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VOL. IV. No. 8.
APRIL, 1931.
XTTF
w,
SYRIAN WORLD
A
MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING
WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE
m
m
GIBRAN MEMORIAL SECTION
m
THIRTY-TWO PAGES OF EULOGIES IN POETRY AND PROSE BY
AMERICAN AND SYRIAN ADMIRERS
CHIVALRY IN ARABIA AND ISLAM
DR. PHILIP K. HITTI
1
H
THE CASE OF THE SYRIAN WORLD
sssr
A FRANK DISCUSSION
in
A JOURNEY THROUGH JEBEL DRUZE
SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL
ALI ZAIBAQ (QUICKSILVER)
THE COPY 50c
(A SERIAL)
1
��THE
SYRIAN WORLD
Tublished monthly except July and August
by
THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS
104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y.
By subscription $5.00 a year.
Single Copies 50c.
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.
V.
No. 8.
APRIL, 1931
CONTENTS
PAGE
Chivalry in Arabia and Islam
DR. PHILIP
5
K.
HITTI
To Each His Profession
10
The Case of
11
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Reflections on Co-operation
Sayings of Alt
16
A Journey Through Jebel Druze
SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL
49
The Night and I (Poem)
59
DR. SALIM
..-
Y.
ALKAZIN
Alt Zaibaq (Serial)
60
Political Developments in Syria
64
About Syria and Syrians
66
-'
�QIBRAN MEMORIAL SECTION
PAGE
The Last Days of Gibran
Gibran's Funeral in Boston
,
-
BARBARA-YOUNG
>19
23
-
Americans Pay Tribute to Spirit of Gibran
A Reclamation
:
27
28
DR. CHARLES FLEISCHER
Gibran Lives
29
CLAUDE BRAGDON
He Brought Beauty and Truth
31
SYUD HOSSAIN
He Traveled with the Sun
33
A. MOKARZEL
The Voice of the Heights of Lebanon ....
SALLOUM
•• 35
REV. ROBERT NORWOOD
The Prophet Never Dies
••
M. RIHBANY
A Great Syrian of the Ages ....: :
REV. W. A. MANSUR
A Seer Departed
••
Valedictory
•••••••• "36"
REV. ABRAHAM
36
37
38
BARBARA YOUNG
Conqueror of the Sting
39
LEONORA SPEYER
Starry Son of Lebanon
40
EsTELLE DUCLO
The Mystic Pact
41
MISCHA NAIMY
To One Who Has Passed
42
MARY MOORE
Gibran*s Message to Young Americans of Syrian Origin 44
A Pledge
45
CECIL J. BADWAY
To One of Blessed Memory
46
THOMAS ASA
Truth Seeker
47
EDNA
K.
SALOOMEY
Poet of Our Land
PHILIP
47
C.
SABBAGHA
He Touched the Stars
LABEEBEE
48
A. J.
HANNA
f
�!
IN THIS ISSUE
For Those Who Would Know the High Lights of the
Material in This Number.
JHE death of Kahlil Gibran
is an epochal event in the
history of the Syrians in America. We mourn him in the proportion that we felt proud in his
achievements. The name of
Gibran will ever be one of our
racial assets, and where we
would possibly fail in fittingly
eulogizing his memory, his host
of American admirers will willingly take up the grateful task
of proclaiming his greatness.
THE SYRIAN WORLD feels itself especially privileged to be
able to devote the greater part
of this issue as a memorial to
Gibran. We are particularly
grateful to the many American
friends and admirers of our departed son who have cooperated
with us in making possible the
presentation of the imposing
array of eulogies and tributes
to his memory. Our sense of
spiritual kinship and closeness
is much keener now that they
and we are more strongly fused
by the spirit of Gibran.
£)R. Philip K. Hitti contributes to this issue the result
of some of the typical research
.
work for which he is noted.
There is always weight to Dr.
Hitti's logic and the ease with
which he arrays his facts denotes the breadth and depth of
his knowledge. His present article deals with the origin of
chivalry, and he easily traces it
to the plains of Syria when Crusader and Moslem met sometimes in combat and at other
times in peace. To those who
would gain valuable historical
knowledge written in an easy
and entertaining form Dr. Hitti's article should prove of
especial appeal.
Y^E would have much preferred to omit the presentation of the case of THE SYRIAN
WORLD from this issue.
But
since we committed ourselves by
a signed statement in the preceding issue to lay before the
public the facts in our present
situation, and because only two
issues remain for bringing to a
close our fifth year, we felt
constrained to live up to our
promise so as to insure reasonable time for our readers to
ponder the facts and express a
.
�mature opinion. We would request earnest and careful consideration of the facts on the
part of everyone of our readers as well as of those interested in the stabilization and
progress of the publication.
THE editor's present travel
article concludes the account
of his journey through Jebel
Druze. It may be judged long,
but we hope it will prove entertaining reading. An account is
given of a visit to the native
governor, a Pasha in his own
right, but one who has had conferred upon him the added title
of emir (prince) by none other
than the republican government
of France. Then if you would
know what occasioned the greatest surprise to an old native out
of all the wonders of America
you will be grievously disappointed that it is far by miles
from what you would imagine.
Our usually critical assistants
told us frankly that the present
article is the most entertaining
of the series. We trust the readers will also find it so.
READERS will observe that
although 32 pages, or half
the normal number of pages
in each issue, are dedicated to
the memory of Gibran, this
issue does not lack of other material. This is due to the fact
that we have added an extra
section to this issue, bringing
the total to eighty pages, and
making possible the maintenance of the regular departments
while providing space for other
material of a general nature.
Thus a complete instalment
of our serial Ali Zaibaq appears
as usual. And those who have "THOSE interested in the
been following the doings of
evaluation of the political
this inc. [ arable product of the situation in Syria will find a
Oriental imagination will find comprehensive survey of the
satisfaction in realizing that at latest developments.
What
last he has subdued his arch- might prove the beginning of
enemy and gained his revenge. a national policy of passive reThe circumstances of this epi- sistence similar to Gandhi's
sode are phenomenal, a beauti- movement in India has develful princess of the tribe of the oped in Beirut and quickly
jinn playing in it a leading spread to other sections of
part. But can we expect the tri- Syria. * * * The news departals of the hero to have come to ment in this issue contains much
an end? This is a question that information on happenings
will find a surprising answer in among Syrians in America and
the succeeding chapters.
abroad.
�I
THE
SYRIAN WORLD
VOL. V.
APRIL, 1931.
No. 8.
Chivalry in Arabia and Islam
"By
PROFESSOR PHILIP
K.
HITTI
of Princeton University
THHE flower of chivalry, which, nurtured by Islam, reached its
fullest bloom in Saladin and his contemporary Usamah, had
its roots in ancient heathen Arabia. Particularly among the Eedouins of north Arabia do we notice those prime elements which
enter into the composition of a chivalric knighthood. To the denizens of the desert fighting was a chronic mental mood, ghazu
(razzia) a national sport, camel raiding the only manly occupation and blood-feud the most important institutions. One Christian tribe, banu-'Udhrah, was proverbial for their respect for
womanhood and platonic love.
With the advent of the horse, in the first centuries of our era,
from Western Asia where it was introduced earlier by fU" Hittites, chivalry in its primitive form, as a body of horsemen equipped for battle, was developed. The horse soon became a war animal. It prolonged the legs of the warrior and afforded him more
mobility than the camel did. A whole literature in Arabic was
inspired by the horse.
Gradually the farts (horse rider) appropriated other functions to himself. In desertland where forage was scarce and the
horse an animal of luxury, the fans became the equivalent of
sayyid (chief). With the necessary traits of leadership he usually
combined a gift for poetry. In his poetical capacity he aroused
the martial enthusiasm of his tribesmen, extolled their virtues,
recited their ancestors' achievements, emphasized the weaknesses
of the enemy, and in general acted as the "press agent" for his
party. Thus the Bedouins came to consider the most enviable
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
title shd'ir faris (a poet-knight), and to regard the three factors
constituting the superiority of a tribe horsemanship (representing
military strength), poetry (an index of intelligence), and generosity (a sign of wealth).
The ay yam al-Arab, those combats which the tribes fought
amongst themselves in the pre-Muhammad era, afford us an insight into the spirit which animated those early warriors of the
peninsula. We see them here and there riding forth in quest of
adventure, rushing to the rescue of captive maidens, offering succor to the helpless and typifying those qualities most highly
prized by Arabians. Those virtues, summed up in the word muru'ah (manliness), included courage as measured by the number
of adversaries killed, loyalty as evidenced by devotion to the interests of the tribe, and generosity as manifested by the readiness
to slay camels for the guests.
The pages of al-AgMni, al-lqd al-Farid, and the numerous
diwdns are replete with cases illustrating the virtues of chivalry:
bravery in battle, fortitude in misfortune, defiance of the strong
and defence of the weak, as well as its vices: persistence in revenge, intolerance of others, and illicit sex relations. Al-Shanfara, Zayd al-Khayl (Zayd of the Horses), <Adi ibn-Hatim,
'Amr ibn-Ma'dikarib the champion of Yaman, Muhalhil ibn-Rabi'ah and 'Antarah ibn-Shaddad may be cited as types of preIslamic heroes. Al-Shanfara was taken captive while young, and
on his release took an oath to kill a hundred from among his captors. After making his ninety-ninth killing—so the story goes—
he was himself overpowered and slain. A member of the enemy
tribe, however, happened to stumble one day on al-Shanfara's
skull, as it lay bleaching on the ground, and received a wound
in his foot which resulted in his death—thus completing the required number.
But the name of 'Antarah has lived in Arabic literature as
the paragon of chivalric conduct. This Bedouin Achilles, who
flourished in the last decade of the sixth century, was the son of
a black slave woman and could not therefore be regarded as a
legitimate member of the family unless so acknowledged by his
father. On one occasion, while his father's tribe was hotly engaged in battle, the lad refused to take part saying, "A slave
knows not how to fight, milking camels is his job." Thereupon
the father shouted, "Charge! thou art free." 'Antarah's romance
(sirah), which took its present form during the Crusades, is still
�zAPRIL, 1931
1.
relished by large audiences in the cafes of Cairo, Beirut and
Baghdad.
Islam fell heir to these pagan Arabian rudiments of chivalry
and added its own contribution. In Islam the consecration of war
to the service of religion—two seemingly incongruous ideas—
and their fusion into a homogeneous whole were carried to a
more successful extent than in any other major religion. Of all
systems of belief, Muhammadanism is the only one which holds
"holy war" (jihad) among its cardinal tenets and promises him
who dies on its battlefield a passport to heaven.
Himself an orphan who had felt the pinch of poverty, Muhammad in his social legislation favored the fatherless and motherless, the poor, the slaves, the wayfarers, and this constitutes
the most humane part of his code (Koran 4:2, 3, 40; 16:73; 24:
33, etc.). To the two fundamental principles of chivalry—war
and religion—the third, gallantry, was now added. Nevertheless,
Arab chivalry even in its Islamic development remained a spirit,
a way of life, and never became, as in the Occident, an organized
institution. In the Moslem army of conquest the distinctive qualities of the chivalric knights, which at their best were valor,
honor, piety, and love, and at their worst ferocity, perfidy, fanaticism and lust, were all represented.
The early Moslems, following the heathen Arabians, considered him who could compose in prose and verse, ride, swim and
shoot arrows an educated cultured man. Such a person was called
kamil (the perfect one).
In Arabic literature the first poets to specialize in love and
in singing the praises of the fair sex were all post-Islamic. Such
was 'Umr ibn-abi-Rab!'ah (d. ca. 720) the Ovid of Mecca. An
Unmayyad poet sang:
"Our (i. e., man's) lot is to kill or be killed, or be taken captive.
Woman's part is gracefully to manage her train."
Those first Crusaders who came into the Holy Land cherishing a vague idea that the Saracens were idolaters who worshiped a certain "Baphomet" whose wicked body neither heaven
nor earth would accept and therefore lay suspended between the
two, were soon disillusioned. The early contacts showed the
mailed gentlemen of Europe that he had met his match in Asia,
and that neither in magnanimity nor in military prowess was a
Cceur de Lion superior to a Saladin.
Usamah (1095-1188) has inadvertently left us in his me-
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"THE SYRIAN WORLD
moirs the clearest picture of an Islamic knight—the knight being
the author himself. In all his dealings with friend and foe this
.Syrian gentleman astounds us with his highly developed sense of
chivalry and fairness. As he sights at a distance eight Frankish
knights and his comrade suggests resort to a ruse, Usamah insists
on meeting the enemy face to face. An aged slave who had
brought him up as a child, he addresses as "mother" and devotes
an apartment in his home to her exclusive use. The European
and Armenian hostages released from his castle, Shayzar, and
waylaid by Moslems, he is willing to rescue at all cost, whereas
Baldwin authorizes an attack at Acre (<Akka) on the ship bringing Usamah's family from Egypt, notwithstanding the safeconduct which the king himself had issued.
But Saladin (Salah-al-Din) was the real paragon of Islamic
knighthood who exemplified all the virtues and graces of Arab
chivalry. When the crusading army entered Jerusalem (1099)
it inaugurated the "kingdom of God" by slaughtering some two
°^duCnnstK"» and Jews. When Saladin retook the city
UI87), he accepted ransom for men, women and children and
released several thousands of them who could not pay. Those
same women and children refugees found the gates of Tyre
closed by Conrad in their face and the Italian sailors in Alexandria unwilling to take them on board without due payment.
Reginald of Chatillon, who in violation of treaty terms had attacked a caravan near his stronghold Crac (Karak), fell after the
battle of Hattin (1187) into the hands of Saladin. The latter
had sworn to take with his own hand the life of the truce-breaker.
1 he prisoner was offered a cup of refreshments; but Saladin was
quick to explain that since it was not ordered by him, the drink
did not constitute an amnesty, the Arab custom being that of considering any one safe after partaking of the hospitality of another.
Saladin's nephew, al-Malik al-Kamil, was knighted with full
ceremony on Palm Sunday (May 29), 1192, in Acre by Richard,
who was friendly with the youth's father.
European chivalry never denied that it developed out of an
early mass of usages, mainly Gallic, into an organic shape on the
plains of Syria. There in the first part of the twelfth century,
the earliest formal orders of knighthood—the Hospitalers and
the Templars—were established. As early as the eighth century
the Umayyad Caliph al-Walid (705-15) had houses built for
the lepers and the insane. The Order of St. Lazarus which was
�m -
zAPRIL, 1931
9
founded for assisting the lepers, and many Lazar houses which
grew later in the West, followed the Eastern precedent.
In Spain, Cordova with its frequent jousts and tournaments
was the hearth of Arab chivalry. To the Moslem courts of alNasir (912-61) and his son al-Hakam (961-76), where the punctilious code of honor and the knightly polish were assiduously
cultivated, flocked Christian knights under guaranty of safe-conduct to break lance with the Moorish cavaliers. In Granada, ibnHudhayl wrote (1400) The Ornament of Chevaliers and Banner
of Gallants. When the queen of Alfonso VII was besieged
(1139) in Azeca and reproached the Moslem horsemen for attacking a castle defended by a female, the only condition laid,
according to the story, was to have the lady show herself from
the window, upon which the siege was immediately raised. The
Cid (short for sayyid), the national hero of Spain whose name
Spanish ballads have surrounded with a saintly aureole, fought
first with and later against the Moors. The orders of monastic
knights organized in the twelfth century in Spain and Portugal
had for object the recovering of the peninsula from the Crescent
for the Cross.
In French the first full portrait of a knight is depicted by the
oldest French epic, the Chanson de Roland. Roland was a commander in Charlemagne's expedition against the Moslems in
Spain. In Germany the golden age of chivalry was attained under
Frederick Barbarossa who perished in the waters of a Cilician
river before reaching Palestine, only to become the legendary
ideal of Teutonic knighthood. The conventions and poetical technique of the German minnesingers bear the stamp of the French
troubadours, who in turn show the influence of the Oriental bards.
The Mameluke dynasty of Egypt (1250-1517) which dealt
the final blow to the Crusaders, was represented in the field of
chivalry by Baybars (1260-77) whose daring exploits and acts
of generosity, like those of 'Antarah, are still recited throughout
the Arabic-speaking world. The fdris, who figures in The Arabian
Nights, embodies the Mameluke ideals of a hero rather than the
'Abbasids', as ordinarily supposed.
The beginnings of European heraldry, a direct product and
characteristic token of chivalry, may be traced also to the Arab
world. The Crusaders brought back with them in the twelfth
century the germs of heraldic bearings. Saladin probably had the
eagle for crest, ibn-Tulun (868-77) the lion, and Bar-
�I
10
THE SYRIAN WORLD
quq (1382-98) the falcon. Baybars's lion can still be seen carved
on the bridge he built across the Jordan. Most of the Mamelukes
bore names of animals, the corresponding images of which they
blazoned on their shields. On a Zangid coin struck in Sinjar
(1190) we see the double-headed eagle, a bird of Sumerian origin
and later adopted in Europe and the U. S. A. The Eastern
origin of heraldic terms may be illustrated by such words as
"azure" (Arabic), "gules" (probably Persian). Among presentday Moslems the crescent and star, the lion and the sun represent the sole remnant of heraldry.
A number of the new orders of ornamental chivalry, Masonic
lodges, and shrines in Europe and America bear in their ritual
and technical vocabulary clear Islamic and Arabic influence.
To Each His Profession
Arab chroniclers relate that Al-Walid, the Umayyad Caliph,
was possessed with such phenomenal physical strength that he
used to have his feet shackled with an iron chain, and while thus
handicapped, spring with one bound on the back of a horse, without recourse to the use of his hands, and break the chain.
One day he boasted of his strength and asked his viziers if
they knew of anyone who could best him in wrestling. "Yes,"
they replied, "a certain modest professional wrestler of Khorassan."
The Caliph ordered the wrestler brought to Damascus. He
warned him against showing any courtesy or favor under pain
of death, while he spared no effort in an attempt to conquer his
rival.
The professional wrestler soon had the Caliph at his mercy,
and lifting him at arm's length in the air, carried him to his
throne and thus addressed him:
"Here, sire, you are in your place. In wrestling you are out
of your class. And please never meddle in anything that you
can avoid."
�J
zJPRIL, 1931
11
The Case of The Syrian World
Should the Magazine be Continued? If So, How?
yHE SYRIAN WORLD is now at the cross-roads of its existence. Its fate is in the hands of the public. We are laying
our case before our readers frankly and without reservation and
shall await their verdict.
As explained in our statement in the preceding issue, we have
not lost hope or confidence, and it is not our intention to discontinue the publication if such a step can possibly be avoided. We
have, on the contrary, decided to invite this symposium in the
hope of having the public hold council with us on ways and means
of continuing and perpetuating the enterprise. The questions we
promised in the last issue to lay before our readers are now submitted for their consideration.
HOW THE MAGAZINE BEGAN
Five years ago THE SYRIAN WORLD was launched as a medium of service to the Syrian-American generation in the hope
of bringing to them, in the only language they can understand,
an appreciation of their racial heritage that they may strive to
keep alive the best of their native traditions and culture. It was
a pioneering experiment, and we depended for its success on public support. It was, furthermore, and continues to this day, a personal enterprise for which no subsidy or support was forthcoming
from any source, whether public or private. We built our hope
of making it self-supporting on our racial consciousness. But the
enterprise never proved self-supporting. The accumulating deficit was met each year from other private sources of the publisher,
until the publication now finds itself facing the crisis of its existence unless some means is devised for its continuation. The
publisher has reached the limit of his resources.
Through its whole career the publication was carried on as a
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12
THE SYRIAN WORLD
labor of love, not alone on the part of the publisher and editor,
but also on the part of the many contributors and collaborators
who have unstintingly given of their time and ability practically
without remuneration. Our contributors, as the files of THE
SYRIAN WORLD will indicate, comprise practically our best talent,
some of whom are internationally known authors whose works
command high prices, but who were willing to be associated with
the magazine, and contribute to it gratuitously, in order to promote its educational mission, and rear of it a literary monument
to our kind in America. No words of ours could adequately convey our thanks and gratitude to this fine body of men and women
patriots, but if ever an appraisal of disinterested public service
for the Syrian cause is to be made in the future, the pages of
THE SYRIAN WORLD will provide a roster of their names.
But in spite of the imposing list of our contributors, the circulation of the magazine never reached the proportion where it
could cover its mere physical production. And not only is this
our situation at present, but it is rather aggravated by existing
economic conditions. Hence the painful necessity of taking council with the public. The publication will have to be discontinued
unless sufficient public interest is aroused to stimulate wider interest. The metropolitan field is adequately covered. We can
safely state that in New York and vicinity the magazine is farreaching in its influence. But our aim is to make it a national organ—a mouthpiece of our people throughout America and the
English-speaking countries, that its message might be general instead of local. The burden must fall on the whole community
instead of on a small portion of it. This would bring it to the
point where it would be truly representative and effective.
In view of this situation, we ask our readers and the general
public to give consideration to the following questions and proposals which we are submitting for their frankest discussion. Two
issues of the magazine are yet to appear before the close of its
fifth year, and we would appreciate early replies, so that if any
important decision is reached it will be carried out with the beginning of next volume.
1 — IS THE MAGAZINE NEEDED
The fundamental question under the circumstances is whether
the magazine is considered needed sufficiently to be continued.
When first launched it was in the nature of an experiment. No
J
�_
'tAPRILy 1931
13
one is responsible for that first move except the publisher and
those whom he consulted and gave their approval and encouragement. Now that five years have been spent in giving the experiment a trial the public should be in a position to decide whether
the experiment has justified itself morally and should be continued and supported financially. The needed support can come
only through an increase in national circulation and in this every
individual can become a partner in the enterprise and help spread
the publication to the end that it will become self-supporting. Our
readers will recall that we have made an attempt to incorporate
the magazine in order to raise sufficient working capital. This,
in the last analysis, would place the burden or responsibility on
the shoulders of a few with no guarantee of safety and success
if public support is not forthcoming. Now what is the public prepared to do in the matter? If the answer to this question be that
the magazine is needed and should be continued, to what extent
is the public willing to help?
2 — SHOULD THE NAME BE RETAINED?
The name "THE SYRIAN WORLD" was adopted because
of its inclusiveness and decided advantage as a racial asset. A
publication directly identified with us lends prestige to us as a
group in America, and as such it will of necessity remain a group
organ devoid of the potentiality of general appeal. Now we face
the question: Is the name of sufficient value to us as a means of
distinct identification, or should it be discarded for a non-committal name which would hold broader possibilities of general appeal?
Those favoring a change of name may submit substitutes.
3 — IS THE CONTENT MATTER SUITABLE?
Considering the purpose of the magazine, it has been the uniform policy of the editor to keep its content matter within the
range prescribed by its original purpose, namely, to provide the
Syrian-American generation and those interested in Syrian affairs with that material that is unavailable in other English mediums. It was never designed to invade the field of the daily
newspaper or the general American periodical with which it manifestly cannot begin to compete. But in those very things in which,
from our own special point of view, other publications were lacking, THE SYRIAN WORLD attempted to supply the deficiency. In
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
the special field of Syrian interest, the magazine was made to
cover the widest range, from history, literature, and Arab lore,
to general news about Syrian activities in Syria and throughout
the world. It was also generous in fiction of a nature compatible
with its purpose. It gave a comprehensive monthly resume of
political developments in Syria without prejudice or bias.
Since THE SYRIAN WORLD has been consistent in maintaining
this policy during the five years of its publication, what, in the
opinion of our readers, can be its shortcomings whether in commission or omission?
4 —SHOULD THE SIZE BE CHANGED?
There was no particular reason for adopting the present size
of the magazine except its convenience for immediate handling
and its adaptability to binding for future reference. The magazine was not intended as of passing interest and for temporary
amusement; it was meant to be a medium of permanent value,
encyclopaedic in its information, and fit for preservation in every
Syrian home as a source of useful information for future generations. We have the alternative of doubling the size of the page,
which would permit of more display, but necessitating a reduction in the number of pages from sixty-four to thirty-two. In
the latter case it would be the size of the Literary Digest. Which
would readers prefer?
*
*
*
*
Once these questions are answered, we could have a true
indication of the readers' preferences. The most important question is whether or not the magazine is considered needed as a
racial organ in America. Those answering in the affirmative
might be in a position to offer helpful suggestions as to the means
of continuing and promoting it. If THE SYRIAN WORLD, or whatever other name is decided for it, is viewed as an influence in
our life, an asset to our racial prestige, an organ of our culture,
then the responsibility of preserving and promoting it should be
a matter of public concern. We are assuming that there are sufficient public-spirited Syrians in America who will give the matter
•serious consideration and share with the publisher the responsibility which so far he has been carrying alone. And now that we
have laid the case of THE SYRIAN WORLD before the public, we
shall await the verdict before the end of our fifth year, which
falls with the June issue.
if
�IAPRIL,
1931
15
Reflections on Co-operation
2fy A
READER
QO-OPERATION is a word that people are prone to use too
freely. No matter what the objective may be, at some time
or other, the advocate of that objective will call upon his listeners or readers to "co-operate". In the case of listeners, the audience usually claps enthusiastically. And thereby "co-operates".
In the case of readers, from several of them there is the usual
expression of sympathy and approval. And thereby they "cooperate".
Co-operation, I believe, means more than that. Webster has
this to say: "To act or operate jointly with another or others;
concurrent effort or labor." It seems to me that Webster did not
intend to include hand-clappers and letter-writers, unless you reduce the definition to a literal absurdity. There wouldn't seem to
be much "effort" or "labor" or "action" to hand-clapping and
letter-writing.
I believe in calling a spade a spade. A King, Queen, Jack,
Ten and Nine of a suit couldn't be called a Royal Flush even
though it is close. I know from bitter experience that the Ace
is a necessary card.
Hand-clapping, of course, is good moral support. No one, I
think, would deny that. It serves to instill a confidence. It encourages the convictions of whatever beliefs promulgators of an
objective may have. But I don't believe that all the moral-support in the world could really be called co-operation.
It seems to me we ought to stop fooling ourselves. We ought
either to really co-operate or be willing to admit that we have
only been hand-clapping all the time.
i
Which all reminds me. I read the editor's statement in the
March issue to the effect that the publication is in financial
straits. He explained that unless positive support were forthcoming there would be little likelihood of its continued existence.
To me, this seems a shame. That THE SYRIAN WORLD, which is
the only medium in English serving to elevate the Syrian race
�--
16
THE SYRIAN WORLD
in the United States, should cease to be published, because of the
failure of Syrians to support it, would indelibly stain our fair
name.
It seems to me that I would do my level best to keep alive
anyone or anything that told the world how good I was. Very
few people in this old world of ours are constructively critical.
I suppose most of us have become so accustomed to hearing destructive criticisms that when a real constructive leader happens
in our midst, we don't know what to do.
I'll tell you what I think we ought to do. We ought to subscribe to the publication. We ought to induce those among us
who are not subscribers to subscribe. We ought to preach the
cause of THE SYRIAN WORLD at any opportunity.
I think we ought to remember that this publication does not
really belong to the Editor or to the Publisher. It belongs to us.
It belongs to all the Syrians. It belongs to all the Syrian-Americans. It belongs to all those of Syrian extraction who speak English. It seems to me that we owe our support to anything that
belongs to us.
Let us have more action and less hand-clapping.
Sayings of Ali
Your best friends are those who direct you to the path of
goodness.
*
*
*
A light heart is better than a light purse.
*
*
*
A man's character is judged by his actions j his knowledge
by his speech.
*
*
*
Persistence in the suppression of anger is an infallible guarantee of peace of mind.
*
*
*
Conceit is a stigma on knowledge.
*
*
*
The miserly rich is poorer than the generous poor.
*
*
*
A slap by the beloved carries a double sting.
1
i
�JLPRIL, 1931
17
Jto 4ffl?mnrtam
GIBRAN KAHLIL GIBRAN
Becharri, Mt. Lebanon, 1883—New York, 1931
i
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18
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Gibran Kahlil Gibran
Gibran Kahlil Gibran was known to the literary world, except
in his mother Arabic language, simply as Kahlil Gibran. In giving him his first name, a common Syrian practice was followed
designed to perpetuate the name of the founder of the family.
The Gibran family is well-known in Becharri, Gibran's birthplace. He was connected on his mother's side with the equally
well-known local family of Rahme.
The etymology of the two family names assumes especial significance viewed in conjunction with the character of Gibran. Gibran is from the Arabic verb Gabar, meaning to mend. It is applied figuratively to those who bring relief in distress. Rahme
is charity. The combination appears singularly prophetic.
Gibran was born in Becharri, Mt. Lebanon, in 1883. At the
age of twelve he came to the United States, but after two years
returned to Syria for his education, attending the Al-Hikmat College at Beirut, where he took up Arabic and French.
In 1903 he returned to America. After five years, most of
which he spent in Boston, he went abroad to study painting in
Paris. In 1912 he moved to New York and made his permanent
home there.
The English works of Gibran are "The Madman," published
in 1918, "The Forerunner," in 1920, "The Prophet," in 1923,
"Jesus the Son of Man," in 1928, and "The Earth Gods," in
1931. He had under preparation another work which was to appear under the title "The Garden of the Prophet." The Prophet
was his most successful work, of which his publishers state more
than seventy thousand copies were sold. It was translated into
more than twenty languages.
Almost all of Gibran's published works in Arabic antedate
his English works. In Arabic Gibran was the creator of a style
of writing that was altogether his own and came to be exclusively
identified with him. His influence spread through all the Arabicspeaking world.
Gibran was one prophet who was honored during his lifetime
by his own countrymen. In January, 1929, the Syrian community
of New York held a banquet at one of the leading hotels to celebrate the twenty-fifth literary anniversary of Gibran, commemorating the publication of his first Arabic book.
�Ti i
<APRIL, 1931
19
The Last Days of Gibran
SUDDEN and tragic was the end of our beloved poet, Gibran
Kahlil Gibran. Death came to him at ten minutes before eleven
o clock on the night of Friday, April 10, 1931, at St. Vincent's
Hospital in New York, where he had been removed from his
studio on the morning of the same day. At about two in the afternoon he lapsed into a state of coma from which he never emerged
His sister Mariana, who had come from Boston, and a few intimate friends, were at his bedside. Practically until the very last
day before his removal to the hospital Gibran had shown the indomitable will which characterized his mastery of the spirit over
the flesh throughout life. Even until Thursday he was working
on some unfinished manuscripts and drawings. His studio on
VVest lenth Street showed, if anything, even increased signs of
that orderly activity which marked his work.
, i?n Jhursday morning Mrs, Anna Johansen, the caretaker
at. Lhe Studio Building, carried Gibran his simple breakfast as
was her custom, and his weakness gave her a sense of alarm She
called on the phone to Mrs. Leonobel Jacobs, a friend of many
years, and a one time resident of the same building. Mrs. Jacobs
responded at once and brought with her a physician of note a
specialist, and he ordered the removal of the patient to the hospital. It was, however, considered that Gibran's own request to
wait until Friday morning might safely be regarded. In the early
afternoon of Thursday, Barbara Young, his close friend and conhdante m his English work, came to the Studio and was at once
deeply anxious about his condition. She remained with him and
he talked of his current work, the high interest in still unfinished
drawings, and future books. About eight-thirty Mrs. Jacobs returned with the physician, and again the assurance was given that
he could safely wait until morning before going to St. Vincent's
Hospital. His wish to do so being so very positive.
During Thursday evening, until after midnight', when he fell
into an uneasy sleep, he talked with Miss Young of his beloved
country of his mother, and of his sister Mariana. Still the unfinished drawings were foremost in his mind, and he said "These
hands must still do some work upon them, before thev can go
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
Just before the removal to the hospital, Gibran was very conscious of the anxiety in Miss Young's face, and he said, almost at
the moment the doctors entered the room, "Don't be troubled.
All is well."
He was carried into St. Vincent's at ten-thirty in the forenoon,
and a consultation was immediately called. Mariana was summoned and she hastened by the first train from Boston, accompanied by Gibran's cousins, Mrs. Rose Diab and Assaf George, arriving only after her brother had become unable to recognize her.
In mid-afternoon a second consultation was hurriedly called,
and at dusk still another eminent physician was brought to the
bedside. But to no avail. His long struggle had consumed his
last ounce of strength which suddenly broke down beyond hope
of mending by any human assistance.
At 5 o'clock Miss Young telephoned to the office of THE
SYRIAN WORLD to advise the editor of Gibran's condition. She
felt it her duty, she said, considering the gravity of the situation,
to make the fact known to Gibran's people.
The news came as a terrible shock. Only a few days before
the editor had been speaking to the famous poet and the latter's
voice seemed to be charged with a distinct tone of cheerfulness
and hope. His "The Earth Gods" had just appeared and he was
working on still another book scheduled to appear in the fall, he
announced.
Such feelings of grave apprehension and anxiety as came to
the editor at that moment are experienced only when a man of
public responsibility faces the danger of a national calamity, and
as such to him would be viewed the loss of Gibran. Hastily communicating the news to Mischa Naimy, the editor sped to the
hospital, only to find Gibran already in a comatose state. By his
side were Barbara Young, Mrs. William Brown Maloney, Miss
Adele Watson and Mrs. Leonobel Jacobs, all known American
writers and artists, whose apprehension and grief showed plainly
on their faces, seemingly unable to admit the possibility of Gibran coming to such an untimely death. Gibran is to them what he
is to every Lebanese and Syrian, a brother whose passing meant
a deep personal loss. They were all with him to the end.
Chor-Bishop Francis Wakim, pastor of St. Joseph's Maronite
church in New York, had been summoned by the hospital management but found the patient already unconscious.
The tense anxiety of the four American ladies was fast grow-
1
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< APRIL, 1931
21
trig. Could it be possible that, the light will never again shine in
Gibran's eyes, his voice never again speak to those who held him
so dearly? We spoke to him in his own language, hoping he
might react to memories of his youth, but it was apparent that
the only language Gibran could now understand was that of the
calling angels.
The moment of the great passing was quiet and without pain
or struggle. At his bedside were Barbara Young and Mischa
Naimy, and in an adjoining room, Mrs. Jacobs and Mrs. Melonev
and Miss Watson waited with Mariana and the two cousins, hoping until the final breath was drawn for some miracle which
would restore the vigor and power of this friend and brother.
The metropolitan press the following day published long accounts of Gibran's life, and the news of his death was carried by
Associated Press dispatches to the world.
The scene at Gibran's studio on the following day was heartrending. The pitiful lamentations of Mariana aroused memories
which continually brought tears to the eyes of the many sympathizers who grouped about her. And there were Gibran's books
and drawings, and wood-carvings, and the many altars he had set
about the room, and the tapestries of religious designs he had
hung along the walls, all reminiscent of his work of hand and
pen and brush, and symbolic of the depth of his spiritual feelings and convictions. Papers were piled high on his desk, and
scattered over the tables. Some one picked up the cover of a
cigarette box, and Gibran had written on it in Arabic one of his
typical epigrams: "Weariness might well be the height of ambition
"My brother always enjoined me from throwing away empty
cigarette boxes or paper slips. He used to write on anything that
was handy," explained Mariana between sobs.
Saturday and Sunday the body, banked with wreaths of orchids and lilies, lay at the Universal Funeral Parlors in Lexington Avenue, where hundreds filed by in reverence and grief in a
continual stream. Many of the mourners were personal friends,
but many others were admirers who had never met in person this
gifted son of the East, but came to love and revere him by his
works. They were from all nationalities, because Gibran's fame
was not confined to the people of one language or race. Some of
his books had been translated into as many as twenty languages.
MMtiNlMN
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?HE SYRIAN WORLD
But all who came represented the finest artistic and literary element in American life.
The names of many of these who came to render their silent
tribute are known both here and abroad. Among these were Mrs.
Corinne Roosevelt Robinson who rose from her own sick bed to
stand beside the bier of this inestimable friend; Leonora Speyer,
Rose O'Neill, Margaret Sanger, Alice Raphael, Natalie Sedgwick
Colby; and through Rose O'Neill came messages of devotion and
sorrow from Witter Bynner, Daniel Long, and Orrick Johns,
fellow poets and friends of long and happy years.
The body was taken to Boston for interment in the family
plot where Gibran's mother rests. Accompanying the bereaved
sister were a number of devoted American friends and members
of Ar-Rabitah, the Arabic literary circle which Gibran had founded and of which he had been president.
During the past winter Gibran had taken a keen pleasure in
translating several of the simple beautiful poems from his Arabic
into English. The last poem, which he dictated to Barbara
Young but a very short time, a fortnight perhaps, before his passing, is this:
Whence, Bride of my dreams?
Go hence slowly, Bride of my deeper Dream;
For I am now weary afoot,
And I cannot follow.
Nay, go fast, faster,
Bride of my dreams,
For the valleys and the higher hills
That I feared but yesterday,
Now I would cross and climb.
Go fast, faster. I follow.
The spirit is ready and I would now run.
Fly, Bride of my dreams,
For there are wings springing upon my shoulders.
The flame that I feared of burning
Now I would embrace;
And now I would bathe only at the high tide of
the sea.
�\APR1L, 1931
23
It was at the autumn of my years
That I beheld you in the mist,
Bride of my dreams.
Now it is spring.
Run fast. Fly high.
I follow.
We shall pass into the twilight,
Perchance to wake to the dawn of another world.
But love shall stay,
And his finger-marks shall not be erased.
The blessed forge burns,
The sparks rise, and each spark is a sun.
Better it is for us and wiser
To seek a shadowed nook and sleep in our earth
divinity,
And let love, human and frail, command the
coming day.
These words close the last published book of Gibran Kahlil
Gibran.
Gibran s Funeral in Boston
'By BARBARA YOUNG
was love, human and frail, love stricken with a grief entirely
ITbeyond
expression, that met the body of Gibran as it was taken
from the train at South Station at five in the afternoon of Monday, April 13. The platforms and waiting-rooms were overflowing with hundreds of weeping people who had come to receive
this body of the Syrian poet who was their beloved, "habibi."
This was the word on every tongue. Gibran's close personal
friend and the priest of the Church of Our Lady of the Cedars,
Chor-Bishop Stephen El-Douaihy, in his robes, met Mariana
Gibran and her cousins, and the American and Syrian friends who
had accompanied them from New York. A group of notable
Boston men led by Elias F. Shamon, Gibran's friend and legal
counsellor, placed upon the casket the beautiful Lebanese flag,
and it was borne to the home of the Syrian Ladies' Aid Society
�„1: '"r
"
24
THE SYRIAN WORLD
on West Newton street, where, lying in silent state, Gibran received the hundreds of sorrowing hearts that came to look upon
his quiet face, and express with rivers of tears, and with the tenderest and most blessed words, their overwhelming grief.
The writer was moved, beyond any words to tell, by the interminable lines of weeping beings from every walk in life that
passed through the long room, softly lighted, banked with the
loveliest of flowers, tapers burning at the head and foot of the
simple casket, and a guard of honor, young men from the Becharre Society, standing always, day and night, beside their sleeping countryman.
On Tuesday, when the long procession wound through the
city streets, making its way to the Church of Our Lady of the Cedars on Tyler Street, it was accompanied by hundreds of loving
people. And as the cortege passed by many dropped upon their
knees upon the curb to pray; and the scores of traffic officers of
Boston stood at salute as the flag-draped casket went by.
It was impossible for the many hundreds of friends to find
places inside the little church, and they waited in silence on the
sidewalk during the service conducted by the Rt. Reverend Stephen El-Douaihy, with moving and impressive chant and recitative which is a part of the Maronite funeral service. In the
little organ loft a beautiful single voice was suddenly lifted in
a pean of sad beauty. It was the voice of a young Syrian girl,
Nagiebie Mourad, whose singing had enchanted Gibran many
times, and in whose gift he had a faith and confidence.
Beside the candles stood a young altar-boy who had been a
protege of Gibran, and whose dark eyes ran over with tears which
he tried in vain to control.
•
The organizations represented at the services included the
Syrian Ladies' Aid Society, Syrian Educational Society, St. George
Society of Antioch, Damascus Church Society, Massachusetts Syrian Association of American Citizens, Mount Lebanon Club of
Boston and Lebanon League of Progress of New York.
At the tomb wherein the mortal garment had been laid,
awaiting a possible removal to the country of the cedars, the
throngs of now utterly silent friends listened to the words of
love and sorrow and farewell voiced by the Monsignor and by
the countrymen of Gibran who had come from New York to pay
the last possible tribute to his visible presence.
Never have I beheld expressions of greater tenderness nor
�25
?APRlLy1931
of deeper grief. "Much have I loved the world, and the world
has loved me," Gibran has written in his unfinished "Garden of
the Prophet." He knew in his great heart that this was indeed so.
And this profound and deathless love through which he gave
himself in ceaseless measure to the world shall be ever his honor
and his reward.
These words, again from his "Earth Gods," might well be
his epitaph:
"My god-heart within my human ribs
Shouts to my god-heart in mid-air.
The human pit that wearied me calls to divinity.
The beauty that we have sought from the beginning
Calls unto divinity.
I heed and I have measured the call,
And now I yield.
Beauty is a path that leads to self self-slain.
Beat your strings.
I will to walk the path.
It stretches ever to another dawn."
The Creative Hand, by Gibran
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
.2
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-*-s
03
£
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3
-
�tAPRIL, 1931
27
Americans Pay Tribute to Spirit
of Gibran
Impressive Services Held at the Roerich Museum by
Representative American Intellectuals.
"THOUGH Gibran be dead, his memory will ever live; his influence on the spiritual life of America will gain momentum
with the passing of years; his creations of pen and brush will constitute one of the finest contributions of his race to the youngAmerican nation. Such was the general theme of the many eulogies, in poetry and prose, contributed to the memorial services to
the "Spirit of Gibran," held in the East Hall of the Roerich
Museum, 103rd Street and Riverside Drive in New York on the
afternoon of Wednesday, April 29.
The occasion was marked by the simplicity, dignity, and uplifting influence characteristic of the Spirit of Gibran, which it
was meant to symbolize. The thought of rendering this public
tribute to our departed poet was in the minds of all his many
friends and admirers since he died, but was first given expression
by Dr. Charles Fleischer, well-known author and lecturer, who
was most generous in time and energy in organizing the meeting.
The two-hundred or more in attendance were representative
of the city's best intellectual element. There were authors and
lecturers, artists, educators and men and women of various professions. A number of Syrians were also present, but not in the
proportion to properly indicate Gibran's place in the esteem of
his own people, since it had been announced in the Syrian press
that a special memorial meeting, to be conducted in Arabic, was
to be held in Brooklyn, Sunday evening, May 24.
