in the family for years but the present generation is
in need of money so they exhibit the rare and lovely interiors
to tourists, charging so much a person. But today you are to visit
a place that is not open to travelers, but through the courtesy of
some friend you are invited to see this home that has been in
existence for hundreds of years. You anticipate a great deal, for
it is a family of pashas—formerly judges of the district. Again
you walk along one of the dark streets, narrow, dingy—surely
there is to be nothing lovely there. Your friend stops in front
of a high gate in the very darkest and dullest corner of the
street, where the wall seems most unyielding and grim. But
the gate is opened and you catch your breath. It is as though
you were in another town, for there is sunlight and space—beauty
and fragrance. Before you is a lovely court, in the center of
which is a pool and fountain, beautifully inlaid with rich colors.
The ground has been covered with marble, but at irregular intervals are patches of green grass, in the center of which is a
tree or a group of trees. It is all truly effective. There are all
kinds of trees: lemon, orange, fig, date, pomegranate, rare rose
�«
THE SYRIAN WORLD
34
bushes and delicate jasmine growing here and there, \o\x take
a deep breath—of fresh air and fragrance. Blue skies are above,
the sound of running water is refreshing, birds are singing, it
doesn't seem that all of this loveliness could be on the other side
of the dark and dingy street. No wonder the wealthy Mohammedan women are content to stay at home! The house is built
around the court and you know that it will be as much of a surprise as is the outside. As you gaze in open and frank admiration, the family come out to greet you. A lovely little lady, like
a piece of delicate Dresden china, comes first. Her pure white
hair brings out the clearness of her blue eyes. Then come three
tall, slender girls, beautifully dressed in Parisian clothes, no veils
and robes while they are at home Two of the girls have golden
hair and blue eyes while the third has dark eyes and hair. They
speak Arabic and French well and a little English. While greetings are being exchanged, the gate opens and a handsome young
man in his early thirties enters. The girls give little cries of delight and run up to their cousin and playfully throw their arms
around his neck, pull his tie and joke a bit. It is all so gracefully
and unconsciously done. What a mistaken conception we have
of Mohammedan women, or is it that we have heard only about
the poorer or peasant type! The young man goes directly to his
aunt and kisses her hand, while she kisses him on the forehead.
After the introductions, he tells you that it is a pleasure to have
you there and that he will be delighted to show you their old
house. He speaks English, French, Arabic and German perfectly,
for he has studied abroad.
The inferior of the house is a revelation. The room that was
once a court room is filled with museum pieces and lost arts.
There is a platform where the judges sat, and the divans are covered with rare tapestries exquisitely embroidered with gold and
silver. The embroidery is the same on both sides. There are
vases of delicate workmanship, pictures that are lovely as well
PS old. The walls of the room are all inlaid with workmanship
that cannot be duplicated, for it was made in the time when slaves
worked for the master—hundreds of years ago. Small squares
of the wall have been taken out and you wonder why anything
so rare should be demolished. You are told that during the World
War, when money was scarce in this family, pieces of the wall
were sold. There are robes that belonged to the family many
years back, all artistically embroidered. It is a veritable museum, this house, filled with objtts d'art.
\
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�DECEMBER, 1929 '
1
55
^ Jltde Fl u"ngS y0U Water delicately flavored with ros*
min!rM
°^u f f-?yS' and each Slass de^rated with a jasmme blossom. The family has been so hospitable and so graciousg t0 shoW
LH n
/°uu their reIics- They hope that you have
Jiked Damascus and that you will visit it again
berin ^ ^ f° ^° ^
UnJeSS Y U already haVe
°
/ Need You No More
By
LABEEBEE
A. J.
HANNA
When the thunder rolled above the clouds,
And the lightning struck a tree,
And the awful darkness made me fear
Then I wanted you with me.
\
When the storm sent waves up over the deck
We became wet through and through,
And the danger made me shake with fear.
Oh, then, how I wanted you!
When the enemy levelled its guns at me
And tried to snuff out my life,
Bullets came from every side—
I was alone in the strife.
But now the world is bright again:
There are many good things in store.
You come to see me with a smile!
You must know that I need you no more!
'
'
Remera
"
�_
THE SYRIAN WORLD
56
Staging a Desert Scene
By
EMILE DUMIT
(Editor's Note—On December 7, the students resident at International House in New York gave an entertainment of which the main feature was the staging of a desert scene among the Arabs. The author, Emile
Dumit, sought to dispell some of the misconceptions about the character
of t)he Arabs through a dialogue between an inquisitive, though sympathetic, American tourist and an Arab sheikh. The American is readily
convinced of Arab virtues and promises to "carry the message to his people
in the West." This message could permit of some modifications, especially
where claim is made that raiding by Arabs is "done for fun," but we are
glad to give it further publicity in that it represents an earnest effort to
give an honest apologia for desert life."
MR.
The scene is in the tent of an Arab chieftain
DUBOIS: (American tourist)
"The Arab race I've long admired.
They've stood throughout the ages long
For freedom and democracy.
Yes! Freedom is the desert song!"
SHEIKH FADIL:
u
Oh, this is more than we deserve.
Like other men we rise and fall.
When Allah blew His Holy breath
It was one clay that made them all."
MR. DUBOIS:
"Tell me more about the Arabs;
How they live and what they live for.
Little knows the world about them.
Even that is fairy lore."
SHEIKH JABIR:
"We the Arabs of the desert
Live on dates and bread and butter.
Thus on diet light and tasty,
Health and pleasure thrive together.
We have sheep and we have camels.
But for food we never slaughter
ZX
�DECEMBER, 1929
Save when guests our dwellings honor,
Do our utmost for their pleasure."
SHEIKH JAMAAL:
"So we keep our bodies slender,
Strong as steel yet light as feather.
We endure both thirst and hunger,
And the hardships of the weather."
MR. DUBOIS:
"Tell me if you like the strangers
From the foreign lands and distant,
With their customs and religion
From your own so different."
SHEIKH FADIL:
"When a stranger asks for refuge
And protection, we protect him,
Even tho this leads our tribesmen
To a war with those that seek him."
SHEIKH JAMAAL:
"Yet to those who come to exploit
We are tough and hard and bitter.
Even when we're overpowered
We keep up and hope for better."
SHEIKH JABIR:
"For, above all things we value
Is our freedom and our honor."
SHEIKH AMEEN:
"Sacrifice whate'er is precious
That the race may live for ever."
MR. DUBOIS:
"What of industry and learning?"
SHEIKH JABIR:
"These we leave to our brothers
Who the desert have abandoned
To the land of flowing rivers.
There they till and plough the soil;
And they grow the fruits and flowers.
37
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
38
And in cities they can hustle
Through the noise of looms and hammers."
SHEIKH HABEEB:
"We supply them with the butter,
And the wool of sheep and camels.
They give back the finished products:
Cloth, utensils, shoes and saddles."
MR. DUBOIS:
"There's a point you have to clear up:
That about your love for raiding
Of one tribe against the other.
This the world says is your trading."
SHEIKH JABIR:
"Yes, at times we raid each other.
But we do it for the fun.
Tho we raid with swords and rifles
Yet seldom kill we anyone.
Once we gain much loot and booty.
Other times we lose the game.
Neither gain nor loss affect us.
Our belongings keep the same."
SHEIK HABEEB:
"Thus our raiding is not subtle
As the modern business raiding."
MR. DUBOIS:
"How delightful is the weather
And romantic is the moonlight!
Is the moon full once a week
Or do you have it every night?"
SHEIKH FADIL:
"Oh no! Oh no! How can that be?
Our time is reckoned by the moon
Of which each cycle is a month.
When full, as once per day 'tis noon.
Of our months are Ramadan,
Month of fasting, pray'r and brooding,
�DECEMBER, 1929
And Muharram, month of truce,
When Allah outlaws all fighting.
In the month of Ramadan,
How they wish the moon to speed
In its cycle in the heavens.
But my honest humble creed
And my wish — Oh! Allah knows —
When Muharram blows the horn
That the breaks be steeped upon
For an extra peaceful morn!"
MR. DUBOIS:
"Strange to hear of wheels and brakes
Not of camels and of steeds."
SHEIKH RAJA:
"Still we have them; still we love them;
Still we have the finest breeds.
But we keep them for the sport.
Cars we drive with greatest speeds."
MR. DUBOIS:
"Oh, the sheikhs are interesting.
How is it they make the women
All so crazy? Will you teach me?"
SHEIKH JABIR:
"Oh!
It seems in love you've fallen."
SHEIKH RAFEEK:
"Only one of two gets crazy.
Either one about the other.
. Since 'tis you who have become so
They will not about you bother,"
MR. DUBOIS:
"This, your message I shall carry
To my people in the West;
And shall tell them that the wisdom
Of the desert is the best."
39
�Great Syrian
For a FREE TRIP to
The editor of THE SYRIAN WORLD having made a trip to Syria in
the summer of 1929, which he is now describing in a series of articles in
the magazine, came to realize not only the great educational and cultural
advantages of such a trip, but its unrivalled possibilities for pleasure and
recreation. In our enthusiasm for the benefits of such tours, we decided to
offer one as a prize to our readers. This is on a par with the most liberal
offers made by the biggest American publications, whose readers are hundreds of thousands and even millions. Needless to say that this is unprecedented in the history of Arabic journalism, whether in America or abroad.
THE SYRIAN WORLD, in making the great prize offer in spite of
the heavy sacrifice involved, considers that in so doing it is promoting the
cause of sympathetic understanding of the motherland. This is in keeping
with the main object behind the publication of the magazine. Whether the
winner be a bov or girl, American or Syrian, the purpose would have been
served by the actual contacts established with the great scenic beauties
and places of immense historical interest in our country of origin.
The proposition is unprecedented, the advantages great, the conditions most liberal. It is surely the opportunity of a lifetime for the ambitious.
ITINERARY OF TRIP
The free trip offered by THE SYRIAN WORLD takes the same route
followed by the editor in his recent trip to Syria. Passage will be Cabin
class on the luxurious steamer Providence, of the Fabre Line, sailing from
New York July 2nd. Stops on route and shore excursions will be made at
Ponta Delgada, Azores Islands; Lisbon, Portugal; Naples, Italy; Palermo,
Sicily, and Piraeus and Athens, Greece.
In Syria and Lebanon, the winner may remain as long as he desires
and return on any of the Fabre Line steamers to New York, also Cabin
Class.
.
.
, . „
. .
Sailing from New York will be under the direction and full assistance
of the firm of A. K. Hitti & Co., the well-known steamship ticket agents.
The Beirut Branch of the same firm will render the winner all necessary service and advice free. The editor, thanks to the contacts contracted
on his last trip, will also give the winner letters of introduction and recommendation to many influential friends who would render all necessary
courtesies. The winner, representing THE SYRIAN WORLD whose services
are fully recognized in the motherland, will be assured of the most friendly
reception by the authorities and the public.
^
tej
ret
ab
trj
2.
4.
7.
�World Contest
SYRIA and RETURN
SYRIAN WORLD OFFER
The prize offered by THE SYRIAN WORLD to the »inner in the contest is free passage, Cabin Class, both ways from New York to Beirut and
return, together with a liberal cash allowance for the shore excursions
above mentioned on the outward passage. Is this not a worthy prize to
try to win?
CONDITIONS OF CONTEST
1. THE SYRIAN WORLD prize of a Free Trip to Syria and return will be
awarded the individual securing the largest number of New subscribers to the magazine at the regular price of subscription.
2. Considering the great value of the prize offered, the minimum number
required to win the award must be not less than one hundred.
3. Every contestant, other than the winner, securing more than one hundred new subscriptions, will be awarded a special cash premium of
$1.50 for every subscription. Those securing less than one hundred will
be given $1.00 for every subscription.
4. The contest closes June 10, 1930. Letters post-marked later than this
date will not be counted. Announcement of the awards will be made
June 15.
5. Every subscription must be a new subscription, and must be accompanied by a remittance of the full price of $5.00.
«. Gift subscriptions will be counted as direct subscriptions. For instance,
if a contestant succeeds in inducing a friend to make gifts of a year's
subscription to each of five individuals, he will be given credit for
five individual subscriptions. Multiple subscriptions to the same person
will not be counted by the number of years; as, for instance, a single
individual subscribing for two years will not be given credit for two
subscriptions.
7. Those wishing to enter the contest must write to register, in which case
they will be furnished with special blanks and helpful literature.
8. The contest is open to all friends of THE SYRIAN WORLD anywhere
in the United States and Canada.
�sasEaa
THE SYRIAN WORLD
42
EDITORIAL COMMENT
THE CONTEST
IN OFFERING a prize of a
trip to Syria, THE SYRIAN
WORLD is inaugurating a movement which should prove of
incalculable cultural and recreational advantages. Having
himself made the trip in the
summer of 1929, the editor
came to realize the benefits of
such tours as proven by the enthusiasm characterizing his description of his experiences and
observations abroad in the
series of articles now running
in THE SYRIAN WORLD. It was
but natural that the trip which
was to him a source of so much
pleasure and profit should be
the thing he considers most
valuable to offer to his readers.
The route across will be
identical to the one taken by
the editor on his trip. Not alone
that, but it will also be on the
same ship and the corresponding date as well. The facilities
of attention and courtesy for
which the firm of A. K. Hitti
& Co. are noted will be accorded the winner in THE SYRIAN WORLD contest. The countries touched upon on route offer an unlimited variety of
scenery and possibilities for
recreation and study; and shore
excursions in them will be made
. available^as part of the prize.
„ : -. .; .:-:
The sea voyage itself in midsummer along the Southern
Atlantic route and across the
Mediterranean is in itself sufficient inducement. For a profitable, restful, enjoyable summer vacation there can be nothing nearer the ideal.