Throughout the meeting, the chairman, Dr. Fleischer, punctuated the eulogies with the reading of selected passages from
Gibran's works. He opened with the fitting quotation, "Mayhap
a funeral among men is a wedding-feast among the angels."
Prince Hohiudin, scion of the Arab Hashemite family of the
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
Prophet, played "Du bist die Ruh" on the 'cello to the piano ac
compamment of Mr. Reitner. The opening remarks of the hair
zttune to the spirituaJ nature f the
ssjr?
i together with other poems
° and°«'
on! ?i;
Fletcher's remarks,
eulogies
de
Wed on this occasion, are published elsewhere in this ifsu )
that Mrs Cirman 2* mafyTJtCiegramS °f re^ret and announced
that Mrs. Connne Roosevelt Robinson, sister of the late president
Roosevelt and a devoted friend and admirer of cSTadat
SSS iirpZr' ^ * ^ ** ^ ** ^ «
Miss Estelle Duclo and Mr. Mischa Naimy delivered their
poems, while the chairman read the poem
of Miss Barbara Youn^
composed especialiy for the occasionP ^ y^^^^SS
eihan Synan com
to musi'c «\rf? 1
'
P°s^-P-"-t, had put
C Linscott to Fnl?h >P°emS' Wh,ch was
S W Mr. Hubert
e. Linscott to Fuleihan's piano accompaniment. Mr Claude
oralnsn' "
"^ "* ^ ^
A
'
Moka
^ *&«a
The ceremonies were closed with Prince Mohiudin nkvine
P
some touching Oriental music on the oud
' 8
« Thl manaSers.ofrthe Roerich Museum expressed their deen
P
sympathy and spmt of cooperation by donating the hall
A RECLAMATION
Opening Remarks of the Chairman,
DR. FLEISCHER
"The Cosmos sends a creative challenge to her Earth Chil
dren: to escape oblivion-as best we can. Each accordmg to h s
power-in his brief allowance of earthly life-achieves escape
Zgttrf t°b/r°n (WmS
a
%0 - ^ adds hiS
through work, to the mounting worth of the world.
For, "what is excellent—is permanent "
One so harmoniously attuned to the music of the spheres-
pe^^rh^uT^I brUShJ
Wkh th md d
/
° ^ °f U"
speech with truth, beauty, wisdom, understanding: like our
friend Kahlil Gibran-uttered himself, as poet, arfist prophet
in spntual terms,-well, his passing from our ^igh and ken s
really only a reclamation by the Eternal Spirit of the Cosmos
_
�vfPRIL, 1931
29
Therefore, we mourn not; because we can easily take, as the
keynote for our "Tribute to the Spirit of Kaklil Gibran" his
own words from "Sand and Foam":
"Mayhap a funeral among men is a wedding-feast among
the angles."
GIBRAN LIVES
'By
CLAUDE BRAGDON
The elegiac note is not the proper one for this occasion, as
Doctor Fleischer has well said. When a prophet dies—and no
one is more deserving than Gibran of that title—it is a surcease
from labor and a release from "the narrow prison of the breast."
It was a release also in this case from physical suffering so protracted and intense that no matter how keen our personal loss
we should rejoice today that this Bird of God is free at last.
As prophet, poet, painter, seer, Gibran is well known to you
all; therefore upon these aspects, in the short time at my disposal, I shall not dwell, but attempt rather to tell you something
about him as a man and as a friend. For he was my friend from
far back—I even think in other lives. Our first coming together
was "like kinsmen met a-night," and those thereafter, however
infrequent, were as though we had just parted and would never
part again.
I can testify to the truth of what his fellow-countryman has
just told you: that though dwelling far from home and writing
in an alien language his great love for his birthplace and his
birthright remained unimpaired. Lebanon was to him a sacred
land, a nursery of saints and prophets; and he always insisted
that it was their light which he sent forth rather than anything personal to himself. In this he was doubtless right: his
power came from some great reservoir of spiritual life else it
could not have been so universal and so potent, but the majesty
and beauty of the language with which he clothed it were all
his own.
Robert Edmund Jones once said to me, "Claude, we do not
use the word 'noble' often enough." This is true, but indeed why
should we? —there are so few things and people now-a-days to
which the adjective can be applied. But Gibran was one of these
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
people—a noble man, of noble birth, noble rearing, noble presence, character and endowment. If this seems to bear with it any
implication of the aloof and forbidding I hasten to correct the
impression by adding that he was also a man of great charm—
what the Irish would call a "darlin' " man, in the sense of being
very human and lovable. For he loved the world and he loved
people; he was a devoted friend, and was as a father to many
orphans: his benefactions alone would make an amazing story,
but he took pains to see that this story should not be known. To
sum up, Gibran was like that other Great One, Zarathustra, who,
asked if by carrying his fire to the valleys he did not fear the
incendiary's doom, made this answer' "I love men!"
In any company of his intimates he was the center of a
charmed attention—not because he wanted to be, but others, with
the chance of listening to him, did not care to talk. On these occasions he was fond of telling pointed and amusing stories drawn
from the Persian poets and the folk-lore of his people, and he
did this with an impromptu art commensurate with, but different
from, his deeply considered and highly polished written verse.
The last time but one on which I saw him, he told me that
he was working on a trilogy of which "The Prophet" was to constitute only the first part, "The Garden of the Prophet" and
"The Death of the Prophet" being the second and third. The
theme of the first (as we know) is the relation of man to his fellow-men, the theme of the second was to be man's relation to Nature, and of the third, his relation to God. How much of this he
had finished at the time of his death I have no idea, but there are
fragments which in due time will be added to that heritage already
bequeathed and scattered with so loving and so liberal a hand. I
shall not add the conventional tag, "now stilled in death" because
it would express only a falsehood: history proves that great prophets and great poets are never so alive in the consciousness of
men as after they have put off the body. Gibran lives, increasingly and eternally.
�tAPRIL, 1931
31
HE BROUGHT BEAUTY AND TRUTH
2?y
i »
i
-,;
SYUD HOSSAIN
THE passing of Kahlil Gibran removes a significant and vital
personality from the international scene. It was a many-sided
personality, touched with genius and characterized by rare charm
and distinction. He was at once a poet, a painter, a thinker, and
a scholar. His achievements in each one of these aspects represented an authentic individuality and a serene and high purpose.
Originality, idealism, and a fastidious craftsmanship characterized his work as poet and painter. As a thinker he had begun
with the precious natural endowment of a mind of great range
and depth, which came to be informed and equipped with the
fruits of a varied culture and a profound scholarship.
It is not my purpose on this occasion to essay an exhaustive
appraisal of the life and achievements of Kahlil Gibran, but
rather to offer a homage of affection to the memory of a friend
and of admiration to a creative artist, prematurely torn from us,
but whose influence and inspiration will continue to be operative
on the minds and hearts of innumerable men and women for a
long time to come.
It was my privilege to have known Gibran at fairly close
range, both as a friend and as an artist. As one recalls his vivid
and vital personality, the unforgettable memory is one of its
compelling charm. He bore his great learning lightly, and almost to the last his jo'te de vivre and a keen sense of humor were
a dominant part of his personality. Even the great physical pain,
which he so stoically endured during the closing years of his
life, was not able to daunt his god-given capacity for laughter
and his genius for companionship.
According to a classical observation, the difference between
ordinary mortals and an authentic poet is that while we all have
our moods and moments of ecstasy, the poet alone can hold his
ecstasy long enough to make it immortal. Gibran lived in perpetual ecstasy, which in this context connotes an intense sensitiveness both to the laughter and the tears of things. He, truly, and
in authentic poetic tradition, learnt in suffering much that he
taught in song.
MBNHHNNNN
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
In the poet's soul, indeed, ecstasy and agony must co-exist,
and it is the poet's alchemy that extracts from their inter-mingling the substance of enduring Beauty.
While everyone knows of the distinguished achievements of
Kahlil Gibran as a poet and a painter, perhaps the quality of his
mature and mellow scholarship is not so well or widely known.
This scholarship was a basic element of his rich and cosmopolitan
culture. While he derived from one of the most ancient and authentic of the founts of Christian tradition, he also shared with
the world of Islam the heritage of the classic Arabic language
and literature.
This community of inheritance had enabled him to acquire a
\ ast knowledge of, and deep insight into, the history and psychology of the Islamic peoples. He had an intimate and extensive
knowledge of their philosophy and their poetry. He said to me
more than once that he ranked the Caliph Ali as among the very
greatest figures of history—greater, in his opinion, even than
Mohammed—and that he hoped one day to put together a collec;ion of the Sayings of Ali, which he thought were among the
profoundest and wisest of human utterances.
He knew many of the Sayings of Ali by heart and, as a
master of Arabic himself, could no doubt appreciate them in the
fullness of their classic force and beauty. I know enough about
Ali—the beau ideal of Islamic chivalry—to share Gibran's enthusiasm and admiration for that incomparable Caliph. Had
Gibran lived to bring out his projected compilation, I do not
doubt but that it would have taken its place as a memorable contribution to the lilerature, not alone of the Arabic-speaking peop'es but of the world. A selection of the Sayings of Ali by Kahlil Gibran would have had a savor and a unity all its own!
Gibran thus united in himself two of the historic traditions
of the East—his racial roots were in the sacred soil of Lebanon
and his cultural roots in the language and lore of the larger
entity of all "Jazirat-ul-Arab".
To a cultural personality already so deeply rooted and so
richly blended, he super-added the acquisitions of a modern
Western training. He not only perfected his artistic technique
under the liberating and inspiring influence of la belle France, but
with characteristic intellectual zest he utilized those precious
early years in Paris to contact with the ideals and achievements
of the European tradition in Art. He knew most of the treasures
I
�— '«
' ''
—
—
^"
—
33
zJPRIL, 1931
of the Louvre in his own field, for instance, with a thoroughness
and intimacy that could have been equaled by only a few others
among his contemporaries.
Gibran thus presented a most rare combination of qualities
and assets, which made him an outstanding and irreplaceable personality. Not the least of his characteristics was that reverent
pride in his art which permitted of no compromise where standards were concerned, and which made him sustain his own role
as an artist with invulnerable dignity. In the midst of rampant
vulgarity and a raucous commercialism he unflinchingly eschewed
alike the tricks and the trophies of the market place.
No one who knew Gibran but will miss him keenly, and even
poignantly. One can only balance the sense of personal loss by
the reflection that if he has passed on in the prime of life it has
also been in the fullness of manifold achievement. And, above
all, perhaps the supreme consolation for his friends will be in
the realization that he was instrumental in bringing, by his life
and his works, a great deal of Beauty and a great deal of Truth
into thousands of other lives. No artist could have done more or
could have wished for more. "May his soul rest in peace!"
mmmmmmmmm
{
HE TRAVELED WITH THE SUN
"By
I
SALLOUM
A.
MOKARZEL
(")NE cannot fail but be moved by the touching tributes now
given in memory of our beloved poet Gibran. Seeing that this
assembly is composed mostly of Americans, men and women admirers of the work of pen and brush of one of our kinsmen, and
that the call to it had first been sounded by non-Syrians, one
readily concedes that Gibran belongs to the larger humanity, that his spirit is universal and transcends racial
and national demarcations. In that he is yours as well as
ours. But being originally of us, he is our messenger to you, the
man who embodies and typifies the richness of that spiritual
heritage which is of the East.
If we may be permitted the pardonable pride of claiming Gibran, it is but to reassert a truth with which he had been continually
identified and which he never made an attempt to conceal. He,
�Tftkl
34
THE SYRIAN WORLD
rather, felt proud in proclaiming it, to the extent that he became
known as the Poet of the Cedars, and that in his literary masterpiece "Jesus the Son of Man" he paid his tribute to the character
of Jesus under the significant title: "A Man from Lebanon Nineteen Centuries Afterwards." Gibran's name was inalienably associated with that of his national extraction, and his life and work
and even his tragic death were as if cast by fate with the source
of his early inspiration. He was born under the shadow of the
Cedars of Lebanon, at Becherri, the highest point of habitation
in the upper reaches of the mountain close to the grove which has
defied the centuries, and still stands as a living relic of a glorious
civilization. Gibran dreamed of going to live some day in the
scenes of his early childhood and youth. News of his intention
had reached his countrymen, and when I was with them only a
short time since, they were most solicitous for his return. They
idolized him; they were proud of his genius; but in order to
insure his well-being and guarantee that solitude which he so
much sought, they had arranged to install him in the very monastery whose location he admired even in his tender age. It was
an old landmark, situated on a ledge of the mountain almost
half-way between his native town and the Cedars. The location
is ideal for Gibran's purpose. From it he could at once command
a view of the lofty cedars to soar to the heights of inspiration,
and of the majestic Wadi Qadisha, or sacred valley, which symbolized the depth of his reasoning and understanding.
But fate has willed otherwise. Born in the East^ he followed
the sun in its prescribed course and set in the West. To the
West he owed much of his technical knowledge and skill which
he aptly used to express his native ability. His medium of expression in his more mature years was principally the English language.
Fate also so willed that even to the end he should be associated with the memory of his beloved homeland. The last rites
over his mortal remains were held in the church of Our Lady of
the Cedars in Boston, chanted in the Syriac language which he
learned as a youth and retained as a man, and by a priest of his
own section of the mother country.
It is in the spirit of his origin and associations that we claim
him. To us he symbolizes a spiritual heritage which, in his own
words, "we can proudly lay as a gift of gratitude upon the lap
of America." His message to the Syrian-American generation
�*APRIL, 1931
35
which he was moved, rather inspired, to write in promotion of
an ideal, breaths the spirit of law-obedience, productive and constructive toil, and the necessity of giving as well as of taking.
His own exalted example was that of giving out of the fullness
of his heart. I shall, with your indulgence, read you his short,
yet prophetic message, which he wrote especially for THE SYRIAN WORLD. (Gibran's message appears elsewhere in this issue.)
True to the spirit of Gibran, we shall give as we take. We
shall contribute to our fullest ability. And now, speaking as a
Syrian from Lebanon, the country of Gibran's birth, and voicing
the sentiment of my people, I may say, "People of America, we
have contributed to you—Gibran."
THE VOICE OF THE HEIGHTS OF LEBANON
"By
REV. ROBERT NORWOOD
We lament and mourn the going of Kahlil Gibran. In an
age of clack and clatter, of noisy superficialness and arrogant imposters, we need prophets and poets like the one who was a little
while in our midst and who has gone forward into the nearer
intimacy of life with God. I doubt if any preacher of this age,
however popular in his vogue, knew God and Christ with the
intimacy and the understanding of Kahlil Gibran. His voice was
the voice of the heights of Lebanon, and his spirit had something
of that grace and winsomeness revealed in One whom Paul described as grace — "The grace of the Lord Jesus."
It is a question, when a great man or a great woman passes,
what a nation accepts as its standard of greatness. Still we estimate the warrior, or the man who is able to control the destinies
of the world because of his skill in bargaining. But surely, as
time goes on, humanity stands with bowed head before the
prophet. America, you are bereft today of one of your greatest
souls, and the universe has been made more beautiful by a memory — the memory of Kahlil Gibran,
�I
-
36
THE SYRIAN WORLD
THE PROPHET NEVER DIES
By REV. ABRAHAM M. RIHBANY
Mr. Gibran's death has left vacant an honored place in the
circle of true seekers and exponents of truth, goodness and beauty.
His soul was attuned to the higher and finer harmonies. He
served his generation, in a feverishly restless age, as a steadying
spiritual force. Sweetness and light, power and beauty, flowed
from his brush and pen. The great host of his spiritual beneficiaries will rise with your assembly and call his memory Blessed.
To us Syrians his achievements will ever remain a source of
inspiration and encouragement to seek the heights his brilliant
mind touched. He still lives and will continue to live with us
in his precious works. "The prophet never dies."
A GREAT SYRIAN OF THE AGES
By
REV.
W. A.
MANSUR
The death of the great G. K. Gibran brought great sorrow
to my heart, and tears to my eyes, and the realization of a great
loss. I wrote of Gibran as one of the great Syrian-Americans of
our times. I now write of him as one of the great Syrians of the
Ages. Gibran is forever the glorious heritage of our Lebanese
race, and Syrians of Greater Syria.
It is great men who make a people great, who enrich the
people's heritage, who lead in the vanguard of the race's progress. Gibran enriched our race by his high character, by his noble
achievements, and by his benevolent aspirations. We are a greater
people, we are a richer race, we are a better generation because
Gibran lived, wrought, and achieved.
Gibran lives, although he died, lives in the ennobling inspirations he left us, in the lofty song he bequeathed to us, in the
heavenly truths he gave to us. Gibran ever remains the poet
of our hearts, the singer of our soul, and the inspirer of our
song. He ever lives in our hearts, in our minds, and in our
dreams. Gibran, one of the fairest flowers of Lebanese soil, Gibran one of the illustrious sons of Lebanese heritage, Gibran one
of the greatest of the Lebanese race, will be enshrined forever in
the heart of the Lebanese and Syrian race. Let us catch the inspiration that we may dedicate ourselves to high character, noble
achievement^ unselfish service, and human welfare,
L
�—
IfPRIL, 1931
37
A SEER DEPARTED
An Editorial of
THE SUN,
Nezo York, April 15, 1931
The death of Kahlil Gibran is a great loss to the Syrians of
New York, numerous enough to form a distinct colony. He is
mourned, moreover, by the Arabic-speaking peoples of the world,
who had pride in him as their chief poet and artist, and by many
Occidental admirers who were familiar with such of his books
in English as "The Madman," "The Forerunner," "The Prophet," "Sand and Foam," "Jesus the Son of Man" and "The
Earth Gods."
In Greenwich Village Gibran's studio was a favorite meetingplace for artists j he will be missed not only as an artist-poet but
as a personality. When at work he wore the robes of his native
land, but when he went on the street he dressed in the clothing
to which New York is accustomed. A keen eye, noting the exquisitely sensitive hands, would have known them as those of
an artist.
Because of his position as the representative poet of a race,
Kahlil Gibran's fame was much wider than many of his American acquaintances imagined. He was a mystic, regarding the exterior world of tables and chairs as a mere veil or appearance.
It was natural that he should have written "The Prophet," for
he was born in Lebanon, known as the birthplace of prophets.
He wrote always as one inspired. "I did not write 'The Prophet'j
'The Prophet' wrote me," he said once to an admirer. He struck
out parables and aphorisms which had appeal for all men irrespective of race; his works have been translated into twelve languages. His early writings in Arabic were the first to depart
from traditional forms and to introduce verse and free prose.
Seldom have twin talents been so evenly united in an individual.
Fortunately before Kahlil Gibran died his pen and pencil had
largely "gleaned his teeming brain."
�28
THE SYRIAN WORLD
VALEDICTORY
'By
BARBARA YOUNG
We say, "The poet sleeps. Let mighty cedars
Guard now the place, and fortify this hill
Against the passing of his lofty name."
We say, "Let roots enfold his gracious dust—
He who has known their darkness and their pain,
And all the secret anguish of the soil,
And the green ways of myrtle and of grass;
He who has heard the pulse of God and man
Beat in the beating rain and falling snow."
We say, "The poet sleeps." He does not sleep.
He is gone out to walk upon the sky,
To run upon the wind. His stringless lyre
Is tuned to spaceless song, his brush of light
Finds now the colors of that other prism
Whereunto all his radiant being yearned.
Call it not dying to espouse the mist.
Call it not death to pass into the sun.
Nay, even now his unencumbered wing
Encounters Beauty in her dwelling-place.
For he has uttered an immortal word
Of life and Love and Death, and flung their face
In clear resplendant majesty and glory
Upon the ivory page. Now he goes forth
To speak in measures with the morning star,
To paint the ether with the suns and moons,
And ride the tempest where he finds his home.
�"
""5*"*"^*^TffW
K
tAPRlL, 1931
39
CONQUEROR OF THE STING
By
LEONORA SPEYER
Does the hill lie down at last:
And the sea sleep on its shore?
You, so generous of words—
Generous no more! —
Is the storm stilled on a leaf,
And the wind bound in a sheaf?
Be still and know that I am God.
(Psalms)
Only the dead are still enough. . .
And you, whom pain loved so,
You, lying there, know well,
Kahlil. . .
Pale poet's mouth
Sealed with the immaculate Hush,
Hand that has dropped the brush,
You of the eagle's wing. . .
Listening, you know,
Triumphant over Victory,
And conqueror of the Sting!
L
�40
THE SYRIAN WORLD
STARRY SON OF LEBANON
??y ESTELLE DuCLO
Can it be that he has gone,
Starry son of Lebanon?
Pen and Brush,—wings for his will,
Yet were warm when he grew still.
To the end, he gave and gave,—
Soul compassionate and brave!
"To the end,"—what have I said?—
Grieving hearts, be comforted,
He but halted on the way
To his spirit's freer day;—
Poet-prophet, pausing here,
As he moved from sphere to sphere.
Song and Silence knew his name,
Both for him were living flame,
Quickening all mystic power,
Bringing Beauty to full flower.
Love and Wisdom, Grief and Joy,
Gold of Life, and Life's Alloy,
Gave their meaning to his care,
To illumine and to share.
From his hands and from his lips,
Came a new apocalypse.
Strange! I seem to see him—now,
Eyes a-light, light on his browHear the voice, our hearts has stirred,
Chanting almost, word on word:
/ am here, beyond all death,
One with God's immortal breath,
One with Love's infinity,—
/ in you, and you in me.
Hail to you, Kahlil Gibran,
Starry son of Lebanon!
J
�m*.
r
J>
*APRIL, 1931
41
THE MYSTIC PACT
(TO GIBRAN)
"By
MISCHA NAIMY
I chanced upon my Brother's tryst with Death.
Fast were they locked in each other's embrace,
My Brother saying, "Mother of my breath,
Bid it be still, bid it dissolve in space.
It chokes my nostrils with the heavy smells
Of still-born hopes and putrid days and nights,
And breathless would I dwell upon the heights
And in the depths where breathless Beauty dwells.
"Reach deep, sweet Lover, deep into my breast;
Perchance you'll find a fragment of a heart.
'Tis all I have to offer you; the rest
Is mine no longer: Here and there a part
I laid on canvas, melted into song,
Planted in fields unwedded to the plow,
Forged into tongues for all the mute who long
With tongues their silent longings to endow.
"Now cleanse me, Lover, of the salt and froth
Of earth to sail with you the shoreless sea."
And Death responded to my Brother's plea,
And with the kiss of silence sealed the troth.
As I, a witness to the mystic rites,
Stood dazed, enveloped in a thousand nights,
There spoke a voice exceeding soft and kind:
"What is ahead is already behind."
^
BHHHHHHBBMMi
im—Wi
�42
THE SYRIAN WORLD
TO ONE WHO HAS PASSED
'By
MARY MOORE
FIRST THOUGHT
I saw Death stretch forth his hand
And take my well-beloved
Beyond my reach:
And leave to earth but a garment.
SECOND THOUGHT
Yet, I can hear the silent lips
Telling a deeper longing;
And I can see the eyes of love
Demanding their answer.
THIRD THOUGHT
You have not perished.
For if you were as sod,
I could not call to
Unanswerable clay,
As I call to you now.
u
FOURTH THOUGHT
And I know that before
I, too, shall cross Life's bridge,
I shall feel your heart enfold me,
Even as your arms enfolded me
Yesterdav.
fWMWBBBWWBMMMBiajl
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b
Ui
Famous Grove of the Cedars of Lebanon, in Whose Shadow Gibran Wras Reared
T
�,-JTfS
44
THE SYRIAN WORLD
GIBRAN'S MESSAGE
TO YOUNG AMERICANS OF SYRIAN ORIGIN
2?y G. K. GIBRAN
Reprinted from the First Issue of The Syrian World, July, 1926
(Written Especially for The Syrian World)
j
I believe in you, and I believe in your destiny.
I believe that you are contributors to this new civilization.
I believe that you have inherited from your forefathers an
ancient dream, a song, a prophecy, which you can proudly lay
as a gift of gratitude upon the lap of America.
I believe you can say to the founders of this-great nation,
"Here I am, a youth, a young tree whose roots were plucked
from the hills of Lebanon, yet I am deeply rooted here, and I
would be fruitful."
And I believe that you can say to Abraham Lincoln, the
blessed, "Jesus of Nazareth touched your lips when you spoke,
and guided your hand when you wrote j and I shall uphold a!ll
that you have said and all that you have written."
I believe that you can say to Emerson and Whitman arid.
James, "In my veins runs the blood of the poets and wise men
of old, and it is my desire to come to you and receive, but I shall
not come with empty hands."
I believe that even as your fathers came to this land to produce riches, you were born here to produce riches by intelligence,
by labor.
And I believe that it is in you to be good citizens.
And what is it to be a good citizen?
It is to acknowledge the other person's rights before asserting your own, but always to be conscious of your own:
It is to be free in thought and deed, but it is also to know
that your freedom is subject to the other person's freedom. .
It is to create the useful and the beautiful with your own
hands, and to admire what others have created in love and with
faith.
It is to produce wealth by labor and only by labor, and to
spend less than you have produced that your children Ttiay not
'r-
�I
ZfPRIL, 1931
45
be dependent on the state for support when you are no more.
It is to stand before the towers of New York, Washington,
Chicago and San Francisco saying in your heart, "I am the descendant of a people that builded Damascus, and Biblus, and Tyre
and Sidon, and Antioch, and now I am here to build with you,
and with a will."
It is to be proud of being an American, but it is also to be
proud that your fathers and mothers came from a land upon
which God laid His gracious hand and raised His messengers.
Young Americans of Syrian origin, I believe in you.
A PLEDGE
'By CECIL J. BADWAY
A Young Am-erican of Syrian Origin
I
In your going, Gibran Kahlil Gibran, you have come.
You have come as the guiding spirit in the fulfillment of our
dreams.
You have come to stay as the beacon of inspiration within
the deepest recesses of our hearts.
You have come to lead us to our destiny in which you believed.
We would be fruitful as young Americans of Syrian origin.
We would be productive by the honest sweat of our brows.
We would be defenders of our rights but remembering the
rights of others in our defence.
We would be courageous and fearless in our righteousness
yet tolerant and merciful to the weak.
You shall go before us, Gibran Kahlil Gibran, as the standard bearer of the Syrian-American awakening.
You shall lead us and generations to come.
We and the mighty and thunderous army of those who come
after shall follow your spirit along the corridors of time. Forward and onward, down through the ages until there shall have
been written the apocalypse of young Americans of Syrian origin.
In your going and in your coming, Gibran Kahlil Gibran,
you will not have gone or come in vain. We are ready.
�46
"THE SYRIAN WORLD
TO ONE OF BLESSED MEMORY
"By
THOMAS ASA
Dare we in this Hour lift our saddened voice!
Awake the Heavens from their ceaseless way,
Bemoan that Fate so soon had cast astray
That glorious Name, in whom we all rejoice!
Thou Eastern Star! dim thou thy holy light
True son of thine on earth no longer known ;
Thy once familiar beam no more shall sight,'
Where o'er Lebanon's lovely vales hath shown.
Though Death hath claimed him to its solemn state,
And, earth-bound, we bend our heads in sorrow,
No pow'r divine shall at the heavenly Gate
Grant him what, on earth, he could not borrow.
The splendors of his mind bequeathed to Man,
But where the friendly smile, the knowing heart?
The saintly presence more than perfect art
Hath shown him foremost of that God-like clan.
Ye unseen pow'rs that shape Man's destiny,
Why pluck the precious bud that soon shall bloom?
With lightning's thrust ye fell the stately tree,
And leave what better thou hast claim to doom.
Naught can return to Life the Dead we love,
Nor bring back to mind our lost desires;
We but add substance to Life's ebbing fires,
And striving without Hope to reach' above.
Sound thy last requiem, O tragic Earth!
For One, but now departed, shall ascend
To thy exalted heights of mortal worth,
Triumph and defeat,—life and death attend!
Now must we leave the mortal form to rest,
Within Earth's age-worn folds his final sleep
Though dead, the thought and deed of him shall keep
Before us the consecrated mem'ry blest.
W. Brownsville, Pa,
II
�D
tAPRIL, 1931
47
TRUTH SEEKER
By
EDNA
K.
SALOOMEY
Truth-seeker, who spoke from your heart to our's;
Whose very desires mirrored all mankind's}
Death has claimed for her pleasure your powers,
And greedily banished hope from our minds.
Your voice, that breathed life into words, is still.
Your heart, which bitter loneliness did grieve,
.No longer vibrates to friendship's touch. The will
To know, to live, to love, to weep; to weave
All earth's joys and sorrows into one brief life,
Has been dissipated by death. Hear now!
Our voices rise above the din of strife
To proclaim your wisdom. Peace is your's. Though
Your body mated with death, your soul's abode
Is with truth, and truth is the realm of God.
Bridgeport, Conn.
POET OF OUR LAND
By
PHILIP
C.
SABBAGHA
Sleep sweetly in your earthly grave,
Sleep poet of our noble land;
Through wind and tempest, banners brave,
Shall wave before our band.
In wreaths of laurel 'pon thy tomb,
The vict'ry of our cause is shown;
And someday, shining like the moon,
The cause in ev'ry home.
My tribute to my countryman,
A leader passed to his beyond;
In peace and to his countryman,
Of whom he was so fond.
Farewell! your brothers dry their tears
^ And sing their praise my fellow man
Thy name in hearts outlives the years,
Farewell my countryman,
Columbia, S. C.
�48
THE SYRIAN WORLD
HE TOUCHED THE STARS
"By
LABEEBEE
A. J.
HANNA
He dwelt in the garden of ethereal dreams
With the sea of Fate close at hand,
And he touched the stars with his pen of gold
To plant them on a desolate land.
And the stars into beautiful flowers grew,
That the souls of the hungry inspired,
Of celestial perfume and rarest hue—
From the heart of the dreamer transpired.
And he took his brush of silver and gold
And reached up to an azure sky
For paints that will be new when old,
For naught else would satisfy.
He dwelt in the garden of ethereal dreams,
Which the hand of the Giver gave,
And he touched the stars with his pen of gold,
And now lies resting in his grave.
And so from the garden of ethereal dreams
The Giver called him home again
The dreamer who dreamed, and in dreaming planned
His dreams to fact, and his life to gain.
Boston, Mass.
Facsimile of Gibran's Arabic Signature
AH drawings and decorations appearing in this section are of
the work of Gibran,
j
�.n-r.-^-v-rS)?- .
^PRIL, 1931
LD
49
A Journey Through Jebel Druze
2?y
SALLOUM
A.
MOKARZEL
IV
«
pAKHRY Bey Baroody had a surprise in store for us. He had
used his time in preparing a meal which was the best money
could buy in town. Not that all the people in town subsist on
such fare, for had we chosen to accept the hospitality of the emir
we would have partaken of a meal in the best Arab tradition. But
the meal now provided was the finest an epicure such as Baroody
Bey could choose from available material, and on such short
notice, served in a setting much in keeping with the nature of
the repast itself. We enjoyed the experience while it lasted, but
the after-effect proved not of very pleasant memory.
We met
Baroody Bey in the general store located on the
main street between the public square and the governor's residence. He apologetically explained that this was the only place
he could find where he could order a meal and pay for it. The
store was unique in every particular. The uneven mud floor indicated that no attempt had ever been made to level it since the
walls were raised. In one corner was a pile of grain with only a
wall of sacks to prevent it from spilling all over the floor; while
in the other corner, and in a similar manner, was a pile of fodder.
Along the rear ran a counter behind which rose a row of almost
empty shelves. At one end of the counter was suspended what
was left of a carcass covered with cheese-cloth, and all but inviting as an ingredient in the feast. A table and a few rush-bottom
chairs formed the furnishings of the restaurant.
Like good sports, we sat awaiting the result of the epicurian
ingenuity of our fastidious host whose palace in Damascus is
not infrequently the scene of some of the finest feasts staged in
that city of fabulous Oriental sumptuousness and splendor. He
inquired if the storekeeper had canned goods. Yes, he had sardines and tuna fish. Did he also have wine? Surely, because he
was a Christian and among his customers were men of the French
garrison. "Wine is the best germicide," ironically remarked our
host, and the corks began to pop. I would not object to the reader's inference that we drank more than we ate.
�50
THE SYRIAN WORLD
While still at our meal the official interpreter of the governor
a clean-cut young man in his early twenties, entered and greeted
us with the customary Druze affability. He politely but firmly
refused our insistent invitation to join us. He had already had
his meal he explained with a gesture of finality, and we could
but take him at his word.
Shortly after, the gang foreman, who had remained with us
throughout, discovered that he had important business elsewhere
* earing that we may not meet him again, and appreciating the
oTS he, ^ IT US ^^ US about> l Sok himlide
ostensibly to thank him, and made an effort to slip him a few
TeLf^
ferpreter had >» watching ^ more closely than
I expected, and no sooner did he perceive the gesture than he
thrust the foreman away from me. There was no mistaking the
P
hi tone when he attera ted to
S
n0n M will
n not accept reward for
P our -Plain
his S
action. SSf
We Druzes
favors
Flease don t wound us in our sense of hospitality. We still adhere
to the tradition that our guests are our hosts and as such theyy can
be under no obligation to us."
The foreman would not remain to await the result of the
argument which, I w 11 admit, I did not carry far in my realiza!
tion of the susceptibilities of the Druzes in this respect. But I
was tremendously impressed with the attitude of the interpreter
who apparently was not ignorant of modern customs yet clung
he Si °d th:^"1'10118 °fr,hiS ^j^ ,T° ^ -era/inquirie!
Mizvad Fl H V ^A I ?rUZeJ°f Salkhad' hIs name being
Frafch andfTv'
" ^ *? advanCed eduCation in Arabic *»d
^" had been Irving for some time as official interpreter
to the District Governor. He is of the school of thought that
advocates for his people the benefits of modern education*but no
at the expense of their native traditions and virtues.
We yet had to visit the emir of Shahba whom the French Dist0 See
l asked the
tZvrZTSVe
i?*
"^ t0 fail us
<*al
interpreter if he cared
to accompany
on 'this visit and the
excuse he advanced was a revelation. He said he still had to s
go
home for his lunch!
Nor did Baroody care to meet the local emir. His standing
excuse was that he should evade all situations possible ofZ
political interpretation inasmuch as his affiliation with the Syrian
Nationalist Party laid him open to suspicion by the French Be"
I
*
J- '
�1
^PRIL, 1931
51
sides, he had a most important business to attend to, that of taking his daily siesta.
This last remark, uttered in the most matter-of-fact manner
aroused my sense of humor despite the depressing effect of the
torrid heat and other contributing circumstances. I felt the need
of a little diversion, and started an argument. "You are shattering a beautiful vision I had formed of you," I remarked to
Baroody Bey. "Suppose you found the vagaries of politics carrying you of a day to an office of responsibility in the Syrian
State, would you then insist on your siesta with the duties of
government weighing heavily upon you?"
But my Nationalist friend felt in no mood to entertain such
pleasantry "In my present frame of mind," he said, "I would
be inclined to let the business of government wait. Allah would
not overtax his servants, nor should the State."
With that, he peremptorily dismissed the subject and departed with the storekeeper who was only too glad to provide
sleeping accommodations to such an exalted personage.
I
The tortuous road to the house of the emir took us past a
sunken Roman amphitheatre recently cleared by excavators revealing the tiers of stone benches and the numerous subterranean
passages in a fine state of preservation. The arena was not exceptionally large, a necessity dictated, perhaps, by the limited
space in a fortress city. But in spite of its limited size, it was
in no other respects lacking in evidences of Roman thoroughness
and decorative lavishness.
We continued along a winding passage between walls of
rough-hewn black basalt stone until we reached the outer gate
of the emir's residence. We entered a vast courtyard where some
horses and mules were tethered. Mounting a few steps built of
nnely cut stone, taken apparently from some ruins, we came to
an arcade of beautiful granite columns which offered a sharp
contrast to the rough-and-ready native building rising in the
rear. A native at the door took our message to the emir who
came out in person to greet us. To our surprise, he proved to
uau i',!ean figUre' dreSSed in a simPle robe of white linen,
which, falling to the ground, accentuated his height He ap
peared to be in his early thirties and had all the unaffected charm
of an unspoiled country child. His hair was so sparse as to give
him the appearance of being clean shaven. What is more he
�52
THE SYRIAN WORLD
was of a pronounced blond type, his ruddy complexion standing
out in sharp contrast to the dark-skinned, bushy-haired men who
clustered about him.
Emir Tallal Pasha El 'Amer would receive me in his official
reception hall, which was of recent construction and stood independent of the main building, but I expressed a preferenee for
the old quarters, and affecting the flowery manner of speech of
his people, profusely begged him to first finish the business at
which he had been engaged. It was with some reluctance that he
agreed, and I was made to precede him into the large, dark,
square room which formed the combination court room and plebeian reception quarters. A narrow mastaba ran the whole length
of the four walls, on which squatted or reclined a dozen or so
natives. To the rear was a small iron-grated window which alone
admitted light and air. Thither the emir conducted me and sought
to make me comfortable by spreading a mat for me on the otherwise bare mud and stone mastaba. I did not smoke because no
one else did, but there was ample means of entertainment otherwise in listening to the continuation of a trial wnich my arrival
had apparently interrupted.
Two peasants, it appeared, had come to the emir to settle a
dispute over a donkey. The purchaser had agreed to a price for
the animal which later he refused to pay in full. It was evident
that the emir was reluctant to use his judicial authority and more
anxious to effect an amicable settlement. It was also evident that
the obduracy of the litigants was caused more by the vital amount
involved than by personal ill-feeling. Taking all these matters
into consideration, the emir finally decreed a compromise sum of
eight Syrian pounds, or the equivalent of $6.50.
Having finished with his judicial business, the emir now refused to listen to my entreaties to hold an interview in the old
native reception room whose fascination began to enthrall me
the more I stared into its bareness and pondered the strange circumstances which made of it the throne room of a prince whose
mere word would rally an army and shape the destiny of a whole
people. What a reminiscence of the feudal age from which this
docile yet fierce people have not as yet emerged! And to think
that only a portion of this people, through sheer will and desperation, could wage war against a first-class military power for
two years and gain the upper hand in many an encounter!
But now that local affairs of state had come to an end, I
�—
"APRIL, 1931
53
could not hold out against the persistence of the emir to receive
me in the manner he thought more compatible with my dignity—
and his. Consequently the modern and more formal reception
room was opened, and only dignitaries and men of rank, so to
speak, followed. Once within, their natural reserve seemed to
become accentuated by the solemnity of the place and the occasion. It was the emir and I who monopolized the conversation.
Since the reception room plays such a part in the visit, I feel
constrained to devote some space to its description. Unlike the
old room, this one had the luxury of windows. Chairs of every
description, from the modest bamboo cane to the velvet upholstered settees in a variety of design and color, lined the walls
in perfect orderliness. In the front center stood an oblong plain
table, spread with an oil-cloth cover whose bold designs and bright
vari-hued colors were strongly reminiscent of the primitive home
furnishings of the rural districts of America. On the table were
a glass pitcher and a dozen or more glasses of different sizes,
colors and shapes. The condition of some of the furnishings
plainly indicated advanced age and liberal use.
The conversation with the emir developed many interesting
points. He is, for instance, an officer of the French Legion of
Honor, and while a Pasha in his own right, had the additional
title of Prince conferred upon him by the French in 1929. It
was an unusual procedure, I thought, for a republican government to be dispensing with princely titles and creating social
ranksj but then the French were dealing with a special situation
in a country where title and rank still counted for more than an
empty honor. And was not Tallal Pasha the chief of a clan which
for many generations has contended with the powerful Atrash
family for the ascendancy of prestige in Jebel Druze? And had
he not, furthermore, remained loyal to the French in the last
revolution of 1925-26? He himself not only admitted the fact
but even seemed proud of it, continually referring to the revolution during the whole course of the conversation as "that deplorable mistake," and coupling every mention of the French
authorities with glowing adjectives of praise. Nor could one
mistake his attitude for one of diplomatic flattery, for there was
evident a ring of sincerity in his speech when over and over
again he spoke of the French as "the benefactors of the country,
whose 'white deeds' are bound to become more fully appreciated
as they come to be more properly understood."
�54
THE SYRIAN WORLD
The Prince seemed especially proud of the role he played
during the revolution as champion and protector of the Christians. "They are our brothers," he declared, "and we owe them
protection as a duty. Not a Christian within my jurisdiction will
I allow to be molested or harmed."
The Prince found a ready and enthusiastic corroborator in
the person of Khalil Bey Haddad, declared to be the leader of
the Christian element in the district of Shahba, who, like the
rest of the company, had maintained respectful silence up to this
point, but now added the weight of his testimony to the statement of the emir. "Allah be my witness," he volunteered. "The
emir was most solicitous of our safety and welfare during those
times of strife, and it is to his protection that we and our families owe our lives."
Before taking leave of the emir I asked him if he would
consent to pose for a photograph. Certainly he would. And
would I want him to appear in formal dress? "Boy, bring my
jacket," he commanded, and an attendant hastened to bring from
the closet a frock coat on which sparkled the decoration of the
French Legion d'honneur, and which the emir slipped over his
native robe and was ready for the camera.
Naturally, the insistent invitation to remain for a few days,
or even for the evening, had to be declined with full appreciation of the courtesy and hospitality of the emir. I had to join
my companions for an early start to insure our arrival in Damascus before dusk, and I made my way back in haste to the combination general store and restaurant. To my surprise, I found
that the climate of Shahba had lulled my companion into a longer
siesta than usual.
Alone and forsaken, and feeling that the torrid heat of a
Jebel Druze sun and the insidious heat of the imported French
wine had formed a powerful coalition to make things utterly
disagreeable for me, I sought what I thought would be the hospitable coolness of our car, parked in the shade of a corner building. But it took me only an instant to discover that if I would
not smother, I should search for relief elsewhere. We had found
the automobile comparatively cool on other occasions, but it could
not be expected to be so accommodating while not moving. I sat
on the running-board. I took off my coat, then my collar, and
was sorely tempted to follow with the shirt, had not a sense of
shame seized me when I perceived the natives apparently cool
�ItPRIL, 1931
55
and contented with all their encumbrances of clothes and heavy
headdress.
But where to fly from the stifling heat? Something had to
be done lest the nausea, which I felt creeping on me, overpower
me. In desperation, I rose and walked to a store of inviting appearance across the square where I observed several men seated
in apparent ease. I would talk with them and divert my mind.
As usual, the proverbial Druze hospitality was evident here
as elsewhere. The storekeeper ordered the floor sprinkled afresh
and offered me a comfortable chair. He and his friends were
evidently surprised to discover that I spoke their language, and
further still, that I came from America. The storekeeper immediately placed me under cross-examination as to economic conditions and possibility of admission. Business in this land is stagnant, he explained, and only in America is there a chance for
making a fortune.
Immediately America was mentioned, an old man of about
seventy, squatting cross-legged atop the counter, began to display
marked interest and soon joined in the conversation with gusto.
But he was not interested in prospects of trade as much as in the
physical wonders of the country. What is America like? What
are its reputed wonders? What is there exceptional and distinctive about New York? Etc.
I tried to paint a word picture of New York and started with
what I thought would prove more impressive. We had buildings
more than eighty stories high, through which run elevators that
travel faster than the fleetest horse. We had bridges whose single
span was more than a mile long. We had railroads under ground,
on the ground, above ground, and even running in tunnels under
water. We had instances where six tracks ran one above the other.
We had single buildings containing more people than half the
population of all Jebel Druze!
But to my utter stupefaction, the old gentleman showed not
the least sign of surprise. He only betrayed a faint smile and
remarked indifferently that he had heard about all that before.
I was already dripping with perspiration owing both to the
oppressive heat and to my spirited oratorical effort, and my feeling at the attitude of the old man was bordering on exasperation.
I realized that I had utterly failed in arousing his interest and
was dejected under the sting of defeat. Almost panting, and
with a final desperate effort, I attempted to deflect the course of
�56
THE SYRIAN WORLD
the conversion to a more immediate topic. Glancing at the
cool and collected men about me, I had recourse to the great
American expedient in such desperate straits, and dropped
a reFF
mark about the weather.
fk» lh&A ^ manu n°W evi"Ced a little interest and asked about
the kind of weather we had in America-whether or not we had
such intense heat as now caused me to complain.
W e had, I replied, but only in short spells and never for a
protracted period.
"
The old man seemed mystified. What could cause a break in
he summer's heat, he thought, and after a little hesitation, asked
tne question.
'
"Rain," I replied.
I had inadvertently, it seems, exploded a bomb. The man
now appeared utterly dumbfounded. He remained for a time
oTcreT !> ^ JTi' ^ ^ ^^ in am^ment, his sense
of credulity shocked beyond the power of speech. But when he
finally recovered, it was with what appeared to be a mixture of
mcredulity and accusation. "Rain in summer! La Wallah! ImAllah be praised! I had at last succeeded in conquering the
old man's passiveness. The wonder in America that I had invoked so long in vain proved to be so simple. And what was it?
m
h,v I J
tZ men?°f °f k' and PerhaPs the satisfaction of
having triumphed, cooled me. It dawned on me only later that
for a man who had Jived almost four-score years in a country
where the seasons are sharply defined, where it never rains a
drop in summer, because summer here is synonymous with the
dry season such a startling revelation as the possibility of summer rain should be expected to cause a shocking surprise. But
the fact remained that I felt supremely contented.
I left to rejoin my companions, and found them already
waiting and anxious to leave. But what could mean the presence
of a stranger in the front seat by the driver? Were we in need
°lll T ' T TWaS * °nX a Precaution^y measure against possible danger? I inquired by glance but not by articulate words,
and my cousin hastened to explain. The extra fare was a native
of a neighboring town lying about ten kilometers on our way to
Damascus. He had offered to sell my cousin live partridges for
he price of ten Syrian piasters apiece (less than 8 cents) and the
temptation was irresistible. To consummate the deal, the native
�,
vfPRIL, 1931
—-
57
had offered to borrow a horse, precede us to his home town and
have our order, whatever it amounted to, two dozen or even one,
ready for delivery to us whenever we pass. The deal seemed
exceptionally worthwhile to him judging by his anxiety, and so
it seemed also to my cousin who invited him to accompany us
to make sure of his earnestness. He proved true to his word
and produced the goods.
Leaving Shahba around 3 o'clock in the afternoon, we took
the north-easterly road to Damascus in the hope of making better
time. We drove for one hour, two hours, past mountain and
plain, amidst a monotonously bare landscape, with not a sign of
a habitation. We had dropped the partridge dealer at his own
village and were now depending on our own reckoning. Then
came a time when we had to make a momentous decision. The
road forked into two branches with no signs to indicate the respective destinations. Naturally all three passengers were strangers to the country and the chauffeur proved equally ignorant.
It was finally decided to take the easterly rode.
The hours that followed proved the most anxious and hazardous of our journey. We soon found ourselves in an open
stretch of the desert, with no mark to guide us except our faith
in Allah's compassion and our vague sense of direction. But the
desert was not of soft sand. It was of the hard clay surface characteristic of the Syrian plain. A few skeletons of camels and other
animals encountered on the way bore an ominous portent. And
what aggravated our plight was the lack of water. We had not
anticipated so long a journey and failed to make provisions. Our
throats were parched and the shimmering reflections of the desert sun made us see fantastic visions.
A low hill finally loomed in the distance. The mere fact
that it was a hill and broke the monotonous evenness of the
landscape gave us a sense of relief and courage, and for no apparent reason we headed towards it. In our anxiety and fear,
the distance appeared to be exceptionally long, and although we
had not the slightest reason to believe that it could mean anything, we made it an object whose attainment became of paramount importance in our confused reasoning. We finally reached
it and our hearts filled with thanks to Allah, to whom all praise
is due.
But after having reached the hill, what! It was bare and
bleak and proved to be nothing better than the desert plain we
�58
THE SYRIAN WORLD
were so anxious to flee. Its smooth, barren slopes gave no indication of ever having been touched by the hand of man.
But now that we had reached it we must pass it. Our first
success goaded us on to seek more, and we began to turn the
northern flank, when fo and behold! the conical white dwellings
E S
^a" jg1
settlement greeted our astonished eyes. It
was with difficulty that we suppressed a cheer, but the happy
looks we exchanged told volumes.
As we drew nearer, the Bey rose in his seat and uttered an
exclamation of unrestrained joy. "By Allah and the Prophet
his village is the property of one of my friends. I recall now
that I visited with him here some time ago," he fairly shouted
And so it proved to be, for when we had stopped before the
owner s house and the servants came out to greet us, Fakhry Bev
recognized many among them and could recall their names
Without ceremony, he ordered water in all haste.
A big earthen bowl was filled from a basin and offered to us
fakhry Bey would not think of drinking first, and I, in order
not to let ceremony prolong the common agony, accepted the
tempting cup. I no sooner raised it to my lips than decided I was
not so thirsty—there was too much animation in the water. And
when Fakhry Bey took the cup and looked into it quizzically, he
spilled the precious contents on the ground and mercilessly berated the servants for their disrespect in offering us polluted water
^ut this is our common drinking water," meekly protested
F
one of the servants.
"Never mind the excuses," thundered the irate Bey. "Bring
us of the special water of your master, and tell him upon his
return that I so ordered."
Then it was that we drank of the pure water of Barada, carried especially from Damascus for the use of the master
K>wf lOUlud T aff,°rd 1° tarry lonS- The sun w*s ^st setting
behind the high peaks of Anti-Lebanon silhouetted against the
limpid sky behind the ghouta of Damascus stretching at their
feet. And although the road was rough and the landscape uninviting we were buoyed by the hope of soon reaching the terP adlSC
T
f
Thich S° aPPealed to the imagination of the Prophet Muhammad And when finally we entered the enchanted
domains of the ghouta, and sped smoothly along its level roads,
lined with stately poplars and disclosing a delightful vista of
heavily-laden orchards and verdant fields, intersected at short
d
a
n
tl
.1
e
f,
cl
o
�"1
*4PRIL, 1931
59
distances with murmuring brooks, we fast forgot the weariness
and anxiety of our desert journey and surrendered to the enchantment of this revelation of a terrestrial paradise. Nor could the
thick dust of the road we encountered on some stretches of the
.Damascus suburbs prove sufficient to dampen the ardor of our
elation and enthusiasm. We were safe. We were cool, and we
felt the assurance of being back in civilization. The beauty and
charm of Damascus linger more vividly in the memory by virtue
of the sharp contrast.
THE NIGHT AND I
"By
DR. SALIM
Y.
ALKAZIN
We know a certain happy tongue,
The night and I,
For when we fly the listless throng,
And each the other tells his tale,
And each the other sings his song,
Like comrades true, we never fail
Where it belongs the motive place,—
And so we live our lotted space,
The night and I.
We understand each other well,
The night and I!
Nor need we masquerade, nor tell
Our moods, nor shrink to speak our fear,
Nor fence discretely when we spell
The praise of things we hold most dear;
For 'tis our naked hearts that beat,
Whenever face to face we meet,
The night and I.
We list to catch the whispered sighs,
The night and I,
Of space, and in the placid skies,
Pursue the sparkling signs or halt
Enraptured by the mighty cries
And flashing signals in the volt
Of rage. And so, in sympathy,
We live, and feel in harmony
The night and I.
;
�60
THE SYRIAN WORLD
ALI ZAIBAQ
(Quicksilver)
"THE UNPARALLELED ADVENTURES OF THE
CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CALIPH HAROUN
AL-RASHID, OF THE CITY OF BAGHDAD.
Translated from the Original Arabic by
SALLOUM
A.
MOKARZEL
and
CHAPTER
THADDEUS
S.
DAYTON
VIII.
REVENGE.
HTHE damsel, when morning came, assumed the dress and appearance of Quicksilver and lay at the entrance of the baths
as though strangled, so that whoever passed and saw her could
not doubt for an instant that she was Quicksilver.
Now some of the passersby who perceived this body lying
there were of the sympathizers of Quicksilver. These grieved
for him exceedingly. But there were others who were inclined
to favor Salah-Eddin, the Chief of the Secret Police, and these
hastened to inform him of the fate of Quicksilver. Salah-Eddin's
joy was unbounded and he ran with all speed to the baths where
lay the body of Quicksilver. So great was his hatred that he
began kicking the senseless corpse of his enemy, and addressing
it with insults:
"May God not have mercy on you, O you of evil birth!"
shrieked Salah-Eddin. "For in your lifetime you occasioned me
the utmost torment and suffering. Now it is my turn to have
revenge upon you and to quench my heart's hatred with your
mother's tears."
He flung the body on his shoulders and carried it thus to the
door of his own house where he attempted to throw it on the
ground. But to his great amazement and fright he could not rid
himself of his burden, for the body resisted his every effort and
presently its legs extended themselves until they stretched out
and became forty cubits long.
�I
\APRIL, 1931
61
By this time every muscle in Salah-Eddin's body was quivering with fear. At last, by summoning all his strength for a
superhuman effort, he managed to shake off his terrible load and
began running about and crying as though demented. His wife
appeared and viewed his plight, and let him into the house.
Presently he went forth again to look upon the body of Quicksilver, which, strangely enough, he found to be in its former
normal shape. Again he approached it and made an attempt to
carry it into his house, but no sooner did he lay hands upon it
than the mouth of the body stretched open to such a gigantic size
that it resembled the entrance to some vast and fearful cavern,
while the eyes grew larger and larger and increasingly terrible
until they became like those of a huge and hideous ghoul. And
it said:
"O you vilest and most wicked of men, it is my intention immediately to devour you."
So thoroughly frightened was Salah-Eddin that he begged
for mercy, but the genie's only answer was to seize him suddenly,
tie his body in a knot and fly off with him to the palace of the
King. In the palace gateway there was a great arch, and at its
highest point a ring of iron was fixed. To this the maiden tied
Salah-Eddin, leaving him there in that miserable plight. Thereupon she returned to Quicksilver, to whom she related all that
she had done.
"No doubt the King will perceive Salah-Eddin in this condition and the latter will tell him that it was I who put him there.
Now if the King summons me shall I ask for a ladder by which
to climb and take down Salah-Eddin?"
"No," answered the damsel, "I will accompany you unseen
and when you desire to release Salah-Eddin lift your hands and
I will raise you to the height unperceived by anyone so that you
may readily accomplish your task."
When morning came the King and his lords passed through
the great archway and Salah-Eddin, seeing them, cried out in a
pitiful voice: "() King, have mercy upon me and cover me with
the mantle of your protection."
Upon hearing this the King and his companions were exceedingly amazed and began gazing about to try to discover
whence came the voice; but they saw no one, when Salah-Eddin
cried out again:
"I am suspended here in this high place where I have suf-
�T
62
THE SYRIAN WORLD
fered tortures such as no one ever experienced before "
Hearing these words, they all looked upward and saw the
torm of a man hanging to the iron ring above the great arch The
King exclaimed and asked who it was, and Salah-Eddin cried
out once more in a voice of agony:
"O my master, it is your servant the Chief of the Secret
Police."
"And who was it that put you where you are?" asked the King
None other than Quicksilver," answered Salah-Eddin in
great pain.
Seeing it was useless to attempt his rescue, the King ordered
that Quicksilver be summoned immediately, and when he came
the King asked:
"Do you know where Salah-Eddin is?"
"Yes," answered Quicksilver, "it is he who is suspended above
the great archway."
"And where did you spend last night " asked the King
In the enchanted baths of Toulon," answered Quicksilver.
And I have punished Salah-Eddin thus because of his great
wickedness. It is also a visitation upon him of the wrath of God
lor his many misdeeds."
"For my sake," said the King, "release him from his plight "
Thereupon Quicksilver lifted his hands toward the sky and
the damsel, unperceived by anyone, bore him upward to the top
01 the arch, where he immediately disengaged Salah-Eddin and
carried him gently to the ground. Everyone who witnessed this
feat marvelled exceedingly at his super-human power, as no one
had deemed it possible to extricate Salah-Eddin from the great
&
height where he hung.
When Salah-Eddin once more stood upon the ground, he
threw himself at the feet of the King and appealed frantically
for protection against the superhuman power of Quicksilver.
Whereupon Quicksilver inquired of him if there were any other
tasks that he wished him to perform so that no doubt would remain as to his fitness to become the chief of the Zohrs
"For the sake of Allah," replied Salah-Eddin in a terrified
voice, there is nothing more that I wish except to be spared further persecution from you."
Thereupon all proceeded to the royal palace where theKing
formally invested Quicksilver with his robe of office as the ruler
of the Zohrs, and the criers were ordered to go about the streets
�—
11,1
I
1.1,
.
.
.Ill
zAPRIL, 1931
63
of the city announcing his succession to the exalted position. The
inhabitants of the city received the news with much applause and
the officers of the Zohrs gave submission joyfully to Quicksilver.
Thereafter the city of Cairo remained in perfect order and tranquillity for the space of a year.
"But Quicksilver's troubles are not over," said the tale teller.
"They have only just begun. What has already happened is as
nothing—as snow upon the desert sand—to the dangers he must
encounter. Tomorrow you shall hear of the new seas of danger
into which he plunged."
CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE
DR. PHILIP K. HITTI—Syrian educator, and Orientalist, Professor
at Princeton University.
BARBARA YOUNG,
LEONORA SPEYER,
ESTELLE DUCLO,
MARY MOORE—American poetesses and authors.
CLAUDE BRAGDON—American author and publicist.
SYUD HOSSAIN—Moslem Indian lecturer, editor The New Orient.
DR. CHARLES FLEISCHER—American author and lecturer, former
editor The New York American.
REV. ROBERT NORWOOD—American minister of St. Bartholomew's Church, New York.
REV. ABRAHAM M. RIHBANI—Syrian minister of the Church of the
Disciples in Boston. Author "The Syrian Christ," etc.
REV. W. A. MANSUR—Syrian minister of First Methodist Episcopal church, Winside, Neb.
MISCHA NAIMY—Syrian poet and critic.
CECIL J. BADWAY—American of Syrian descent.
vard Law School.
Graduate Har-
THOMAS ASA, EDNA K. SALOOMEY, PHILIP C. SABBAGHA,
LABEEBEE A. J. HANNA—Americans of Syrian descent.
DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN—Syrian dentist of Brooklyn.
Harvard.
Graduate of
�64
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Political Developments in Syria
SYRIAN ELECTIONS
AGAIN DEFERRED
The political problem in Syria
seems to be making little progress
towards a solution. So often has it
been surmised that the popular elections would take place at a certain
date that any further promise along
that line is now apt to be considered
like the cry of "the wolf" in the
fable. By all reasonable expectations, based on earlier predictions,
the elections should have been held
long ago, but they now seem to be
as distant as ever. The Syrian press;
has fallen into the mood of discussing them only in the most casual
manner. There is, on the other hand,
a shifting of interest towards an altogether different development—that
of scrapping the draft constitution
laid down by the Constituent Assembly and establishing in Syria a monarchical instead of a republican
form of government. An international
element has also entered into the
situation which serves to further
complicate matters.
While lacking official confirmation,
the rumor persists that France has
entered into an agreement with former King Ali of Arabia, son of former King Hussein and brother of
King Feisal of Iraq, to establish him
on the Syrian throne which it is
claimed the French have planned to
create in Syria so as to frustrate
the designs of the Nationalists. What
would seem to lend weight to this
supposition is the recent visit of the
British High Commissioner in Iraq
to Damascus and his lengthy consultation with the French High Commissioner in Syria. Of course, there
are those who contend that France
would never commit herself to the
policy of having to consult with
England on a question of internal
administration of her mandated territory—that the purpose behind the
conference was in relation to the
Mosul petroleum question, or some
other question of common interest
between the two powers. Nevertheless, there are those who maintain
that Ali is the brother of Feisal, and
that the two powers have to contend
with an Eastern question much
larger than one confined to any one
country, and that it is to their mutual interest to agree on a policy
that will render the position of
both more secure in the East.
A significant development is that
High Commissioner Ponsot, in opening his new official residence in Damascus, held a formal reception to
which he invited, among other prominent Syrian leaders, many outstanding Nationalist personalities. Ponsot, as usual, would not touch on
the subject of politics, but it was
remarked that he had brilliantly
succeeded in promoting a spirit of
amity and understanding.
On the whole, the Syrian situation
may be said to have made no tangible
progress during the last month.
Some are inclined to believe that
the new French policy is to wear
down the patience of the Syrians into
a condition of submission.
LEBANON IN TURMOIL,
PEOPLE BOYCOTT UTILITIES
The apparently insipient uprising
of the students of Beirut against insufficient reductions in the price of
admission to places of amusement
has given rise to a movement of a
�JtPRIL, 1931
much more serious nature which has
involved the whole population of the
city. The immediate result was that
the people awakened to the effectiveness of the boycott and applied the
weapon with telling effect on foreigncontrolled public utilities.
Due to the persistent refusal of
the water and electric company to
reduce its high rates in the face of
a proposal of much lower averages
which a native company offered to
give for the same services, the people
of Beirut, driven to desperation by
what they termed the profiteering
practices of foreigners, rose en
masse to protest and demand redress. They declared a boycott
against the traction company, and
for days the street cars sped along
their tracks with only armed guards:
as passengers. The native taxicab
drivers did a thriving business, reducing their rates to even lower than
those charged by the company for
equal distances. And when the government attempted to restrict the
operations of the taxicabs the people
were further enraged and indulged in
public demonstrations against which
police were helpless. Many casualties
occurred in the clashes. Three newspapers publishing what the government termed seditious and inflammatory utterances were suppressed.
The determination of the people manifested itself so strongly that almost every home in the city was
in comparative darkness, only candles and gasoline lamps being used
for lighting purposes.
The contagion spread to Damascus
where also a prominent local naDer
was suppressed for similar reasons
as those of the Beirut journals.
In Tripoli, a demonstration was
staged to protest the maltreatment
by the Italians of the Moslem natives of Tripolitania in Northern
Africa. Several casualties resulted
65
when the police attempted to prevent the demonstrators from marching on the Italian consulate.
Already a good deal of campaigning is being done for the coming
Presidential elections which fall in
Lebanon in 1932. The regular Presidential term is three years, and so
far President Charles Dabbas has
been elected for two successive
terms. Little credence is being
placed in the possibility of his reelection for a third term, and the
two most prominent candidates mentioned are Emil Eddy and Bishara
Khouri, both former Premiers.
ARABS OF PALESTINE
TURN DOWN PARLEY
The suggestion of the British High
Commissioner in Palestine that the
Arabs send a delegation to London
to enter into negotiations with the
Colonial Office on the Palestine development scheme, involving a $12,500,000 loan, was reported by press
dispatches from Jerusalem on April
14 to have been turned down by the
Arab Executive. The fear was entertained, according to a statement by
an Arab leader, that the Arabs
might be drawn into a round table
conference with the Jews, a possibility which they would avoid.
Their stand remains one of consistent non-recognition of the Balfour
Declaration, and they would refuse
to be inveigled into a situation which
might be interpreted as an implied
acceptance of that policy. In this instance, they maintain that if the
questions to be discussed relate to
economic and agricultural development, then the logical place for
holding the conference would be
Jerusalem and not London, since the
British conferees would have the
benefit of local experts' advice.
Jerusalem, according to press dis-
�66
THE SYRIAN WORLD
patches, was also the scene of popular demonstrations on April 23
against the reported atrocities of
the Italian authorities of Cyrenaica
in suppressing Moslem demonstrations. A call was issued by the
Grand Mufti to attend special services in the Mosque of Omar for
the victims, and the office of the
Arab Executive presented to all
foreign consulates, including the
Italian, copies of strongly condemnatory resolutions. The conviction
prevails in some quarters that the
Arabs are pursuing the wrong tactics in thus openly attacking Italy
because they will lose a large amount
of sympathy for their nationalistic
cause which undoubtedly they enjoy
among many elements in Italy.
About Syria and Syrians
FURTHER COMPLICATIONS
IN ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE
On the first of May the bishops of
the Syrian Orthodox Church in
America and several newspapers received cable information from Damascus that the three ranking Patriarchs of the Orthodox Church had
finally given recognition to Patriarch Alexander of Damascus, conceding the legality of his election
to the vacant seat of the Patriarchate of Antioch and the whole
East. Closely following this announcement, however, came another
cable dispatch from Patriarch Arsanius, the other church dignitary
elected to the same office, stating
that the situation had not changed
and promising details by mail. In
view of these developments, the
situation, instead of being clarified,
seems to have been further complicated.
The difficulties in the question of
the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate
arose upon the death of the late Patriarch Gregory IV in 1929. For two
years the two principal factions in
the church seemed deadlocked over
the election of a successor, until early
this year a conclave convened in an
attempt to put an end to the indecision. This, unfortunately, proved to
add further to the complications in
that the dissenting faction proceeded
with its own election, giving rise to
the anomalous situation of having
two heads to the one body.
ANGLICAN PRIMATE
VISITS JERUSALEM
Union of Anglican Protestant
Church and Greek Orthodox
Church Openly Discussed.
For the first time in history, a
Primate of England visited Jerusalem while in office. This fact was
stressed by the authorities of the
Greek Orthodox Church in welcoming the Archbishop of Canterbury
upon his visit to the city on April
16. He was welcomed with equal
expressions of high regard by the
authorities of the Armenian Church.
One of the first acts of the Primate was to visit the Church of the
Holy Sepulchre, where he was re-
�'
\APRILy 1931
ceived at the entrance by the acting
Greek Patriarch, flanked by twelve
archimandrites and twelve bishops
and also the Armenian clergy. In
the Katholicon, which is the Greek
Orthodox section of the church, a
service was held during which the
acting Patriarch prayed for the King
and Queen of the royal family of
England as well as for the army and
navy, after which the choir sang.
During the reception held later at
the Patriarchate, the visiting Primate referred to the possibility of
a union of the Anglican and the
Eastern churches and dwelt on a
statement made by the Ecumenical
Patriarch at Istanbul, (supreme
head of the Greek Orthodox faith),
that brotherly relations existed between the Orthodox and the English
Protestant Churches. An eventual
union would not bring the Churches
under one command but each would
remain independent while maintaining the closest co-operation, he said.
"While in the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre, I prayed to God Almighty
to help us in the work undertaken
in order to accomplish a union and
that the committee which was appointed by the Orthodox Patriarchates of Istanbul, Alexandria and
Jerusalem would be successful in its
efforts to unite Anglican Protestantism and the
Greek
Orthodox
Church," he said.
The Archbishop inspected Greek
and Syriac manuscripts in the
library.
Archimandrite Narcissus, a member of the Greek Holy Synod, said
in an interview that the visit of the
Archbishop afforded the Patriarchate the greatest pleasure. He said
the Greek Orthodox Church deeply
appreciated the Archbishop's work
in behalf of a union of their
Churches and all were hoping that '
it would be accomplished.
67
RIHANI SAILS. PRESENTED
WITH LOVING CUP
Ameen Rihani, well known Syrian
traveler, lecturer and author, sailed
for England April 18 on his way to
his native land. He plans to make a
short stop in Paris to visit the
French Colonial Exposition.
On April 16 the ceremony of presenting Mr. Rihani with the loving
cup bought by popular subscription
was held in the auditorium of the
American Syrian Federation building
in Brooklyn. Although invitations
had been issued only to contributors
with the privilege of bringing members of their families and friends,
the hall was filled to overflowing.
Dr. F. I. Shatara, chairman of the
committee, presided. In his introductory remarks he dwelt on the public
services of Mr. Rihani during his
two years' visit in America and expressed particularly the gratitude of
his Palestinian countrymen to Mr.
Rihani for his defense of the Arab
cause.
Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin paid a
touching personal tribute, and Dr.
R. T. Deen, speaking in Arabic, referred to the erudition of Mr. Rihani and his fearlessness in giving
expression to his political convictions.
The presentation of the cup was
assigned to Mr. Salloum A. Mokarzel in 'his capacity of secretary of
the committee. In explaining the motive behind the action, Mr. Mokarzel
said that in offering the stock of
Mr. Rihani's popularity on the market, it had been oversubscribed,
leaving a surplus over the price of
the cup whidh provided a moderate
purse. In responding, Mr. Rihani expressed his thanks and refused the
purse unless it was applied to the
purchase of some of his Arabic
books.
�68
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Mr. Rihani spoke in both Arabic the author of an epic poem in
and English. He expressed deep ap- French for which he has received
preciation of the feelings of his the blessing of His Holiness the
countrymen in America, declaring Pope.
that he would retain the cup as one
Such zeal as Rev. Eid has disof his most valued possessions as
played
is reminiscent of the efforts
long as he lived, and that upon his
of
the
early
Christian missionaries.
death he would bequeath it to the
He is completely Wedded to his work
National Museum in Beirut for perand is consumed by the desire to
manent preservation. His Arabic
keep alive in this new land the finer
address dealt with his conception of
the broader relations that should traditions which have been our racial
exist among Arabic-speaking peo- heritage for long centuries. The success attending his activities has been
ples.
so marked that it is a pleasure to
Miss Fedora Korban, the gifted
point him out as an example of modSyrian singer, gave several Arabic
ern missionary zeal.
and English selections.
SYRIANS OF FALL RIVER
HAVE FINE NEW CHURCH
PREPARATIONS FOR SECOND
CARNIVAL UNDER WAY
The Syrian Catholics of Fall River,
Mass., can now boast one of the
finest churches of its size in America, erected in record time and after
a long period of dissension, through
the untiring efforts of their new
pastor, Rev. Joseph Eid.
A beautiful little book in Arabic
and English, just published by the
Syrian-American Press of New York,
gives the history of the church and
the multiple trials attending its erection. The account, however, fails to
give full credit to the energy, zeal
and tact of the modest pastor
through whose efforts the work was
made possible.
In less than a year Rev. Eid not
only brought accord and harmony
where dissension had reigned for
over twenty years, but aroused sufficient enthusiasm among the community in the face of the economic
depression to prosecute the work and
bring it to a successful culmination.
Rev. Eid is a graduate of the
Maronite College in Rome and besides being a D. D. and a Ph. D.,
is a master of six languages. He is
The Lebanon League of Progress
of New York has announced that its
second annual festival-outing will
take place this year at Bridgeport,
Conn., the scene of the first and most
successful carnival, but the date will
be July 4 and 5 instead of labor Day.
This latter date has been reserved
for holding a similar carnival in
the vicinity of Detroit, Mich., so as
to afford the populous Syrian centers of the North the opportunity of
sharing in the carnival and patriotic
spirit.
It is hoped that the coming event
will prove even more successful
than the preceding one. Time for
preparation is more ample and almost three thousand participants in
the last carnival are sure to come
and bring many friends, such was the
enthusiasm and satisfaction over the
first affair. It is expected, furthermore, that the young Syrian-American generation will be more liberally represented not only because of
the varied entertainment provided as
much as for the opportunity of living for a day in the charming spirit
u
�s
New Syrian Catholic Church of St. Anthony of the Desert in Fall River, Mass.
�70
THE SYRIAN WORLD
of the tradition of the old country.
Folk dances, sword play, singing and
all the appurtenances of a festival occasion will be in evidence. This annual event promises to become a
fixed racial institution among the
Syrians and Lebanese of the United
States, and what must be generally
admitted is that it affords an exceptional opportunity for the promotion of a spirit of good-fellowship
and general good time.
The admission is $1.00 per person for the two days. Refreshments
and restaurant service will be
available.
SYRAMAR GOLF CLUB
TO HOLD TOURNAMENT
The fourth annual Spring Tournament of the Syramar Golf Club will
be held Saturday and Sunday, May
23 and 24, at the Wolf Hollow
Country Club, Delaware Water Gap,
Pa. Numerous prizes have been assigned to winners of the different
flights, from veterans to beginners.
The word Syramar stands for
Syrian American, and the club has
been in existence for over four
years, meeting with steadily increasing success.
The annual election of officers was
held the latter part of March, those
chosen being George Tadross, President; David Malhami, Vice-President; Joseph Ghassoun, Secretary
and Faris Saydah, Treasurer.
MOSQUE IN BROOKLYN
The Moslems of New York have
formed a society which acquired the
property at 108 Powers St., Brooklyn, and converted it into a mosque.
It is the first regular Moslem place
of worship in the city and was dedicated on April 28.
DR. HITTI SPEAKS
AT BROOKLYN MEETING
Dr. Philip K. Hitti of Princeton
was a guest on April 26 at the International Institute of the Y. W.
C A. of Brooklyn where he delivered an address on the Arabs' contribution to civilization. Dr. Hitti
speaks out of a vast store of knowledge when dealing with historical
topics, and in this instance he was
particularly informative. A large
American audience attended the
lecture.
The meeting was held at St. Ann's
Chapel, Clinton and Livingston Sts.,
Brooklyn, and was in charge of Miss
Bahiya Hajjar, the Syrian associate
of the Institute. The exercises also
comprised Syrian national songs under the direction of Prof. Alexander
Maloof.
Following the meeting, a reception was given in honor of Dr. and
Mrs. Hitti at the home of the Institute, 94 Joralemon St.
ST. NICHOLAS CLUB
HOLDS SPRING DANCE
The St. Nicholas Young Men's
Club of New York held its annual
Spring dance in the grand ballroom
of the Hotel Bossert in Brooklyn on
the evening of April 18. There were
about four hundred in attendance and
they thoroughly enjoyed the speeches
and entertainment. The music was
provided by the Mediterranean Radio
Broadcasters.
Mr. N. S. Sydnawey, the president, While welcoming the guests,
took occasion to point out that the
name of the club was adopted out
of recognition of the charitable
spirit of "Santa Claus," and that
it did not imply any religious, much
less political, affiliation.
�
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
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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
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NS 0002
Access Rights
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This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law.
Dublin Core
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Identifier
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TSW1931_04reducedWM
Title
A name given to the resource
The Syrian World Volume 05, Issue 08
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1931 April
Description
An account of the resource
Volume 5 Issue 08 of The Syrian World published April 1931. The issue is especially long as it was published the same month famed poet and frequent contributor to the Syrian World, Kahlil Gibran, passed away. There are only just a few inclusions in the article that are not related to Gibran's passing. The first is an article discussing the concept of chivalry in Arabia and Islam. This article primarily deals with the origin of chivalry, which seems to point to the crusades, in which Moslem and Christian knights met in combat. Salloum Mokarzel, in addition to his tribute work to Gibran, is featured for the continuation of his travels through Jebel-Druze. There is then the usual installment of "Ali Zaibaq," now a regular series of The Syrian World. The issue closes with political developments in Syria and excerpts from the Arab press. Intermingled with the issue's regular stories are works dedicated to Gibran. There is a discussion of his last days followed by a description of his Boston funeral. The remainder of the pieces are works by other authors normally featured in the Syrian World
the rest pay tribute to one of the most important Lebanese literary figures of all time.
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
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New York Public Library
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Coverage
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104 Greenwich St., New York, NY
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Text/pdf
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Text
Rights
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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.
1930s
Funerals
Kahlil Gibran
Labeebee A.J. Hanna
New York
Obituaries
Poetry-English
Religion
Reverend W.A. Mansur
Thomas Asa
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/8770c3f6b9f149e74c0f97238ae4460d.pdf
aa670fa21f053c597c000f445a063ff0
PDF Text
Text
VOL. Mk m
m
DECEMBER 1931
NO. 4
��THE
SYRIAN WORLD
"Published monthly except July and August
by
THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS
104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y.
By subscription $5.00 a year.
Single Copies 50c
Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New "iork,
N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879.
VOL. VI NO. 4
DECEMBER, 1931
t
CONTENTS
Palestine of Religious Romance and Historic Realism
By H. I.
Christmas Altar (a Poem)
By ALICE
KATIBAH
11
MOKARZEL
The Great Recurrence
By
Poetry, Edited by
3
12
KAHLIL GIBRAN
15
BARBARA YOUNG
Blithesome Boy, by
BARBARA YOUNG
Christmas Poetry
Still There is Bethlehem, by
17
18
NANCY BYRD
TURNER
Carol, by GILBERT KEITH CHESTERTON
Second Coming, by ERNEST HARTSOCK.
18
18
18
�CONTENTS (Continued)
PAGE
News and Views
.. 19
By A
STAFF OBSERVER
Are These Great Men Really Syrians?
19
Origin of Chivalry
22
East and West
"... 23
Omar Khayyam—His Grave and Shiraz Wine
24
Promoting Religious Understanding
26
Home and Family ....'
Edited by
27
BAHIA AL-MUSHEER
The Dietetic Value of Syrian Food
A Menu For American Guests
Proper Roasting
How Ladies Could Use Idle Hours
A Party for Aneesa, (A Short Story)
By
EDNA
K.
27
28
29
29
30
SALOOMEY
Book Reviews
39
A Book of Sentiment and Fact on a Great
Syrian Poet
39
Resurrecting the Glory of Syria
41
Spanning the Nation's History
43
Peace and Good Will, Plus Faith
By
44
THE EDITOR
Political Developments in Syria
Syrian World News Section
.45
51
I
�,
—
\
Syrian
^^^^ f/
MOKARZEL, Editor
SALLOUM A. M<
DECEMBER, 1931
VOL. VI NO. 4
Palestine of Religious Romance
and Historic Realism
THE SUCCESSION OF EVENTS WHICH MADE A HOLY
LAND OF THE SMALL SYRIAN PROVINCE
LYING AT THE INTERSECTION OF
THREE CONTINENTS
By H. I.
KATIBAH
PALESTINE, to millions of our matter-of-fact, practical, realistic generation, is not a geographic term so much as a state of
mind and imagination. It suggests not so much plains, hills, valleys, rivers and stretches of gray, rocky, barren land as it does an
idyllic state of serenity, happiness, joy and eternal peace.
It is not surprising that such were the connotations and associations invoked by the word "Palestine" to the generations of
our grandfathers and great grandfathers in countries far removed
from that little country squeezed in the southern portion of a little
corridor between three continents—Asia, Europe and Africa. For
Palestine, to them, was something they learned about in the Bible
and from queer, multicolored maps of the Sunday schools. It was
studied always in connection with an ancient history that was always surrounded with a halo of sanctity and mystery, and often a
sense of taboo besides. Rarely was it ever, studied with any effort
at historic and geographic perspective. Great and mighty nations
as the Egyptians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Persians and Greeks, were'
just outlandish, distant names that gain significance only in that
�4
THE SYRIAN WORLD
they are brought in association with the name of the Hebrews the
chosen people of God.
There was such a thing as "sacred history" and "profane history," and our ancestors sincerely believed that the former could
be studied separately, encompassed as it was between the two morocco covers of a collection of books—the Bible. In the minds of
those pious forefathers of ours even profane history became "bibliocentnc," and the achievements and civilizations of great neighboring
countries was dwarfed and dwindled in contrast with the earnest,
religious message of the Hebrew prophets and psalmists. Socrates'
Plato and Aristotle, who came in the twilight of Hebrew history,
were perhaps unknown to most of the Hebrew learned men and
priests of their days, and Greek civilization, which at one time
threatened to swallow the Hebrew and other civilizations of the
East, was condemned as an unclean, heathen innovation. And to
most of those who read the Bible a hundred or fifty years ago, even
to many who read it today, this great ancient civilization meant
just as little. It mattered little that Greek philosophy stole through
the backdoor of Christian theology and square-footedly occupied
a secure place in the Bible, or that it was two great Jews, Philo and
St. Paul, who introduced this same Greek philosophy to the Semitic
practical religion of the Jews.
It is no wonder, we say, that our ancestors took such an exclusive view of Palestine and its history, and that to them Palestine
was an idealized term of religious sentiment and distant history.
In those days there were no cables to link far-flung countries of the
world together and make them seem like a little country town
where all the gossip of the day could be exchanged around the stove
of the country general store; there were no fast trains that devoured
space, no airplanes that annihilated time, and shrunk this globe of
ours to one tenth of its original size. For, after all, time and distance are relative terms, and only have sense in relation to our
capacity for turning them into subjective human experience.
But the wonder is that to a great number of people among us,
in this age of the cable, the fast trains, trans-Atlantic steamers,zeppelins and airplanes, Palestine still is-a term of religious romance
that has little historic realism and practically no geographic perspective to them.
I was strongly reminded of this in a little anecdote that a
friend of mine, a former research worker in the Foreign Policy
Association, once related to me. She told me that she was once
dictating a letter to a Jewish stenographer in the office, and when
�—
"DECEMBER, 1931
fntTrmrrrTmmmm' ,
5
the letter was finished she directed that it be addressed to a certain
gentleman in Jerusalem, Palestine.
The Jewish girl opened her eyes wide with sudden surprise.
"Jerusalem? /" she asked, her eyes shining with a mysterious,
distant gleam, as if the word suggested to her some golden dream
of romance and bliss.
"Yes, Jerusalem! " replied the research worker, smiling.
"Palestine? " again asked the surprised stenographer.
"Yes, Palestine " added the research worker.
"And will it reach there? " still persisted the puzzled questioner.
"Certainly it will! " assured the young lady whose job it was
to keep a great section of American public opinion fully informed
on the latest developments in Palestine, Syria, Egypt and the rest
of the Arabic-speaking world.
Not only to Christians, but to Jews and Moslems also, the
earthly Palestine, and particularly Jerusalem, is inseparably linked
with the heavenly one.
The Jews, among the followers of the three great monotheistic religions, were the ones to whom the earthly Palestine, the
earthly Jerusalem, was not only real, but the very centre of their
reality, and without which their hopes, aspirations, their history and
religion, were without significance or substantiality. At least that
could be safely said of the orthodox Jews. They had a feverish,
fanatic, almost fetichistic attachment to the actual soil, the actual
stones, the hills, valleys, trees, the very air that circulated in the
clear, translucent sky of that little bit of a Holy Land. This was
especially true after the second destruction of Jerusalem under
Hadrian who ordered the city rebuilt as Aelia Capitolina and prevented the Jews from even entering it again on the pains of death.
Jerusalem became then to the Jews the land of their lost dream,
their ultimate hope and salvation, when Jehovah would gather them
from their diaspora in every corner of the world and bring them
back in rejoicing and triumph to Zion.
Once the land came into the possession of a friendly Semitic
people, the Arabs, it was this same passionate longing for Palestine,
for Zion, that burned in the hearts of pious Jewish pilgrims and
made them leave sometimes comfortable homes in lands where they
had flourished and prospered, facing innumerable dangers "of seas
and lands, to arrive to the land of their happy dreams, even if it
were only to lay their hands on its sod and die. It was this inexplicable attachment for a land from which they were separated by
�WHtHHtmmmmm
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The Holy City of Jerusalem, as it appears from the Mount of Olives.
�DECEMBER, 1931
7
thousands of miles and almost as many years, that gave rise to
numerous legends and ceremonies which added more halo and romance to a country, otherwise less fortunate than many others in the
same neighborhood, and less favoured by Providence and nature.
Jerusalem became the city "in the middle of the world," and the
city to which all the dead will be gathered in the day of resurrection. Those who could not go to Palestine and die there, have to
walk in dark, subterranean passages when the archangel Gabriel
blows his horn, and every soul answers the roll call to appear before the Great Judge. In their superstitious yearning for "Eretz
Yizroel," it was considered a soothing compensation for Jews who
die outside Palestine to sprinkle a little of its sacred soil between
the legs of the dead—the seat of, life.
Perhaps no Jew gave a more intense, sublime expression to this
yearning than Jehuda Halevi who lived in the 12th century in Spain,
in the heyday of Arab supremacy. He himself wrote in Arabic as
well as in Hebrew, and was well off in the country of his sojourn.
But there was a mysterious unrestfulness about him which seemed
to egg him on and prod him to visit Palestine. Life to him was
worthless unless that object was fulfilled, and he sang in longing
and anguish of that land of his forefathers that sometimes rose to
the heights of the Hebrew psalms, and were shot through with
references to biblical passages and incidents. Legend has it that
as he was within sight of his cherished dream he was shot by an
Arab soldier with an arrow, and so the Jewish poet died within a
stone's throw, so to speak, of the Temple, of which he had sung
so majestically and pathetically. Here is a typical song, perhaps
one of his best, of Jehuda Halevi, from the English translation of
Nina Salaman:
"Beautiful of elevation! Joy of the world!
City of the Great King!
For thee my soul is longing from limits of the west.
The tumult of my tenderness is stirred when I remember
Thy glory of old that is departed—thine habitation which
is desolate.
0 that I might fly on eagles' wings,
That I might water thy dust with my tears until they
mingle together.
1 have sought thee even though thy King is not in thee
and though, in place
�IT
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8
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Of thy Gilead's balm, are now the fiery serpent and
scorpion.
Shall I not be tender to thy stones and kiss them,
And the taste of thy soil be sweeter than honey unto mer"
But neither in Jehuda Halevi nor any of his compatriots who
wasted themselves for Palestine do we hear a celestial note. For
while it is true that Aelia supplanted the time-honored name (Jerusalem), as Margolioth remarks, and the latter name began to be
used exclusively for "the heavenly city of devotional fancy
painted in more gorgeous colours than before," the Jews still clung
to the earthly Jerusalem, while Christians, whose Messiah had already come and was with the Father in heaven, lost all interest in
the earthly Jerusalem and concentrated it on the heavenly Jerusalem, and often was the former transfigured beyond all recognition of its geographic and historic identity.