Once on Syrian soil, the winner in THE SYRIAN WORLD
prize contest will have all the
advantages of service and attention by the Beirut branch of
the firm of A. K. Hitti & Co.
Friends of the editor, both official and private, will assure
the winner the maximum of
comfort and enjoyment during
his or her stay in the country.
Such an offer, we believe, is
exceptional in its magnitude in
the annals of journalism. It
is surely unprecedented in the
history of Syrian newspaper enterprise in America or abroad.
While the object is not purely altruistic, there is in it a good
deal of the altruistic motive.
We want ambitious people to
see our motherland; to appreciate its beauties and its historical shrines; to place its true
value on the people and the
land whence we came. But, on
the other hand, we like to have
profit by this generous offer
those who show by the greater
degree of their enthusiasm the
�DECEMBER, 1929
extent of their appreciation for
the racial service THE SYRIAN
WORLD is endeavoring to render. It is but natural that to him
who assists us most in extending
our service should be expressed
our appreciation in the form of
a liberal reward. This reward
we have chosen to conform to
the nature of the cause we are
trying to promote.
We are anxious to have our
readers avail themselves of this
truly exceptional opportunity.
To that end we have made the
conditions the most liberal consistent with the cost involved.
These conditions are too obvious
in their liberality to need comment.
And what is the nature of
the publication one is asked to
sell? It is one in which, we may
be permitted the remark, everyone of Arabic-speaking extraction should take pride. Unquestionably it is a fitting organ of
our culture, a champion of our
rights, a promoter of true
Americanism through the propagation of better understanding, and the only Syrian publication in English. Our best
Syrian talent has rallied to its
support in the most splendid
manner. During the three and
a half years of its existence, it
has admittedly done more good
than any other single agency in
the history of our immigration
to bring about a better understanding of the Syrians, and
43
bring honor to the Syrian name.
Such being the case, it is
manifestly a proud distinction
to work for the promotion of
such an organ. A Syrian boy or
girl soliciting subscriptions need
not feel he is imposing. Rather,
it should be his conviction that
he is rendering a public service
not only to the cause of his
people but a genuine, personal
service to the individual approached. An American working for the same cause of fostering better racial; understanding which THE SYRIAN WORLD
advocates has the same cogent
argument.
And the field is by no means
limited. In many a single Syrian community throughout the
land many times a hundred subscribers might be' secured. Why
should not THE SYRIAN WORLD
be in every Syrian home? Besides, solicitation need not be
limited to Syrians. Many an
American, if properly approached, would be glad to receive such a publication to learn
more about Syria and the Syrians. What more satisfaction
could be felt than to have an
increasing number of other races
evince greater interest in understanding and appreciating us!
Entrants in the prize contest
have five months in which to
compete for the awards, from
January 15 to June 10, 1930.
It is our fond hope that the
number of contestants will ba
�44
large and widely scattered. The
cause is worthy, the terms liberal and the award magnificent.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
complete elimination from the
life of America with the extinction of the present generation
of foreign-born.
The Arabic-language press in
the United States is bound to
ARABIC NEWSPAPERS be among the first to disappear.
This is due to the restricted
AT a certain stage in the de- field and to the small quota of
velopment of the American Arabic-speaking
immigrants
nation, the existence of foreign- permitted entry annually. The
language newspapers was not fact that all the Syrian papers
only advisable but necessary. have stayed the hand of fate so
Restrictions on immigration had far is due chiefly to the economy
not been raised and the influx practised in publication and to
of newcomers was at times aver- the desperate efforts of the pubaging a million or more every lishers to carry on by sheer
year. Practically all the immi- pluck.
grants, with the exception of
But if the growing comthose coming from Great Brit- plaints of the publishers bear
ain, could not speak English. any portent, the inevitable
To them the existence of their doom must be rapidly approachnative-language
newspapers ing. Already some breaks have
was indispensable. These news- taken place in the ranks, and
papers were their only medium others threaten. Efforts at connot alone for keeping posted on solidation in the interest of furworld events, but for acquiring ther economy seem to be desthe necessary knowledge of con- tined to failure owing to the
ditions in the new land which uncompromising political attithey chose to make their home. tudes of the publishers. And
With the enactment of the even if such were possible it
present restrictive laws on im- would prove but a temporary
migration,
conditions
have stay of fate.
undergone a radical change of
Perhaps some enterprising
which the first to feel the effect Syrian publisher might launch
were
the
foreign-language an English publication to supernewspapers. Their readers are sede the Arabic ones. But will
steadily decreasing in number there be sufficient race conand they are fast facing the sciousness to warrant the step
crisis in their existence. The when even THE SYRIAN WORLD
inevitable result will be their is complaining?
�DECEMBER, 1929
45
Spirit of the Syrian Press
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* er Arab c
SlS T^TVf^ thG °Pini°nS °f resP^^e- thinking wrtor.
where treating: the different problems that confront the Arabicf8peakJ£
world from all conceivable angles. Needless to say, we will tTken?Sta
th. ****** reproduced, nor assume any responsibility. Our tesk^lS
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n^dtolTs
EMIGRANTS' REQUESTS OF
LEBANESE GOVERNMENT
kn
^ and 4n^tm7.
- * the public opinion as «pr-..d
Editor.
have migrated, and the further appointment of Lebanese representatives in all French consulates, whose
salaries would be paid by the consulate out of its commercial revenue. It is but right that French consulates should not be the sole beneficiaries of the revenue they receive from the Lebanese without
adequate service rendered. Lebanon
should not be a milch cow to the
French, nor is it a colony that they
may control its destinies peremptorily. But it is up to the Lebanese
themselves to affirm their rights and
not put the blame wholly on the
French.
The Economic Bureau of the Lebanese Government has issued a questionnaire inquiring, among other
things, about the naturalization
status of its nationals abroad.
To this we would reply that even
if the Lebanese emigrants were to
maintain their former political allegiance and loyalty their children are
perforce natives of the country of
their birth and are lost to the mother-c«untry of their parents. Furthermore, the Lebanese abroad finds
himself in an anomalous condition,
thanks to the conventions of the
Treaty of Lausanne. Nor are those
Al-Hoda, N. Y., Jan. 8, 1930.
of them who did not adopt a new
allegiance recognized as Lebanese
citizens. This because they failed to
register at a French consulate in ARABS IN AMERICA
pursuance of the conditions of the
MUST ORGANIZE
Treaty.
Before the outbreak of the revoThis is a serious situation which
lution in Palestine, the ranks of the
we have discussed before and which
natives were loose and their forces
requires correction. What we would
disorganized, but when they realized
now suggest to the Lebanese Govthe danger they were facing, they
ernment is the following:
sought to close their ranks so that
The appointment of a Lebanese now they have succeeded in presentrepresentative or attache at every ing to the enemy a solid front. No
French ambassy or legation in coun- doubt this salutary turn of affairs
tries to which Lebanese nationals will result in complete success for
�46
the Nationalists, because with their
solidarity, neither a foreign enemy
nor any other inimical power can
prevail against them.