Thus when a Bernard de Morlaix, who was contemporary to
Jehuda Halevi, sang of:
"Jerusalem the golden,
With milk and honey blest,
Beneath thy contemplation
Sink heart and voice opprest"
we are, sometimes, not quite sure whether the hymnodist had in
mind the heavenly or the earthly Jerusalem, or perhaps both in some
mystic union of devotional fancy and fervour.
Perhaps the ones who held the most realistic view of Palestine
were the Moslem Arabs who occupied the country in the seventh
century, the first to fall under their control in their swift and brilliant series of conquest after they sallied forth from their Arabian
homeland.
Yet, even the Arabs themselves did not want to be outdone
by the Jews and Christians in their devotion to Palestine, "the resting-place of the prophets, the descent place of the angels and of
inspiration." It was this desire to rival its sister Semitic, monotheistic religious in pouring its tribute to the "Sacred House," that
was back of that most audacious "revelation" of the "Isra," or
"nocturnal journey," from the Holy Temple in Mecca to "the
Furthermost Temple" in Jerusalem. At the same time of that
revelation, one year before the hegira, many of the believers themselves cast serious doubts on the Prophet's claim that that distance,
which took a whole month to cover by swiftly driven camels one
�DECEMBER, 1931
9
way and another month back, was actually traversed by him in one
night. There were no airplanes in those days, of course, nor did
the Prophet say that he rode on a magical carpet of wind. On the
contrary, Mohammed asserted that Gabriel supplied him with a
green mount, a cross-breed between a donkey and a mule, called
al-Buraq. Once in Jerusalem, Mohammed tied his miraculous
mount to a window outside the Temple wall, and to the present day
the Mughrabite custodians of the Buraq quarter point to you that
very window without any qualms of doubt or trepidation. Then
he entered the Temple, and behold Gabriel had gathered for him
all the prophets from their graves, and he led them in a short prayer of "two kneelings!"
In this way the transfiguration of Palestine became complete,
and the real, earthly Palestine put on a sheen of myth and sanctity
more mythical and more sanctified than realistic history could possibly justify.
It took a long and arduous campaign of historic and critical
scholarship to restore Palestine to its realistic proportions. Whole
books and monographs have been written and are still being written
to remove an endless number of illusions about the Holy Land, illusions that have no origin in fact, but were generously supplied by
the pious imaginations of devotees to a country so intimately and
inseparably linked with the cradle of their religions.
Mark Twain poked satiric fun at those religio-romantic tourists
who travelled up and down the Holy Land gushing forth exaggerated and unbridled sentiment about its unmatched beauty and
'undying glory. He was, on the contrary, impressed especially by
its ardity, the sordidness of its environment and lack of scenic
beauty.
To bring the realization of its proper dimensions
nearer to his r.rtaers in America he declares that "the State
of Missouri could be split into three Palestines, and there would
then be enough material left for part of another—possibly a whole
one." That this reminder of Mark Twain was not unjustified or
uncalled for may be appreciated from an incident which I beg to cite
from my own experience. Travelling one day in Ohio, some fifteen
years ago, I was engaged in conversation with a pious old lady who
was trying to win me to her peculiar form of religious vagaries and
convince me that the second coming of Christ was very near, within a few years at most. She gave me some literature to read in
which the descent of the Heavenly Jerusalem over the earthly one
was vividly described. The heavenly city was to be three hundred
miles in length and three hundred miles in width.
-
�10
rHE SYRIAN WORLD
"Do you realize, my dear lady," I commented as I read that
description, "that the heavenly Jerusalem you speak of would cover
twice the size of Palestine, and a large part of it would lie in the
Mediterranean Sea!"
Singling out a particularly sentimental tourist who had written
more fancy than fact about Palestine, Mark Twain describes him
as one who "went through this peaceful land with one hand forever
on his revolver and the other on his pocket handkerchief. Always,
when he was not on the point of crying over a holy place, he was
on the point of killing an Arab." Then he adds with a touch of
indignant irony: "More surprising things happened to him than
to any traveller here or elsewhere since Munchausen died!"
Mark Twain did a great service to the people of his generation,
and his "Innocents Abroad" is a classic of debunking which every
tourist, particularly to the Holy Land, should read.
Nevertheless the stream of sentimental literature about Palestine still goes on. But the banner of fervid eulogizing and romancing vagary today is not carried by Christian monks and tourists,
but by so-called "practical Zionists," who refuse to believe that
Palestine is too small, too barren and utterly unfit for ethnic, industrial and military considerations, to be the seat of a revived
Jewish state. Nor would they even read their own history with
eyes undimmed by the wish-fulhllments of their harried, persecuted
career in Palestine itself and ever since they were driven out from
it.
To Zionists in particular, and to all others who cannot or
refuse to separate in their minds between Palestine of fancy and
Palestine of fact, Palestine of religious romance and Palestine of
historic realism, I sincerely commend a recent book written by a
Jewish rabbi, a scholar and gifted writer, who took upon himself
the task of redrawing the whole history of the Jews in deft and
broad strokes that restore its true picture to us and place it in a true
perspective of history and balanced reason. This book, "Srranger
than Fiction," by Lewis Browne, is a great work of popularization
which brings within our reach the painstaking labours of hundreds
of scholars and historians—that disquieting tribe of indefatiguable
workers who ever insist on bringing us back to our senses and destroy our cherished illusions ithat have no roots in fact, and often
not even in fancy.
One paragraph from this book, describing Jerusalem in the
days of David, is sufficient to illustrate the spirit and aim of the
author:
�11 !PS"
DECEMBER, 1931
i
11
"When David took hold of Jerusalem," writes Mr. Browne,
"it must have been much like any other Canaanite town. From end
to end its length was probably that of ten of our city blocks, and
surrounding it was a tremendously high wall of stone.
The
houses were flat-roofed, one story huts of stone plastered with
mud} and there was no furniture inside them. The people ate and
slept on the ground, and the animals ate and slept with them. Horrid smells filled every corner of the town, for of course there were
no sewers and no street-cleaning department. Nasty insects buzzed
around everywhere, for refuse rotted in front of every house.
Savage, half-starved dogs prowled about, and here and there dirty
little children, naked save for the good-luck charms hung around
their necks, with bellies swollen from drinking foul water, and
faces covered with sores and scars, played amid the filth or ran
errands.
"Such was Jerusalem that became the capital of David's empire. There he established his harem of twenty or thirty wives—
and right proud he must have been of it, for in those days the might
of a monarch was largely judged by the size of his harem—and
there he served as high priest and chief justice and king."
Christmas Altar
By
ALICE MOKARZEL
There is a holy quiet here—
A sacred stillness that breathes a calm
Unto the troubled heart} a balmy incense
That seeks the weary soul and bids it rise
And behold the comfort of a thousand years
Revealed above the glamour of this shrine.
There are the gifts of Magi here—
In leaves that twine the golden cross,
And candles, soothing the beloved dark
Like pallid, love-lit soldiers, guarding
This world-heart of the hearts of men.
There is an unsung carol here
That fills the breast of king and shepherd,
And quells the tired and aching heart
That finds its solace near His bed.
3L««^..-<-
.-*,» -
-.
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
12
The Great Recurrence
By
KAHLIL GIBRAN
Author of "Jesus, the Son of Man/' "The Prophet," etc.
MANY centuries ago they said that the humble shepherds
of Judea and the wise Kings of Persia came to a manger
to worship the infant Jesus. They also said that the shepherds sang of peace and good will, and of love that binds
man to man; and that the wise Kings laid gold and frankincense at the feet of the Blessed Babe.
Today we children of the vast yesterday come to a
manger, which is in truth our solitude; each one of us a
shepherd who would have peace in the pasture of his
thoughts, and the good will of all the other shepherds—and
each one of us a King of his own destiny, who would lay
gold and frankincense at the feet of his greater self: gold
for assurance and frankincense for dreams.
You and I and all our neighbors would kneel before
the anointed genius of mankind, which is in us all.
And they say that Jesus was born in a cave even like his
forerunners, Orpheus and Methra and Zoroaster. They
said this for they knew that only the secret depths can give
birth to great heights.
�!
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DECEMBER, 1931
13
II
I' I
And today, we, too, believe that vast souls, even as vast
worlds, move from darkness to light, and from oblivion to
recognition, from hidden roots to blooms that laugh in the
sun and dance in the wind.
But they said that the King of Judea decreed, in his
fear, the slaughter of all the newborn in the land, for he
was told even by the Persian seers that the infant Jesus
should overrule him and deprive him of scepter and diadem.
Today we in our fear of the unknown tomorrow would
slay the innocence in us that it may not be a stumbling block
in the path of our governing intelligence.
But, thanks be to the heavens above, there is for some
of us an Egypt for an escape and golden sands and palm
trees for safety.
If
We go there in faith, knowing that that which we
would save in us is the truth and the beauty which the angel
of our white nights so graciously taught us to love and protect.
Yea, it was in that distant yesterday when the genius
of our heart's desire was born, and the secret in our depth
was revealed to us, and the innocence in us sought escape
from the designing which is in us also.
And all this shall come to pass many times before we
reach our homecoming. It is the mystic recurrence of the
divine mystery before the face of the Son.
(Reprinted from the Herald Tribune, Dec. 23, 1928)
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Symbolic of The Great Recurrrence.
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to
�•DECEMBER, 1931
BARBARA YOUNG,
Editor
"The child is but a day old, yet we have seen the light of our God in
His eyes and the smile of cur God upon His mouth.
"We bid you protect Him that He may protect you all."
Kahlil Gibran
QOLD AND frankincense and myrrh
Never the celebration
of the Christmas holiday that these words do not ring in our
hearts like temple bells.
The poetry of the Yuletide is like the
poetry of no other time in all the twelvemonth of the year, even
as the poet whose birth we now remember, surpasses all other poets
who have lived and died upon this, planet; the Poet who lived his
poems and who left not so much as one written word on any parchment.
In that little bridge-country which has been an embattled field
since time began, in the midst of civil turbulence and inter-racial
violence, this Poet? and this Prince of Peace was born.
In the East, in the Arabic speaking countries, all princes have
been poets There were long ages when such a being as a king who
was not also a poet was unthinkable.
But the Poet of Nazareth, born, the churchlv reord reads "in
Bethlehem of Judea," has bequeathed to mankind a heritage of
poetry such as none other of any land, of any time, has left.
What he may actually have said reallv matters little after all
The divine beauty and power that invested his human person, the
mighty emanation from his ageless spirit lives and shall live a
persistent song in the deep heart of the race, and a golden word
upon its tongue.
�I I
16
THE SYRIAN WORLD
More poetry has been written in his name than in the name of
any other ten of earth's high spirits. And there is that in every remembrance of this Man which imparts a rhythm and a melody
even to the prose that takes his doings for its theme. The magic
of his being bestows a quality of music upon our common words
and every poet who puts quill to paper delights to ponder his ways
and nis comeliness.
"Then suddenly, one night,
I had a vision—we will call it so.
I saw a Young Man working with his tools,
Hammer and' plane and saw, beside a bench.
It was a room like this. Often he stopped
And looked away out through the open door
To the low hills. I heard him speaking, too
He was a comely fellow, very young,
Twenty perhaps, with eyes like mountain pools,
The kind you'd know would gather stars at night
In their dark depths. His hands upon the wood
And on the plane were like two conscious things
That breathed and thought and lived a separate life.
I've never seen two other hands like those,
Nor such a frame, compact like a young tree
And his face, Michael, it was like a god,
And like a child, and like a woman, too;'
But most of all it was a poet's face,—
A poet who could be a warrior
If need be, or a shepherd, or a king,
Or just a man, a village carpenter."
"T
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sfc
Today there is a great stirring in the world above this world.
This Christmas Eve when the choirs from our great city churches
gather around the living tree that comes to visit Times Square, and
when the people of Becharre, far away in the Lebanon hills, go
through the snowy night, singing and carrying their lanterns to the
village sanctuary there will be also a mighty convocation in the
ether of those freed spirits who have achieved the heights since
last the Christmas carols escended from the hearts of earth to the
great Heart of Heaven. And if we shall listen in the innermost
of our being, who knows that we too may not hear the echo of a
heavenly host chanting the poetry of that world beyond this world?
I
�DECEMBER, 1931
17
Blithesome Boy
I think he was a blithesome Boy.
I think his words were clear and free;
I think he was as straight and brown
As some young tree.
I think his laugh rang down the wind.
I think he tossed his tumbled hair
And flung a snatch of simple song
Upon the air.
I think he lingered on the hills,
And learned the magic of the grass;
And knew the heart of every tree
That saw him pass.
And heard upon the mountain-top
The distant singing in the sun
From cedar branches blowing green
On Lebanon.
I
I think he came to Mary's door
With eager homeward-running feet,
And to his hungry human mouth
Her bread was sweet.
Yet he himself was bread, and wine,
And olive-branch and cedar tree,
And grass, and star, and shining depth
Of Galilee.
Oh, he was laughter and delight,
And he was pain, and tears, and death,
And every suffering, and joy
Of Nazareth.
He was all silence, and all song;
He was a cross, a diadem;
The Man of Sorrows, and the Babe
Of Bethlehem.
BARBARA YOUNG
from The Keys of Heaven
�IS
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Christmas Poetry
STILL THERE IS BETHLEHEM
All love and mystery in one little face.
All light and beauty in a single
star
That rose among the shadows, pure
and far,
Above an humble place.
All heaven in song upon a lonely hill,
Earth listening, fain and still.
The long years go; the old stars rise
and set,
Dreams perish, and we falter in
the night.
Still there is Bethlehem; could heart
forget
That loveliness, that light?
Shadows there are, but who shall
fail for them?
Still there is Bethlehem.
Nancy Byrd Turner
in Good Housekeeping.
CAROL
The Christ Child lay on Mary's lap,
His hair was like a light.
(Oh, weary, weary were the world,
But here is all aright.)
The Christ ChUd lay on Mary's breast,
His hair was like a star.
(Oh, stern and cunning are the kings,
But here the true hearts are.)
The Christ Child stood on Mary's knee,
His hair was like a crown.
And all the flowers looked up at
Him
And all the stars looked down.
Gilbert Keith Chesterton.
SECOND COMING
He found us like the deathly thief
In all our night of unbelief;
A new star, like the Magi's gem
Above a blind new Bethlehem.
He lighted up the little way
Of men lost fearfully in clay.
Firefly or foxfire he was not,
But some eternal burning spot.
Some fagot that the gods forgot,
Some alien torch that dropped in place
From bonfires on the fields of space;
With beauty almost blasphemous
He aureoled and haloed us.
And we who had not known before
The white of daisies by a door,
The white of cloud and sycamore,
Knew suddenly the feathered frond
Of angel's wings—and worlds beyond.
Though some men craven with their
fear
Shaded their eyes when he grew near,
Some men who did not dread the
glow,
Went close and were translucent so,
With souls like hexagons of snow.
For we who once were darkened glass
Through which men's gazes could not
pass.
Each opened and a rainbow was!
Ernest Hartsock
in The Best Poems of 1931
Thomas Moult.
/
�"DECEMBER, 1931
19
News and Views
By A
STAFF OBSERVER
ARE THESE GREAT MEN REALLY SYRIANS?
/
pAR BE it from us to advance any preposterous claim calculated
to nourish an unseemly racial vanity. But we cannot very well
omit, for the purpose of historical record, reference to some facts
which every now and then creep into public print and have a direct
bearing on Syrian ethnology. Our excuse is that since others discuss such matters openly we are entitled to the same privilege." In
saying this we do not mean to be apologetic; simply modest!
Upon the visit of Premier Laval of France to the United
States reference often was made in the American press to the fact
that he was of Arab blood. A writer in the New York Sun was so
positive of this fact that he attributed to it not only the French
Premier's "extreme swarthiness of complexion but also the impregnable placidity he exhibited in trying circumstances." A Syrian
lady who attended the dinner given in the Premier's honor in New
York called the office of the Syrian World the following day to
break the glad news that M. Laval was not only Arab but Syrian.
The secret had been revealed to her, she said, by someone who was in
a position to know, and we knowing the lady to be of judicious discernment were strongly inclined to credit her report, but for fuller
confirmation sought information of one of our French friends in
New York, M. H. Jules-Bois, a scholar and author of standing who
had lectured at the French Institute on the career of M. Laval under the official auspices of the French consul. M. Jules-Bois neither
affirmed nor denied, simply confining himself to the statement
that he did not know sufficiently about M. Laval's ancestry to render
eoKtscientious judgment. He was positive, however, that the distinct in France in, which M., Laval was.born is known to have been
settled by Moors centuries back, and the report that he had Arab
blood in his veins might not be devoid of truth.
•
So much for the' Premier of France. The other great man of
�20
THE SYRIAN WORLD
our time who is persistently referred to as a Syrian, and sometimes is
attacked for being one, is Arturo Calles, the strong man of Mexico.
Reference was often made in the pages of the Syrian World to the
«?i -?at ^fiieS WaS frecluently called by his political opponents
111-lurco The Turk. Some Catholic papers in the United States
who resented Calles' attitude toward the church traced his genealogy and asserted that his father was a Syrian immigrant who had
started as a peddler and later settled in the interior of Mexico as a
farmer and trader. It must be borne in mind that all Syrians
whether in the United States or in Mexico, were formerly classed
as lurks in the immigration records. In declaring their country of
origin they were entered as Turks because they were under Turkish
rule. Hence the contention of a Federal Judge in one of the Circuit Courts of the South that the Syrians were not eligible to American citizenship because they were of Mongol blood, the Turks being
originally of Mongol stock, and the Syrians, because they were under Turkish rule, were consequently Mongols. This view would
appear preposterous on the face of it, but the Syrians, nevertheless,
had to carry the case to the United States Supreme Court to prove
their descent from the white race.
This is by way of demonstrating how public conceptions are
at times deceiving, and why Calles should be called a Turk although
a Syrian. Calles himself is not known to have ever denied it In
the face of all attacks levelled upon -him in the heat of political
campaigns, he is not known to have uttered a word of explanation
as to his racial origin. He took the attitude that if his opponents
chose to call him a Syrian or a Turk, let them howl to their heart'content. He is what he is, a true Mexican determined to bring order out of chaos in that troubled country. This he seems to have
succeeded in doing with a display of energy, generalship and statesmanship that have won him great admiration. Perhaps in later
years, when his biography as the political saviour of Mexico is
written, his descent will be traced back to its true origin For the
present let us be content to advance the claim as it stands While
not positively claiming Calles as a Syrian, we cannot help recording
the fact that he is "accused" of being one.
Altogether out of this class, but equally famous in his own line,
is another celebrity whom some claim to be a Syrian. We refer
to that undefeated champion in the pugilistic ring Mr Gene
Tunney, the battling marine of pronounced literary proclivities.
Ihe Arabic press of New York on several occasions made capital of
the rumor that Mr. Tunney is none other than the son of Peter
/
I
�'DECEMBER, 1931
/ i
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if
I)
21
Touma, one of the famous companions of the Lebanese hero Joseph
Bey Karam who fought the Turks to preserve the independence of
Mt. Lebanon. Touma is credited with having attacked a Turkish
mountain battery single-handed, and after putting to rout the gunners shouldering the cannon and carrying it triumphantly to his own
camp. There does not seem to be as much substantiation for Tunney's claim, however, as for the others.
Of more intimate relation to the subject under discussion is
the revelation of the extent of Arab influence in the Argentine
Republic which came about as a result of the last revolution in
that country and caused the downfall of President Irigoyen in the
fall of 1930. The President was represented as the last of the caudillos, the fierce Arab horsemen credited with having brought about the
Republic's existence. An account of their romantic activities was
published in the October, 1930 issue of the Syrian World, from
which we reprint the following extract as reported by a staff correspondent of the New York Times writing from Buenos Aires:
"*** The downfall of Dr. Irigoyen definitely marks a new
era in Argentine history m an even more romantic sense, for it means
the passing from history of the old caudillos (pettv chieftains),
who were a product of gaucho civilization on the Pampas. Argentine owes its very existence to these gauchos who were wild nomad
horsemen, whose fathers handed down to them the Moorish blood
they brought from Spain in the days of the conquest and whose
mothers were South American Indians.
"The gauchos retained many characteristics of their Arabian
ancestors who had overrun Spain, and they formed a barrier between
the tiny outposts of civilization and the wild Indians of Pampas
who until the late '80s resisted Argentina's efforts to establish herself as a nation. ****The caudillos led the numerous civil wars
which for so many years retarded Argentine progress until another
gauch caud]llo, Juan Manuel de Rosas, set himself up as dictator
and ruthlessly wiped out all other caudillos who opposed him, thus
paving the way for organized government in Argentine ' Dr
Irigoyen is the last of the caudillos."
Commenting on this news at the time of its publication over a
year ago, the Syrian World made the following observations: "Had
a Syrian or Arab writer laid claim at any time to the Arab's exercising such a great influence in the social and political order of a
new and progressive country in the New World such as the Argentine Republic, his claim would have been branded as preposterous
Immediately the accusation would be made that we would want
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
to claim everything for the Arabs, the Phoenicians and other Eastern
peoples ***In the present case the Arabs are not advancing any
claim of influence. They are accused of having it
****That
this influence did not prevail until the end is not the question as
much as its having existed and lasted for so long a time in the history of Argentine, and having been so strong as to be the cause for
the safety of the country while it lasted."
ORIGIN OF CHIVALRY
|N A SERIES of articles by Karl K. Kitchen on present conditions
in Soviet Russia now appearing in the New York Sun, this American writer offers what may seem a novel explanation of the Russians apparent lack of chivalry towards women as compared with
other European races. Here are his exact words:
"It might not be amiss to explain one reason for the equality
of the sexes in the Soviet Union. The bulk of the races that inhabited this part of Europe did not take part in the great crusades
durmg the Middle Ages. The idea of chivalry never came into
their lives. Consequently women were never placed on a pedestal '
as they were in many other parts of Europe. And that is why today
women are treated exactly the same as men, in every phase of life
as well as before the law.
"This also explains the bad manners, or at least the lack of
consideration, which the vast majority of Russians have for women
And, on the other hand, it accounts for the sturdy type of selfsupporting, self-reliant woman that is encountered on every side "
The plain deduction is that chivalry, as it is known in Europe,
originated in the East as a result of the crusades. And it naturally
follows that it originated in Syria since Syria was the theatre of
war m those days and the main object of the crusades was to free
the Holy Land from the domination of the Moslems, and the Holv
Land is a part of Syria. The crusaders learned the rudiments of
chivalry from their opponents and brought it back to their homeands where it bloomed into its present form. Russia apparently
lacks chivalry because it did not contribute its quota to the host of
the crusaders.
There is no dearth of English literature on this subject Onlv
recently our Syrian scholar, Prof. Philip K. Hitti of Princeton
wrote a treatise on this subject which appeared in the April 1931
!
mi
ll
�H
1
DECEMBER, 1931
23
issue of the Syrian World. Those of our readers who desire further
enlightenment on this interesting topic may profitably refer to that
article, or better still, they may refer to his lengthy work on the
subject entitled'the Memoirs of Usamah, an Arab Syrian Gentleman
and Warrior in the Times of the Crusaders, published by the Columbia University Press.
EAST AND WEST
The following is an editorial of the New York Times of
December 7.
£)EDICATION of a building at the University of Chicago devoted to the investigation of early man—a building which
"finds no parallel in any other University, either in America or
abroad"—draws the Near East still nearer to the West. It is
in the East that the origins of the civilization we have inherited
are for the most part hidden; and the Oriental Institute under
Western skies seeks now to help man in a literal sense to "orient"
himself—to get his bearings and see in true perspective the history
of the human race. Especially is it to help bridge the gap between
the savage of the paleontologist and the historian's story of the
people who emerge in Europe as "civilized" beings.
Dr. James H. Breasted, with his general headquarters in this
building, has an army of diggers not alone with spades but also
with modern excavating enginery, directed by an archaeological staff,
on a 3,000-mile front, stretching frpm Luxor in Egypt northward
past Sinai, through Palestine and Syria to the uplands of Anatolia,
eastward and southward across Mesopotamia to Persepolis in Persia.
Many other groups are making independent research, but for the
first time a single organization is able to "control and correlate" research and excavation throughout the leading early civilization in a
"single composite construction" of the pre-European course of human life, when for thousands of years man was advancing along a
front as wide as the United States.
Of special significance is the evidence that in this period man
in Egypt began "to hear remote voices that proclaimed the utter
futility of material conquest." It was then that "conscience and
character broke upon the world." The coffin lids of Egyptians five
hundred years after the Pyramid age and millennials B. C. revealed
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
Ldshelfen" "^
bey nd
°
** ***"*** of food and drink
In the spacious walls of the Oriental Institute the East walks
again „ its beauty and majesty, but with sobering if hot fHghtontS
rssa past srv*? r ?
every bject
° ~ssni
were mmona
Y!
^ °J *?&**** that dreamed they
I^llM" , k
• ^/^ earthen fact is touched by the spirit of
n deaf T * ^ * ^ °n aS a ^mbo1 of druggie towa^
an ideal. The great winged bull that looks with steady eazeTto
mlTLWOdd "^ ^ bUt aU ear1^ d
oi human ni|ht-th
aPPeanng ab Ve the WmgS the stre
Sstin/th
, u°
'
"gth ^ the bull sug
Strden. ^ °f ^ ""** ** ^ *** «« P^ of beasl
it k iVCn-if thCSe rdiCS °f ' dead past cause disquiet in these days
~TrZ t ^Th^"'- Wkh Mn Fosdi^ peaking m th£
5S SaHf hi» the.a»?n«uW Peril that develops the human
spirit that ,t has, been ,n times of instability and not in hours nf
£llife'o? m^ grT,teSt C°ntributi0- "-been made to the cul
presLSav nhT' k ' *? ^ tdls US' b the words of a great
OMAR KHAYYAM-HIS GRAVE AND SHIRAZ WINE.
A RECENT press dispatch from Teheran announces that the
Persian government had decided to raise a tomb over the grave
of her great national poet Omar Khayyam, of Rubaiyat fame
whose remains reposed for nearly eight centuries at aXtance of
about four miles from Nishapur, where he was born almost un
marked and ,n a deplorable state of neglect. This tore7of the"
Persians in their famous poet is comparatively ^^SSd^fe
through the greater interest displayed in him by hi Western ad
SatilofTr0
aPP
rr -hiS P^^-P^y through the master^
Z I
L Fitzgerald. It ,s a well known fact that the Tentmaker, although famous as a mathematician and astronomer did
not enjoy among his countrymen the reputation of Hafiz aTd Sa'di
as a poet. Actually it was Fitzgerald who established Omar'
ThlS ]S
the
SetSnltor^r^ °onnethe
°f original,
""*practicallv
-^ants create,
wTi
the translator, by his improvement
a luminous and glamorous spirit out of wta^JS£~£3T
This does not preclude the other fact that in most caL the transla-
�'DECEMBER, 1931
/
25
tion never comes up to the standard of the original.
In commenting on the proposed action of the Persian government, the New York Sun quotes Professor A. V. Williams Jackson
of the department of Indo-Iranian languages of Columbia University, as describing Omar's tomb as "a simple case of bricks and
cement. Vandal scribblers, found in Persia as in every other land,
have desecrated it by scratching their names and making random
scrawls. A stick of wood, a stone and some fragments of shards
profaned the top of the sarcophagus at the time we saw it. There
was nothing else**** There were no evidences of the roses which
Omar had wished might mark his burial place, neither was there
fulfillment of his prediction that roses would fall in showers upon
his grave**** We wished for a taste from that jug of wine made
famous by Omar's line. Our messenger returned after a search
round the town, only to bring a vile specimen of Russian vodka."
This condition finds its counterpart in the grave of the other
Eastern poet Abul'Ula whose English translator is our own Syrian
poet Ameen Rihani. The philosophy of the Syrian poet transcends
that of the Persian. He is styled by some of his admirers as the
Oriental Dante. He antedates both Dante and Omar, and even has
a work on an imaginary visit to the nether regions, Risalat al Ghufran, much similar to Dante's Inferno. He also gave expression
to much of Omar's later philosophical tenets, but he did not sing of
wine and women and roses in such manner as to appeal to the popular fancy.
Why these and other Oriental poets are more honored abroad
than at home provokes thought. They live and die in want, although their songs are on the lips of city dwellers and desert
travelers. They give out of the overflowing of their hearts and
do not invoke copyright laws. Just how much Western poets are
subject to the same lot would bear discussion. But we do not wish
to trespass on the Poetry Department.
The remark of Professor Jackson on Persian wine is equally
interesting. For vile vodka to supplant the fine Persian wine is
tragic. Especially that one of the finest brands of European wine
owes its fame and popularity to Persian origin. This is on the
authority of the late Khalil Bey Aswad, a Syrian scholar who died
a few years ago in New York and had resided for a considerable
time in Persia. Cherry wine, he explained, is not a concoction of the
cherry fruit, but was so named after a certain method of brewing.
Originally it was known as "cherries wine," which is a corruption of
the original name of Shiraz wine, the similarity of sound being ob-
>
�26
THE SYRIAN WORLD
wi
t°nL ShJnZ 7*- in °ther WOrds "Persi
"e," was famous
m olden times for its superior quality, and when h* Portw^
first began to trade with Persia they discovered these virtuf of
Sh.raz wine, "which flows in the veins like liquid fire" TheV im
underwent ttie
tet^ZT
^^ * *
unuerwent
process of corruption.
^^
namc which
^*
PROMOTING RELIGIOUS UNDERSTANDS
JHlF AMERICAN HEBREW, Jewish national ^ , is
per
'
I
between
3
'JT^
^ fo8terin
* better
ng
between Ch'ri
Christian
and
Jew in America
and has
given "nde^id
a gold medaf
to be awarded each year to the "outstanding cSributoTto TntrT
religious comity and understanding." The movement w!
The very tact that such a movement has been «fJ,^
J
meeting with the approval of leading m n m„ ,g cLr fanTand
Jews indicates the existence of an amount of ill-wifl and mfsundTr
^andmg that is bound to be harmful if allowed to go u"he ked"
check k{s
.he eEf/tT:::? ?
0
ry
* ****** ^ =5
m t,ga,e
Lan Hebrew sS :S"o°do '° '
"' ThiS " Wh« tfe A «
The gratifying feature of the movement is that \t « k :
done with a method. People of the West work along^e piLs and
their efforts are consequently rewarded with success W "f the
East conceive of brilliant ideas and act on them Siv i response
to sudden impulses, and fail to achieve lasting result's The ex
ample of the West should carry a lesson.
" "*"
the n.T thC pr°mulgation of the Ottoman Constitution in iyU
1908
the people went into transports of iov and Ch ,'
° .
°
Moslem Sheikhs were known to hav^em^c5ouS]f^ "
structure ot the btate. Representation n Lebanon also is deter
ter
mmed along religious lines.
"
.
ft
�DECEMBER, 1931
BAHIA AL-MUSHEER,
27
Editor
THE DIETETIC VALUE OF SYRIAN FOOD
Y^ERY often we hear Syrian parents remark (and some complain)
that their children have lost their taste for Syrian dishes and
speculate about the cause, advancing theories for it, sometimes
rational and sometimes otherwise. That a large percentage of our
children partake of Syrian dishes under protest is, I regret to say, a
fact. It makes it hard for the old folks because they enjoy the
dishes on which they were brought up, and they consider it an unnecessary sacrifice on their part to submit to the whims of their offsprings. To him who appreciates the value of diet, this attitude of
our young generation should be a cause of great concern. I say this
because of my conviction, which is based on study, that our dishes in
their dietary values and in their flavor, are second to none. Here
I want to take exception to the statement often voiced by some to
the effect that Syrian dishes are, as they put it, "heavy", meaning of
course that one's stomach feels overloaded after finishing with a
meal. As a matter of fact, it is not that the dish in itself is "heavy"
but that the portion of it with which they load their stomachs is excessive. I will admit one point, however, and that is this: By faulty
preparation, one will make any dish "heavy" and indigestible. For
instance, what can be worse than "Dawood Basha" served with a
half inch of fat floating on the surface of its gravy, and the rice
swimming in butter? So when I say faulty preparation I mean the
Jack of judgment in the balancing of the ingredients, and the
failure in cooking or rather curing of them. Then there is the
question of the combination of dishes. In this we often make
grave mistakes, especially when we have guests and are afraid lest
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
m olden times for its superior quality, and when the Portuguese
first began to trade with Persia the/ discovered these vTrufTTi
Shiraz wine, "which flows in the veins like liquid hre.» The im
gm
undent
T'corruption.
^ " itS °ngmal
underwent thet
the process of
1
name which
» *«
PROMOTING RELIGIOUS UNDERSTAND!MrMERIC AN HEBREW
TTe fn
f
' ^^o^^,
is
f r foSt
b
bet^L^SS^
^rr^l
°
.
-^
^ter underLnding
oetween Lhristian and Jew ,n America and has given a eold medal
to be awarded each year to the "outstanding contnbutor to mtra
religious comity and understanding."
The movement w,
fc
PiiritYv} iV. loin
J r
i
iuu\ement was inau-
Ihe very fact that such a movement has been «t*r^
J
izi
I eeffoi ^h';:;^ ?checkm * isgateby rec°»"
"g £££*£
TWS is Wh
the Am
ica!, Hebrew S«°OU "OT' " '"
"
"
"
The gratifying feature of the movement is rhit ;. ;. u„done w,th a method. People of the West wlT
f
their efforts are conseque^tlyfetrf d Uh sutsf "^rfthe
East co„ce,ve of brilliant ,deaS and act on them h dy in respo.se
Moslem Sheikhs were bi, to tl^S^SS^t^
n the course of popular demonstrations. This seems to have h" n
but a momentary flare which soon died out. wS, the firs,exdte
structure oi the bta^e. Representation n Lebanon also lb
is defer
deter
mined along religious lines.
"
�DECEMBER, 1931
BAHIA AL-MUSHEER,
27
Editor
THE DIETETIC VALUE OF SYRIAN FOOD
y/ERY often we hear Syrian parents remark (and some complain)
that their children have lost their taste for Syrian dishes and
speculate about the cause, advancing theories for it, sometimes
rational and sometimes otherwise. That a large percentage of our
children partake of Syrian dishes under protest is, I regret to say, a
fact. It makes it hard for the old folks because they enjoy the
dishes on which they were brought up, and they consider it an unnecessary sacrifice on their part to submit to the whims of their offsprings. To him who appreciates the value of diet, this attitude of
our young generation should be a cause of great concern. I say this
because of my conviction, which is based on study, that our dishes in
their dietary values and in their flavor, are second to none. Here
I want to take exception to the statement often voiced by some to
the effect that Syrian dishes are, as they put it, "heavy", meaning of
course that one's stomach feels overloaded after finishing with a
meal. As a matter of fact, it is not that the dish in itself is "heavy"
but that the portion of it with which they load their stomachs is excessive. I will admit one point, however, and that is this: By faulty
preparation, one will make any dish "heavy" and indigestible. For
instance, what can be worse than "Dawood Basha" served with a
half inch of fat floating on the surface of its gravy, and the rice
swimming in butter? So when I say faulty preparation I mean the
lack of judgment in the balancing of the ingredients, and the
failure in cooking or rather curing of them. Then there is the
question of the combination of dishes. In this we often make
grave mistakes, especially when we have guests and are afraid lest
�28
THE SYRIAN WORLD
1 Let
Set !" Ir^tfrf :;
h
r **« - * ^
of New England bXTdiJ.
«""H <=Tf at to a meal composed
and pie; We a e servil A
' JT hAed beans> roast beef
manner'they are ser-edf,, A"1"' " ^ * °Ur ,abJe in "><= -e
our guests and "ur ^ "^K? °T' * ,he °*»—« of
ment when we serve our native" dthes"°
* "' "* ""* J"^
I
dishes ^f nltrVVtU" and"" "'" ? ^ aS in fla
«
our forbears, by ns<meteSertce „ "^S" 'SS"e' ' hi"ted that
made us heirs to ,^3
exped,e„ency,or all of these,
feeding. TS statemet may stank Sot am0ng
°f '^
^ "» °*
us who are
ogetic about their race n nd „!
.
*Poling good coming ~ tf ^S^ETS^ £» &
starting po,„t and our younger eenerari
j u
°k to the
wards our native food I seeln rh, 7 i •"" the'r att,tudes t0"
a
down upon what is our own r
A
'°" °" ,he mV w J°ok
telligenf reflectionas!£
H * % ^^ a Study « *say that one shou d be bli, dlv J , "0t mea".f°r one mome'« *>
and his own ways and ta^hlv"' **?"* °^ °f himsdf
s
somewhat like this- "Fat what J
* ^T6 '" Arabic that
others." I should'modi^th fer^'v '
2* pk^
a
* simple as possible^ ft££5 SSfe* »
A MENU FOR AMERICAN GUESTS
I
they have m^J^iS^^T °^
°f °U![ kdish-> -d
01
were good for them I Xit IhTi
' J" ^^
w they
f the
al
a great deal of thought n ordt J makV > SImple
$"?**alatable
°
healthful. Perusal of the mCnU
mlnn ddleS not lve
' P
and
it is a fact.
°
S
^at impression, but
Supposing I should give a sample:—
I
�DECEMBER, 1931
29
Lamb broth with small meat balls, garnished with minced
parsley, and lemon juice.
Mushroom, or Okra, or String Bean Stew with side of rice
Broiled Kibbi
Vegetable salad, lemon juice and oil dressing.
Fruits in season.
15
PROPER ROASTING
JN ROASTING chicken or turkey, let me suggest placing the bird
in the roasting-pan first on one side, then on the other. When
two-thirds done, lay at breast up. This will brown it evenly and
prevent the breast meat and drumsticks from over-cooking and becoming too dry.
HOW LADIES COULD USE IDLE HOURS
i
I
\^/HAT are our young ladies and matrons who have time to spare
doing with it? Time was when they used to pride themselves
on the articles they used to make for their own personal use or for
their future or present homes. I realize that knitting, tatting and
embroidering are passe, still there is something not only beautiful
and useful when it is done, but is fascinating in the making, and
like a fine oriental rug, increases in value as the days go by Moreover it is very fashionable. I refer to needle point Patterns could
be bought with the required yarn for them. I recommend the renaissance design. Some of them have petit-point centers already
worked out and the finished pieces for a chair or cushion have nothing to be desired insofar as artistic effect and richness and durability are concerned. By the way, I read somewhere that there are
2,850 stitches to the square inch in the petit-point work.
But don't be frightened, this comes already worked out in the
pattern and all you have to do is to fill out the needle point part
of it.
*
The best part of it is that you can work on it while listening
to the radio.
°
�r
THE SYRIAN WORLD
30
A Party for Aneesa
A SHORT STORY
By
EDNA
K.
SALOOMEY
"THE SUN snuggled a bit in the misty horizon and then, as though
resigned to December bleakness, it flung its rays through the
morning haze, directly into the windows of the Faris kitchen.
Mariam, wife of Khalil Antoun Faris, was unaware of the
wonderful panorma without, so busy was she preparing Khalil's
breakfast. She hustled from the pantry to the stove, from the
stove to the table.
For twenty years she had been rising early for this daily task.
She would no more have dreamed of remaining asleep and letting
Khalil get his breakfast as best he could, than she would have
thought of being separated from him except by death. This task
was done not from a sense of duty; it was to her a ritual.
In her pink, cotton dress, with her curly black hair, which was
streaked with gray, and her rosy, fair complexion, she was indeed
a delectable housewife. Her black fringed, dark brown eyes had
a very naive, kindly expression which belied all her efforts to appear
as the ultra-modern wife of Khalil Antoun Faris, the successful
merchant. The only streak of vanity she had, was her pride in
having acquired enough knowledge of English to read newspapers.
Her reading was confined mostly to the social page.
Mariam was setting the table for two. Aneesa, a girl of
eighteen and the only child, never arose in time to breakfast with
her parents. By virtue of having completed her high school course
shortly before, which was a rare achievement in the eyes of her
parents, Aneesa was privileged to sleep late.
The glowing coals in the grate made the kitchen pleasantly
warm. On top of the stove, the coffee bubbled tempestuously in
the percolator. To one side was a frying-pan in which eggs were
sizzling in elive oil. On the table was a dish of fat, juicy olives
which had ripened in some Syrian grove; a dish of laban, and one
of dates stewed in sugar. There were small, flat disks of Syrian
bread, baked especially for Khalil. Mariam did not like to see him
"»
i\
�"DECEMBER, 1931
'.
I
I
31
making cartwheel of slices of American bread, which he did by removing the inner part and eating the crust.
When Khalil entered the kitchen, he found his wife placing
the frying-pan of eggs on a hot-pad in the middle of the table. He
greeted her perfunctorily and she answered him in the same vein.
Their love needed no verbal reiterations or effusive greetings.
"How do you feel this morning? Is your cold better?" she
asked solicitously.
"I'm much better. I didn't cough very much during the
night. This looks like a cold day. I expect we'll sell some blankets and oil stoves today. Are you coming down to the store?"
Khalil had a department store and always thought of the
weather in terms of his business.
"Yes. Aneesa needs a new hat, and she and I are going down
town together. I think I'll select a party dress for her at the same
time."
"Party dress? What, does she need another one already?"
Manam did not answer his question. Quite frequently since
he married her, she had surprised him with some new idea; and
this time, she took a round about way to do it.
"I was reading last night about the big partv the Morgans
gave for their daughter, and I think we ought to give a party for
Aneesa," she said.
"What, are you comparing us with J. P. Morgan?"
"No, no. Habeebi, do you think I've lost my mind? I mean
the Morgan family that owns the big laundrv in town. You've '
seen their ads, haven't you?"
_ "Certainly, I have; but I don't know all about their family
affairs."
"Well," she said eagerly trying to arouse his interest, "they
have a daughter the same age as Aneesa, and they had a wonderful dance for her last night at the hotel."
"If they sneeze, do we have to sneeze too?" He was not impressed by the information, nor convinced of the necessity of having a party for Aneesa.
"Every night I read in the papers about this family and that
having parties for their daughters. Why, do you suppose, they
have these affair*? Well, just ^o that their daughters ran meet the
nice kind of people. How do you expect Aneesa to meet anybody,
if she doesn't have a chance?"
"If that's the case," he answered, "what more do we want?
DonV. we have a lot of company? Weren't the Doumits here last
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
night, and wasn't the family nf R„u
and weren't Father Daher and ,1 ^J- i Tbn« us on Tuesday,
people come to cur house ''
^ ^ h$t Week! M V
II
frie„dsD° T
vZk^T !° ""* ''< ^ m«ts «* Y
d Mr Ab
bond's broeherh „ i; fotnseveenmeTre *??"
"
"
her t0 meet more
young people, and you know fh" /
JT
house, she can't become ,
!» We don < lnvite them to the
instan'ce, Peter Mansour" '"^ W'th them d*«*^- For
ft
TO
to
to vigour ^me^l'Stw » IT '"
^ "'duce him
enough for him wltolTvin7a X-^ °» ^ —
(
Wm
too obvi uTwav' "ifwe^ave """ 7' hI "S,
° "'"* w
» - «*
W,il see h
how pretty Aneesa is I,
I ^7' f
e live, and
Pretend„. we're
ha", J*
/ Vu^
"' *rfolks
^" dress' We'll
,
.f; aa trtv
Party lor
the young
I1
R
wished «o8have her'wifn us'a h7 1 " »' * f *»
when we have to do the courting »
" tlmesth«e are,
Ws
and
tor
needed!
^t^
^
^
«-«*
was necessary XllS' to obtan, his approval, which
asked for his approval if e
fnakm
fu-'"8 °' m°ney' She always
"We would,V I, T
""
S y expensive plan
the C
in
Sht
Si
"We h v;I « 2 ±S?! , T f'"
' "" P- ^"tly.
Why shou,d
different fron other people J^ ^^
We could have sucn ffc^S^ ** **
3 P raSan eVMin
25?FS
tdT I '
;
^ >*
Child
?
«" -W-W to him.
termed, he w'Lsplbl 0
^ he nThl'""' *
.T* * mi?ht b=
a d he
hospitalitywathtvpicalSvrh ! t T
^ "
dispensed his
a
S
He
than hava'ng a h, useful 0wl f'r - u fJ^ nothing more
perfect evening for na SSu off 'fF
'? "T ^^ A
feW fr,ends
dred or pinochle.
"
Paying two hum
So, as he arose from thp tiU]„ „„A
We
eoat, he said hurriedly "IV 1 '
'" t0 PUt on his hat and
P r per
Mariam, we're not worry ill
?'"'" f , ° - B"t, remember,
and all Peter Mansour's Ze
" ""t^ f°r 0Ur *««**
his family in ^Z^Zy
,"0'^ to ""• Wh« ~
to- "7Z^^m7£l^^^"^
'
>
wiJJ become worse."
ULir colcl
^^^^^^
-
-
'
•
i n
�DECEMBER, 1931
n
Mariam had obtained official approval of her plan. She bemmenT i^Y engrOSS'd 'm ^ranging the party as any socially proWJth the aid
mar
e for
^T*A
"^ ^
**""*»*
retaries
her daughter's
debut **'
at the
Waldorf-Astoria °* secAnd, after giving his approval, Mr. Paris completely forgot
X*e e,nt'rI matt5r' u»tiJ °
^ning, three weeks later, his
Hire reminded him of it.
^ordered a turkey for tomorrow night," she informed him.
J,, Cyr , loU r^°,ng to give us turkey for Christmas dinnpi,
nei * It s six days to Christmas."
"No, no. I ordered it for the party."
"Party? What party?"
''What? Have you fogotten that we're having a partyy tomorrow night for Aneesa?"
'-Would you believe it, I forgot all about it? Who and who
is coming: '
rfrf, ' oathec Pah"r' ?T/
Ph in
ATK
1 M
^ ' iT-
Mansour
> *** Khouri, the Milhim
Cr Sim0U and Nazira D Umit
r '
°
> and
Ihilip Abboud and his wife Helany. I asked Simon and Philip
especially for your sake so that you would have company when the
yoi-ng people dance. Father Uaher will have to leave early because he promised to see some people to-morrow evening " ' '
Are you prepared for such a large group? Shall I order
anything today:"
"Nothing is needed," his wife assured him. "Shall we hive
arak or imbeed?"
"Have both, and I've got something that Simon likes. What
are you going to have for the supper, turkey?"
His wife put his fears to rest regarding the pkntifulness of
food .he named six dishes, any one of which would have sufficed
tor the mam course.
He was satisfied with everything, until she said, "Khali!
take yorr tuxedo to the tailor today for a pressing "
^Tuxedo? What for? I'm not going to a banquet."
1 his is a formal party, and you should wear your tuxedo "
Suppose Simon and Philip come and- find me wearing a
tuxedo, when they surely won't wear one."
"Is this their party? You're the owner of this house, and
you re the one to wear a tuxedo tomorrow night. Peter Mansour
will wear one, I'm sure."
"Well," he drawled, "from now till tomorrow night
I'll
6
think about it."
'
�*"***•
34
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Mariam Fans had won her point again
UherVrU anticiPa,ted the Party wit" more pleasure than Aneesa.
It her mother was planning it especially that Peter Mansour might
open his eyes to Aneesa's charms, she was as ignorant of that plan
as nt was. Her joy was inspired by the anticipation of seeing Paul
Mumer whom she liked better than any boy she had evef met
She really loved him, which fact she would not have discussed eTe
ment wT° " 2? ^ ^ *"** j" loVe ^ one's engage
Z Ihter "n!10UnCfd- A"d Aneesa, being the typical, obedient
yP , C nSer VatlVe Parents l0Ved Paul from
Shes,whim
•
r K °on the
"far.
L street when ' passing with her mother
SAe saw h.m ,n church,
ind aiin '
T um at ChUrch S0daIs' hdd °»ce « winter
S Cials Paul alwaVS asked A
d cat h HSPnnWh,C
^- u^ th£Se
°
'
'^sa to
for n *rih
'
V?lS Possible as the dance was being held
to, a worthy cause, and he never danced with any one else
as sh< w-TT " C? u1 ab<i)Ut concealil^ hi* own affections for her
as she was her's for him because he wished to be certain that the
tUal
rC makmg PUWk th£ faCt he J
AsTLTn r
"d ° n
t,ng an inkli
from her
ca
of letting
11
T^
' ' take
*? its own course.
'^
caste of
the matter
oved her!
& was
Paul > was
wisea
n that rs F s was not
de
u"g7t:i
r
^
^
^^
of for a
salary
nhim fo, a son-in-law. HeHwas
wasearning
em edgoodly
at --
:; nd° rr^r- /
a
^ » £2^
too Seated on the outskirts of the town, and his only claim to
Wledge
P,a 1CS Which he had
"
H°
^/^a
of
l „I was
'" entrusted
; WaS rto81^
01 airplanes
him.
Bete/fenSS WaV10t intCrefed in
home Seated
TTf ^^
he JuS"" rt
' '
'~ £
>kiIlt>d aviator and the testing
PauJ
'* Prowess as she was in
°
P-ssive
h ldingS and his im
nCarJy thirt
>'^evc'b which to Aneesa implied that
His^ financial rise had made him a bit conceited and perhaps justifiably so, as he had earned his success by the dint of his own hrewd
ness and tireless efforts. He was much sought after by d signmg
and thc
the Catered
"a ^ et
r't^r
IT*
"^
««
"
°
d 1 I
l
f"^ He respected the Farises
Sh,e
from
a great deal, knowing that to Khalil Faris character and breeding
SUSpectin f r
e
M"
Tl?
« ° °»the
~S32
M.s. FarTwh
Fans, who "
was"""^
so Proud,
had even entertained
thought of
^B*"**mBJBBnHHHBHisF
�DECEMBER, 1931
35
his marrying Aneesa; so discreet had she been in her planning.
The night of nights arrived. Mariam Fans was too excited at
the prospect of having so many guests and by her efforts to carry
our her plans to perfection. She worked unceasingly from dawn
sweeping and dusting, washing the best china dinner set, laving out
her best linen cloth and napkins. She had cooked the entire meal
herself. Aneesa had shopped for fruits and had arranged the
flowers in the living room and dining room.
When Khalil returned from his store that night, he found
Mariam wearing a black velvet dress; her hair lovelier than ever;
her face rosy with excitement, and her eyes sparkling with the
thought of gaining many social laurels for the evening.
She scarcely said hello to him, she, was so anxious to have him
dress quickly.
"Yallah," she urged him, "everything is ready for vou
I
.pressed your tuxedo myself yesterday, and you'll find it on the bed
I our socks and tie are on the dresser. I purposely dressed early so
that we wouldn't get in each other's way."
"All right," was all he said. He knew that the occasion demanded acquiesence because Mariam was too intently thinking about
other things to listen to anything he might say. He didn't like to
rush, he preferred to contemplate everything slowly and to talk
matters over with her. But as they had no way of knowing how
soon the guests would arrive, it was necessary to be ready in time
to greet the first arrival.
By seven-thirty, every one would have come, except, perhaps,
the Doumits. Mrs. Doumit was a bit like Mariam in her desire to do
everything according to etiquette. She always insisted on her husband's delaying their arrival at any affair, because she was certain
that an early arrival was an indication of lack jf etiquette. The
more attention she gave to etiquette, the less she knew about it.
This evening Mariam was hoping and praving that the Doumits
would not be too long arriving, lest the food spoil from overcooking.
Scarcely had Khalil finished adjusting his tie, when the door
bell rang. Aneesa paused to greet her father, and was going down
to open the door when Mariam stopped her.
"Aneesa, you don't need to open the door. Let Flora open if
that's what I hired her for."
This was the first time that Khalil knew that his wife had
hired a maid for the evening. The thought of Mariam's piling
up so many expenses, all for a party, depressed him a little. His
�mm
36
?
THE SYRIAN WORLD
regrets were compensated, however, by the sight of Mariam looking so charming in her black velvet dress with its dainty lace yoke
andi sleeves; and his heart filled with pride because Aneesa was so
lovely m her white tulle dress with its rose sash.
lhe bell rang again.. Mariam was provoked. «I knew that
VC bC a hdp She thinks Pm
wwash
T dishes
dT r
I ^ P^g her J«st to
tonight. Aneesa, open the door, while I speak to
The guests were certainly convinced of Mariam's culinary
skill that evening. The dinner was excellent; it was a meal for
the imbeed
(wine
and the
lu^Zl- uil r?^ ^
^
"something
else which khalil brought out inspired much speech making. Father Daher spoke eloquently of the host. Mr. Doumit attempted
a lengthy toast in his best classical Arabic, and Philip Abboud was
content to say a brief wish for the health and happiness of all.
Manam was highly elated. The party was proving a huge
success. She was wondering just how to arrange for the rest of
the evening, after everyone had finished eating. Of course, Aneesa
must play a few piano selections.
The guests gathered in the living room. The men sat in a
group near Father Daher, and were soon engrossed in a political
discussion. The young people commenced to feel restless. The girls
talked together and the young men listened dutifully to Father
aher. U hen father Daher arose to leave, every one arose to bid
him good-night.
evn, fWhik unm 7S listening to Father Daher's appreciative
expressions, Khali] took matters into his. own hands.
tUrnmg to
1
ui'" hWill
x^SMdyou
play
pinochle.
playf"
to pkC>e>rtainJy'" ^^
b th
°
Phili
agreed
'
P
and Simon
"We
Want a fourth
"Do you know how to play pinochle, Paul?"
he arranged the bridge table.
2juh * d'd- ^Ut' 1
y U WOn,t be
Peter?"
°
donh kn0w the ki
a hel
P
then
-
Doumit, "Let's
Person
Khalil asked, as
"g from the jack."
about you, Mister
How
wurtalniy'-Mn Faris" VU be glad to Play with you."
\\ hen Manam re-entered the room, after seeing Father Daher
off, she found her husband and his three friends seated around
the table, intent on bidding. She was angry at Khalil for having
suggested the card game,.which she was certain from past experience
he had done. This was. not her idea. If. Peter Mansour spent the
j)
�'DECEMBER, 1931
57
evening playing pinochle what was the good of having this party?
She spoke to Mrs. Doumit and to Mrs. Abboud. The vbung
SoLT ****** kughing,. seated in a circle neaV thf
VKtrola Aneesa was sitting next to Paul, which didn't relieve her
mother's consternation.
Mariam thought of calling Khalil out on a pretext. She went
into the kitchen, and called to Aneesa, asking her to te 1 Kha
that he was wanted. -Aneesa went to her father
"Papa mother wishes to see you for a minute."
But Khalil had an excellent hand and he wanted to score as
^ri^er
erj Philip Abboud
>
TO
i
^ ^* i-s?5
"See what your mother wants, Aneesa. Tell her I'll be
through in a few minutes. Let's see what we can do, partner." He
became oblivious of everything but his game.
Aneesa told her mother that Khalil would come in later
Kh,l^ai]r WaS PrOV(*ecL What was the use of trying to call
Khalil s attention to anything, now that he had started. ' She Jjoined
her friends, Nazira and Helany.
The guests had divided into three groups: the ladies were
grouped by themselves, Khalil and the older men, including Pe
Mansour, were busily playing pinochle, and the younger people
were dancing. Paul Munier was having the best time of a^ he
was dancing to his heart's content with Aneesa
'
ty
Sa
1
one assured
Paris that
tlatesuch
,renjoyable
Ti^
^^
Mariam
*ans
such an
time ^
was had
only rarely. Khalil
felt
grateful inwardly; it had been so pleasant to have had a house fu 1
tS and
feClmg
piilinehhad
H won ^
-Philip
the^
game.
eSpedalJ
^
Cheerful be
--e"e fa,d
her se^tTm^rlf ^^
\^
•* W°uld be P6^ to mention
SC
hlS haVmg draWn Peter
a Ld T
' T r Jf
Mansour into
a card game; and she did not wish Aneesa to know that she had
deliberately planned the evening in order to have Pete- become
better acquainted with them.
income
%
Aneefa^hed Tan^ R^S ^"t "f
5'
"Yes" and W was about ^t^^^^
conversation, which lasted only three minutes or so
"Who was that?" her mother asked, curious to know who
could be calling them after midnight.
"Paul Munier. He called up to say goodnight."
�18
THE SYRIAN WORLD
"What's that?" her father questioned. "He was just here
saying goodnight.
"Well," she answered evasively, "he wanted to call me up to
say it again."
"He certainly must have rushed home," Mariam said.
"He wants to come over tomorrow night," Aneesa announced
shyly. "He wants to speak to you, papa, and to mama. He asked
me if I would like to have him speak to you, and I didn't say no;
I didn't say anything."
"What's this? What's this?" Khalil asked.
"Why, he wants to marry Aneesa and he will come over to get
our approval," Mariam replied, impatiently and resentfully. She
was blaming this turn of affairs on Khalil's card party, which had
thrown Paul and Aneesa together and deprived Peter Mansour of
an opportunity to observe Aneesa's charm. She was tired by the
thought of having done so much in vain.
"We'll discuss the matter tomorrow," she told Aneesa. "It's
very late, we should go to bed. I have to be up early to get your
father's breakfast."
"I'll get up early tomorrow, mama. You stay in bed," Aneesa
urged her. She felt that she would want to be up early, there was
so much to look forward to; and she knew how tired her mother
must be. .
"Don't you believe it," her mother answered firmly. "When
I have a fever of 102, I'll stay in bed. You go up to bed now, else
you will be too tired tomorrow to help me with the work that
needs to be done."
"Good night, papa. • Good night, mama," Aneesa said, kissing
them.
"Good night Aneesa. By the way, what time is Paul coming
over tomorrow night?"
"He didn't say, papa. But he told me to tell you that he will
learn to play pinochle and that at present all he knows is a queen
when he sees one. He means me, papa."
�39
.BER, 1931
VECF
100K REVIEWS
JANei
A BOOK OF SENTIMENT AND FACT ON A GREAT
SYRIAN POET
A Study of Kahlil Gibran, by Barbara Young. Privately
printed First Edition limited to 250 copies numbered and autographed by the author. The Gibran Studio, 5 1 West 10th Street,
New York. $2.50.
In this handsomely printed brochure on her friend Kahlil
Gibran, Barbara Young writes not as a dry biographer citing facts
in chronological order, but as a poet who records her impressions of
the great epic poem that was Gibran's life. Dexterously she outlines his racial background, giving a glimpse of the rustic surroundings, almost feudal conditions in which he was born and reared,
but does so subtly, almost unconsciously alluding to the facts only
as details in the broad scheme depicting the many-sided genius of
Gibran. And of the intimate details of his earlier and later life she
has copious knowledge, gained through her long friendship and literary association with this gifted son of Lebanon who has won by his
innate goodness of character and consummate perfection of his art,
both of pen and brush, the love and admiration of so many kindred
spirits among the children of the West. Even to us, his own countrymen, some of the details weaved into the mosaic of the account
came as a revelation of the author's vast store of accurate and intimate knowledge. It is apparent that only Gibran himself could
have supplied the information, in reminiscent moments when the
two friends discussed their earlier lives and later aspirations. And
this Miss Young now uses so well in producing this "Study of
Kahlil Gibran," which is as much a fitting tribute to his greatness
as a monument to her own great devotion.
1
PHHHBnHHnnRMHpnn
�40
THE SYRIAN WORLD
KAHLIL OIBRAN
Photographed in his studio by Mrs. Pliny Fisk a few
weeks before his death. From "A Study of Kahlil Gibran."
�DECEMBER, 1931
41
The, illustrations in the booklet, some consisting of hitherto
unpublished photographs of Gibran, and to which only Miss Young
seems to have access, span the whole life of the poet-artist from
his early youth to his closing days. A facsimile of an original manuscript and a pen-and-ink sketch by Gibran done in his student days
in Paris add considerably to the value of the work.
It is evident that Miss Young does not intend her present
work to be a complete biography. It is an appreciative study, but
nevertheless factual and illuminating. It is most welcome as an
authentic, and so far the only literary treatise extant, on Gibran's
life. For this Miss Young can lay just claim to the gratitude of
Gibran's countrymen, who surely wish to assure her of it unstintingly. In years to come, it is their hope that she will accomplish
her announced task of making a fuller study of Gibran with a viewto a more complete biography.
RESURRECTING THE GLORY OF SYRIA
History of Palestine and Syria, by Prof. A. T. Olmstead, New
York, Charles Scribner's Sons. 644 pp. Illustrated. $7.50.
pHERE IS a group of men in the West whose devotion to the
cause of scientific research, backed by the wealth of organizations
and individuals who appreciate the importance of retrieving the
hitherto lost record of human progress, is bringing untold blessings
to human enlightenment. These men are practically recreating
history. They have resurrected the East and restored to it its
prestige as the cradle of the race and the birthplace of civilization.
In the words of Prof. James H. Breasted at the dedication of the
Oriental Institute, "It was in the Near Orient that man began to
hear remote voices that proclaimed the utter futility of material
conquest, and conscience and character broke upon the world."
Professor Olmstead is a co-worker with Professor Breasted
at the Oriental Institute. His latest book on the history of Palestine and Syria is a companion volume to his earlier History of Assyria and represents the summary of all historical records, whether
long known or of recent discovery, in Syria and the Near East from
the beginning of time to the Macedonian conquest. The work bespeaks the most exhaustive thoroughness and scholarly research.
As a book of reference it is invaluable, but it can also be highly
�42
THE SYRIAN WORLD
recommended as a readable book on general historical information.
The author has the happy faculty of creating "atmosphere", of
treating what would be generally considered dry, technical material in a manner readily understood and relished by the layman, although never swerving from his objective and incorporating in his
account all the scholarly information he means to convey. As
such it proves useful not only to the scholar but to the general
reading public. Those whose racial origin is rooted in Near Eastern
countries should be particularly interested in this work.
Porfessor OJmstead covers t\e whole range of the history of
the land and its people from all angles. He treats the physical,
political, social, ethnological and religious evolution in its various
stages. His account of the origin of Eastern mythology, the relation between the Syrian and Egyptian conception of a deity, and
how several forms of Eastern worship were borrowed from the
East by Western Europe will prove particularly illuminating. He
displays a keen sense of appreciation of some concepts in Syrian mythology whose poetical value modern rationalists spoil by matterof-fact interpretation.
The chapter on "Ships of Gebal", which is exceptionally interesting, is partly based on the author's personal survey of the
Syrian coast which once was the scene of the flourishing civilization
of which he writes. Of exceptional interest also is the fact he establishes that monotheism was known to Syrians and Egyptians
Jong before it was adopted by the Hebrews. So were "the races
which were to enter into the composition of the Hebrew people
established in Syria a millenium or more before the conquest of
the Promised Land. The very language in which our Old Testament is written was spoken by Canaanites and Phoenicians from
these same early days. Already Syria possessed a high culture,
mixed to be sure with foreign elements, but made its own; before
the Hebrew conquest, its civilization might be compared without
disparagement to that of the great empires."
The dedication is made to Professor James Henry Breasted,
Director of the Oriental Institute in the University of Chicago, and
the author's predecessor in the chair of Oriental History in the
University.
The book is profusely illustrated and has been given the utmost of typographical care by the publishers.
�'DECEMBER, 1931
43
SPANNING THE NATION'S HISTORY
The Book of American Presidents, by Esse V. Hathaway, New
York, Whittlesey House. Illustrated. 367 pp. $2.50.
JN THIS book of close to four-hundred pages, Miss Hathaway
not only gives a biography of the Presidents but records the history of the nation. She starts from the assumption that the Declaration of Independence required of the President only to do his
best to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United
Spates, and emphasizes the fact that in the choice of president there
was no question of family, fortune, education or past experience.
This she deduces to be proof positive of the unswerving faith of the
founders of the nation in American manhood.
It is along this line that the author reconstructs the lives and
achievements of American Presidents. She brings out in each the
quality for which he was most noted and gives to the chapter on
each president a title indicative of that quality. Thus Washington
is "Starting Right"; Thomas Jefferson is "Extending Boundaries"}
James Monroe is "On Guard"} Abraham Lincoln is "Welding"}
until the end of the list is reached with Harding, Coolidge and
Hoover "At the World's Cross-Roads".
Nothing but the author's deep-rooted love for her country and
her pride in the achievements of her nation and its heads could have
induced such painstaking research and study. And she has certainly
accomplished her task well. We wish to applaud the success of her
efforts especially because her Americanism is not of the narrow provincial sort. She has been a reader of THE SYRIAN WORLD and
often has expressed her approval of our method of approach to enlightened Americanism. We therefore feel confident that our
readers of young Syrian-Americans will derive great profit and
pleasure from her book.
The pen-and-ink illustrations of all the Presidents appearing
in the book are by Samuel Bernard Schaeffer. There are also facsimile reproductions cf all the Presidents' signatures.
i
mwaw
�" **,; Iin; y ' •"
'44
--
:
-
•
..
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Peace and Good Will, Plus Faith
By
THE EDITOR
^HE ECHO of the angels' glad tidings of peace and good-will
still reverberates among the hills of Judea and is heard
round the world: That distant voice of centuries continues to increase in volume and velocity as the message of Christianity is
carried to an increasing number of men with the passage of each
year. That message brings comfort because it reminds man of
his divine origin, his hope of redemption and his ultimate perfection.
No single event in human history bears as much significance as
the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, because no other single event has
wrought so much change in man's conception of his destiny.
The small land of Palestine, a geographical part of greater
Syria, owes its importance chiefly to the birth of a child in a manger
on a cold night in the little town of Bethlehem.
Three Magi kings were guided to that humble spot on the
night of the great event by a star; now the thoughts of hundreds
of millions of believers in the teaching of that child of Nazareth
and .Bethlehem are turned with love and devotion to the land of
the child's birth on his anniversary, their hearts throbbing with
ineffable joy and the echo of the message of the angels filling
their ears.
The commemoration of the great event has ever been a source
of joy and hope and spiritual solace. In the present crisis through
which the world is passing it should prove of greater significance
and effect. Men now need hope and courage as they never did before, and the spiritual fortitude which the Christmas season brings
forth should impart steadiness to wavering souls. The present
economic crisis is an aftermath of the World War's cataclysm, and
if the world was '? to emerge safely from the war crisis, so' will
it find the courage to weather the resulting economic crisis. Peace
and good-will and hope and courage are now sorely needed, and
the commemoration of the one who preached this doctrine should
inspire the believers in him to practice his teachings. Now of all
time, is the need to practically apply the Christian spirit to the needs
of civilization so that the work which had its birth in the little town
of a Syrian province nearly two thousand years ago, and which
Christendom the world over commemorates each year might be
carried on.
—_
r
�DECEMBER, 1931
45
NEW ELECTIONS ORDERED IN SYRIA FOLLOWING RETURN OF
HIGH COMMISSIONER—PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT DEPOSED
The Syrian problem at last appears to have entered the final stage
for a definite solution. With the return of High Commissioner Ponsot
to Beirut on November 15 and h"s
swift action in ordering new elec
tions in Syria, together with the apparent cordiality which character'zel
his conversations with the leaders o2
the Nationalist party who were in
frequent conferences with him, it b2comes ev'dert that some common
understanding has been reached fDr
composing the 7ong drawn out differences between the Syrians and France
on the poltical future of Syria. Ad
cLtional pre of of the High Commis
sicner's determinat'on to speedily end
the present uncertainty in the political situation may be deduced from
his having lost no time in depos'ng
the pre visional government of Sheikh
Tajeddin Al Hasani preparatory t:>
holding the new elections and assum
ing in person the conduct of government ad inter'm and supervision of
the elections.
M. Ponsot's arrival in Beirut was
attended by much ceremony despite
his having banned any form of os
tentatious disp'ay. Official delegations from a'l parts of Syr'a flocked
to Beirut to take part in the recaption, presumably at the bidding of
Sheikh Tajeddin, according to press
reports. There was a representative
delegation also of the Nat:onalist
party headed by its veteran leader
Hashim Bey Al-Atasi. The delegations were received by the High Commissioner at his private rrs'dence and
there was evident cordiality marking
his conversations with the Nat'onalists.
Only two days later the High
Commissioner proceeded to Damascus
and immediate"}' went into r Lngthy
conference with the head of the prov'sional government. Later the two
went together to the S iraya where
the High Commissioner announced to
the officials of the Syrian government his dec'sio: s on his future policy.
Following these moves three offi
cial communiques wjie itoiied ty the
High Commi3sion?r set.ing forth his
decis'ons as fellows:
Assumption by ;he High Commissioner of direct government in
Syria pending the daemons for the
Constituent Assembly wh\h ware set
for the middle of December. An executive secretary will r .> >r s ni the
High Commissitner in the conduct of
[roverrment. Most of the members of
the provisional cabinet were reta'ned
Appointment by the High Commissioner of an Advisory Counci1 to
supervise the elections with a % iew
to insuring their fairness and impartiality. All former heads of the
Syrian government since the beginning of the mandate are appo:nted to
membership in the council, including
Sheikh Tajeddin. The High Commis-
HIIHMPf
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
46
Chambers of Commerce or" Damasens
and Aleppo end several others.
The third communique deals with
ths coming clectic;:s and S3ts for.h the
ccrdhions under which ths primary
r,nd final elections are to bo hod in
the different districts an.l among the
various clisscs of the population.
This appears necessary in view cf tin
spes'al conditions of the population,
seme being nomad:; or semi nomads.
Ths HigAi Commissioner assumes the
right of exercising direct supervision
cf the elections in his ca;?aei y of
head of the government.
Although the Nationalists appear
to be on the friendliest terms with
the French authorities, no official declaration of their stand has yet boon
g-'ven. Cut immediately following the
announcement of the action taken by
the High Commissioner the leader of
•the Nationalists, Hashim Bey Al Atasi, issued a call to all d'strict leaders and former members of ths Ccnstituent Assembly to convene for a
party conference at Dsmascus to discuss their future policy. It is hinted
in Nat:onalist newspapers, hc-wever,
that tie Party will rssume an attitude of co-operatic n w'th the mandatory authorities and participate 5n tha
coming e^ctions since they have been
convinced that the High Commissioner has earnestly secured the maximum
terms for the Syrians, and that there
SHEIKH TAJEDDIN AL-HASANI
are some rights wh.'ch France in hsr
For three years Provisional Presi- role oi mandatory cannot relinquish.
dent of the State of Syria, who was
These new developments would
deposed by High Commisslonere Pon- seem to mark the beginnng of the
sot in November.
end of the Syrian prbolem. At least
;
sicner reserves the r ght to appoint they appear to pave the way for a
to membership all outstanding per- new approach to an understanding if
sonalities whose presence induces con- rot a permanent solution. If present
fidence. He has consequently ap- plans are carried out acccrding to
pointed several leaders of the Na- schedule, the new Constituent Astionalist party, '"neluding Al-Atasi, the s:mb"y should convene in the midJ'e
judge cf the Supreme Court of Da- of February to del'berate on ths new
mascus, the President of the National form of government to be adopted for
Syria.
University, the Presidents of the
»
�DECEMBER, 1931
With these developments agitation for a monarchy in Syr'a, or even
the creation of a dual monarchy to be
•composed of Syha and Iraq with
King Faisal on the throne, S3ems to
have subsided. The wish of the Syrian people was expressed in the first
Assembly which formulated a constitution and declared for a republic.
Now with the Nationalists maintaining their former strength which insures their control of the coming Assemby, their often expressed adherence to their republican principles
is expectd to be mainta:ned.
LEBANON OCCUPIED WITH
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
N. A. Mokarzel, New York Editor,
Proposed by Influential Group as
Logical Candidate.
The paramount occupation of the
Lebanese at present seems to center
on the ccming Presidents elections.
In this connection some unexpected
developments have taken place which
in some respects indicate the desperate stage of discontent among the
Lebanese w'th present methods of
adminstration
One (f the curiosities of the Lebanese Republic is that representation
in the Legislative Assembly is still
maintained by re'igious denonvnations
along the lines obtaining :n the form
er regime. And this despite the fact
that the structure of the government
is supposed to be republican. The
first President, however, was chceen
from among the minorities, presumably owing tc< the impossib:lity of agree
ment on a candidate of the majority.
President Dabbas has now had two
terms, and while Hwre are rumors of
the possib*'lity of his election for a
mam
47
third term, such a possibility seems
to be remote.
The Maronites, who cempose the
largest single group in the country,
pre now clliming the Presidency as
their right in accordance with the law
of majority representation, but as on
previous occasions, they are not agreed on a candidate, the two most
prominenty mentioned at present being Emil Eddy and Bishara Khoury,
bo.'h former Premiers. As an alternate propositii 7i the suggestion has
been advance:! that the Presidency be
w'thheld from all the larger groups
and given to one from among the
minorities.
In this connection the
or.e mrst prominently mentioned is
Dr. Ayoub Thabet, former Minister of
the Interior who is credited with hav
ing inaugurated many reforms. Dr.
Thabet is a Protestant.
But what appears t(- be the most
starting suggestion is that coming
from an influential group in Lebanon
who advocate the e'ection of N. A.
Mokarzel, the veteran Lebanese editor
cf Al Hoda, to the Presidential office.
The suggestion was first advanced by
the Lebanese notable Sheikh Edmond
Belaibil, :n an open letter which h^
sent to Lebanese papers and was received by a considerable number of
editors with much favorable comment,
eliciting from sc me even enthusiasm.
The grounds on which the suggestion
is based is that Mr. Mokarzel, being
above local po itics and having had
a lorg record of distinguished service
to his mother country, together with
his tireless energy and adminstrative
ability, would be the Moses who wou'd
save Lebanon from the wilderness of
its present chaotic condition.
Commenting rn this proposal, the
editor explains in detail in the issue
of Al-Hoda of Dec. 12 the reasons for
his refusal to entertain the suggestion.
Whi'e expressing appreciation fcr the
generous gesture and the proffered
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46"
— .„...:.,.:...,„.,;,..,
_ ..,.,
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7HE SYRIAN WORLD
PROPOSED FOR PRESIDENT OF LEBANON
N. A. MOKARZEL
Veteran Lebanese editor of AI-Hoda, oldest Arabic-language newspaper in the United States, who is offered the Presidency of the Lebanese Republic
�DECEMBER, 1931
honor, 'he reiterates hfs oft expressed
decision not to accept office in any
form. He takes the occasion to criticize the present form of government
in Lebanon and calls attention to Irs
advocacy since 1911 of the appoints
ment cf a governor in Lebanon for
life, preferably a Frenchman without the right of hereditary succession.
France, of course, is to retain the
mandate over the country, but to enjoy less than the right she now exercises in its administrative affairs.
These principles constitute the demands of the Lebanon League of Progress, a political organization in America, which the editor of Al-Hcda
founded twenty years ago and of
Which he still is president.
PAN-ISLAMIC CONGRESS
HELD IN PALESTINE.
dealt chiefly with the activities of
the Moslem Congress which convened
in Jerusalem the middle of December. It was attended by delegates
from all the Moslem countries, including Egypt and India. The question of the caliphate was not given
much consideration and the deliberations seem to 'have entered on Zionists' aims in Palestine, despite the
assurance of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem given to the British authorities that politics would net be discussed at the sessions of the congress.
Joseph M. Levy, special correspondent of the New York Times in
Jerusalem, reports that a 'heated controversy took place between the Indian delegate on the one hand, and
the delegates of Syria and Iraq on
the other, over the question whether
^Moslem opposition should be confined
to the Jews or made to include the
mandatory power in Palestine. The
Indian protested against the congress
going on record as opposing England,
but his opponents won.
49
Delegates also bitterly criticized
the aclr'on of Italy in condemning to
be hanged Omar Mukhtar, the Senussi rebel chieftain in Tripoli.
Considerable opposition developed under the leadership of Ragheb
Bey Nashash'bi, Mayor of Jerusalem,
to the Grand Mufti's ambitions to
Moslem leadership. A meeting of
protest was held at the Mayor's call
which is said to have been attended
by 1000 representatives from all Palestine.
Resolutions finally adopted by the
congress, according to The Times' dispatches, include, first, a protest to the
League against the establishment of a
Jewish national home in Palestine and
the ousting of Arabs; second, a boycott by Moslems throughout the world
of all Jewish goods manufactured in
Palestine; third, to broadcast to the
Moslem world that Zion;sm is a catastrophe for Palestine; fourth, to reject the Wailing Wall Commission's
decisions, and, fifth, to prop&gate
throughout the world the Palestine
Moslems' claims to independence. It
was unanimously resolved to< form a
$5,000,000 corporation with shares to
be subscribed by Moslems throughout
the world for constructive purposes in
Palestine to counteract the Jewish nationalist activities.
Aecord;ng to press dispatches,
the session of Dec. 12 was characterized by violent attacks on the British
mandatory policy, delegate after delegate rising to deliver a fiery speech
on the subject. Mohammad AH Pasha
of Egypt discussed at length Zionist
aims in Palestine as well as economic
depression among Moslem peasants,
alleging that Jewish leaders h?d made
statements that it is the Jewish plan
to colonize Palestine wth Jews, ousting the Arabs and restoring the ancient Jewish temple on the site of
the Mosque of Omar.
�50
His Excellency Sesostris Sidarouss
ing greeted by Salloum A. Mokarzel
dinner given in the minister's honor
America.. Nasib Kalaf, a member of
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Pasha, Minister of Egypt (left) beeditor of the Syrian World at the
by the Syrian Friends of Egypt in
the committee, is shown in center.
�»i.
51
DECEMBER, 1931
THE
SYRIAN WORLD
NEWS SECTION
VOL. VI NO. 4
NEW YORK SYRIANS
HONOR SIDAROUSS PASHA.
New Egyptian Minister in Washington Reviews 71st Regiment.
i
His excellency Sesostr;s Sidarouss
Pasha, the new Egyptian Minister to
the United States, was received with
much acclaim by official and social
circles upon his first visit to New York
since his appointment as Minister
Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary of His Majesty the King of
Egypt at Washington in August. He
arrived in the city November 29 to
review the 71st. Regiment of the New
York National Guard at its armory
on Park Ave. The nvlitary review
was fo'lowed by a reception at the
private quarters of the commanding
officer in honor of the minister.
His Excellency was the guest of
honor on the following day at a dinner
given in his honor by Mrs. George
Washington Kavanaugh. He was also
officially received by Acting Mayor
McGee at the City Hall and entertained at an official luncheon which
was attended by many prominent c:ty
officials.
Profiting of the presence of His
Excellency in the city, the newlyformed committee of the Syrian
Friends of Egypt in America invited
him to a dinner which was held at
the St. George Hotel in Brooklyn Dec.
DECEMBER, 1931
1. Despite the limited time, approximately one hundred guests were present. The response was a spontaneous expression of the genuine
friendship which the Syrians of America entertain for the Egyptian nation
and ^ts diplomatic representative.
Salloum A. Mokarzel, editor of
the Syrian World and Chairman of the
committee, opened the speaking program with a few words of welcome in
the name of his colleague on the committee and inv'ted Mr. N. A. Mokarzel, editor of Al-Hoda and dean of
the Arabic press in America, to preside as toastmaster. The speakers
were selected to represent the various
professions and classes of the community, and included George A Ferris,
dean of the Syrian legal fraternity,
and Dr. F. I. Shatara both of whom
spoke in English, and Rev. Mansur
Stephen who spoke in Arabic. The
Minister responded in both languages
expressing h;s deep appreciation of
the friendly sentiments displayed towards his government and himself.
The toastmaster introduced between speeches Madame Fedora Kurban who sang operatic selections in
both Arabic and English, and Professor Alexander Maloof who played
several solo piano selections.
The committf^ sponsoring the
dinner was compose^ of Dr. Salim Y.
Alkazin, Dr. F. I. Shatara, Nasib Trabuls;, Nasib Kalaf and S. A. Mokarzel.
Those in the Minister's party were
�52
Major and Mrs. Thomas MacDonald,
Wajih Rustum Bey Secretary to the
Legation, Mr. H. K'hatib, acting Egyptian consul in New York, Abdul
Latif Hannawy and Mr. Osman ffilmy
of the Egyptian consulate.
The guests included.
Mr. & Mrs. J. M. Abbott; William Abouchar; Dr. & Mrs. S. Y.
Alkazin; Mrs. C. Arb; E. J. Audi;
Mr. & Mrs. Selim Ayoub; Mme Fedora Kurban; Mr. & Mrs. George C.
Dagher; Dr. Najib Barbour; Miss
Daw; M4ss DeMoor; Saleem Hatem
representing Al-Bayan; Mme. Marie
El-Khoury; Mr. & Mrs. D. J. Faour;
Peter S. George; C. H. Griffith; Miss
Daisy Hamad; S. J. Hermas; Dr. A.
Himad*; Jamile B. Holway; Major &
Mrs. Howard Hutter; Mr. & Mrs. B.
M. Jabara; Mr. & Mrs. F. M. Jabara;
Bfiss Gl&dys Jabara; Mr. & Mrs.
George Jebaily; Miss Laurice Jebaily;
Mr. & Mrs. N. Kalaf; A. G. Khouri;
Mr. & Mrs. P. Kohlhaas; Edward
Leon.
Also', N. Makanna; Fred Malhame; Elias Mallouk; Prof. Alex. Maloof; Assad Milkie; Mike Mobarak;
N. A. Mokarzel Editor of Al-Hoda;
Mr. & Mrs. S. A. Mokarzel; Miss Mary
Mokarzel; Miss R< se Mokarzel; Miss
Alice Mokarzel; Dr. & Mrs. H. Rasi;
Najeeb Sah'adi; Selim Sahadi; Mr. &
Mrs. Michael Saydah; Dr. & Mrs.
F. I Shatara; Mr. & Mrs. Robert
Shephard; Mr. & Mrs. Abdullah Sleyman; Albert Staub; Rev. Mansour
Stephen; Mr. & Mrs. John Stephen;
Mr. & Mrs. Selim Totah; Mr. & Mrs.
Nes;b Trabulsi; Miss Barbara Young;
Fuad Zrike representing Meraat UlGharb; Mr. & Mrs. P. Zrike.
EGYPTIAN MINISTER VISITS
ARABIC LINOTYPE FACTORY.
.While in New York His Excellency Sesostris Sidarouss Pasha, Egyptian Minister to the United States, was
THE SYRIAN WORLD
invited to inspect the Mergenthaler
Linotype factory in Brooklyn which
manufactures the Arabic Linotype.
He was accompanied by Major Thomas MacDonald, Wajih Rustum Bey
of the Legation staff, Mr. H. Khatib
acting Egyptian consul in New York,
Mr. Abdul Latif Hanawy and Mr. Salloum A. Mokarzel editor of the Syrian
World who acted for the Mergenthaler Company in extending the invitation.
The party was entertained at luncheon in the Company's dining room
by the President Mr. Norman Dodge,
Mr. Joseph T. Maekey, the Treasurer
and Mr. C. H. Griffith, Assistant to
the President. Later the minister and
his
companions
were
conducted
through the vast factory and the
various processes of production and
inspection demonstrated to them. It
was explained to the Minister that the
Mergenthaler Company manufactures
composing machines for nearly fifty
languages and that it has given special care to the manufacture of the
Arabic. Linotype whch now has been
in use in America for almost twenty
years as the only method of Arabic
composition, and is being gradually
introduced into all Arabic-speaking
countries, including Egypt.
Earlier in the day the Minister
visited the Empire State Building as
guest of former Governor Alfred E.
Smith.
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
AMONG N. Y. SYRIANS.
The needy among the Syrians of
New York will not want of Christmas
cheer this year despite the prevalent
depression. Churches, organizations
and the press are working along one
form of rel;ef or another, the response
being gratifyng.
Leading the movement among the
press are the two important dailies.
?•
�DECEMBER, 1931
",
Al-Hoda and Meraat Ul-Gharb. The
Syrian Ladies' A'd Society has sent
an appeal by mail to a select list of
over one thousand individuals. St.
Nicholas' Club is planning a Christmas
party for the needy Syrian children
of Brooklyn.
The American Syrian Federation
held a cabaret and dance at its clubrooms on Dec. 15 the proceeds of
which are to be devoted to Christmas
baskets.
Featuring the entertainment was Ted Black and his orchestra
who are in demand by the principal
hotels and restaurants of New York.
Ted Black is a Syrian whose original
name is Aboussleman. He donated
his services.
A musicale and entertainment was
given at the Wells House in Brooklyn
on Dec. 17 by the Syrian Chrstmas
Fund Committee to raise funds for
providing Christmas baskets.