This has been the result of our
efforts in the homeland, but what
have we, the immigrants, done to
give further impetus to the beneficial work already started?
The answer to this question will
require an explanatory statement.
It cannot be denied that a large
number of our compatriots in the
United States, Canada, Mexico and
South American countries have done
their duty in part by collecting
funds for the relief of the sufferers
of the outbreaks. This is proof of
the genuine sympathy the emigrants
entertain for their countrymen in
the motherland and their sincere desire to see their country achieve its
independence. It further proves that
the Arabs, no matter how far away
they are from home, and how long
their absence, will never forget
their sacred duty to the motherland,
especially when the country is victim to disaster of some sort.
But what this paper strongly
urges is that our brother immigrants
concentrate now on an effort at organization. They already have several committees and societies apparently for the promotion of the same
cause. Now if these separate organizations were to consolidate into one
central body their power for service
would be immensely increased.
The cause is worthy and the need
urgent. There are in Palestine any
number of sufferers who are in dire
need of relief; Palestine delegations are about to come to England
and America to work for the cause
of the mother-country; and all this
requires funds for the proper promotion of the work. Furthermore, we
should not overlook the neoessity of
conducting intensive propaganda in
THE SYRIAN WORLD'
Ameriea for the defense of our national cause, because the Jews have
filled the air with their cries and
lamentations in an effort to raise
funds, and American Jews, as is
well known, are the richest in the
world.
It would be impossible to effectively counteract the organized efforts of our enemies except by resort to their own methods, i. e., organization. We feel confident that
when American Jews are made
aware of the true facts in the Palestine situation they will withhold
financial aid to the Zionists and the
Arab cause would have found therein
its vindication.
Al-Bayan, N. Y., Jan. 9, 1980.
SIGNS OF LIFE
IN SYRIAN NATION
Those patriotic Syrians who have
set as their goal the independence
of Syria are undergoing many trials.
We see them now fail, now rise. But
in either case, there are strong signs
of virility which portends the success
of these patriots in achieving ultimate success.
It cannot be denied that there existed once among the Syrians a sinister form of fanaticism which gave
rise to suspicion and fear among certain elements. But it can now be
truthfully stated that this fanaticism
is showing signs of recession, so
that it may be confidently hoped
that a strong spirit of unity will
soon assert itself and make possible
the co-operation of all Syrian creeds
and factions.
The announcement lately made by
the Syrian press of the intention of
the Nationalists to call a general
convention of all the Syrian parties
and groups to decide on a method
of procedure for the attainment of
i
�DECEMBER, 1929
the national aspirations is a step
in the right direction. It is declared
that the Syrians will demand a degree of independence similar to that
enjoyed by Egypt, and exceeding
that of Iraq. This sure'y will be attained if the Syrians can develop a
spirit of co-operation.
Syrian Eagle, N. Y., Jan. 10, 1930.
ARABIC NEWSPAPERS
FACING EXTINCTION
Our neighbor, As-Sayeh, which is
being published daily, has announced
the possibility of its reverting to its
former condition of appearing semiweekly, owing to financial considerations.
As-Sayeh may be as valuable in
the one frequency of publication as
in the other, but its making public
the possibility of taking such a step,
while it was supposed to be financed
by a strong corporation must be
prompted by serious reasons. It had
been, besides, enjoying the moral
and editorial support of a group of
our foremost men of letters in America.
We do not presume to know the
real motive behind such a decision,
if it should materialize, but speaking in general terms, we must admit
that Arabic newspapers in all the
countries of immigration are "marching toward eternity." This unless immigration laws are so amended as
to permit the entry of a substantial
number of new immigrants who
would naturally have their native
language papers as their only medium of information.
But the immediate reason for the
plight of some of our newspapers
is what may be termed the extravagance of overhead expenses and their
adherence to some practices which
react to their injury in that they
47
cut deeply into their revenue. To
rei ->dy this condition we have often
urgeo upon the publishers the necessity of consolidation as a means
of economy, but our individualistic
tendencies seem to be too strong for
such an undei-taking.
What may be done as an alternative move is to agree on some
common rules and regulations for
the treatment of personal news and
for requiring advance payment by
subscribers. The advantage taken by
some subscribers in being delinquent
in their payment is due to the laxity
of the publishers and their liability
to agree as a body on enforcing advance payment.
Al-Hoda, N. Y., Jan. 11, 1930.
THOSE FOREIGNERS! AND
THEIR MORAL CODE
There is in Beirut a French newspaper called La Syrie whose editor
seems to take special pleasure in insulting the Syrians. He is supposed
to be the mouthpiece of the High
Commissariat, but we are loath to
believe that those in authority sanction the unspeakable accusations that
this filthy foreigner directs at Syrian womanhood, while accusations of
this nature only fit his own kind.
This indeed, is the height of impudence and bad manners. A guest
in our land takes delight in making
us the butt of his jibes and respects
not even the honor of our women
which we hold most sacred!
Vicier, the editor of this French
newspaper, had been in Egypt before and even so early in his career
was given to virulent attacks on the
Syrians. He reached a point in his
insults that prompted the late Salim
Sarkees to publish in one of the
last issues of his publication the
�48
THE SYRIAN WORLD
ization. They were the torch-bearers
of learning when the rest of the
world was groping in darkness. But
it should also be admitted that the
Arabs reached a certain point and
stopped. They became, in the course
of years, prey to religious fanaticism
which tore their unity to shreds and
permitted the people of the West to
overcome them and despoil them of
their freedom and independence.
Now if the Arabs, both Moslems
and Christians, wish to revive their
old glory, they must eradicate the
evils of this prime cause of their
retrogression. No longer should the
Moslem look upon his brother
Christian with contempt and hatred
as an unbeliever, nor should the
Christian be in constant fear that
the Moslem is bent on his destruction. Once mutual trust and confidence are established the Arabs can
direct their attention towards improving their conditions and they are
sure to rival the people of the West
in achievement because they are not
inferior in their native intelligence
and ability.
The claim may be advanced that
the Turks were the ones who planted
the seeds of mistrust and dissension
IN COMMEMORATION
between Christians and Moslems in
OF ARAB GLORY
order to break the unity of the Arab
A suggestion reaches us from the race. But are our brother Moslems
Arab colony of San Luis Potosi. free from blame as regards these
Mexico, signed by Moslems and efforts of the Turks? Why did they
Christians, advocating setting aside approve of this policy on the part
a special day to commemorate the of the Turks, and even encourage
glory of the Arab race following it?
It is painful to us to refer to such
the example set by the Latin races.
It is further proposed that the year conditions, but we find it imperative
1930 be celebrated as commemorat- to do so in order to clarify the situaing the thirteenth century of the tion and help along the movement
launching of Arab conquests, which for establishing a day of commemorating the glory of the Arab race.
began in 630.