The
principal sponsors were Mrs. Victoria
Z. Shehab and Miss Sumayah Attiyeh.
GIBRAN'S WORKS DRAMATIZED
AT AMERICAN CHURCH
Scenes from "Jesus" ably presented
at St. Mark's
By Alice Mokarzel
St. Mark's on the Bouwerie was
the scene on Sunday, December 13,
of a vivid and living interpretation of
excerpts from Kahlil Gibran's Jesus,
the Son of Man, under the capt'on
"Liturgical Mystery of Jesus the Prophet." This performance marked the
second of Gibran programs presented
by St. Mark's Church since the recent death of the Syrian poet-prophet.
The host of faithful and loving
friends of Gibran who filled the church
to capacity, wept silently during the
scenes that were enacted with consummate beauty and feeling.
ji-i
51
Fitting music for the occasion
was composed by William Arthur
Goldsworthy, who also conducted the
choir assisting the performers and
cantors. Dr. William Norman Guthrie, rector of St. Mark's Church, and
Lester Leake Riley alternated in reading portions from Jesus, the Son of
Man. They were assisted in this by
Bryce Fogle, who interpreted in singing some of the parts. Fedora Kurban, the Syrian singer of merit, opened the musical program with an appropriate Arabic song.
Mary Magdelene, revealed in the
first scene by Phoebe Anna Guthrie,
is filled with the vision of Jesus whom
she beholds for the first time, and
'obsessed by an alternate hate and remorse when Jesus fails to recognize
her. When again she sees him "sitting under the cypress tree" across
her garden, she goes to Him and
pleads with Him to come into her
house. But Jesus grants not her request. "And when He had walked
away," Mary Magdelene, remembering the "sunset of His eyes," feels
no hate but only the lofty spirit of
the woman born anew in her being.
In the second scene, Judas (Gordon Place) reveals to a friend his
betrayal of Jesus, and finds no comfort for his anguish even in the confession of h;s treachery. After ceaseless torment of spirit, Judas realizes
an end to his suffering in self-destruction and goes forth thus determined.
Ann Elizabeth Stroud portrayed
with sincere and fervent feeling the
character of the Woman of Byblos
who is burdened with sorrow and
anguish and "unable to see beyond
grief" in the realization of her "personal loss" in the fate of Jesus.
Bertha Kunz Baker, whose art
has already exceeded itself, cannot
be praised sufficiently. She gave the
character of Mary, Mother of Jesus,
a living imprint upon the hearts of
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i
THE SYRIAN WORLD
54
the audience. The depth of the feeling she wrought, although created by
her voice and expression, was more
so in the silent yet speaking movements she made as Mary, the Mother
who sees with "spiritual understanding Jesus' death" and "through sorrow and vision, the calm acceptance
of God's way." This was a living
and sufferng Mary, who hears in
silent angu;sh the crash that marks
her Son's death and who "at dawn
is still standing among us like a lone
banner in the wilderness wherein
there are no hosts."
In the concluding scene, Phoebe
Anna Guthrie, assisted by St. Mark's
Choreographic Group, characterized
the High Priestess who sees in His
death only "exaltation and glory."
Many interpretations of Gibran's
works have been given in St. Mark's
Church, but never, more than on this
occasion, has Gibran seemed so living
and beautiful and so appealing and
touching to the human heart.
GIBRAN TO REPOSE
IN LEBANESE MONASTERY.
Gibran's life-long wish is to be
partly gratified. He had often confided to his friends that it was his
supreme ambit1 on sometime to retire
into the seclusion of Mt. Lebanon,
there to spend the remainder of his
days in the shadows of the Cedars,
amidst the surroundings of his youth
Which influenced his life work and
for which he felt an ever growing
longing. The Cedars, the Sacred Valley, and Becharre his home town, all
in close proximity, held associations
extremely dear to Irs heart.
The Lebanese press now reports
that Gibran's wish in this respect is
to be respected. Having learned from
his sister who accompanied his remains to his native land that he had
—
wished to acquire for his retreat in
his old age the Monastery of Mar (St.)
Sarqis, Gibran's countrymen opened
negotiations with the owners of th;s
monastery to purchase it and convert
it into a museum for Gibran's works
and a resting place for his remains.
The monastery ;s ideally sfituated
above Becharre and below the Cedars,
perching on a ledge in the mountain
overlooking the Sacked Valley.
The Syrian World is in receipt of
information that M:ss Mariana, Gibran's sister, intends to purchase privately the monastery that is to be dedicated to ier brother.
GIBRAN'S MESSAGE
READ TO D. A. R.
Mr. Roderick Donley, a neighbor
of the Syrian World, whose wife is
an active worker in the Daughters of
the American Revolution, admired the
spirit of Gibran's Message to Young
Americans of Syrian Origin which we
had specially printed for framing as
a gift to our subscribers. We gladly
gave him a copy to take home. His
wife alsc« admired the sp;rit and made
excellent use of her admiration. During the State Convention of the D. A.
R. lately held in Paterson, Congressman Hamilton Fish of New York deVvered an address on the pernicious
activities of foreign communists in
America. Mrs. Donley, in making her
report as committee chairman, took
the occasion to declare that not all
foreigners should be classed in the
same category. The Syrians, she said'
were law-abiding and useful citizens.
As proof she read to the convention
Gibran's Message.
DR. SHATARA LECTURES
ON ARAB CIVILIZATION.
Dr. Fuad I. Shatara of Brooklyn
was the principlal speaker at the
y.
\
k
j
�M.
v-n
he
"DECEMBER, 1931
H
55
LEBANESE AVIATOR PROMOTED.
Baltimore Open Forum before an audience of 700 at the Baltimore Auditorium on Sunday, Dec. 13. His
subject was the Arabs' contribution
to civilization, and he defended Islam
aga;nst the charge of having been
spread by the sword, as reported in
the Baltimore Sun of Dec. 14.
Dr. Shatara encompassed the
whole history of the Arabs and enurnei-ated their various c( ntributions to
science and education. We are fortunate ?n having secured the copy of
Dr. Shatara's lecture and shall publish
illuminating excerpts from it in a
ccming issue of the Syrian World.
YOUNG PEOPLE'S CLUB
GIVES ENTERTAINMENT.
The Young People's Club of the
Syr'-an Prc.testant Church of Brooklyn gave an entertainment at its clubrooms connected with the church on
the last Sunday of November. President Shibly Kassis asked Philip Kahwajie, chairman of the entertainment
committee, to direct the meeting. A
varied program of song, music and
games was prcv;ded.
The educational feature of the
evening was an address by the editor
of the Syrian World who spoke on
the special role of the Syr'an-American
generation and related some experiences of his recent trip abroad. Dr.
K. A. Bishara, pastor of the Syrian
Protestant congregation, also spoke in
corroboration cf the editor's remarks.
THOMAS MOAWOOD MOKARZEL.
Appointed Deputy Sheriff in charge
of aviation in Dutchess County, N. Y.
sheriff in charge of aviation in Dutchess County. The appointment was
made on the recommendation of Senator J. Griswold Webb, chairman of
the New York State legislative committee on aviation, and County
LEBANESE FLYER MADE
Judge Flannery:
FIRST AIR DEPUTY.
Mr. Moawood is regarded as the
The Eagle-News of Poughkeepsie, leading pilot in the Hudson Valley,
New York, in its issue of October 10, according to the News-Eagle. Alcarried on its first page an account though he has been a licensed pilot
of the appointment of Thomas Mo- for over six years, he has never had
awood Mokarzel, the first licensed pi- a serious mishap. On the two oclot in the Hudson Valley, as deputy casions when he had minor accidents
�,
36
he has shown admirable presence of
mind. So far he is credited officially
with 21,000 flying hours. Last year
he won a race held at the Poughkeepsie Airport in which sixteen pilots
took part, some of whom enjoy
a national reputation. The cup he
was awarded on this occasion appears
in the accompanying picture.
Mr. Moawood is also known as the
"Lebanon Eagle". He is proud of
his Lebanese descent and one of his
greatest ambitions is to make a nonstop flight to Mt. Lebanon once he can
secure sufficient backing.
DISTURBANCES MARK
SYRIAN ELECTIONS.
A special cable dispatch to the
New York Times from Damascus dated Dec. 20 read in part as follows:
The situation here in connection
with the elections today became so
serious and demonstrations of opposing factions so turbulent that at 2
P. M. the Government decided to halt
the elections to avert bloodshed.
Although in some quarters everything passed quietly,;t was regarded
as expedient to postpone further polling in Damascus and Hama until some
indefinite date, but in Aleppo and
Homs as well as adjoining locations
they were allowed to continue until
completed.
After the voting places were closed
Damascus was comparatively peaceful and the demonstrations ended,
but until 2 o'clock this afternoon the
city was actually in a state of rot,
all parties fighting one another.
While the polling proceeded at the
Town Hall stones were hurled at its
windows, doors were smashed and
trolley cars also were stoned. Pclice
and troops, with the aid of the fire
brigade, tried to repulse the mobs.
ii«i*r-^
?HE SYRIAN WORLD
The police were obliged to open fire
to frighten the rioters and the fire
brigade dispersed them by turning
their hoses on them.
Women and students joined in the
uproar and general excitement by
issuing manifestos, driving automobiles to all quarters of the city and
urging the people to vote for Nationalists. Many students were arrested for throwing stones.
The Nationalists here and in Aleppo continue to send one protest after
another to High Commissioner Henri
Ponsot. The latest one is aga-nst
the officials in charge of the polling
boxes. One was sent yesterday asserting that the Syrians,
having
placed confidence in the High Commiss'oner's earlier declarations, 'had
decided to participate in the elections
in expectation that the elections would
be fair and free. The telegram protests that "measures were taken by
government authorities to instigate
Government officials to transgress
personal liberty and arouse trouble in
the country by opening fire on the
public." The telegram further requests M. Ponsot to submit the complaint to the League of Nations and
the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Communication with Damascus
today was practically cut off, as no
one was allowed to enter or leave
town and private long distance telephone calls were not permitted, the
telephones being reserved for the Government.
Disturbances occured yesterday
in the Kurdish quarter here, when at
a meeting, a Nationalist speaker was
attacked, beaten and ejected. There
was a clash also at El Kuneitra, between Royalists and Nationalists resulting in several persons being
wounded.
» ft
�DECEMBER, 1931
SIXTEEN ARAB STUDENTS
IN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY.
A correspondent of Meraat UlGharb reports that in the University
cf Michigan in Ann Arbor, there are
sixteen Arab students this year, drawn
from Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and
Iraq, the newest comer being Miss
Wadad K. Mackdici, who is specializing in sociology.
Miss Mackdici is the daughter of
Prof. Jurius Kho/iri of the American
University of Beirut and had graduated with honors from the latter institution. She spent a year teaching
in Baghdad and is now completing
her advanced studies on a scholarship.
CO-OPERATIVE HOSPITAL
OVERCOMING DIFFICULTIES.
The co-operative hospital of Elk
City, Okla., opened in the fall of this
year, and marking the success of
several years of strenuous efforts on
the part of the Syrian physician Dr.
M. Shadid, was described by a feature
article appearing on the frcnt page of
' the Daily Oklahoman of Oklahoma
City as the only institution of its
character in the United States.
The writer lauds the courageous
enterprise and tireless energy of the
founder and declares . that he is on
the way of overcoming the financial
difficulties resulting from the failure
of some subscribers to complete payment for their stock. The writer also
hints that through professional jealpusy some private practicians had
lodged charges against the co-operative hospital w-'th the State authorities. The principal cause of complaint is that the hospital is dispensing medical services much below the
customary fees, and providing medicines at one-third less than the prevailing prices.
This is branded as
socialistic, but is exactly what the
57
founder of the hospital intended when
he launched 'his enterprise. He is
defending his practices with unwavering courage.
DICTIONARY CORNERSTONE
OF MOSLEM RENAISSANCE.
In a debate on Moslem culture
in one of the sessions of the Moslem
Congress in Jerusalem, Mohammad Ali
Pasha cf Egypt declared that the Arabic dictionary, when compiled, will be
the cornerstone of Moslem revival. He
emphasized that although the Arabic
language was replete with classical
terms it did not embrace modern
scientific words, which now are borrowed from English and French. A
dictionary, he said, is vitally essential
to bring about the Moslem renaissance. He suggested that Egypt's
geographical position be utilized to
concentrate on the preparatory work
of this dictionary particularly in view
of the fact that the Egyptian government had started organizing a special
academy for the same purpose.
FORMER EGYPTIAN KHEDIVE
FOR SYRIAN KING.
Contrary to previous advices, it
now seems evident that the royalist
agitation in Syria has not died out.
The elections now taking place disclosed the existence of a strong element favoring a monarchy.
The latest personage mentioned
as a propable candidate for the throne
is Abbas Hilmy, former Khedive of
Egypt, who will arrive in Jerusalem
on Dec. 23 enrcute to Syria, where
he will be received by the French High
Commissioner. A dispatch from Jerusalem says that rumors are persistent thafthe ex-Khedive is coming
to Syr'a on the explicit understanding of being placed on the throne.
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
W$®&®MB&MF^
Gibran's Message
To Young Americans of Syrian Origin
ft
I believe in you. and I believe in your destiny.
I believe that you are contributors to this new civilization.
I believe that you have inherited from your forefathers an ancient dream.a song, a prophecy, which you can proudly lay as a gift of gratitude upon the lap of America.
I believe you can say to the founders of this great nation. Here I am. a youth, a young
tree, whose roots were plucked from the hills of Lebanon, yet I am deeply rooted here, and I would
be fruitful."
And I believe that you can say to Abraham Lincoln, the blessed. "Jesus of Nazareth
touched your lips when you spoke, and guided your hand when you wrote: and I shall uphold
all that you have said and all that you have written."
II
I believe that you can say to Emerson and Whitman and James. "In my veins runs the
blood of the poets and wise men of old. and it is my desire to come to you and receive, but I shall
not come with empty hands."
I believe that even as your fathers came to this land to produce riches, you were born
here to produce riches by intelligence, by labor.
And I believe that it is in you to be good citizens.
And what is it to be a good citizen?
It is to acknowledge the other person's rights before asserting your own. but always to be
conscious of your own.
It is to be free in thought and deed, but it is also to know that your freedom is subject
to the other person's freedom.
It is to create the useful and the beautiful with your own hands, and to admire what others
have created in love and with faith.
I
It is to produce wealth by labor and only by labor, and to spend less than you have produced that your children may not be dependent on the state for support when you are no more.
It is to stand before the towers of New York, Washington. Chicago and San Francisco
saying in your heart. "I am rhe descendant of a people that builded Damascus, and Biblus, and
Tyre and Sidon. and Antioch, and now I am here to build with you. and with a will."
It is to be proud of being an American, but it is also to be proud that your fathers and
mothers came from a land upon which God laid His gracious hand and raised His messengers.
Young Americans of Syrian origin. I believe in you.
nmmnmmmemn
FREE TO SYRIAN WORLD SUBSCRIBERS. This beautiful message by
Gibran 13x17 inches, printed in large type on heavy paper with ornamental border suitable for framing. Every PAID subscriber whose term begins
with Sept. 1931 is entitled to a copy, mailed in heavy cardboard tube. Subscribers whose term beg-'ns before Sept. 1931 may secure a copy by renewal.
\ '
�wmmmmmmmm
59
DECEMBER, 1931
A STUDY
of
KAHLIL GIBRAN
THIS MAN FROM LEBANON
T
>
Barbara Young, the American poet who is now Kahlil Gibran's literary executor, speaks with authority in a 48 page
brochure concerning his life and work, illustrated with
several hitherto unpublished protraits of the Poet of the
Cedars, and a reproduction of one pen and ink drawing and
one page of original manuscript.
A few copies of the limited first edition, serially numbered and autographed by the author, are still available.
The price for this edition is $2.50.
Owing to the wide interest in the brochure, a second
printing will be necessary. These will not be numbered nor
autographed, and will be procurable at $1.50 the copy.
Checks may be made payable to the Gibran Studio, 51
West 10th Street, New York City.
HMHW^'
�60
THE SYRIAN WORLD
AUTHENTIC
:»
ORIENTAL RUGS
THE A. SLEYMAN COMPANY. INC.
{276 5th AVENUE
NEW YORK CITY
Phone BOgardus 4-4345
George Haddad
Proprietor
1
I
Phone
CHickering 4-8878
ALEXANDRIA RESTAURANT
The new and beautiful uptown Syrian restaurant owned and operated
by a master chef, who summons his long experience to the
art of producing the most delectable Oriental dishes.
Small and large parties catered to
So Conveniently Located
21 WEST 31st STREET,
NEW YORK
'Y'I^SWSV'/WN/SV
IT IS YOURS
is the only Syrian publication printed
in English, and as such is the organ of the Syrians in America.
You can help it continue and grow by subscribing to it yourself
and inducing others to subscribe.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
PUBLISHER, THE SYRIAN WORLD:
104 Greenwich Street, New York.
You may enter my name as a subscriber to "The Syrian World" for the term of one yeary for which I agree to
fay the regular rate of $5.00 ufon receipt of the first issue.
Address
City & State
mimmmmAiMiM^vMJMniM
�ECEMBER, 1931
61
JERE J. CRONIN
FUNERAL DIRECTOR
MORTUARY CHAPEL
Local or Out of Town Funerals Personally Attended to
LADY ATTENDANT
Expense a Matter of Your Own Desire
115 ATLANTIC AVENUE
BROOKLYN, N. Y.
The large amount of business we do permits us to buy caskets
in large quantity which enables us to give the best funerals very
reasonable. We carry a complete line of the very best manufactured
caskets at $45.00 up. We pay no agents to secure funerals for us but
only give the family who has sorrow the very best of service, reverence
and economy. Our aim is to help those who are in trouble at a very
little cost. No charge for use of our services or funeral parlors.
Telephone—MAIN 1398-1399-8130-3655
SHEIK
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HOW TO BREED MOTHS
I Leave your rugs on the floor
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will do the rest.
<
A well-appointed Syrian rtstaurant in the heart of the
Syrian Quarter, in lower Manhattan, where yon and your
friends can enjoy the moat
delectable
Oriental
meals
amidst the charm of an Oriental atmosphere.
RESTORATIVE: Call the
THE KOURI CARPET
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10 West 33rd Street
Tel. LOngacre 5-2385
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552 Johnston Avenue
Tel. BErgen 3-1085
Second Foor for Banquets and
Private Parties
KIRDAHY RESTAURANTS,
}
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�3
The ARABIC
LINOTYPE
in MOROCCO
Although the adaptation of the Linotype
to Arabic composition is comparatively
recent, the Arabic Linotype has already
been introduced into all Arabic speaking countries, whether in the Near or
Far East. And wherever it is used, it is
found to be a revelation in its efficiency
and economy of operation. This is but
natural since in all Western languages
the Linotype is now the standard method
of type composition, and hand composition has been almost entirely discarded
in the book, periodical and commercial
printing field for quantity production.
Impr:merie Officielle, Rabat
G. Pfister, Algiers . .
"La Renaissance", Tunis .
"Le Petit Matin", Tunis .
* TRADE
In our kst advertisement in this publication we gave a list of Arabic Linotype
users in Egypt. This month we list the
Linotypes now in operation in Morocco.
It will be seen that not only is it used
in the Government Press but in many
commercial printing establishments.
This testifies not only to the superior
merits of the Arabic Linotype but also
to the spirit of progress in the country.
The printing industry is one of the fundamentals of progress, and the Linotype is the machine which accelerates
the progress movement.
•
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4 Linotypes
1 Linotype
2 Linotypes
1 Linotype
OTYPE "%
MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY
Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A. Cable—Linotype, New York
J^Si\ jJUl j.u ^^ ^j cVlfj liJ
Representatives in the Principal Cities of
^
An illustrated descriptive catalogue of the
Arabic Linotype sent free upon request
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Cable—Linotype, New York
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�THE SYRIAN WORLD
64
» •»
»
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^^U Clio
ATTENTION!
FORWARD!
SAFE!
MARCH ON TO PROGRESS!
START A BANK ACCOUNT
IMMEDIATELY
LET
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UP
Checking accounts may be opened with $200.00 or more
FAOUR BANK
D. J. FAOUR & BROS.
Established 1891
Under Supervision of New York State Banking
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Capital and Surplus Over $500,000.00
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�
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
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NS 0002
Access Rights
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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
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TSW1931_12reducedWM
Title
A name given to the resource
The Syrian World Volume 06, Issue 04
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1931 December
Description
An account of the resource
Volume 6 Issue 04 of The Syrian World published December 1931. This issue begins with an article by Hatib I. Katibah discussing Palestine and how it became the small Syrian province lying at the intersection of three continents. Katibah breaks down exactly how this was possible through a succession of historic events. Following it is a poem by Alice Mokarzel titled "The Christmas Altar." There is also another Gibran work titled "The Great Occurrence," which speaks about the miraculous nature of Jesus Christ. The rest of the poetry in this issue, edited by Barbara Young, is also entirely Christmas related. After a discussion of current news, Edna K. Saloomey's short story titled "Party for Aneesa" is featured, followed by book reviews. The editor closes out the issue with a piece titled "Peace and Good Will, Plus Faith." The issue concludes with excerpts from the Syrian Press and an update on political developments 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
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Text/pdf
Type
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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.
1930s
Alice Mokarzel
Barbara Young
Christmas
Edna K. Saloomey
Habib I. Katibah
Kahlil Gibran
New York
Palestine
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/ed4d782ddccf726baa8ac0ac13661c8f.pdf
5a1035cf10770da5aa90c03c02ed63de
PDF Text
Text
VOL. V. No. 6.
i A
FEBRUARY, 1931.
THE
SYRIAN WORLD
A
MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING
WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE
m
SO
ARE THE LEBANESE ARABS?
PHILIP K. HITTI, PH. D.
OUR COMMISSION TO POSTERITY
REV W. A. MANSUR
A JOURNEY THROUGH JEBEL DRUZE
SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL
THE TRAVELS OF AN ARABIC WORD:
AL-JUBBAH
JOSEPH J. RAYMOND
mm
111
m
WILL SYRIA HAVE ANOTHER KING?
ALI ZAIBAQ (QUICKSILVER)
THE COPY 50c
m
m m&
(A SERIAL)
��THE
SYRIAN WORLD
"Published monthly except July and August
by
THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS
104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y.
By subscription $5.00 a year.
Single Copies 50c
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. V.
FEBRUARY, 1931
No. 6.
CONTENTS
PAGE
Are the Lebanese Arabs?
PHILIP
5
K.
HITTI, PH.
D.
The Secret Pll Cherish (Poem)
DR.
N. A.
KATIBAH
A Journey Through Jebel Druze — 77
SALLOUM
I
16
A.
17
MOKARZEL
The Blind Astronomer (Poem)
26
THOMAS ASA
Our Commission to Posterity
u
REV.
W. A.
27
MANSUR
�t
CONTENTS (Continued)
PAGE
To Youth (Poem)
J. D.
34
CARLYLE.-
The Arabian Nights (Poem)
DON
C.
35
SEITZ
Ali Zaibaq (Quicksilver)—(Serial)
S. A. MOKARZEL AND T. S.
Past and Future
26
DAYTON
40
G. K. GlBRAN
Advice to a Girl (Poem)
41
LABEEBEE
A. J.
HANNA
The Travels of an Arabic Word: Al-Jubbah
JOSEPH
J.
42
RAYMOND
From the Arabic
44.
Will Syria Have Another King?
45
Political Developments in Syria
49
About Syria and Syrians
52
�I
IN THIS ISSUE
W^HAT we believe to be one
of the finest efforts of Dr.
Hitti is his condensation of the
whole history of Lebanon
from the dawn of time within
the limits of a few pages. The
question "Are the Lebanese
Arabs?" was put to him by the
editor of Al-Hoda, and in his
comprehensive answer he epitomizes the whole history of
the country, tracing the effects
on it of the various conquering
races from the Assyrians and
Egyptians to the Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Turks, and
drawing conclusions which cannot fail of interesting every
student of history.
Dr. Hitti gives his opinion
with due appreciation of his
standing as a scholar. It is evident that he strives to establish
facts without regard to personal
feelings or political considerations. This article of his, although originally written for a
daily newspaper, is worthy of
an encyclopaedia. It is so crammed with facts, so logical in the
sequence of its argument, that
we deemed it a special privilege
to translate it into English for
the enlightenment of our young
generation in America and
those of the American public
who are interested in learning
about our ancestry but cannot
find the ready sources. Now
the facts are here presented in
the most concise form, in the
plain, untechnical language that
everyone can understand. Our
readers, we feel sure, will not
only enjoy reading it once, but
decide that it is worthy of keeping for future study and as a
source of reference.
Tr) many of our readers, Don
C. Seitz will need no introduction. He is a nationally
known American author and
journalist who, even after his
retirement from active journalism, still wields great influence in American newspaper
circles in New York. Mr. Seitz
was for almost a quarter of a
century the managing editor of
the New York World, at the
time when that paper was making newspaper history. He is
an admirer of Eastern literature
and his poem on the Arabian
Nights, contributed to THE
SYRIAN WORLD, will surely inspire a more generous appreciation and admiration by our
young generation of the literary treasures of their mother
tongue.
�pEV. W. A. Mansur's present
contribution is on the commission of the Syrian pioneers
in America to their posterity.
The fine qualities of the Syrian
race which the writer points out
should command especial consideration. It is evident that the
learned and patriotic divine
wishes to address himself to our
young generation in a spirit of
exhortation to emulate their ancestors and strive to perpetuate
their finer racial attributes and
characteristics. Rev. Mansur's
articles are always inspirational,
and should recommend themselves not only for their educational value but for their
deep sincerity as well.
*THE editor's travel article in
this issue deals with his observations and experiences in
Sueida, capital ,of Jebel Druze.
He faithfully describes the
town from all angles, and tells
of an interesting visit to the
State Orphanage for Druze
children. His estimate of the
French officials should be
especially interesting, inasmuch
as they now seem to be respected and even loved by the very
people who a few years since
rose in rebellion against them.
The coming article will describe the editor's visit to Qanawat and Shahba, two of the
most interesting historical places
in the Druze Mountain.
"THE tasks of our hero Ali
Zaibaq are becoming increasingly difficult. Has he succeeded in effecting his escape
from the Enchanted Fortress?
And if so, what was his fate?
Let the famous Arab tale-tellers of old give you an account
of Quicksilver's exploits in their
own inimitable way.
T*HIS issue is especially rich
in contributions of poetry.
Gibran's prose poems always
contain a high spiritual message.
Dr. N. A. Katibah, whose attention had been monopolized
lately by an important new
work, still finds time to make
an
occasional
contribution.
Thomas Asa is as staunch and
constant a friend as he is an able
writer. Miss Labeebee A. J.
Hanna returns to delight her
many admirers.
IT took an American student of
Princeton to follow a word
almost through a dozen languages and in as many countries
and finally trace it back to its
Arabic origin. Joseph Raymond's scholarly efforts in identifying the Arabic word AlJubbah in many languages are
certain to meet with the high
appreciation and commendation
of our readers.
, c-
�THE
SYRIAN WORLD
VOL. V.
FEBRUARY, 1931.
No. 6.
Are the Lebanese Arabs?
By
PHILIP
K.
HITTI, PH.
D.
of Princeton University
Editor's Note:—The conflicting claims respecting the ancestry of the
modern Lebanese caused the editor of Al-Hoda to call on Dr. Hitti for an
authoritative opinion on the subject. Hence the following article which first
appeared in Al-Hoda in the Arabic original on January 3. The English
translation, although undertaken by the Syrian World staff, was submitted
to the author for revision and approval before publication.
. i •
A RE the Lebanese Arabs?
This question, put to me by Mr. N. A. Mokarzel, editor of
Al-Hoda, touches an important historical subject. In answering
it I shall confine myself to the purely scholarly aspect, despite
the complicated political questions that beset the theme. In a
study of such character we must be guided only by the desire to
ascertain facts, holding ourselves aloof from partisan considerations.
Let us begin by defining our terms.
Who are the "Lebanese" intended by the question?
The term Lebanese here applies to the inhabitants of the Lebanon Mountain considered in its geographical delimitation and
not in its administrative form. Especially dqes the term here apply to the Western Lebanon range extending from the Nahr ElKabir (the Eleutheros of the ancients) in the north to the bend
of the Litani River, known in modern usage as Nahr El-Qasimiyeh, in the south. The inhabitants of both coastal and interior
cities now annexed to Lebanon, such as Beirut and Baalbek, are
excluded from the general term. Emphasis cannot be too strongly
laid on the additional fact that by the term Lebanese is here
meant the overwhelming majority of the inhabitants of Lebanon,
not each and every individual without exception.
�r
6
THE SYRIAN WORLD
And whom do we mean by the term "Arabs"?
If by Arabs we understand those who have adopted the
Arabic language and culture, then the question becomes superfluous j because in that case the answer is obvious. The Lebanese,
from this point of view, are "Arabs" or Arabicized, from the
standpoint of language, culture and general psychology. Some of
them are even so from the standpoint of religion. But if we
mean by the term "Arab" the ethnological lineage, blood relationship and racial descent, then the question is open to discussion.
>;
It is plain that the Arabs meant in the question are those natives of the Arabian peninsula who entered Syria at the time of
the Islamic invasion about the middle of the seventh century A.
D. or those who came into the country as a result of that invasion, or, in a more general sense, those of the peninsular Arabians
who migrated during historic periods and settled in Lebanon.
This constitutes an important point which it is quite important
for us to determine, owing to the fact that certain scholars are
of the opinion that what we call today the Arabian peninsula was
in all probability in pre-historic days the cradle of the whole
Semitic race comprising those later termed Babylonians, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Phoenicians, Arameans and Hebrews. In fact
this broad claim would take in all peoples speaking a Semitic
tongue. Those who have read my two little Arabic books entitled
Suriyat w-al-Suriyun min Nafidhat al-Tarikh and Al-Lughat alSatmyah al-Mahkiyah ft Suriyah wa-Lubnan will recall that I
share the afore-mentioned historical theory. But granting that
all this is true it does not form a part of our present discussion;
because, firstly, it is only a theory and whatever connection it has
with the subject is pre-historic. Secondly, because the Semitic
peoples who migrated from the peninsula, granting that the
theory is tenable, were not, strictly speaking, Arabians. A similar case may be found in the ethnology of the French and English
peoples whose ancestry may be traced back to barbarian tribes who
once inhabited Germany 3 yet the French and English cannot be
properly called German. All European peoples, besides, are supposed to have come from Asia; but it does not follow that they,
for that reason, should be styled Asiatics. Thirdly, because the
same theory is based on the assumption that these Semitic peoples, before they settled in the Arabian peninsula, were one and
the same race with the Hamites inhabiting Northern Africa.
Reduced to its fundamentals our question then becomes: Are
HHHnHnHHHHHHBHHHHHM
*
i
i
�FEBRUARY, 1931
most of the inhabitants of Lebanon today descendants of those
Arabians who migrated to Syria as a result of the Islamic invasion or who filtered in before the invasion during historical periods?
If it should be necessary to give an unequivocal answer in a
single word, that word would be "no."
A short introduction and a detailed explanation follow.
WHO WERE THE FIRST LEBANESE?
The late Alfred Day, professor of zoology and geology at
the American University of Beirut, discovered in the cave of
Antilyas a few years ago ancient human remains together with
those of deer, gazelles, and wild ass and other species of wild
animals now extinct. This proves that pre-historic man lived in
those sections and dwelt in caves, subsisting on the meat of wild
animals which 4ie slew with stones, using the skins for clothing.
The discoveries of Pere Zemmoven, S. J., along the coast of Kisrawan corroborate the same theory. In all, archaeologists have
found no less than a dozen depots in Lebanon for the manufacture of stone implements before man came to the discovery of
metals and learned their use. The southernmost of these depots
is at 'Adlun, situated between Tyre and Sidon, and the northernmost is one for the manufacture of flint on the banks of the River
Abu 'Ali (Qadisha) above Tripoli. But the principal ones are
those of the Nahr El-Kalb (Lycos River), Nahr Ibrahim (Adonis) and the Antilyas River. Whoever visited the museum of
the American University of Beirut must remember the large
showcases filled with the flint implements which the first Lebanese used in the stone age as knives and weapons.
The prevailing opinion among contemporary scholars is that
Egypt and Babylon were the first historic seats of civilization,
but the man of that period living on the banks of the Nile or on
the banks of the Euphrates represented a high type of civilization because he had already attained an agricultural stage of development. It should be taken for granted that thousands of
years must have elapsed before he learned how to cultivate the
soil and domesticate animals. Previous to that stage, however,
man was a hunter subsisting on the flesh of wild animals and wild
vegetation. From that state he emerged into a pastoral one and
began to subsist on the produce of animals which he had learned
— —
MBBOTBHW1^^"
�8
THE SYRIAN WORLD
to domesticate. In our present day the nomad bedouins represent that stage. It was only after the elapse of centuries that man
entered into the agricultural stage symbolized by the Babylonian
and Egyptian civilizations.
The natural deduction is that Lebanon was partly, not totally,
inhabited thousands of years before the historic era or the advent
of the Babylonian and Egyptian civilizations. This represents
the first point in our thesis which we wish to establish.
Let us now pass on to the subsequent and better known historic ages.
The first historical reference to Lebanon occurs about 2800
B. C. when Sargon, the Babylonian, invaded it. Others from
among the Sumerian and Babylonian kings visited it either for
the hunt for procuring its timber for building their temples and
palaces in a country singularly lacking in forests and building
stone. The reader may be surprised to learn that Tiglatt-Pileser,
the Assyrian, as early as 1100 B. C. mentions in one of his records that he had hunted the elephant in Lebanon. Even to our
present day the cuneiform inscriptions of the Babylonians and
Assyrians appear on the living rock at the mouth of Nahr ElKalb (Dog River), the most important of which being that of
the Chaldean conqueror, Nebuchadnezzar.
The first reference made in the hieroglyphic Egyptian characters to Lebanon and to the Alaouite district, which is geologically complementary to the Lebanon range, occurs in a letter
of Thutmose who overcame the kingdom of Arwad about the
year 1500 B. C. and waxed eloquent in the description of the
fertility of the country. He referred to the bounty of the land,
the beauty of the orchards and the abundance of the wines. (They
had no prohibition in those days!). To quote literally some of
his remarks: "Their gardens were filled with their fruit, their
wines were found remaining in their presses as water flows, their
grain on the terraces upon [the mountain side]." Here is the
first reference in history to the characteristic mountain terraces
(jail,) indicating that the Lebanese mountaineers even in the
middle of the second millenium before Christ, terraced their
land in the manner still obtaining to this day. Ramses came in
the wake of Thutmose and perpetuated the record of his invasion of Lebanon by the imperishable inscription he had carved
on the rock at the mouth of the Dog River where the Lebanese
took their strategic stand in defense of their country.
r
�FEBRUARY, 1931
WHO WERE THE PHOENICIANS?
Now to what race belonged these first Lebanese at the dawn
of recorded history?
Undoubtedly they belonged to the Semitic race. Some, unquestionably, were Canaanites who were akin to the Arameans,—
both being of the same Semitic stock. As regards the Phoenicians, they are none other than the Canaanites who lived on the
sea coast and who were called Phoenician (blood red) by the
Greeks who knew the Phoenicians as traders in purple. The history of the Phoenicians began in Lebanon about 2000 B. C. Traces
of Phoenician temples, tombs and forts are still in evidence not
only in Tyre, Sidon, Byblos, 'Amrit and the rest of the coast
cities, but also in Afqa, Samar Jubail, Bait Miri, Hermon and
other localities situated far in the interior of the country. The
recently established Lebanese National Museum in Beirut contains the finest collection of Phoenician antiquities in the world,
comprising sarcophagi, inscriptions and relics the like of which
are not to be found even in the Louvre or the British Museum.
While the foothills of Lebanon flourished with the Phoenicians about the middle of the second millenium B. C, the country
was invaded by the Hittites who were of northern and therefore
non-Semitic origin. The Hittites hailed from Anatolia and first
settled on the banks of the Euphrates where they established
their capital Carchemish (modern Jarablus). They later invaded
the valley of the Orontes and set up their southern capital at
Qadish, in the neighborhood of Hims (Emesa). Sweeping later
from the Biqa' plain they took possession of the higher reaches
of Northern Lebanon and contended with Thutmose, Ramses
and other Egyptian Pharaohs for the possession of Lebanon and
Syria. Incontestable proof of the Hittites' hold on Lebanon may
be found in the celebrated Tell el-Amarna records. There is at
least one biblical reference (Judges 3:3) to the Hittites and other
nations "that dwelt in Mount Lebanon, from mount Baal-hermon unto the entrance of Hamath." The modern Arabic vernacular of Lebanon bears traces of the early Hittite occupation
of the land in certain common words of Hittite origin, such as
shaghur for waterfalls.
Lebanon was mentioned not less than sixty times in the Old
Testament, the references occurring principally in description of
its majesty, its beauty and its waters and cedars. But in Ps. 72:16
�r
10
THE SYRIAN WORLD
there is a reference to its fruit, and in Hos. 14:7 occurs a mention of its wine, indicating that the Hebrews knew Lebanon, at
least in certain of its sections, populated.
It should not be understood that we mean that Lebanon at
that early stage of history was densely populated. Such could
hardly be expected of an inaccessible, cold mountain abounding
in forests and ferocious beasts. What we mean to convey is that
some sections of the mountain, especially the northern portion,
were a habitat of man from the earliest known history, just as
other portions were inhabited even in pre-historic periods. This
forms the second point which we wish to establish.
In the years 64 B. C. Pompey, the Roman general, came to
Lebanon as an invader. Geographers of that period mention in
this connection three Lebanese fortified strongholds. With the
Roman occupation the Lebanese entered upon a golden era of
prosperity and progress because of the well-known Roman policy
of colonization involving the opening of highways, building of
bridges, erecting of aqueducts and crowning many hills with magnificent temples, besides establishing summer resorts which afforded the colonists relief from the heat of the seacoast. Even
to this day we find clear traces of these public improvements initiated by the Romans, such as the aqueduct (qanatir) of Sitt Zubaida in the outskirts of Beirut, the water canal of the cAr'ar
spring, the temple of Dair El-Qal'a, and the temple of Faqra
above Mazra'at Kfardibyan at the foot of Mt. Sannin—not to
mention innumerable Roman inscriptions and sarcophagi to be
found all over the mountain. It is indeed surprising that traces
of a Roman road formerly connecting Byblos and Baalbek and
passing over the higher reaches of Lebanon in the direction of
'Aqura are discernible to this very day.
In the Byzantine period, which followed as a complement to
the Roman period, the Lebanese gradually embraced the then
new Christian religion. Lebanon attracted particularly the hermits and ascetics inclined to a life of monastic seclusion, and became a haven for the persecuted among the inhabitants of the
coastal and interior plains. This gave impetus to the rise in its
population. Ernest Renan in his Mission de Phenicie, describes
several Lebanese Christian churches which date back to the Byzantine period, principally the churches of Mashnaqa and Hadthun and the temple of Kfar Shlaiman.
The net findings are that during the Roman and Byzantine
»
I
�;**
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FEBRUARY, 1931
11
periods Lebanon enjoyed an era of great prosperity and progress
and experienced a large increase in its population. This constitutes the third important point in our theme.
And now we face the crucial problem in the whole discussion.
RELATION OF LEBANESE TO ARABS
Between the years 633 and 640 A. D. the Moslem Arabs invaded Syria and settled in the country. Their Umayyad caliphs
even made Damascus their capital, and so it remained until the
fall of the Umayyad dynasty about the middle of the eighth
century and the consequent rise of the 'Abbasid dynasty in Baghdad. What then became of the original inhabitants of the country?
Before the Arab conquest they numbered about five million
souls, according to the lowest estimates.
They were Christians speaking the Syrian Aramaic.
They enjoyed a flourishing civilization.
They had magnificent cathedrals such as the basilica of St.
John in Damascus which later became the famous Umayyad
mosque.
What became of all these people? Did they evaporate and
simply vanish?
But our discussion is now confined to Lebanon, and we would
ask: What became of its population after the Arab occupation?
It is incontestable that the mountain, especially in its populous
northern section, maintained even after the Arab invasion much
of its autonomy and even succeeded for many centuries thereafter
in retaining its native Syriac language. Its Christian religion was
never forsaken and has been preserved to this day. The invading
Arabs were unable to gain a foothold in it because of its inaccessibility, the severity of its climate and the preoccupation of the
first caliphs in waging war against the Byzantines on the one
hand, and on the other in suppressing the Shiites and other insurgents within their own boundaries.
Such being the Arabs' predicament, the Byzantine emperors
took advantage of it to reinforce the mountaineers and increase
their power of resistance. To that end they dispatched to Lebanon certain contingents whom al-Baladhuri calls Jarajimah, and
who, in the opinion of Pere Lammens, are none other than the
Maradah. This new warlike people not only settled in the moun-
�12
THE SYRIAN WORLD
tain but began to make incursions against coastal and interior
cities and proved themselves a thorn in the sides of the Arab
caliphs of Damascus to the extent that the caliph 'Abd-al-Malik
ibn-Marwan concluded a truce with the Byzantine monarch and
agreed to pay him an annual tribute for the sole purpose of
putting an end to the harassing attacks of the Maradah. In this,
according to al-Baladhuri, 'Abd-al-Malik was only continuing the
policy of his great predecessor Mu'awiyah, the founder of the
Umayyad dynasty. And let it also be remembered that the reign
of the Umayyads was at its zenith under 'Abd-al-Malik and his
son al-Walid. In later periods, however, some of these Maradah tribes returned to their homeland in Cilcia, while the remainder settled permanently in Lebanon and were amalgamated
with the original inhabitants, thereby forming what became
known as the Maronite nation which in the last analysis springs
from an Aramean origin.
Al-Baladhuri and al-Ya'qubi are authority for the statement
that when the caliph Mu'awiyah decided on repopulating the localities which the Romans had evacuated in the districts of Beirut, Jubail, Tripoli, 'Arqa and Baalbek, he imported contingents
from Persia for the purpose. It naturally follows that the Persians formed a component part of the modern Lebanese nation,
but not of the Christian element in it. Other elements may be
noted in passing: The Janbalat and Tmad clans are of Kurdish
stock, while the Talhuqs and 'Abdal Samads are Maghribis.
In this connection it becomes necessary to call attention to
some pertinent considerations respecting the Arabs who came to
Syria as a result of the conquest. The point becomes more important in view of the uncertainty and ambiguity surrounding it
in the popular mind.
First:—Historians of the period of invasion place the number of the Arab army at twenty-eight thousand. Let us increase
the estimate by another twenty-two thousands, who followed subsequent to the conquest, and we will have a round total of fifty
thousands representing the purely Arab element among the then
existing Syrian and Lebanese population of between five and six
millions.