We cannot pass this suggestion The Arabs must be united before
without comment. The Arab race, it they can hope to succeed in any
must be admitted, has contributed race movement and it would seem
materially to the progress of civil- to us that the initiative along any
following remark: "The brave youth
of Al-Mazraa have left the land so
that none remain to confront this
vicious Vicier and write a protest
across his face with flaming red
ink."
Is there no one now to strike the
face of this offender and teach him
a lesson that he has failed to learn
before ?
Why not let him understand in
the only language he knows that
even the High Commissariat cannot
hold back your holy wrath when it
is a question of insulting you in
your honor.
It would seem that the proper
course for the High Commissariat
to follow is to take upon itself
muzzling this vicious creature as a
service both to the honor of the
French and to that of Syria and
Lebanon. This would have the effect
of warding off suspicion from the
French themselves, otherwise a repetition of the Carbillet episode when
the country was drowned in a sea
of blood is bound to recurr again.
Meraat-Ul-Gharb, N.Y.,Dec. 28, 1929.
�DECEMBER, 1929
such line should come from our
brother Moslems, because the Christians have ever been receptive to all
proposals of peace and mutual understanding.
The Christian element in the Arab
race has rendered invaluable services
to Arabic, the language of the Koran. Why should the Christians take
so much interest in perpetuating
and propagating the Arabic language if it weren't for their interest
in the promotion of the cause of the
Arabic race? Their loyalty to the
Arab cause is, therefore, beyond
question, and once mutual confidence
and trust between them and their
Moslem brethren are restored their
concerted efforts could be directed
effectively to the upholding of the
glory of the Arab race.
Ash-Shaab, N. Y., Dec. 24, 1929.
TIME FOR UNDERSTANDING
WITH THE ARABS
Dr. Weizman does not consider
the present time opportune for acting on the suggestion of Dr. Magnes
President of the Hebrew University,
for an amicable understanding between Jews and Arabs.
But Dr. Weizman did not designate when, in his opinion, such a
time would become opportune. All
that he expressed was the fervent
hope that England will live up to
its moral obligation contained in the
Balfour declaration. Inferentially,
this statement implies the fear that
once England forgoes its mandate
over Palestine the Zionists will fold
up their tents and depart quickly,
leaving to the Arabs all their investments for the building of a Jewish
national home. They would rather do
that than run the danger of losing
their lives.
I
49
It's a pity that England will not
relinquish her mandatory rights for
at least a single month, as it would
be interesting to see what Dr. Weizman will do in vindication of his
policy of opposition to an understanding with the Arabs.
ZIONISTS AND ARMENIANS
There are points of resemblance
as well as of difference between the
influx of Zionists into Palestine and
of Armenians into Syria and Lebanon. The Jews come to the country
with means of self-support, and
their welfare is looked after by
strong organization, while the .Armenians come penniless and destitute and must subsist on the means
of the country, which are at best
precarious. Still their immigration is
encouraged by the mandatory authorities even to the point of banishing the tribe of Dandash from
their lands in the neighborhood of
Horns in order to settle the Armenians in their place.
Such a policy does not serve the
best interests of the country. The
Armenians compete with the natives
in every manner of occupation and
render the lot of the natives extremely hard. They maintain the
lowest living standard and consequently are able to work for the
lowest wages.
If such is the result of Armenian
immigration into Syria and Lebanon now, what will it be in time
to come? They are still coming in
increasing numbers and the authorities seem oblivious to the obvious
menace of their increase. Surely, but
for the political designs of the
Zionists in Palestine, their presence
would be infinitely more desirable
than that of the Armenians.
Meraat-Ul-Gharb N. Y., Jan. 7, 1930.
�mmmmmmmmm
•>
I
THE SYRIAN WORLD
50
Political Developments in Syria
PALESTINE
The Shaw Commission of Inquiry,
appointed to investigate the causes
of the Arab-Jewish disturbances of
last August in Palestine, returned
to London early in January after
having spent nine weeks in Palestine
taking evidence. The board plans to
hear further testimony on the Palestinian situation before submitting
its report, which it has promised to
do before the end of January.
That it will be able to finish its
work by that time seems rather
doubtful. Both Jews and Arabs are
planning to send special delegations
to London to further present their
case before the commission, and the
same difficulties that beset the work
of the Board while in Palestine may
prove the cause of further delay in
London. Up to the middle of January the Arabs had not decided on
the personnel of their delegation,
and this gave rise to reports that
serious differences had arisen among
them. Hajj Ameen Al-Husseini, the
Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and leader
of the Arab movement, refused to
be a member of the delegation and
with his elimination there was reported to be serious dissension as
to the choice of a leader.
Meanwhile, conditions in Palestine
seem to have returned to a'most
normal. Correspondents seem to have
nothing more important to report
than the conviction of two Arab
policemen for neglect of fluty on the
testimony of a Jewish member of
the police force. Physical violence
appears to have come to an end and
what remains as the aftermath of
the bloody encounters of last August is the commercial boycott which
j
not only does not show any sign of
abating but rather appears to be
gaining in force.
The Arabic press of Beirut reports <
that as a result of this boycott, the
Jewish colony of Tell Aviv, having
a population of about forty thousand, had been forty days without
fresh meat owing to the fear of the
Jews to travel to Jaffa for their
supplies. Although the distance is
not over ten miles, the country is
infested with bands of Arabs whom
the Jews fear to face. They have appealed to the authorities for protection and relief.
What news dispatches failed to
report of the nature of the testimony
of Hajj Ameen Al-Husseini before
the Inquiry Commission was supplied
by the Arabic newspaper Palestine
of Jaffa. When the commission visited the Grand Mufti at his residence,
according to the paper, Sir Boyd
Merriman cross-examined him as
follows:
Q—Were you sentenced in 1920 ?
A—I was tried and sentenced in
my absence.
Q—Were you granted a pardon?
A—I was granted a pardon but
refused to accept it because I refused to admit that I was guilty.
Q—Why were you sentenced?
A—Because one thousand nine
hundred years ago, and only two
hundred yards from where the august
commission is now sitting, Christ
was sentenced to die at the instigation of the Jews.
Dr. Magnes Replies
Following Zionist attacks on his
recommendations for entering negotiations leading to conciliation with
»
MIIUHI...J. ...
�—
DECEMBER, 1929
the Arabs Dr. Judah L. Magnes,
chancellor of the Hebrew University
on Mount Scopus in Jerusalem, issued a pamphlet entitled "Like All
the Nations" in defense of his stand.
Dr. Magnes reiterates his condemnation of the use of force, asserts that
Jewish control of Palestine is not so
important as other factors of Judaism and urges political reform that
would immediately put Jews and
Arabs upon an equal basis. He does
not favor the resort of Jews to bayonnets, "like other nations," but
would overcome all obstacles through
all other weapons of civilization:
spiritual, intellectual, social, cultural,
financial, economic, medical—brotherly, friendly weapons.
As may be expected, the views of
Dr. Magnes are being vehemently
attacked by the Zionists who would
see a numerical preponderence of
Jews in Palestine before consenting
to a representative form of government in the country.
SYRIA ON EVE OF
POLITICAL SOLUTION
i
tig-i-
Out of the maze of conflicting reports on political developments in
Syria, the following is the gist of
the sober discussions of the Syrian
press:
High Commissioner Ponsot has
not as yet given any public indication of his proposed program. He has
called his agents in various sections
of the country to a conference in
Beirut which lasted three days, but
its decisions were kept secret. What
is claimed by persons in close touch
with the authorities as being the
ultimate solution of the Syrian problem may be summarized as follows:
Appointment of the Sherif Ali
Haidar Pasha general governor of
Syria for life, being neither a mon-
51
arch nor an elected executive. His
cabinet is to be responsible not to
him but to the Representative Assembly. Once this stable form of
government is established the French
will enter into negotiations with it
for the conclusion of a treaty which
is to be of twenty-five years' duration. Syria will be granted the right
of diplomatic representation abroad
but will not be given absolute powers in matters of major importance.
If the Constituent Assembly, now
suspended, will agree to enter into
negotiations on these terms the
French will permit its convocation,
otherwise new elections will be held
after the lapse of one year.
As regards internal questions
arising between Syria and Lebanon,
a referendum will be held in those
sections annexed to Lebanon to determine the wish of the inhabitants.
If both parties fail to come to an
amicable agreement between themselves the matter will be submitted
to the League of Nations for adjudication.
Comment in the Syrian press on
the foregoing propositions seems to
be favorable, but no indication is
given as to when the High Commissioner will begin putting his program
into effect. Unless the activities of
the agents of Sherif Ali Haidar in
Damascus, which have become intense of late, presage some definite
action in the near future. One of the
sons of the Sherif made himself
conspicuous by his activities in Damascus in conducting propaganda
for his father, and it was reported
that the government of Sheikh Tajeddin ordered him to leave the city.
Other reports would have it appear that France has reached the
limit of her patience in dealing with
the Syrian situation and would like
�ssaDiaat
52
mmmmmrirmm^nHmattmmmmmm
THE SYRIAN WORLD
to bring it to a quick settlement, as
she fears the effects of the protracted delay on her moral prestige in the
East.
LEBANON
Although one of the provisions of
the Eddy program was almost revolutionary in character, demanding
the suspension of the constitutional
rights of the Representative Assembly, the program was approved by
an overwhelming majority. Now the
Cabinet can proceed with its proposed reforms without the delay attending parliamentary debates. The
Cabinet is empowered to use this
almost dictatorial power until July.
1930.
The objections to this grant of
authority were apparently well taken, inasmuch as they were based on
fear of making grants and concessions which would bind the country
ever after without any recourse to
redress. But the implicit trust in
the integrity and patriotism of the
Premier prevailed in the end. The
Lebanese seem to have come to
realize the necessity of dispensing
with dilatory tactics in enforcing
necessary reforms. The Eddy program is concerned chiefly with economic improvements and administrative changes.
It was learned from authoritative
sources that High Commissioner
Ponsot heartily approves the program of Premier Eddy. In fact, understanding between the two men
was reached on all major points
while they were both in Paris last
summer and before M. Emile Eddy
consented to form a cabinet. This
firm action now being taken in the
administration of Lebanon's internal
affairs appears to be a preparatory
move for the general readjustment
of the whole Syrian problem.
The Lebanese Government has
passed an appropriation of £750,000
for the creation of a naval base in
Tripoli as the terminus of the direct
air mail line between France and
Syria. Protests were voiced that
Lebanon should stand this cost instead of France, but the objections
were soon stilled. It is presumed
that this move was undertaken to
benefit Tripoli in an effort to counteract her tendencies for secession
from the Lebanese Republic for
union with the State of Syria.
ENEMY ARABIAN
KINGS TO MEET
A special wireless dispatch to the
New York Times from Bagdad dated
January 16 states that despite the
long-standing feud between the
Arab royal families, King Feisal of
Iraq will soon meet Ibn Saoud, the
Wahabi ruler, in a neutral zone on
the Iraq-Nejd frontier. The two*
monarchs will confer on the "best
measures for ending the activity
of malefactors whose raids are liable
to disturb the friendly relations between the sister States of Iraq and
Nejd."
A great stir has been caused in
Bagdad by the announcement of the
meeting which is a direct result of
Ibn Saoud's recent pursuit and capture of the rebel sheik Feisal ed
Dowish and his followers.
Admiration is everywhere expressed for King Feisal's being able
to disregard the family quarrel,
which reached its climax in the loss
by Feisal's family of the Hedjaz
throne. His willingness to meet his
old enemy is considered a convincing
proof of Ibn Feisal's desire to place
Iraq's interests above all other considerations.
�11 !
'"""
-
n .i
...
i i
L.I,,,
——
DECEMBER, 1929
53
About Syria and Syrian
PHOENICIANS WERE FIRST
TO DISCOVER AMERICA
Inscriptions on Rocks in Amazon
Valley Revive This Belief.
Reference was made on several
occasions by the Syrian press of
Brazil, and noted by The Syrian
World, to the research being made
in the Amazon Valley for Phoenician
inscriptions which would justify the
opinion of certain scholars that the
Phoenicians were the first to discover America. Now it is the Associated Press that reports on the
progress of this research in a dispatch from its correspondent in Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil dated Januarv 1
1930.
'
The Associated
follows:
>
Press
dispatch
"Discovery of inscriptions carved
on Amazon Valley rocks has revived
a belief that 4,000 years or more ago
Phoenicians discovered America,
navigated the Amazon and built a
city there.
"The finds were made by Dr. Barbosa while on a trip a few months
ago with General Rondon, Brazil's
most famous explorer. The carvings
were in hieroglyphs.
"Information about them is withheld while decoding goes on, a job
expected to take about a year. They
were found in rock formations along
the Cumina River in the State of
Para and on bits of pottery.
"If the decoding comes up to the
expectations of archaeologists, it is
said excavations will be attempted
Sl eS 0f
Cumina in searc
fo7tl
, site
^ of
«
for the T
buried
a city
"The name of this city according
to tr.d,t,o„ w.. Atlantida. Curious
y, this is the same as the name of
the continent that some geological
and archaeological writers say ont
existed in the Atlantic Ocean and
that may have formed either a land
bridge or link for communication
between the old and the new hemis
ther J a,itieS ln the Vast
zon°h
r
A^zon basin have furnished Phoenician
traces. At the confluence of thTSS
mao and Negro rivers, on a sma 1
.land called Pedro, what appear^
iaye?o:kn"cianshipiscarvedoNEAR EAST COLLEGES
CAMPAIGN SUCCESSFUL
Fifteen Million Raised to Endow Six
American Institutions, of which
Syrians Contributed $150,000
The Executive Committee of the
Near East College Association announced the completion of the $15
000,000 campaign for the endow':
meat of the American University of
Beirut, Robert College, Constantinople Roman's College, International College of Smyrna American
College of Sofia and Athens College
Greece, as a memorial to the late'
Cleveland H. Dodge.