Second:—As is natural, most of the newcomers were men
representing the fighting units of the army. The women among
them were few. Once settled, they intermarried with native women, and as a result, the second generation was only half Ara-
-
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FEBRUARY, 1931
nil
13
bian. The third and fourth generations became less Arabian, and
so the fifth. The same process of reasoning applies as well to
the Arabs of Spain. Arab blood in the veins of 'Abd-al-Rahman
III, the founder of the Spanish caliphate, was infinitesimal, according to scientific computation. Another case in point is that
of the Ottoman Turks who gradually lost all traces of their racial
identity, so that, computing the amount of Mongolian blood in
the veins of Sultan <Abd-al-Hamid, a certain scholar found it not
to exceed one per cent.
Third:—The Arab occupation of the country was in the nature of the case restricted to the cities and coasts: Damascus, Hims,
Hama, Beirut. The invaders had no interest in the mountainous
section which offered no inducement to them considering its cold
climate, meagerness of natural resources, lack of communication
and its total dependence on agricultural products.
Let us, besides, not overlook the important fact that the
policy of Umar ibn-al-Khattab was to prevent free intercourse
between the Arab army and the natives causing his men to be
secluded in restricted camps such as al-Jabiya and 'Amwas.
Who of us can imagine a bedouin family migrating and taking up its abode in Lebanon?
Has any one heard that within the last five hundred years
any Arab tribe settled in Lebanon for permanent occupancy?
The Turks occupied the country four whole centuries, but
how many Turkish families became domiciled in Lebanon?
In every land in the world it is the population of the country
places, the mountains and the hinterland, that represent the original native stock, the urban population being in every case a mixture with a large proportion of late comers and foreigners. A
study of the statistics of the city of New York will reveal that
only one out of five of its inhabitants is a native city-born.
Fourth:—The cities are more open to the spread of epidemics and diseases, and city dwellers fall prey to a life of ease,
luxury and excesses which sap their vitality. Modern statistics
place the average life of the urban family at not more than three
generations, or ninety years. If this is the case in our modern
cities teeming with public health precautions and hygienic measures and scientific ways of living what could have been the case
in medieval times when ignorance was rampant, medical science
primeval and general means of prolonging life non-existant.
In those days cholera, plague, smallpox, diphtheria and var-
�-jmmm
14
THE SYRIAN WORLD
ious forms of fevers and other epidemics swept the cities with
appalling results. Infantile mortality was undoubtedly at the rate
of 75% or more in those days and under those conditions. But
mountain inhabitants everywhere and at all times are comparatively immune against epidemics because of the blessings of fresh
air and sunshine, of a green vegetable diet, open-air life, field
work, early sleep and safety from contact with sources of disease
and pollution.
The general rule the world over is that cities rejuvenate
their depleted vitality by the absorption of pure and virile mountain blood, through the accretion of those mountaineer youth of
both sexes who are attracted by city life and join the caravan
which is headed for inevitable extinction.
Another important point, not in agreement with popular conception, must also be clarified: The Moslem Arabs, whether in
Syria or other conquered countries, were little concerned with
forcing the natives into changing their original religious beliefs.
This is due to the fact that profession of Islam constituted in
itself an automatic exemption from the payment of tribute. Economic considerations, therefore, prompted the Arabs to grant
conquered peoples freedom to practice their prevailing institutions, whether religious, civil or social.
From the foregoing it must be deduced that Syria in its entirety remained Syriac in its language, Christian in its religion
and Aramean in its traditions throughout the period of the orthodox caliphs and in that of the early Umayyads. Its Arabicization and Islamization were gradual and slow processes which began towards the end of the Umayyad period and assumed greater
proportions during the 'Abbasid rule. Let it be noted, however,
that the 'Abbasids, like their predecessors the Umayyads, took
little notice of the mountain and confined their interest only to
the occupation of its southern sections, apparently failing to properly recognize its strategic importance. It was not till the
advent of the Crusades that the mountain strongholds were rebuilt and fortified, principally Hims al-Akrad, Marqab and alShaqif.
Consequent upon the Arab invasion of the Syrian coast and
hinterland Arabic began to be spoken in various parts of the
country, including Lebanon. But men are ever inclined to change
their political allegiance more readily than their linguistic heritage, with the result that the native Syriac language held valiantly
�FEBRUARY, 1931
the^rabic11 f°r *
/5
Pr traCted time tefore ifc
gave
°
wa
X
in
favor of
The Arab historian Ibn-al-'Ibri (1226-86) informs us that
the Syriac language was still spoken in Lebanon in his times.
a
w^H
T/^SSem.anl) b his bi°graPhy of Nuh Bqifawi who
TJT XT I451 m Bqlfa' (betWeen Ehden and Bisharri) reports that Nuh composed poetry in Syriac
Bishop Jubra'il Lihfidi, better known as ibn-al-Qila'i, who
died in 1516, left us certain works in Arabic which bear unmistakable traces of Syriac linguistic influence.
In the year 1611 George Karmsaddini compiled a Syriac-Arabic dictionary, for which he collected material, according to his
own statement in the preface, from the inhabitants of the neighborhood, especially Hasrun.
In the year 1632 Chausteuil paid a visit to Lebanon and discovered that the inhabitants of Hasrun still spoke Syriac All
this goes to prove that the process of Arabicization was an extremely slow one, making it possible for some north Lebanon
towns to maintain their original Syriac language up to the middle
of the seventeenth century. It is a well-known fact that even to
this day there are three towns in Anti-Lebanon which have reJub'eadinnaC ^
a SP ken kngUage
°
>
namelv
' Ma'lula, Bakha and
Syriac has left noticeable traces in the Arabic colloquial of
Lebanon, affecting its grammar, syntax and accent. Towns and
localities bearing names of unmistakable Syriac origin and derivation outnumber by far those bearing purely Arabic names.
It should not be deduced from the foregoing that all the Lebanese are of Aramaic origin. Southern Lebanon, for instance,
was occupied by Arab tribes both following the Islamic invasion
and during the Crusades, their principal representatives being
Ma<n, Tanukh and Shihab. Undoubtedly, also, some of the
southern Christians are of Ghassanid Arab origin, although most
of the southern Christians filtered originally from the Maronites
of the north. Other Christians, as should be further noted, may
be traced back to crusaders' origin. We are of the opinion, on
the whole, that Greek and Roman blood is just as negligible
among the inhabitants of the mountain as Arab blood is, and for
substantially the same reasons. The Greeks and Romans, during
their periods of occupation, confined themselves to the cities and
coasts and found no potent attraction to draw them to the moun-
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
16
tain. But whatever the case may have been, the elapse of centuries has caused such a complete fusion of Ghassanid and Crusaders' blood with that of the natives that scarcely a trace of the
imported stock now remains.
Nor should one be led to infer from the above discussion
that the cultural and linguistic heritage of a people is negligible
in the face of their biological or ethnological relationship. Most
of the Lebanese are biologically, racially, of native Syrian stock,
but their Arabic language and culture are vital bonds that unite
them with the other nations of the Arabic-speaking world. The
significance and the importance of this linguistic and cultural
heritage of the Lebanese should never be underestimated.
Thy Secret Fll Cherish
(From the Syrian Folk Song Abu Zolof)
"By
DR.
N. A.
KATIBAH
At the shrine my heart's darling secret's intrusted;
To the hermit my love I confessed;
There, alone, for an hour, on my knees I rested,
To be shriven and pardoned and blessed.
And the call has no mouth of my love to tatter,
And the monk,—Oh, I know him so well!
He has ears, he has lips, but no matter—
Of my heart's darling fears will not tell.
But the thought for a moment will out like an arrow,
And the hold of my bosom defies;
Then, I write of my love on the wing of a sparrow,
As for ink—the red tears of my eyes.
But oh no—no, no, darling! Thy secret I'll cherish
In my heart though my tears be shed red;
Nor fear not that I speak, though I perish
And arise when the graves yield their dead.
MMn
'?
�?
FEBRUARY, 1931
17
A Journey Through Jebel Druze
By
SALLOUM
A.
MOKARZEL
II.
A DAY IN THE CAPITAL
^N almost infallible rule is that a country may be judged by
its capital. The very word implies a meaning of superiority
*nd general representation. It is the head, the seat of administrative power and the focal point of the dominating intellects in
the land. The best and strongest in a nation finally work their
way to a position of authority and naturally converge on the
capital. Being the head, the capital becomes the logical center of
both the intellectual faculties and the physical senses of the nation. It is as much the country's guiding mind as it is its watchful
eye and the center of the sense of touch that is ever feeling the
nation's pulse.
Nor is the capital less important in its representation of the
country from its physical aspect. The general view of the capital,
its dimensions, its activities, its public buildings and institutions,
its squares and thoroughfares, tell more eloquently than the
written word of the true condition of a nation, its power and progress and aesthetic qualities. Hence we consider Paris and London
and Rome and Washington the whole of the countries of which
they are the respective capitals in miniature. Constantinople was
a true symbol of old Turkey, but new Turkey expresses its spirit
of aggressive progress and tendency to self-assertion in Angora.
It broke away from old traditions and. set out to express its creed
of rejuvenation and independence in new surroundings and along
different, unconventional lines. Applying the simile nearer home,
we find Beirut, Damascus and Latakia engaged in ambitious projects of civic improvement. They are following the natural course
of making the capital expressive of the spirit of the nation. There
are in each ineffaceable traces of an old civilization and culture,
but a veneer of modernism is being added to give the faded past
a lustrous polish. And such is the tendency of the people. Hence
the anomaly of entering Damascus, for instance, along a broad
.;'"i;i§?E"
�18
THE SYRIAN WORLD
boulevard lined with electrically lighted cafes only to be led to
the time-honored covered bazaars characteristic of the old Eastern metropolis.
Sueida, capital of Jebel Druze, proved no exception to the
general rule governing capital cities.
From a distance the town presents the appearance of a shapeless pile of black stone of restricted dimensions. Drawing nearer
a few buildings of modern construction and pretentious size and
appearance begin to take shape, while higher up the mountain
Hank looms the grim square form of the citadel which dominates
the city. The fort lacks the imposing appearance of either old
castles or new fortifications, but the element of reckless bravery
which characterized both the attack and the defense in the Druze
revolt of 1925 marks the place as one of prime interest in Sueida.
Uuring those trying times the Druzes besieged the French garrison and hurled themselves desperately against the ramparts of
the tort m an attempt to capture it by sheer human force, inasmuch as they lacked either siege artillery or field guns. While
the besieged French held out through grim determination despite
hunger thirst, and lack of ammunition. For weeks the defenders
subsisted only on the meager supplies dropped occasionally by
airplanes in a desperate effort to revictual the depleted commissariat of the fort.
I
\
i
At the very entrance to the town one comes upon the civic
centre representing a small park around which are clustered the
administrative buildings. The sight of the trim structures and the
pleasing color of flowers and shrubs is most welcome after the
long travel m the dreary waste of the fields. But the pleasant
touch of vegetation seems to be confined to this one spot all else
reverting to the sombre appearance of black basalt stone. Nature
seems to have withheld from this country the softening influence
of green, and the character of the people seems to have grown
along the lines dictated by nature-grim, determined and fatalistically resigned in the struggle for existence. The lean, sinewy
hgures of the people proclaim the life of arduous toil to which
they are destined, while their serious countenances reflect the
mental attitude with which they view life. It requires little power
of analysis and deduction to arrive at the conclusion that these
hardy and resigned people have little time or means to indulge
in the finer amenities of life.
We disregarded the advice of the obliging French officer of
\
�?
FEBRUARY, 1931
The civic center of Sueida, capital of Jebel Druze, showing the
government bmldtngs grouped around the only public park.
W to seek the madhaf or guest house of Atrash Pasha alUrSe haS CVer beCn the aCCe ted traditi
flTnff
r^
V,°
P
in this
tar-ott land The custom springs from the fact that tourist travel, or travel of any kind, for that matter, was little known in
former times and the establishment of hosieries consequently
unnecessary. The people's hospitality, on the other hand' made
up for the seeming deficiency, and the homes of the richest and
mo distinguished citizens took on the semi-public character of
hostleries We were relieved of the necessity of taking advantage
of th1S traditional custom because of the existence of a commercial
note m Sueida established since the suppression of the Druze
revolt by an enterprising Lebanese. We were fortunate in finding two of the hotel's four rooms available, this being
the dull
6
season.
.15
\
The Royal Hotel is one of the few red-tiled roof buildings
of the capital and faces the public square. The street level is
devoted to stores, while the single upper story comprises the
hotel proper. It is reached by a stone staircase leading directly
from the street to an open-air veranda which serves as cafe The
interior is divided by an «L" shaped corridor, the lower arm of
which serves asdining room. The bedrooms, although few, are
spacious. All beds are covered with mosquito nettings, It it
would seem, as much for protection against the mosquitos'a
BBKBHag*8»5®*®^^^Sn*s^^^
_
�20
THE SYRIAN WORLD
against the swarms of flies that infest the place like a veritable
pest. Still that was the only hotel and one of the most up-to-date
judged by the standards of the country.
Although we had every reason to believe that the authorities
were forewarned of our visit we were singularly free from any
form of interference notwithstanding the fact that the country
was under direct military administration and that we had in our
company one of the principal Nationalist leaders instigating the
last revolution. But we could not translate our sense of liberty
into any form of profitable use because of the limited sphere of
activity in this strange capital. It was a town of only seven thousand population whose dwellings we could almost count from the
balcony of our hotel. Its principal business street extended less
than the distance of an ordinary city block and was devoted mainly
to grain and feed stores, and except for the little cafe attached to
the hotel there is in the town no place of amusement of any nature. We were advised that whenever motion pictures are shown
they would be specially imported for the entertainment of the
French officers and their families and the soldiers of the garrison.
Nevertheless Sueida is the capital of a full-fledged sovereign
independent State under the French mandate in Syria, having
a Representative Council (whose twenty-four members receive
each the munificent sum of $20.00 per month), a State militia
and all the other trappings that form the cherished prerogatives
of an independent government. The economic importance of the
country is in keeping with its area of less than 10,000 square miles
and its population of 50,000. Its export of wheat, representing
the surplus over the population's needs, is to the value of about
$125,000 while exports of wool and sheep butter represent an
additional sum of about $150,000. The government revenue
averages 300,000 Syrian pounds, the equivalent of $240,000 a
year.
The fortuitous meeting with an old friend from New York
in the person of Philip Catzeflis, for several years secretary to
the Governor General of Jebel Druze, saved the day for us. He
not only brought us a touch of "home," but supplied us with
much valuable information and proved helpful in many other
ways. On his advice we devoted the greater part of the afternoon
to a visit to Qanawat, an important historical town at a distance
of less than five miles from Sueida, a description of whose ruins
I
�•m
*
Many buildings laid to ruin during the revolution have not yet
undergone repairs. A view of Sueida from the only hotel.
I*
The abundance of black basalt stone in Jebel Druze may be imagined by the great piles which seem to rise everywhere in Sueida.
»! ! I.IM!"—"
" -
' -*1
�22
"THE SYRIAN WORLD
will be given later. Another but equally interesting visit was the
one made to the State orphanage established by the French for
the care of war orphans. Although this visit was in the nature of
a surprise to the two nurses in charge nothing was discovered that
would occasion criticism. The dormitories, the halls, the kitchen
and the dining room were most orderly and clean. So were the
boys in their quaint native uniforms. They were made to give us
an exhibition of the dabke dance, and to one who had seen the
dance performed by practiced adults it was surprising to see how
well the youngsters succeeded. They moved in unison with uncanny precision and seemed all to be born with a response to the
rhythm The leader, a boy of hardly over eight years, was even
masterful He not only displayed surprising physical agility
but showed such emotional reaction on his serious face as to make
his feelings contagious. The orphanage, by its modern, sanitary
building, and ,ts well-kept flower beds and cheerful surroundings, is one of the few places that leave a pleasant impression of
a visit to Sueida.
*
Returning to our hotel we met another individual who reminded us of America, this time in the person of the landlord who
seemed to have come on a visit of inspection. He had made a
comfortable fortune abroad and returned to invest it home and
spend the remainder of his days in peace and contentment. We
could have never guessed his identity or the circumstances of his
hit but for the anxious manner he evinced in questioning the
Lebanese lessee of the hotel, which prompted us in turn to make
inquiries about him. To meet him in the street one would take
him for an ordinary native who had never crossed the limits of
his town because of his having reverted to complete native garb
Irom kuffia and ighal to slippers and even to the habit of partly
covering the face. He represented the old line natives who could
never be content with any form of innovation.
But almost at the same time we were introduced to a dapper
young man in his early twenties faultlessly attired in European
dress with the exception of the native tarboush. We were not
a little surprised to learn that he was Emir Hassan El-Atrash the
ranking prince and titular leader of the whole country, which'still
adheres to hereditary leadership. He is setting the pace in modernism for the younger Druze generation. Emir Hassan is now
reconciled to French occupation and even lends it his fullest cooperation. He has forsaken the career of general for that of a
�FEBRUARY, 1931
> • I
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23
gentleman farmer, his
foremost interest being
that of improving agricultural methods on his
vast estates where he is
conducting extensive experiments with modern
farm machinery.
The Emir was insistent
in his invitation to us to
be his guests for the night
at his palace at Qaria, a
few miles from Sueida,
but we had, already planned to leave next morning, and to once accept a
Druze ^prince's hospitality and refuse to stay
long enough for him to
display his generosity
would be, to say the least,
uncourteous. Besides,
there was not the prospect
of riding in a cavalcade
Col. Clement Grandcoun
in the company of a feuFrench
Military Governor of
dal prince. He offered
Jebel Druze.
to take us in his car
which he himself drives accompanied but by a single attendant.
The following morning was devoted to official calls. Mr.
Catzeflis presented us to Col. Clement Grandcourt at the official
residence and we were again assured the freedom to travel
through the country. Meeting this upright French soldier of unassuming manner and evident sincerity and kindness of character,
one is not surprised at hearing that when he offered to resign the
Druzes themselves petitioned to have him remain. Almost all
other French officials we met in Jebel Druze seemed to be ingratiating themselves with the people and winning their affection
by their tact, kindliness and devotion. This is all the more surprising since the revolt of the Druzes was ascribed to the arrogant and intolerant overbearance of their first governor, Capt.
Carbillet.
-'-;—. ;
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
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Inmates of the State Orphanage for Druze children in Sueida.
Note the trim native uniform.
In telling Col. Grandcourt of the purpose of our visit we did
not fail to mention that our companion, Fakhry Bey Baroody,
refrained from joining us on this personal visit to him because of
his political affiliations. At which the governor seemed surprised
and replied: "He would have been equally welcome. Neither
he nor any other has anything to fear from us."
This attitude of friendliness seemed to be the general policy
on the part of French officials in Jebel Druze. It was further
demonstrated a few minutes later when we visited the Intelligence Bureau, this time Fakhry Bey Baroody joining willingly.
Rather, he was the principal in this visit and we the guests, because he and the head of the department were on the friendliest
terms. And the reason for the friendship is most significant. It
would seem to be the key to the solution of all France's difficulties in Syria. Fakhry Bey Baroody, staunch Nationalist as he is,
frankly admitted that if all the French were of the character
of his friend there would remain no cause for misunderstanding.
And the character of his friend was that of simple human honesty and uprightness. It was put to a test when, during the revolution, Fakhry Bey was being tried for his life on a charge of
complicity in plotting the death of a French officer, but this other
French officer, the one in whose office we now were, testified to
)
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FEBRUARY, 1931
«
w
French-commanded Druze, volunteers who now maintain order
in the formerly turbulent Jebel Druze.
I
1
the innocence of the accused and brought about his acquittal
"2 ou have saved my life," frankly admitted the Syrian leader addressing the French officer in our presence.
"You are not in the least under obligation to me," replied the
other. "I was only interested in upholding the cause of justice."
Going through the Saraya, or government building, visiting
the various administrative bureaus, one is impressed with the efficiency of the officials, whether native or French, and the evident
alacrity with which they go about their tasks. In the courtyard
we encountered a group of natives on various missions, and all
were being treated with manifest courtesy. Such a scene could
not have been staged as it was evident that it formed a part of
the regular routine. In the face of such evidence one cannot escape
the conclusion that wherever the quality of French officials in
Syria is of the proper character satisfaction of the natives inevitably follows.
My friend Catzeflis escorted us to the outskirts of Sueida.
Y es, he was contented, which I interpreted to mean that he was
resigned. But, oh! how he wished he were with me on the way
back to America!
�mum
26
THE SYRIAN WORLD
I
The Blind Astronomer
INVOCA TION
W
Inscribed to Galileo
'By
THOMAS ASA
The starry train wend on, their sight unseen
By mortal eyes once nightly turned to them—
Oh days of utter darkness without hope! —
Not of the blackness of the shadowed skies,—
Not of the cavern depths of underworlds,
Not fathomless deeps of somber waters,—
But this: the darkness of these stricken eyes
That rove in futile, maddening despair,
By ruthless veils of mortal finitude
Shut off from the visible world of Men!
O Pow'r Divine, just is Thy Sacrament!
Nature outraged has sealed for evermore
The sacred Light of Heaven from these eyes,
That nightly upraised in mute communion
With Thy great works,—Thy glory infinite!
f
O Moon! thou full-orbed splendor of the sky!
Where art thou in thy pristine loveliness?
Hesperus, thou steadfast, shining lamp of night!
Whose beauty has enthralled earth, sky, and sea.
The fair Pleiades, the joyous Seven;—
Venus, Neptune, and God-like Jupiter!
And all the mighty kindred of the spheres!
These have I left behind, in blindness sealed.
Their ceaseless Light, on earth forever loved,
Shall mark my way to God's Eternity!
&«J
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�FEBRUARY, 1931
27
Our Commission to Posterity
t\
<
»
By
REV.
W. A.
MANSUR
\£/E: pioneers of the Syrian race in America forevision the rise
of our race to greatness,'prosperity, and powerj we foretell
the awakening of our race to leadership, commerce, and empire:
and we foreshadow the progress of our race in civilization superiority, and happiness.
We Syrian-American pioneers have found the way to the rising sun, we have caught the vision for our race survival, and we
have heard the call of our destiny that will make us, our posterity, and our achievements great, glorious, and honored among
the races in America.
In the pioneer period of the Syrian race in America we laid
the foundation for the future survival, progress, and glory of
our posterity. In a progressive spirit, in law-abiding families, in
industrious living we built for the future prosperity of our descendants. In our self-awakening to our racial heritage, in our
aspirations for our progress, and in the defense of our race we
thought ot the future of our Syrian posterity.
It is because we pioneers of the Syrian race in America believe in the renaissance of our race to a preeminent place in the
world; accept the challenge of destiny to civilization, progress
and achievement} and respond to the urge of race survival?ra2
enlightenment, and race happiness that we hereby bequeath our
commission to our posterity. The writer is hereby giving expression to the prevailing sentiments of our times, setting forth the
hopes of our enlightened leadership, and stating the racial aspirations of our race in this sevenfold commission to our Syrian
posterity in America.
/. Preserve Our Syrian Race Identity in America.
I
Our paramount commission to our Syrian posterity in Amerm
ica is to preserve our Syrian race identity among the races in
America. We of the pioneer period realized the fact of the superior numbers of other races in America. We sensed the danger
to our Syrian race by its being absorbed by other races. We felt
the necessity for race defense against race prejudice, discrimina-
�28
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
don, and defamation. We awoke to the splendor of our Syrian
race history, talent, and achievement. Thus arose the paramount
preservation of our
Amerk
ce as a Syrian race identity in
We urge race organization for the preservation of our Syrian
race in America. Bishop J. H. Oldham quotes Arthur Keith's
Nationality and Race in his Christianity and the Race Problem
Kace instinct comes into play only when men, women, and children or the same stock are organized into communities. Until
such a community is organized, race instinct conquers or restrains
hybridization » Bishop Oldham says, "The repugnance to intermarriage is thus rather a social bar promoted by a desire to maintain the purity and integrity of the community than a natural
repulsion on the part of individuals."
\
For the preservation of Syrian race identity cultivate the Syrian religious philosophy of life. Organize Syrian societies for culture, fellowship, and inspiration. Foster Syrian churches with
trained leadership and adequate endowments. Educate the rising generation in the history, talent, and achievement of our race
While other races seek fame, place and power through military
conquest, material exploitation, and race aggression, let our Syrian posterity seek racial splendor, glorious power, and undying
fame through the preservation of our race identity, race progress!
and race contribution to human welfare.
//. Uphold True Loyalty to Our American Homeland.
We challenge our Syrian race in America to uphold true loyalty to our American homeland. We have enjoyed the benefits of
America s citizenship, institutions and prosperity. We pledeed
our allegiance to the Constitution of the United States, obedience
to the nation's laws, and readiness for the nation's defense It is
imperative that we and our posterity ever maintain true fidelity
to our American homeland. We give it you strict in charge that
you always stand for America first and nothing else
S. A Mokarzel leader of the Syrian Awakening, said in a
radio address on The Syrians in America, "During all the time
fcey have been in America, the Syrians have proven themselves
most law-abiding and loyal to the institutions of the country It
is the opinion not alone of casual observers, but of official authorities that the Syrians in America are one of the most constructive
and industrious elements among the heterogenous stocks of the
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FEBRUARY, 1931
29
American nation." (Syrian World, May, 1930.)
It is our desire that our descendants shall ever uphold the
Syrian-American tradition of true loyalty to America as laid down
by the Syrian pioneer fathers and mothers in America. It is our
wish that our posterity be known as standing always for America
first and nothing else. It is our commission that our future generations shall exemplify law-abiding, liberty-loving, industriousliving, and single-allegiance citizenship. Let Syrian-Americans
resist the nullifier of the Constitution of the United States, frown
upon the law-breaker, and fight for the nation's defense against
all enemies.
Therefore, let the Syrian name in America be synonymous
with pure Americanism, fidelity to the nation's Constitution, laws,
and institutions j and a readiness for the nation's defense.
III. Perpetuate the Glorious Heritage of Our Syrian Race.
\
•
f
X:.
It is our commission that our Syrian posterity will forever
perpetuate the glorious heritage of our race. Let Syrian-Americans enlighten themselves regarding their race history, race talent, and race contributions to mankind. Let them understand the
nature of Syrian home life, the virtues of their race character,
the loyalties of their Syrian-American patriotism. Let them realize the meaning of their race emigration to America, the Syrian
race awakening, and the Syrian race aspiration to achievement
power, and glory.
L. Darwin says in Eugenic Reform, "Mechanical contrivances
have also greatly facilitated the transfer of knowledge or the
flow of tradition from age to age; 'tradition' here being held to
include all that mental stimulus and all the information which
human beings receive from their predecessors by word of mouth,
by books, or through the changes previously made in their surroundings, changes which often in effect embody thought."
Let Syrian youth be ennobled by the illustrious traditions of
our race heritage. Let Syrian leadership be inspired by the great
achievements our race has made for the progress of mankind. Let
Syrian worthies be aroused by the splendor of our Syrian name
Let Syrian hearts respond to the divine calling of our race to
the urge of the talents of our kind, and to the preservation of
our glorious legacies throughout future generations of SyrianAmericans.
Let the self-appreciation of their race by Syrian-Americans
�1
30
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
increase their race awakening, race pride, race solidarity, and race
progress. W e, therefore, implore our posterity to ever defend our
race against those who would slander and libel our Syrian race.
Lhe pen is mightier than the sword," is an axiom of truth and
power. Let us and our posterity storm, smite, and smash the
slanderers and libellers of the Syrian race with truth, argument,
and achievement. In intelligent union there is superior strength,
therefore, organize for the creation of superior race power Let
us and our descendants educate, propagate, and federate for the
perpetuation of our splendid heritage, for the defense of our
honorable name, and for the steady progress of our race.
We Syrian-American pioneers are dreaming of the glory that
shall be realized by our posterity. Therefore, Syrian youth, intelligently understand the meaning of the glorious heritage of
our Syrian race; hold fast to the honorable name of the fathersand move forward to achieve the high calling to which thou art
destined.
\
IV. Honor the Memory of the Syrian Pioneer Fathers and
Mothers.
By the tears of our loved ones in our motherland, by the
breasts of the mothers who gave you birth in our adopted country, and by the heart throbs of the fathers in our American
homeland we commission our posterity to honor in loving memory
the Syrian pioneer fathers and mothers in America
"Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be
long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee," says
the commandment of Holy Writ. This commission inspired the
rising generations to perpetuate the high traditions of the Hebrew race awakened in youth the noble aspiration to emulate
their forefathers, and created race solidarity for race defense,
race enlightenment, and race progress. Hebrew youth honorably
remembered their fathers and mothers by extolling their noble
characters, by recalling their heroic deeds, and by reverencing
6
their lofty aspirations.
1
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/
>
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The ancient Romans placed statues and busts of their distinguished ancestors in the vestibules of their houses that they and
their children might be reminded of and led to imitate their
noble deeds.
.
It is the purpose of the pioneers of the Syrian race in America to lay a foundation of race vitality, vision, and achievement
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FEBRUARY, 1931
that will promote the future greatness of their posterity In the
pioneer period Syrian-Americans have striven by awakening as
piratoon, education, and achievement to make way for the rise of
their Syrian posterity to name and fame, to place and power
Amer and the world
ie
p
3
n
rbu
M
r
^
z
eveVfml e , n
^ -° * ^ "^ ^
Heaven
f
the God of
ever smile upon our Syrian race in a worthy posterity
mothers, to extoll the name of the great and worthy in all aees
\
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shioTfT 51St0^Aand.t0 P-- the noble and heroic lead! -
ship of the Synan-Amencan race will perpetuate from eeneS
turn to generation the glorious history, L'nobleSTS
splendid progress the superior talents,'and the beneWentlga
cies of a foremost race among the races in America.
V. Train the Syrian Child for the Constant Progress of Our Race.
Teachef'" ^/^vf^ '° T* U"t0 me>" Said the D
f r f SUch is the kJ
d
heaven
He£ is 1
^to"?
° °progress, here is'^
of
heaven. " Here
the key
human
the° seed
for human happiness, here is the door to human betterment Let
our Syrian posterity remember the divine calling to educate
train and bequeath to the rising generation the best phys S'
mental, soaal and spiritual inheritance for the progress o'f the
n
srK
ssz
Sf ^it^^r&it
the
m
ttsr^ — - -^s:
Let it be remembered that the child is the seed that makes
he race of tomorrows that the youth perpetuates the heritage of
the race, and that the man reaps the glory of the harvest. Therefore plant m the body, mind, and soul of the Syrian child of
today what you desire in the man and woman of tomorrow
1 write deliberately: fundamental to the preservation progress happiness and glory of the Syrian race in America is the
heritage of worthy children. Without trustworthy childre our
Syrian race w,l fall into decay. Without trained childre ou
Synan hopes will fade into nothingness. Without virtuous ch3dren our Syrian heritage will shrivel in dishonor. It is through
ter pTom^' T^' "* ^^ children that We g-e character, promote achievement, perpetuate legacies, and harvest glory
�32
THE SYRIAN WORLD
•
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throughout future Syrian generations in America.
The sum of the whole matter is this: that our history, our
heritage, our achievement, and our hopes must have worthy children to carry on the preservation, progress, and hopes of the
Syrian race. Therefore, let Syrian mothers magnify the splendor
of the Syrian soul into the hearing of her child, let Syrian fathers praise the ability of the Syrian people, and let Syrian leadership inspire the rising generation by arousing ambition, vision,
and achievement for the constant progress of the race.
VI. Maintain the Integrity of the Syrian Home in America.
We commission our posterity to maintain the integrity of the
Syrian home in America for the preservation of our race identity,
the progress of our descendants, and the happiness of future generations of our race. The welfare of the home means the welfare of our race. The high character of the home means the
high character of civilization. The training of the rising generation of Syrian-Americans in social obligations, high virtues and
happy homes means the education of the leadership, the citizenship, and the home lovers of the race of tomorrow.
Thomas Jesse Jones says in Essentials of Civilization, "The
third essential of civilization is the effective transfer of the social
heritage from one generation to another. As the home and the
household have the primary and main responsibility for the transfer, the third essential is largely concerned with the conservation
and strengthening of the home with the rights and responsibilities of womanhood, and with the care and sound development of
infancy, childhood, and youth."
The changes in the social order due to the development of
the political, mechanical, and industrial revolutions, have brought
many inroads upon the home: parent, child, and society. SyrianAmericans must assert the sacredness of the marriage relationship Syrian-American parents must affirm the place of discipline
in the life of the child. Let adjustments be made in keeping
with the progress of humanity, but ever maintain the integrity,
the rights and obligations of the home in society.
Let Syrian motherhood be held in highest honor, for motherhood is the queen calling of Syrian womanhood. Let Syrian
fatherhood find highest achievement in worthy sons and daughters. Let Syrian youth be ambitious to achieve a worthy name
-
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FEBRUARY, 1931
33
glorious success, and high honor for the glory of their homes and
families in America.
VII. Educate the Syrian Race in the Principles of Religion and
Morals Which Are Common to Mankind.
"Righteousness exalteth a nation," said the Hebrew writer,
"but sin is a reproach to any people." Micah the Hebrew Prophet
said, "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth
the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and
to walk humbly with thy God." (Micah, 6:8.)
We commission our Syrian posterity to remember the true
and living God, to practice righteousness, and to uphold the higher moral values of life. Remember God, it is the verdict of history that no people can long survive that has forgotten God.
Remember righteousness, it is the judgment of experience that
no nation can endure that has neglected righteousness. Remember spirituality, it is the teaching of wisdom that no civilization
can abide in which the youth are not educated in the spiritual
and moral evaluation of things. Therefore let our Syrian posterity remember that "the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom," that "righteousness exalteth a nation," and that the training of the young in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord"
are essential to the life, liberty, law, and happiness of nations,
races, and civilizations.
ft
Ever promote the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of
Man, and the universal kingdom of God on earth. Uphold the
right of human freedom, freedom of religious worship, and
liberty of conscience, and thwarting of freedom of thought.
Maintain under all conditions the separation of the church and
the state. Let there be intelligent education of the young in the
high principles of religion and morals; preserve the natural
rights of freedom of religion, mind, and conscience; and practice righteousness in all the affairs of life.
Woodrow Wilson, the great war time president, said, "The
sum of the whole matter is this: that our civilization cannot survive materially unless it be redeemed spiritually. It can be saved
only by becoming permeated with the spirit of Christ and being
made free and happy by the practices which spring out of that
spirit."
O Ye Sons and Daughters of Syria's fair land where'er ye
be on the land, in the air or on the sea; in what time or climej
�34
THE SYRIAN WORLD
in whatever language or tonguej and among whatever race or
nation, I challenge you to join me in the noblest of crusades for
the glorifying of the Syrian name. The blood of our ancestors
calls to us from the ground to maintain the splendor of their
fame The voices of our children cry out to us from innocent
hearts to claim for them equal rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The vision for our posterity impells us to
uphold equal respect and opportunity for our race among the
races in America and mankind.
Let my challenge descend from Heaven and enroll you for
the glorious service of our Syrian race, and the progress of man-
I
K.II1CI.
Let my crusade call from the earth and commission you to
jus.ity Syrias glorious race among the races of the earth
Let my voice leap from the sky and charge you to vindicate
oyna s fair name among all people.
Let my message rise from the sea and send you to uphold the
integrity of the Syrian home in America and everywhere
Let my blessing descend from the Lord to ordain you, inspire
you, and empower you in this your benevolent service for the
glorifying of the Syrian race in America and the world
To Touth
Translated from the Arabic by J. D.
CARLYLE
Yes, Youth, thou'rt fled, and I am left,
Like yonder desolated bower,
By winter's ruthless hand bereft
Of every leaf and every flower.
With heaving heart and streaming eyes
I woo'd thee to prolong thy stay,
But vain were all my tears and sighs,
Thou only fled'st more fast away.
Yet tho' thou fled'st away so fast,
I can recall thee if I will;
For I can talk of what is past,
And while I talk, enjoy thee still.
\
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FEBRUARY, 1931
35
T/fe Arabian Nights
By
f
DON
C.
SEITZ
Dreams of the desert and the narrow streets
Of ancient Cairo where the wide world meets
In strange confusion 'mid the city's mart.
There called together by the teller's art:
To hear with eager longing and surprise
The Thousand Tales of wonder and emprise:
Tall travellers from the Mountains of the Moon
Swart Syrian sheiks from distant Scanderoon;
Dark Abyssinians, and the lords
Who rule in terror over Sinai's hordes}
Pale Persians from Ispahan;
Wild servants of some Tartar Khan;
Red rovers from Aden's shore
And Hindoo hinds from Midnapore;
Pilgrims and priests from Cashmere's'lovely vales
Or born from Ceylon's Isle by fav'ring galesOut of the East where poor mankind was born
To greet the Prophets in the early momListening with widening eyes and open ears
To changeless romance from departed years.
Here rise Aladdin's castles on the sands
While jewels shower from the Afrit's hands;
And Sinbad's voyages over surging seas
Through great adventures to luxurious ease:
The Geneii loosened from his copper flask
Expands his form and now essays his taskShah Zemen greets his Princess from her 'cave
Deep in the coral, underneath the wave,
Arid 'round the Bagdad streets at midnight hour
Wanders the Caliph and the wise MesrouH
O glorious tales! To make a gray world bright
And leaven dullness with their fancy's flight;
Ye come from Nothing and go back again
Into the spaces of the Asian plain!
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
ALI ZAIBAQ
(Quicksilver)
C^Tr^rJliLr^LED ADVENTURES OF THE
CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CALIPH HAROUN
AL-RASHID, OF THE CITY OF BAGHDAD
Translated from the Original Arabic by
SALLOUM
A. MOKARZEL and THADDEUS S. DAYTON
CHAPTER
VI.
LIVLNG DEATH
J-JARDLY had the door closed upon them when Hassan began
kment
but ollT
T°n the fate Which had befa"en them,
but Quicksilver encouraged him to rouse himself and to aid him
in exploring the fortress in order to find some means of escape
Walking side by side, they continued for a great distance untd Qu,cks,lyer chanced to lift his eyes and perceived through the
darkness a bright ray of light at the height above him of two
6
e y alled his
rkand^d"
T^f
!/
—P-i-'s attend"
to it and standing on his shoulders, was able to discover that the
Lght a
from a door of polished brass from which hung a r ng
of the same metal. This Quicksilver grasped and wa« able to
open the door which disclosed a small but very beautif"l chamber
into which he climbed. There he found suspended from the
te'rsTf goTd°SC magmhcent SWord> on which "as inscribed in let-
this^^U ° TT' ?* pIaCC' th°U art most fortu»ate i°
UP n thCe f r
is the e cha
word Lt by
K a^ sage of
7dages
°past. Take
' ° it'*and
»*d
sword
smite» with
it
made
whatsoever thou wiliest whether it be rebellious human creator those of the tribes of the genii and their death will folQuicksilver's heart was filled with joy over this wonderful
sword which he bore with him when he descended to the place
I,?
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�FEBRUARY, 1931
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3?
where Hassan was waiting. Together they forgot for a time their
ctesperate plight in admiring the workmanship of the enchanted
weapon which Quicksilver finally took into his own hands, giving
to his companion to carry the sword he formerly had borne
-through the darkness, with much difficulty, they retraced
their steps to the great door by which they had entered.
About the mid hour of the night they were aroused by hearing a key turning in the lock. Their first thought was that the
King had dispatched some of his men to slay them, and the two
captives immediately drew their swords. The door opened and
with a bound Quicksilver and Hassan sprang forth. But to their
amazement they saw only a single muffled figure there who cried
out:
"O Quicksilver, I am the daughter of the King, she whom
you delivered from death at the hands of the Blacks. When I
learned of what my father had so treacherously done to you it
grieved me sorely and I waited until my father slept and then
stole the key of this fortress from his girdle and came to deliver
you."
Thereupon she conducted them to her palace where she set
before them a royal repast. It was dawn when they arose and
girded on their swords, making their way straight to the palace
of the King. Entering there Quicksilver uttered a crv that struck
terror to the heart of the monarch and said to him:'
"So that was our recompense, O treacherous King, for all
the good that we did. Know that now the hour of your death
is at hand."
The King called for his guards to seize Quicksilver, but as
they advanced, falteringly, Quicksilver with a single bound
reached the King's throne, and with one blow of his enchanted
sword severed the King's head from his shoulders and sent it
rolling on the ground.
The courtiers seeing what had befallen their monarch, begged
Quicksilver to spare their lives, crying out that they had long
hated their king because of his cruelty and treachery.
"No harm shall come to you," responded Quicksilver. "Take
up the body of this vile creature and bury it. Then seat upon his
throne the Princess, his daughter. Such are my commands."
Thereupon the princess was brought, and Quicksilver received
her at the palace gate, saying:
"Your father was a treacherous man, and I have slain him
*-
�38
THE SYRIAN WORLD
because of his perfidy. Now you shall be queen of this city and
ot this land, and deal justice to all your subjects. If you have fear
of any person, do but tell me and I will make him drink straightway of the cup of death."
To this the Princess replied: "I know of no one among the
subjects of my father who is my enemy," whereupon the courtiers acclaimed her and expressed their great joy at having her for
their Queen, and criers were sent out throughout the city to
spread the tidings among the inhabitants.
Quicksilver remained in the city for three days, participating
in the festivities, and on the fourth, when he decided to depart,
the Queen said to him:
"O my Lord, I cannot repay you for all the good deeds that
you have done for me. First you rescued me from the captivity
or the Blacks, and then you saved our country. All belongs to
you—myself, my subjects and my kingdom—and you are under
no obligation whatsoever to us. I humbly offer myself to you in
marriage ,f such is your wish, and you will be absolute king of
all this land."
°
"It is impossible for me to estrange myself from my mother
and from my country," replied Quicksilver. "It would give me
great joy to remain here, but my duty calls me home. I must go "
•
u S^? '?S excGedinSh grieved at the prospect of parting with Quicksilver, but seeing that he could not be swerved
from his purpose she brought to him the magic box of the AllSeeing Eye, and ordered the preparation of all that was necessary for his journey.