Mr. Dodge was for many years
president of the board of trustees
of Robert College, Constantinople
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
54
and was instrumental in combining
the financial and administrative
work of the Six American Colleges
in the Near East in a joint office
for increased efficiency in management and in raising the endowment
funds necessary to secure their maintenance and development in the future. His death in June, 1926, occurred while plans for the $15,000,000
campaign were under discussion.
The plan which he outlined was
carried out by the executive committee as a memorial to him and to
his efforts in furthering American
education in countries in the Near
East.
The $15,000,000, according to the
statement of the executive committee, has been raised during the past
three and one-half years. Sixteen
thousand two hundred persons have
contributed to the fund including
many alumni and former students
living in the Near East, Africa,
Europe, North and South America.
The largest single gift was $3,500,000 from the estate of the late
Charles M. Hall.
Three large gifts were conditional
on the securing of the entire amount
by January first, 1930, namely, $1,000.000 from Edward S. Harkness,
$500,000 from John D. Rockefeller,
Jr., and $250,000 from Julius Rosenwald.
Among the notable gifts was an
appropriation of $750,00 from the
Laura Spelman Rockefeller memorial made just before that organization was merged with the Rockefeller Foundation; $150,000 from Ery
Kehaya of which $100,000 went to
Athens College and $50,000 to the
American College of Sofia; $100,000
from Charles R. Crane, through the
Friendship Fund; $60,000 from Professor J. R. Jewett of Harvard University for endowing a chair of
Arabic at the American University
of Beirut, and $150,000 from alumni
of the American University of Beirut.
Mrs. Seth Millikan, as the Chairman of the Women's Committee, engaged William Fellows Morgan, as
the Chairman of a Men's Committee,
in an animated money raising contest which resulted in approximately
$1,500,000 from friends of the Colleges in New York City. Mrs. Frank
A. Vanderlip served as the Chairman
of a Women's National Committee
and addressed a number of meetings from coast to coast.
The object of the campaign was
to bring the endowment of Robert
College up to $4,500,000; Constantinople Woman's College ot $2,500,000; the American University of
Beirut to $4.500 000; International
College of Smyrna to $1,000,000, and
to provide $500,000 for the building
program and $500,000 for the endowment of both the American College of Sofia and Athens College,
Greece. Greeks who requested the
Association to establish an American College in Greece similar to
Robert College agreed to raise the
$500,000 necessary for the College
buildings and have done so.
Another feature of the campaign
was the endowing of the presidency
of Constantinople Woman's College
by a committee in Boston, of the
Athens College presidency by a
Cleveland Committee, the presidency
of International College by a Los
Angeles Committee, a professorship
at Robert College by a group in
Philadelphia and the Millikan Chair
of Science at the American University of Beirut by friends in Pasadena.
The campaign was managed by
Albert W. Staub, the American Director of the six American Colleges,
with offices at 18 East 41st Street,
New York City.
«am
mm
I
DEC
SYRL
if
The
York
irodui
pe'r-Di
Theat
Janua
The r
Mat"
be giv
settinj
procec
social
by th<
The
series
Adele
Elmer
Shube
; supers
I presid
I & Scu
�?
f!
II
DECEMBER, 1929
U
SYRIAN JUNIOR LEAGUE
TO GIVE ARAB PLAY
The Syrian Junior League of New
I York will give its first dramatic
iroduction and After-Theatre- Supper-Dance at the Brooklyn Little
Theatre, 122 St. Felix Street, on
January 30th, 31st and February 1st.
The play is called "B;ue and Green
I\!at" by Constance Wilcox and will
be given in the Arabic manner with
settings and music of Arabia. The
proceeds will be applied toward the
social service activities conducted
by the organization.
The play is to be the first of a
series and is being coached by Mrs.
Adele Gutnian Nathan who directed
\ Elmer Rice's "The Subway" for
Shubert's. The settings are being
supervised by Nicholas Macsoud,
president of the Society of Painters
& Sculptors of Brook'yn. The music
is special'y written by Anis Fuleihan, pianist and composer. The costumes are specially created by Helen
and Albert Jacobs and the dancing
supervised by Miss Esther Markowitz who was supervfser of the
dancing of the Arts & Festivals
Committee of the Neighborhood
House of Greater New York.
The Syrian Junior League is a
group of the younger set of prominent Syrian families. It was organized two years ago by Mrs. Joseph
W. Ferris, arid has for its purpose
the cultivation, fellowship and development of social, educational and
cultural programs. Funds are also
raised throughout the year for various social service endeavors.
The officers of the Syrian Junior
League are: Mrs. Joseph W. Ferris,
honorary president; Miss Adele
Macsoud, president; Miss Florence
Jabara.
first vice-president; Miss
:
Helen Jacobs 2nd vice-president;
Miss Marie Trabulsi, recording sec-
55
retary; Miss Selma F. Milkie, corresponding secretary and Miss Wisteen Makla, treasurer.
This first dramatic effort of the
Syrian Junior League will undoubtedly prove a revelation. Those who
have witnessed the rehearsals testify
to the unusual talent displayed by
both the young men and the young
women taking part. The success of
the presentation seems assured.
RIHANI IN DEBATE
ON ZIONIST QUESTION
The Foreign Policy Association
held its regular fortnightly luncheon
and discussion at the Hotel Astor in
New York, on Saturday, Januaiy 18.
The occasion was devoted to the discussion of the Arab-Jewish question
and our celebrated author and traveler, Ameen Rihani, undertook to
defend the Arab viewpoint. Engaged
in the debate were a Zionist and an
Englishman who contributed to the
interest of the occasion with their
presentation of the Zionist case and
the English policy respectively. The
debate was broadcast over WEAF.
Jabir Shibli, a student of Columbia, and one of a large number of
Syrians attending the luncheon, also
spoke for a few minutes in defense
of the Arab cause.
COMING RADIO TALK BY
SYRIAN WORLD EDITOR
The editor of The Syrian World
will speak over station WPCH on
Sunday, February 2nd, at 4 P. M., on
the subject of Syria and the Syrians
in the United States. This talk will
be a part of the National Y. M. C. A.
Radio educational Programs.
�wmv
56
PROF. JABR DUMIT
DIES IN SYRIA
News reached Emile Dumit, a
graduate of the American University
of Beirut and now taking advanced
courses in Columbia of the death of
his father, Prof. Jabr Dumit, in Beirut on Januray 20.
Prof. Dumit was one of the foremost Arabic scholars of the East.
He occupied the chair of Arabic literature at the American University
of Beirut for fifty years and his
golden jubiee as teacher was celebrated all over the Arabic-speaking
world in the summer of 1928. Prof.
Dumit was connected with the University almost from its inception and
his demise must needs be felt as a
great loss to Arabic letters.
Prof. Dumit leaves a widow, three
sons and three daughters.
PRESIDENT OF LEBANON
GOES IN SUBMARINE
M. Chas. Dabbas, President of the
Republic of Lebanon, accepted the
invitation of the Admiral of the
French Mediterranean fleet to a ride
in a submarine. They boarded the
craft in the harbor of Beirut and it
took them under water to the port
of Jounieh, about eight miles north,
returning in the same manner. The
president expressed great satisfaction with his experience.
PORT OF BEIRUT
TO BE ENLARGED
L'Orient, of Beirut announces
definitely that the French have decided to enlarge the port of Beirut
and have appropriated for the purpose a sum of 150,000,000 francs to
be spent over a period of five years.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
The French expect to realize on
their investment from the sale of reclaimed land which they propose to
fill in in the process of enlargement.
The new port will be divided into
sections and will make possible the"
docking of large steamers which
now have to anchor in the roadway.
IBN SAOUD SEEKS
TO MODERNIZE ARABIA
The surrender of the rebel sheik
Feisal ed Dowish will enable the
Wa'habi King, Ibn Saoud, to continue
the constructive policy he has begun
in the Hedjaz, including the provision of electric street cars for Mecca, according to a wireless dispatch
to the New York Times from Jeddah, Arabia dated January 12. All
parts of the country are now linked
by radio and automobile transport
is being rapidly developed. In four
years 1,200 automobiles and trucks
have been brought to Jeddah for the
transport of pilgrims to Mecca and
Medina.
The Hedjaz Government is now
studying two important schemes.
The first is for the installation of an
electric plant midway between Jeddah and Mecca to supply both cities
with electricity and later run electric tramways. The second is for the
provision of harbor works at Jeddah
and lighthouses and beacons along
the Arabian coast. The government
is also legislating for the improvement of education, agriculture and
public health.
SYRIAN CENTENARIAN
LEAVES 90 DESCENDANTS
Joseph Gorab, a Syrian centenarian of Paterson. N. J., died late in
December leaving ninety children
and grand-children in America and
Syria.
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
The Syrian World Newspapers
Description
An account of the resource
<h4>Biographical/Historical Note</h4>
<p>Salloum Mokarzel, a Lebanese American intellectual, founded<em> The Syrian World</em> in 1926. Salloum Mokarzel was the younger brother of Naoum Mokarzel, the publisher of the Arabic-language newspaper <em>Al-Hoda. </em>Together, the Mokarzel brothers ran Al-Hoda Publishing, and in 1909, they published <em>The Syrian Business Directory.</em> </p>
<p>Mokarzel created <em>The Syrian World</em> in order to document and celebrate the culture and history of "Syria." At the time, Syria referred to the modern-day countries of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, and Palestine. The publication was primarily aimed towards second-generation children of immigrants, but Mokarzel hoped that it would also appeal to the general American public.</p>
<h4>Scope/Content Note</h4>
<p><em>The Syrian World</em> was published between 1926 and 1932 as a journal. In 1932, the format was changed from an academic journal style to a newspaper style, which continued until the periodical's end in 1935. After the death of his brother Naoum, Salloum took over the publication of <em>Al-Hoda.</em></p>
<p>The articles in <em>The Syrian World</em> cover a variety of topics spanning from the practical to the theoretical. Practical subjects include international and domestic travel, historical and contemporary Arabic and Arab-American art and literature, and the mental and physical health and hygiene of immigrants. More theoretical, philosophical, and ideological subjects include ideologies of race, the changing role of women, the formation of Syrian and Lebanese-American societies, and the political and psychological relationships between immigrants and their countries of origin.</p>
<p>All issues of <em>The Syrian World</em> are available, along with full indexes for the first four volumes. For volumes five and six, there are tables of contents at the start of the issues.</p>
Subject
The topic of the resource
Arabs--United States
Arabic periodicals
Newspapers
Arab American Newspapers
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Salloum A. Mokarzel
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
New York Public Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1926-1935
Relation
A related resource
<em><a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/41" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Syrian Business Directory</a></em>
<a href="http://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/44" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mokarzel Family Papers</a>
<a href="http://hdl.handle.net/11299/175685" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Annotated Index to the Syrian World, 1926-1932</a> at the University of Minnesota Immigration History Research Center Archives
<a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/58" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Al-Hoda Newspapers</em></a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Processed by Claire A. Kempa, 2015-2017. Collection Guide written by Claire A. Kempa, 2017.
Collection Guide updated by Laura Lethers, 2023 August.
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials.
These materials are digital copies of an original resource held by another institution. The KCLDS Archive often works with other institutions to make digital materials available online to the public. KCLDS is not able to grant permission to use or reproduce these materials. The KCLDS Archive strongly encourages users to contact the holding institution for permission to use or reproduce materials from their holdings.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
NS 0002
Access Rights
Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies.
This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
TSW1929_12reducedWM
Title
A name given to the resource
The Syrian World Volume 04, Issue 04
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1929 December
Description
An account of the resource
Volume 4 Issue 04 of The Syrian World published December 1929. First in this issue Ameen Rihani discusses the American conception of the "stage sheik," and he corrects this view as he has the experience to do so, with his travels throughout Arabia. Following that there is Paul Deab's poem titled "Renaissance," which paints a wintery scene. Salloum Mokarzel, the paper's editor, is featured next with more of his trip to Syria. This issue covers his trip to Zahle. His account is followed by a poem by Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin titled "Restless." Dr. Phillip Hitti is featured next with his discussion of the Druze religion, a rather secretive organization. Through translating some of the original text and prayers never before seen, he presents an interesting account of the religion. Adelaide Faris is also included for her own account of Syria, taken from her family trip a few years prior. Within it she presents a vivid account of the historic beauty of Syria like never before. An excerpt of Emile Dumit's play "Staging a Desert Scene" is presented last before an advertisement for the Great Syrian World Contest, which if won includes a free trip to Syria following the same route the editor Salloum Mokarzel took the summer of 1929 with his family. The issue concludes with excerpts from the Arab press, and an update on the political situation in Syria.
Subject
The topic of the resource
Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals
Arabs--United States--Periodicals
Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals
Language
A language of the resource
English
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Salloum A. Mokarzel
Syrian-American Press
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
New York Public Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
104 Greenwich St., New York, NY
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Text/pdf
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
The donor retains full ownership of any copyright and rights currently controlled. Nonexclusive right to authorize uses of these materials for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes are granted to Khayrallah Center pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Usage of the materials for these purposes must be fully credited with the source. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials.
1920s
Adelaide Faris
Ameen Rihani
Druze
Emile Dumit
New York
Paul Deab
Philip Khuri Hitti
Salim Alkazin
Syria
Travel