1
In the morning Quicksilver set forth, accompanied by Ibn
^USI"yJ 7 theur°ad t0 Egypt Th&y Journeyed for many
nights and days through great deserts until there remained be- '
tween them and the city of Cairo but three days' travel. Then
Quicksilver said to Ibn El-Husry:
"I charge you to precede me into the city and to inform the
King of my approach. Request him to command the Chiefs of
6 t0 C
e and meet me as l have
m that
iT\
b ght with
me
whichu IT wentT
forth to seek." >
The King was exceedingly pleased with this news and showS hTL7- 7°rS Up(frIbn E1"Husry- Then he commanded
Salah-Eddin to come before him, and after informing him of
the success of Quicksilver, ordered Salah-Eddin to go forth to
meet him bearing the banner of the secret police
J
1
1
1
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1
\
i
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�FEBRUARY, 1931
I
39
Upon hearing this the gall of Salah-Eddin nearly burst with
anger and envy, being sure that his position was about to be
wrested from him; nevertheless he assumed an appearance of
joy and satisfaction and immediately went forth to meet Quicksilver whom he greeted with congratulations on his safe return,
notwithstanding that he was still secretly planning to destroy
him.
As they entered the city they were met by great throngs who
had already heard of Quicksilver's wonder achievements and came
out to greet him with banners and songs of praise and welcome.
That day was one of the greatest that the city of Cairo ever
witnessed.
Quicksilver proceeded through the multitudes until he reached the court of Al-Aziz where he was warmly welcomed by the
King and his court. The hero presented the King with the priceless trophy, which caused him unbounded surprise and joy and
amazed all those present, for it was a wonder to all beholders.
The King caused Quicksilver to be seated by his side and asked
him to recount all the details of his journey, which he did without any omissions or additions.
Now the King, after congratulating Quicksilver upon his safe
return, addressed Salah-Eddin saying:
"Now that Quicksilver has accomplished the task that you
set for him it is time that you should cede to him your position."
But Salah-Eddin, with his usual perfidy, turned to Quicksilver saying:
"I am but a servant of our lord and master the King who
has ordered me to relinquish my position to you, which I am
ready to do. But before so doing I beg of you to undertake still
another task."
"Ask of me what you will," replied Quicksilver, "and it
shall be granted."
"My request is that you tarry for a single night in the Baths
of Toulon."
"I accept your challenge and by dusk of this evening I will
set forth."
Saying this Quicksilver took leave of the King and sought
his own home where his mother was anxiously awaiting him,
having heard of his arrival in the city. Upon seeing him she gave
thanks to Allah for the safety of her son, and then she fell upon
his neck, covering him with kisses. Quicksilver then proceeded to
�I
40
THE SYRIAN WORLD
i
acquaint her with all that had befallen him, including the task
that Salah-Eddin had set for him that same day. Notwithstanding her great joy over again seeing her son, Fatimah was plunged
in grief at his having accepted so readily this new challenge, and
she said to him:
"O my son, his only purpose is to throw you into the sea of
danger, for he is intent on accomplishing your destruction."
"I have promised, O my mother," replied Quicksilver, "and
I will not retreat, no matter if I were to drink the cup of death."
"What befell Quicksilver in the Baths of Toulon is one of
the most marvelous episodes in the life of this hero of ages past "
said the tale teller. "This I shall set forth tomorrow when the
aldebaran rises in the eastern sky to march across the skvr of
night."
i'
\
Past and Future
'By G. K.
GIBRAN
My house says to me, "Do not leave me, for here dwells
your past."
And the road says to me, "Come and follow me, for I am
your future."
'
And I says to both my house and the road, "I have no past,
Z
mgj
{Utm
If 1 Stay here there is a
H
l\
u
>
g°-g » W stay and if I go there is a staying in my going. Only love and
death change all things."
*
*
*
*
How can I lose faith in the justice of life, when the dreams
Hre,m fS. sleep"V01} feathers are not more beautiful than the
dreams of those who sleep upon the earth?
Strange, the desire for certain pleasures is a part of my pain.
I
�FEBRUARY, 1931
41
Advice to a Girl
"By
LABEEBEE
A. J.
HANNA
If I could plant your garden
And fill it full of joy
If I could paint the world for you
And offer it a toy.
I'd like to play your music, too—
To soothe you and to please.
I'd like to take your medicine
And never have to tease.
I'd like to stop the wilder winds
When they start to blow.
I'd like to keep the sunshine
So strong you'll surely grow.
i
Alas, the garden and the wind
And medicine and pain
Must all alike be shared by you
I'd only help in vain.
And when you are a woman grown
And just as old as I
You, too, will know the pain I feel
When old friends pass you by.
Alas, dear girl, here is a spade
And here are seedlings, too.
I'll guide you, dear, but the garden
Will be planted by you.
* 1
�42
THE SYRIAN WORLD
i'l
The Travels of an Arabic Word:
Al-Jubbah (*JJ)
'By
JOSEPH
J.
RAYMOND
Graduate Student in the Department of Oriental Languages and
Literatures, Princeton University.
\
\^ORDS, like people, can travel. The same word, unlike a person, can find itself in a dozen countries overnight, there to
Jive for centuries and centuries, changing in due course so that
it resembles words of that country, or else it dies a quick death
because it is such a total stranger. No tombstone marks its demise, to show future generations that such a word existed in that
country. Why one word receives a welcome in one country and
not in another is still greatly a matter of conjecture and has no
import on the task before me—to tell you of the wanderings of
Arabic al-Jubbah.
I had known since boyhood that there were many Arabic
words in English and other European languages. Algebra, alcohol, alkali, Gibraltar had all been borrowed from the Arabic and
had spread into the languages of Europe. But when I started
to trace where al-jubbah had gone to and still existed I travelled
all over Europe on one side and had journeyed to Persia and the
Hindustan on the other side of Arabia when I decided I had
travelled far enough. I still might be going—and some day I
might go up China-way to see if al-jubbah ever got up there—
if I hadn't stopped when I did.
Al-jubbah means a long cotton or woolen robe, so the name
right from the start, had prolific possibilities. It could go anywhere where men who wore clothes went.
We find the earliest borrowed form, al-jubbah, a Spanish
word then, in a dictionary that goes back to the end of the tenth
century. It probably came in with the Moors when they conquered Spain. The word has its original meaning. From Spain
the garment and word went to the other Romance countries We
find Old French Juppe, jubbe, gippe, French jupe, Italian giuppa, giubba; we also find the same word, but with a suffix attached,
!
i
i
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FEBRUARY, 1931
I
43
showing that the word had made itself to home: It. giubbone Sp
jubon, Fr. jupon, Portuguese jubao, gibao.
Italian added a diminutive ending to the root and formed
gmbbetto, giubetta. It came to mean not only "little coat" but
also "the gallows," as the halter was jokingly considered "a little
coat. Similarly the Spaniard calls a flogging "jubon"—a coatseeing it is put on the shoulders. From the Italian diminutive
form, through the French, the word gibbet meaning "gallows"
has come into English. However, the English word might come
from Old French gibet, meaning the staff that extends out from
the gallows-post. This is not so likely as the first theory.
Al-jubbah, through the Romance languages, was taken over
by English in multifarious forms, chief of which are jupe, jupon
and gipon. Until the last century the words were in common use!
but now they are used only in Scottish dialects or as direct imitations of the French. The earliest use of jupe occurs about 1290
when it meant a loose jacket or tunic. Then it came to mean a
woman s jacket, kirtle, or bodice and still later, as in French a
skirt.
'
. Gipon was first recorded by Chaucer in the Prologue of his
Canterbury Tales:
"Of ffustian he wered a gypon."
Chaucer, in the Kmghfs Tale, says: "in a lyzt iopoun." Here
we find a third form, jupon, which was a close-fitting tunic or
doublet worn under the hauberk. Later it became sleeveless was
made of rich material, emblazoned, and worn on the outside
With the passing of chivalry and a change in dress the word came
to mean a short kirtle of a woman, later, in imitation of the
.French, a woman's skirt.
Along in the fifteenth century al-jubbah came into Germany
from the Latin countries in the meaning of "a jacket, a long and
wide upper-garment." We find the forms jope, schope, and
schube which have given in modern German Juppe and schaube,
both of different meanings, the first "a coat," the second "a long
outer-garment." The word travelled to other Germanic coun
tries, for in Dutch we have jupon—a skirt, and the archaic Norwegian form—skubskind—a leather or fur coat, related to German schube above.
But in Slavonic countries al-jubbah got the warmest reception and made itself right at home, so much so that we have
seven distinct forms. The meaning varies from a coat, fur-coat
�44
THE SYRIAN WORLD
a corset; Polish zupa, an under-garment; Lithuanian zipouas a
g
7
B
of
cangOM'
J^Tt
« h > ^ura^a Srt
of cap
Old Czech,
cuba, a'?*'
fur-coat^
} Old Polish zoppa, a sort of
wZut sf rmentlSerb°-Cr0atian dzUbe' a lon« Wer4armen
ZUny a a dreSS COat n
a
work
cL Russ.
R ' Dialect
nUS,Smn cananu,
? a sort of" under-wear.
'
S-"**
work-coat;
All these forms have a varied history. Some came into Slavic through Persian and Turkish, some through Ita "an and
G rman S me are lder th
th
YetTll
hirfh
K meaning—some
- °
° form °the-though
-efore
let all have
the basic
of dress,
the
dress may vary immensely from the original
it HI ApLlthUamanu We ,have a curio^ muddle. Lithuanian, though
it is the most archaic language spoken in Europe, has been influenced greatly by German and Slavonic, betweenwhich two groups
it is spoken. We have subas, suba, meaning a fur-coat. The 3
has been borrowed from the German. From the Slavonic^
ing
trill'Ter' rZTl m
T
/^
V^-Sown,
and no"
SC 10n
word
n
for lord 2 TI I
?
^
~P° ^ is their word
tor lord si. They kept the words ziuponas and ponas separate
but on their analogy they formed the feminine ziupone-a ladv
tTese wo hi?" ****»-<* a J-fc lady-like" Neither "f
these two have any connection with clothing, except that perhaps
5J&SSL
W
mU
Ve al
aziup5nas and therefore
"
de
bbah
if h ?
n !?
>
here in eastern Europe. As I said
e Wa d
hWt^hefa iV
; " ^ " lndla-and P***PS further
tlCS t0 aSCCrtain that But t0 tr
Lti
A
I
avel from Arabia
to the edge of one continent and close to the edge of anotte is
quite a distance to travel-and to be still alive 2Efl£ri*£ tZ
centimes after starting on the journey! That's wonderful isn'tTt
s*J\
J^J&
FROM THE ARABIC
^^\ u ^5 U
%*Li Sy.
er^ \
4»U-1
"Hard is the fate of him who's blind,"
Moaned a blind man in despair
"Indeed it's so," joined a one-eyed man,
"For of that I'm half aware."
A
�FEBRUARY, 1931
45
Will Syria Have Another King?
Recent Happenings That Portend Important Changes in the
Relations of the French and the Royal Hashemite Family.
\
A
A
gYRIA has not been able as yet to extricate itself from the grip
of political confusion. M. Ponsot regularly ferries between
Syria and France and is represented on every trip as having negotiated the final solution, although he himself is careful not to
let anything escape from his closely sealed lips. But in the final
checking up nothing is found to have been accomplished. The
Syrian situation still is where it was two years ago upon the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly; the Tajeddin government
is still in power despite all the hue and cry raised against it; the
Nationalist Party is still undecided whether or not it will participate in the coming elections; the "coming" elections, in fact,
have been long coming yet never arrived, and the High Commissioner will not say when they will be held. And even at this late
hour there seems to exist grave doubt as to the form of government that will be given Syria, whether it will be republican or
monarchical, the decision of the Constituent Assembly to make
Syria a republic notwithstanding.
During the months of January and February M. Ponsot
made several trips to Damascus and held many conferences. So
did Sheikh Tajeddin make several trips to Beirut, but although
the movements of the heads of States could not be concealed the
objects were effectively shrouded in mystery. The only positive
fact is that nothing tangible has yet transpired of all the elaborate
preparations going on so far.
One thing, however, has transpired which portends a possible serious change in the Syrian situation. It is the apparent
swerving of sentiment in favor of establishing a monarchy in the
country and the possible placing of one of the sons of ex-King
Hussein of Arabia on the throne. The Syrian press discusses
frankly such a possibility and gives indications of growing sentiment in favor of a monarchy.
What would lend credence to rumors to this effect is the extraordinary enthusiasm displayed by the populace in the reception of ex-King Hussein and his sons on their recent visit to Syria
and the solicitude of the French authorities in surrounding them
�46
THE SYRIAN WORLD
with all forms of attention and honors. Nor was this display the
product of chance and confined to a single instance, because it
was repeated on three different occasions with growing manifestation of enthusiasm. The first occasion was the visit of ex-King
Hussein himself to Beirut on his way from his exile at Cyprus
to Transjordania where he still remains with his son Abdullah.
The second was the visit of ex-King Ali, eldest son of Hussein,
which followed quickly upon that of his father. And the last
that of Emir Zeid, youngest of Hussein's sons, which took place
in February.
The greatest manifestations, however, were those which attended the visit of ex-King Ali who had succeeded his father on
the throne of Arabia in a vain effort to save the throne from the
powerful enemy of the Hashemite family, King Ibn Saoud. King
All is now a resident of Baghdad, where he frequently acts as
regent in the absence of his brother, King Feisal. He had journeyed to Amman, capital of Transjordania, where his other
brother Emir Abdullah rules, ostensibly to visit his father exKing Hussein. But upon his return he came to Daraa, which is
within the territory of the French mandate, to make connections
for the trans-desert journey back to Baghdad. This apparently
gave the French mandatory authorities in Syria an opportunity
to extend the ex-King a fitting welcome, and the High Commissioner sent a special representative to invite him to Beirut, which
is far out of his way, as the guest of the French authorities. In
Beirut Ali was received with a great display of official hospitality
and was in conference for several hours with the High Commissioner.
Later, in Damascus, the Arabian ex-King was received with
much acclaim by the populace but he consistently refused to discuss politics. His younger brother Emir Zaid, also traveling to
Baghdad with his two sisters, was at Beirut the guest of the High
Commissariat which also put at his disposal a private car to convey him to Damascus. He was accompanied on this trip by Fakhry Bey Baroody, the Nationalist leader, at whose house he stopped to receive the dignitaries of the city.
The exceptional display of hospitality by the French to the
visiting members of the royal Hashemite family is interpreted
by many as indicative of a new political move in Syria which
might hasten the solution of the country's knotty problem. The
solution, it is claimed, might be the reversal of the policy that
gave rise to the problem itself. The first serious difficulties in
k
fe
i
X
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�FEBRUARY, 1931
47
His Majesty Ex-King Hussein of Arabia
Who has been permitted by the English to leave his exile in
Cyprus and visit his son Emir Abdullah of Transjordania hi<
visit giving rise to new rumors on the possibility of placing his
son Ali on the Syrian throne.
�48
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Syria, it is pointed out, sprang from the ambition of the Hashemites to create an Arab union at the head of which would be King
Hussein, the father, reigning in Arabia with his several other
sons ruling in the surrounding Arab States. The first step towards
the fulfillment of this broad scheme was the proclamation of
Emir Feisal King in Syria soon after the end of the World War
and the withdrawal of the Allied troops under Gen. Allenby
from Damascus. But the events of 1920 which led to the French
occupation of the interior of Syria and the abdication of King Feisal, to be followed later by the victory of King Ibn Saoud of
Arabia over King Hussein and his son King Ali, brought the ambitions of the Hashemite family to an abrupt end. Now the only
redeeming feature of the scheme is that Feisal is king in Iraq
while his brother Abdullah is Emir of Transjordania.
If, however, Syria is again made a monarchy and one of the
sons of King Hussein placed on its throne three brothers would
be kings of Arabian States and France will have won over the
Hashemites and at the same time solved the Syrian problem by
putting an end to the prevailing uncertainty as to the form of
government as well as to the unending plotting of political leaders for power.
Aside from the immediate change involved in the Syrian
situation proper, such a move might have an important bearing
on the Arabic world in general, especially in what affects the relations of the countries controlled by the Hashemites with the
kingdom of Al-Hejaz and its powerful ruler Ibn Saoud, who
was the cause of the downfall of the Hashemite dynasty. It is
pointed out, on the other hand, that a treaty of amity and peace
was concluded between King Ibn Saoud of Al-Hijaz and King
Feisal of Iraq through the good offices of Britain not long since,
but whether these bonds will stand the strain of the threatening
danger implied by the formation of a strong coalition of Hashemite kingdoms around Ibn Saoud's country remains to be seen. It
is obvious that the situation is fraught with serious possibilities,
and that Syria has assumed a.place of prime importance in shaping the political future of the Arabic-speaking world.
I
�FEBRUARY, 1931
49
Political Developments in Syria
ENGLAND REVERSES ITSELF
IN PALESTINE POLICY
A wave of jubilation swept over
Jewish circles throughout the world
When word was flashed that the
British government had materially
modified its stand on the question
of its Palestine mandate as expressed in the official White Paper
of Lord Passfield, Colonial Secretary, issued last October. By reverse
order, this new move created consternation in Arab camps and
brought forth vigorous protests.
Powerful pressure undoubtedly had
been brought to bear on the Labor
government to cause it to so quickly
and completely turn about face and
incur the anger of the whole Moslem world. After a lapse of almost
a month, however, the government
has been able to keep matters well
in hand.
The new British po'icy was enunciated in a letter of Prime Minister
MacDonald to Dr. Ohaim Weizmann,
former President of the World Zionist Organization, and placed before
the House of Commons February 13.
The letter, although nominally "explaining
certain
misconceptions
which have arisen in connection with
the government's position on Palestine," in reality makes some very
definite and generous concessions to
Zionists on important points of the
White Paper to an extent as to reverse the meaning of the original
document.
The government's most important
concession is doubtless on the point
of Jewish immigration, which is restored to the old principle of "immigration according to the absorptive capacity of the country" instead
of the principle of "estimating Jewish immigration with regard to
Arab and Jewish unemployment,"
wh'.ch the Passfield White Paper introduced.
Another
important
concession
which altered the conditions existing prior to the issuance of the
White Paper is the establishment of
the "right of the Jews to a share of
employment on public and municipal
work commensurate to the Jewish
contribution to public revenues."
This takes the place of the previous
method of establishing the Jewish
s'hare in this work on the basis of
their share in the population of the
country. Restrictions on land purchase by Jews is virtually removed,
and many other concessions are
made with the intention of proving
the British government's sympathy
with the Jewish cause.
Naturally, the Jews were elated
over this signal success, but the
Arabs, in the words of the formal
protest sent by the Arab Executive
to the High Commissioner for transmission to London
regard MacDonald's policy as a retreat and
show a clear disposition to fight the
issue through. The Arab newspaper
Al-Hayat, organ of the Moslem Supreme Council, asserts that MacDonald's letter had at one stroke destroyed the Arabs' confidence in the
mandatory power's good faith, while
the English Edition of the Arab
newspaper Falastine, in voicing its
surprise and indignation at the MacDonald letter treats with the broader
principle of Eastern and Western
civilization declaring that "the issue becomes clearer daily that Zionism means to the Arabs and other
�50
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Moslems the spear point of imperialism and foreign culture, but the
East refuses to be Europeanized under the false plea of civilization and
intends to shape its own destiny."
JEWS FEAR OUTBREAK
A report by the Arabic paper
Falastine of Jaffa that a Jew had
been caught in the act of kidnapping
two Moslem children, and hinting
that the purpose might be "ritualistic murder," gave rise to fear
among the Jews that the Moslems
were planning another anti-Semitic
outbreak such as took place in the
summer of 1929. Another Arab paper later explained the origin of the
report as the attempt of a halfwitted Jew to play with some children in the Arab quarter. Falastine
was indefinitely suspended by order
of the High Commissioner.
SITUATION IN SYRIA
Ever since the return of M. Ponsot from France, ostensibly carrying in his portfolio a plan for a
definite solution of the Syrian political problem, nothing has transpired as to his intentions. The Syrian press gives expression only to
hopes and promises and seems occupied with discussing the attitude
of the various leaders towards the
coming elections. What has been
lately rumored but vigorously denied, is that dissension has crept
into the ranks of the Nationalists,
some being reported as favoring
participation in the elections while
others are holding out for the original provisions of the Constitution
as drafted by the Constituent Assembly. Other rumors would 'have
some prominent Nationalist leaders
favoring a monarchy and joining a
federation of Arab States.
The Nationalists continue to com-
plain of the unlawful tactics which
they accuse the Tajeddin government of employing to prevent them
from holding meetings. Such occurrences have taken place not only in
Damascus but in Aleppo as well.
Formal complaints 'have been lodged
with the High Commissioner but the
press continues to report repetitions
of the same harassing tactics.
An important development is the
apparent success which the royalist
party is reported making in impressing public opinion with the advantages of establishing a monarchy in
Syria and placing a son of ex-King
Hussein of Arabia on the throne.
This phase of the Syrian political
situation is treated separately elsewhere in this issue.
BRUTAL ATTACK ON
LEBANESE EDITOR
The daily Arabic paper Al-Hoda
of New York received a special
cable dispatch from the secretary of
the Press Club in Beirut on January
23 stating that Joseph Mokarzel
editor of Ad-Dabbour, the most
widely circulated paper of Syria,
had been brutally attacked by two
masked men while on his way to
his home late in the evening of the
22nd. The cable asked for moral
assistance and stated that public opinion was highly incensed over
the attack on the popular editor.
The Lebanese papers reaching
New York late in February gave
the following details of the attack
and the causes leading to it:
Joseph Mokarzel had waged a
strong campaign against certain
clergymen of his own faith, (Maronites), who had been known to
sympathize with the Papal Nuncio
in Syria in his supposed efforts to
create sentiment in favor of an
�FEBRUARY, 1931
m. -*JL
k jMf * 1
^!
51
*-'
?
jt^fe* 4^£ jfc «. ^^^HMT
9f
'"
i
w -
f
Joseph Mokarzel
Italian mandate over the country.
The situation was aggravated by
the fact that ten thousand Maronites had a dispute with their bishop
and announced their intention of
turning Latins, otherwise coming
under the direct jurisdiction of the
Nuncio. Certain relatives of one of
the clergymen under attack resented the imputations of the paper
and waylaid the editor while about
to enter his house, beating him with
sticks and striking him with brass
knuckles until he was left for dead.
Nothing daunted, the plucky editor filled the following issue of his
weekly with even more bitter attacks on the political activities and
motives of the
Nuncio, which
brought forth official protests from
the latter to the High Commissioner
who ordered Ad-Dabbour suspended
for one month on the ground of
having offended the representative
of a friendly power.
The Press Club of Beirut sent a
special delegation to wait upon the
Secretary of the Interior protesting such attacks on men of the
journalistic profession. What they
demanded, and in this they have the
support of all the papers both in
Arabic-speaking countries and in
America commenting on the incident, is that suspension of papers
should not continue to be on summary action of the administration,
but that wherever there is cause for
complaint papers should be subject
only to judicial discipline.
The Beirut police later apprehended the perpetrators of the attack, but the editor refused to press
a charge against them preferring to
fight his battle along his own lines
with 'his trenchant pen.
SULTAN PASHA ATRASH
PLANS NEW CAMPAIGN
A news dispatch to the New York
Evening Post from Paris dated February 26 reports that Sultan Pasha
Atras'h, leader of the Druze revolt
of 1925-26, and now in voluntary
exile in the Syrian desert outside of
the zone of the French mandate is
planning another campaign against
the French to be launched the latter
part of May. The report first came
from Egyptian sources, but the general tendency is to discredit it owing
to the known limited resources of
Atras'h Pasha in men and materials,
not to take into consideration the
fact that in planning a campaign no
general will notify the enemy in
advance.
�52
THE SYRIAN WORLD
About Syria and Syrians
SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
ELECTS TWO PATRIARCHS
Ever since the demise of His
Beatitude Gregory IV, Patriarch of
the Greek Orthodox Church of Syria
and bearing the title of Patriarch of
Antioch and the East, the Syrian
Orthodox Church has been meeting
with difficulties in electing his successor in view of the dissension
which has beset the church following the Russian debacle. Russia, having been the largest Orthodox nation,, exercised influence over the
affairs of the church throughout the
world, but with the advent of the
Bolshevists and their avowed antirehgious policy, the different Orthodox churches began to act independently, causing considerable confusion. Syria was not to escape the
effects of this chaotic condition.
On February 10, however, two
Syrian papers of New York received cables bearing the glad news
that the long-drawn confl;ct between
the factions of the Syrian Orthodox
church had been composed resulting
m the election of the Rt. Rev. Arsanius Haddad bishop of Latakia,
to the Patriarchate. But following
quickly on the receipt of the first
dispatch came another cable emphatically denying the legality of the
first election and promising further
details. These came through the
mail which reached America the latter part of February and announcing that although the Rt. Rev. Haddad was elected by a majority of
the conclave of bishops meeting in
the monastery of Homaira, he was
not the people's choice, since the
laymen in the Orthodox Church have
defined rights in proposing candi-
dates for the high office.
As a result of these differences
four of the eleven bishops of the
church repaired to Damascus where
they held another conclave and
elected the Rt. Rev. Alexandres Tahhan, bishop of Tripoli, to the vacant
office. The latter election is in accordance with the wishes of the Orthodox laity of Damascus which is
said to control the majority of the
popular vote.
The situation was officially brought
to the attention of the civil authorities by both factions seeking recognition and support, but neither the
native nor the mandatory authorities were reported to have taken any
official action in the matter. Appeals
have also been sent to the various
Orthodox Patriarcchs throughout
the world.
ARABIA YIELDS SECRET
TO ENGLISH EXPLORER
Bertram Thomas Succeeds in Crossing the Great Desert of
Rab'ul-Khali.
In a copyrighted despatch from
Be'hrein, on the Persian Gulf, received February 23, the New York
Times announced that the English
Orientalist and explorer Bertram
Thomas, had successfully crossed
the great desert of southeastern
Arabia known as Rab'ul-Khali, having left Dhofar, in Southern Arabia,
in December and reached Dohah, on
the Persian Gulf, fifty-eight days
later.
This first news was supplemented
�FEBRUARY, 1931
a few days later by a succinct personal account of Mr. Thomas himself describing his experiences. His
most important discovery, it would
seem, was a salt water lake seven
miles long, together with traces of
an old caravan route which traders
in ages past must have used in crossing Arabia. The possibility of there
being an old people living in isolation from the rest of the world and
constituting a remnant of the once
flourishing Arabian civilization was
exploded.
This great section of the Arabian
peninsula which had defied all efforts at exploration comprises a territory of about 500,000 square miles,
extending 650 miles from north to
south and 850 miles from east to
west.
Mr. Thomas' feat was acclaimed
by scientists as ranking foremost
among the world's great discoveries
comparable to the explorations of
Livingstone,
Peary,
Shackleton,
Scott and Amundsen.
In their report of this important
news, we noticed that the Times and
other papers gave the name of the
great hitherto unknown Arabian
desert as Ruba-el-Khali. In the interest of correct transliteration we
would respectfully submit that the
name should be written Rab'-ulKhali, and more correctly with the
addition of the definitive article
here pronounced "Ar" instead of
"Al" for euphony. In the first form,
"Ruba", the word would mean quarter, in the sense of one-fourth, while
in the second form "Rab' ", it would
imply a meaning of space, which the
Arabic word clearly indicates. The
original meaning of the word
"Rab*" in Arabic is a camping
ground, so applied because of its
relation to spring and to grass,
which the nomad Arabs sought
most in selecting their camping
53
grounds. The term was later applied
to any section of land without dist'nction.
Exception should also be taken to
the use of the term "white man" in
describing the exploit of Mr. Thomas. Both in their bold headlines and
in the text of their despatches the
Times and other papers frequently
refer to Mr. Thomas' journey as
being the first to be successfully accomplished by a "white man." If by
the use of the term is meant Europeans it should so be stated to escape
the objectionable reflection that the
Arab natives of the country are not
"white."
DAGHER NIGHT
A GREAT SUCCESS
Many celebrities as well as State,
Federal and City government officials were present on Dagher Night,
the 31st annual ball in honor also
of George C. Dagher. executive
member and leader of the 1st Assembly District Republicans which
was held at the Elks Club in Brooklyn Tuesday, February 10th.
Mr. Dagher is the only American
of Syrian extraction to be a leader
and executive of a political organization in the State of New York
if not in the United States. His interest in politics, good government
and civics very early in life has
brought him into contact with many
prominent officials in the community. His ability has been shown early
and he was quick to rise. It is the
first affair of the club itself of which
he is now the head. Last year when
he won this promotion his friends,
both Syrian and Americans, gave
him a testimonial dinner under the
auspices of the American-Syrian
Federation.
�54
SYRIAN PHYSICIAN CHAMPIONS
PALESTINE ARAB CAUSE
Although hardly organized, while
their Jewish opponents are highly
organized, the champions of the
Arab Palestinian cause in America
are meeting with telling success in
their efforts to bring to the attention of the American public a better
understanding of the basic differences underlying the bitter struggle
between Arab and Jew in Palestine.
Ameen Rihani, celebrated Syrian
author and lecturer, has unquestionably made the largest single contribution along this line, traveling
throughout the country engaging in
debates, delivering lectures and
writing for newspapers and magazines. His countrymen entertain for
him the warmest appreciation for
these effective voluntary services.
Others contributing in a limited
way are the students from Arabicspeaking countries at Columbia and
other American universities. But
perhaps foremost among the laymen
volunteers is Dr. Fuad I. Shatara of
Brooklyn whose qualifications as a
logical speaker are enhanced by his
willing response to what he terms
the call of duty in defense of the
Arab cause. Dr. Shatara is Palestinian by birth and a close student
of the politics of his native land,
as shown by his many articles published over the course of years in
the Syrian World.
Dr. Shatara was a guest speaker
at a dinner given by the Economic
Club of Portland, Me., on February
14 to discuss the Palestinian question. Other speakers were Elihu D.
Stone, U. S. district attorney of
Boston and president of the New
England Zionists for seven terms,
who defended the Zionist viewpoint;
and Capt. Lothian Small, assistant
secretary general of the Interna-
.
..:
:.
'
THE SYRIAN WORLD
tional Federations of the League of
Nations Societies, who spoke from
the British angle.
Reporting on Dr. Shatara's address, the Portland Sunday Telegram of February 15 states that
the speaker "declared the opposition of the Arabs in Palestine is
to the setting up of a Jewish political State through the creation of
a majority of Jews over the wishes
of the majority of the present occupants ...
He denied that the
Arabs would object to equal rights
for the Jews in Palestine, but that
they refuse to admit that the Jews
have any more of a right to establish a nation in Palestine than the
Arabs would in Spain which they
once colonized. The occupancy of
Palestine by the Jews was but a
matter of 400 years while the Arabs
have lived there over 1300 years."
While in New England, Dr. Shatara engaged in another debate at
the Dorchester Forum with Rabbi
Abrams of Boston, on Sunday, February 15 and where his argument
was equally well received.
SYRIAN AVIATRIX PLANS
TRANS-ATLANTIC HOP
Miss Alice Khoury, a Syrian girl
of Hopewell, Va. and still in her
teens, has qualified as an expert
flier and already plans a solo transAtlantic flight, according to reports in the New York Syrian papers. The only reason for her not
being a licensed pilot, continues the
report, is that she has not reached
the legal age of twenty-one.
Miss Khoury is the daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Assaf George Khoury
of Niha in the Shouf district of
Lebanon. Her parents moved to
Hopewell during the war boom attendant upon the manufacture of
�FEBRUARY, 1931
ammunition at the Du Pont factories there. She, however, was educated for a stenographer, but living
in the proximity of an aviation field
inspired her with the desire for flying. She has already made several
solo flights and it is said that the
cit'zens of Hopewell are planning
to make her a gift of a plane to
be bought by popular subscription.
This is the second instance brought
to public attention of a Syrian girl
in America having taken up aviation. Of young men there are a
much larger number, men'ion of
whom has previously been made in
the Syrian World.
P.ROOKLYN PASTOR HONORED
ON 25TH ANNIVERSARY
The Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Paul
Sanky, pastor of Virgin Mary's Melchite Syrian Catholic church in
Brooklyn celebrated the twentyfifth anniversary of his ordination
to the priesthood on February 5, on
which occasion a singing high mass
was held at the Syrian church by
the Rt. Rev. Bishop Molloy of
Brooklyn assisted by a number of
visiting Syrian Catholic clergymen.
Following the religious ceremony
a banquet was held at St. George
Hotel which was attended by over
four hundred guests. Mr. Edward
Leon, who presided, presented the
Rev. Sanky with a purse of $500.00
raised by popular subscription from
the congregation in token of their
love and appreciation for their
pastor.
IN DEMAND
Lissan Ul-Hal of Beirut reports
that for six vacancies on the Police
force there were 750 applicants,
some of whom being college graduates. An advertisement for a night
watchman brought 1000 applicants,
55
notwithstanding that the monthly
pay is eleven Syrian pounds, amounting to less than $8.00.
SYRIAN FEDERATION
HOLDS RECEPTION
The American-Syrian Federation
held its annual reception at its
clubrooms in Brooklyn on February
21 and provided a wealth of enjoyment to the several hundred
guests who fi led the two main
floors of the building. An American
orchestra provided dance music for
the younger generation, while lovers of native music were entertained
on another floor by excellent singers
and oud players.
The occasion was the seventh
birthday of the Federation. In his
printed word of greeting, the President assures the community of
"our willingness and readiness at all
times to place the facilities of the
Federation at their disposal, to make
its home the center of all educational, civic and social activities."
ARABIC PLAY GIVEN
FOR CHARITY SUCCESSFUL
The Ruler by the Will of God, an
eccentric caliph of the Fatimide
dynasty who claimed divinity and
terrorized Egypt in the 13th century, was again brought to life in
the play of his name given at the
Brooklyn Academy of Muse on
January 13 by the Al-Kalimat Committee. The proceeds of the performance were devoted to charity
and the play was well patronized.
The Ladies' Aid Society of New
York was the recipient of half of
the proceeds for distribution among
the Syrian needy of America while
the Al-Kalimat Committee, the
original sponsor of the play, devoted its share to the building of a
home for the aged in the city of
Aleppo.
�56
THE SYRIAN WORLD
SULTAN'S KIN CLAIM
PROPERTY IN SYRIA
EGYPTIAN CIVILIZATION
IN VENEZUELA REPORTED
Cable dispatches from Beirut
late in January stated that all the
Princes and Princesses of the former
Ottoman ruling family met in that
city to discuss continuing their legal battle for the possession of the
vast properties left by the Sultan
Abdul Hamid in Syria and Lebanon,
despite their recent defeat' in the
Turkish courts of Istanboul to obtain control of the properties which
were taken by the victorious powers after the World War. A deputation of the Princes waited upon
the French High Commissioner to
lay the claim before him. The Ottoman Princes under the Treaty of
Lausanne, are allowed to apply to
the native Syrian courts. Their
counsel are now drawing up a list
of the late Sultan's possessions in
Syria and Lebanon before filing a
plea for restitution.
The Syrian press publishes pathetic accounts of the conditions to
which some of the Princes have
been reduced. Not a few of them
have been forced to become taxi
drivers, and the humiliation they
feel when encountering a fare of
their acquaintances is pitiful.
The disclosure of secrets of the
earliest civil'zation in South America is promised soon when Dr. Rafael Requena, president of the State
of Aragua in Venezuela, publishes
the results of a life study on his
part declared to present conclusive
evidence of the existence of an ancient Egyptian civilization in Venezuela, according to a correspondent of the N. Y. Times cabling from
Port of Spain Trinidad, on Feb. 18.
JAMES J. TUNNEY
ON SYRIAN TOUR
Late in January Major James J.
Tunney, popularly known as Gene
Tunney, former heavyweight champion of the world, sailed with his
wife to Syria to join an archaeological expedition. He will spend a few
weeks in Egypt before proceeding
to Beirut, Damascus and Baghdad.
It is not yet known whether he
will remain with the Haardt-TransAsiatic expedition in its proposed
travels through central Asia.
The correspondent declares that
Dr. Requena gave him an interview
at his headquarters at Maracay, the
capital of Araqua, where the military headquarters of General Gomez,
former President and now dictator
and commander-in-chief of the army,
is located.
A remarkable private museum attached to the house contains excavated idols of primitive man, bones
of prehistoric monsters and flint
hammers.
"I firmly believe in the ancient
existence of Atlantis," Dr. Requena
said. "When Atlantis was submerged
the survivors, originally Egyptians,
found their way here. I have indubitable proof which will startle the
scientific world. I intend to write a
Spanish treatise and translate it into
French and hope to publish it this
year. Years after the Egyptians
came there was an invasion of Chinese colonists from across the Pacific."
The fact, that the Egyptians were
never a sea-faring people, but employed the Phoenicians for the conduct of their trans-maritime trade,
may in the end prove the latter to
be the real founders of the ancient
American civilization.
�
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
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English
Contributor
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Processed by Claire A. Kempa, 2015-2017. Collection Guide written by Claire A. Kempa, 2017.
Collection Guide updated by Laura Lethers, 2023 August.
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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
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NS 0002
Access Rights
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This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law.
Dublin Core
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Identifier
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TSW1931_02reducedWM
Title
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The Syrian World Volume 05, Issue 06
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1931 February
Description
An account of the resource
Volume 5 Issue 06 of The Syrian World published February 1931. In Dr. Philip K. Hitti's article titled "Are the Lebanese Arabs?" he discusses this question that was posed to him by Salloum Mokarzel. In his reply he traces the history of Lebanon in order to discover the answer, looking back at the various ethnic groups that were at one time settled in Lebanon. In Salloum Mokarzel's second article covering his travels through Jebel-Druze he highlights his experiences in Soueida, the capital city. More specifically, he talks about his visit to the State Orphanage for Druze children in which he describes his most interesting observations of the French officials stationed there. Rev. W. A. Mansur is also featured for his contribution concerning the Commission of Syrian "pioneers" to their Posterity in America. While there are numerous poetic contributions in this issue of known poets like Gibran, J.D. Carlyle, and Asa, Don C. Seitz is also featured for his poem concerning The Arabian Nights. Seitz as a nationally well-known American author presents the very reasons the young generation should praise the classic literature of their mother-tongue. Another part of the "Ali Zaibaq" series is again featured in this issue, before Labeebee A. J. Hanna's poetic "Advice to a Girl." The last article featured is by Joseph J. Raymond, on the word Al-Jubbah, and the significance of its travel throughout the world. The issue closes with a discussion of Syria's potential to have a future king, political developments of Syria, and excerpts from the Arab press that represented Syria and Syrians.
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
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New York Public Library
Publisher
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Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Coverage
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104 Greenwich St., New York, NY
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Text/pdf
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Text
Rights
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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.
1930s
Al-Jubbah
Druze
J.D. Carlyle
Joseph J. Raymond
Kahlil Gibran
Labeebee A.J. Hanna
New York
Philip Khuri Hitti
Poetry-English
Reverend W.A. Mansur
Thomas Asa
Travel
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/2173c0be7dcdb54cf465d85739e3ce70.pdf
473c9b20160f289712e31f7d93099f69
PDF Text
Text
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VOL. V. No. V.
IP
JANUARY, 1931.
THE
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SYRIAN WORLD
A
MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING
WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE
I
A JOURNEY THROUGH JEBEL DRUZE
m
SAI.LOUM A. MOKARZEL
ANCIENT NATIONS OF THE NEAR EAST
THOMAS ASA
CHRISTMAS IN OTHER LANDS
A. F. ZAINEY
1
m
THIS YOUNG GENERATION!
AN EDITORIAL OF AL-HODA
ALI ZAIBAQ (QUICKSILVER)
(A SERIAL)
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA
THE COPY 50c
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TT-TF
SYRIAN WORLD
Tublished monthly except July and A ugust
. by
THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS
104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y.
By subscription $5.00 a year.
Single Copies 50c
Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at t'he post office at New York,
N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879.
VOL. V.
No. V.
JANUARY, 1931
CONTENTS
PAGE
A Journey Through Jebel-Druze—I
SALI.OUM
A.
5
MOKARZEL
The Rote (Poem)
14
THOMAS ASA
Ancient Nations of the Near East
15
THOMAS ASA
. 1 Marvel and a Riddle
G. K.
GIBRAN
Christmas in Other Lands
A. F.
18
ZAINEV
19
�as
CONTENTS (Continued)
PAGE
On a Miser (Poem)
22
J. D.
CARLYLE
Rubaiyat Abu-Tayeb (Poems)
23
AMIN BEDER
French Author Gives Views on Syria
24
MLLE. ALICE POULLEAU
E
KTpt
28
TOUFIK MOUFARRIGE
Alt 7,aibaq (Serial)
S. A.
3Q
MOKARZEL
and T. S.
DAYTON
Two Arabic Gems (Poem)
DR. SALIM
33
Y.
ALKAZIN
This Young Generation!
34
AN EDITORIAL OF AL-HODA
From the Arabic
^6
Grave Situation in Palestine
37
Editorial Comment:—Binding Traditions
41
Readers' Forum
4-7
Political Developnents in Syria
45
About Syria and Syrians
40
�MS
IN THIS ISSUE
yHERE is an element of mys- erary discovery representing
tery in Jebel Druze. The Voltaire's appraisal of the culcountry, like its inhabitants, tural wealth of the modern
compels continued interest de- Syrians' ancestors. To bring to
spite all that has been written light all the fine inspirational
about it. Every traveler sees it material which should bolster
in a different light and gains our race pride is a distinct confrom it a different impression.
tribution which our scholarly
The editor in this issue be- collaborators are making to the
gins a series of articles in de- national cause, and which THE
scription of his recent travels to SYRIAN WORLD is happy in bethis mysterious country. He ing the medium for its dissemitakes the reader from Damas- nation. But for the research
cus and its verdant oasis to the and genuine interest of our colbleak and desolate land over ' laborators many of the fine
which Mt. Hermon stands sen- material being presented would
tinel on the West and which remain hidden to all but a few,
still abounds in relics of Roman and once they are being made
occupation. In the present in- available'our readers cannot but
stallment the reader reaches the share with us the feeling of apcapital Soueida, in the very preciation of the efforts of the
heart of the country, going fine body of learned and patriothrough the section which was tic volunteers who are so splenthe scene of the desperate fight- didly serving our racial cause.
ing between the Druzes and We only fear that Mr. Asa will
the French only a few years have to pay the price of his
ago. The account does not lack growing popularity with our
of a touch of humor, because readers by sustained contribuone of the editor's companions ticns, which so far he has given
was the leader of Syrian Na- generously.
tionalist youth, the fascist of
the country,and happily he was jy[ANY are the
Syrians
in a buoyant mood.
throughout the land who
are helping spread correct
ALTHOUGH liberal in his knowledge about our racial hispoetical contributions, Tho- tory and traditions in their lomas Asa treats our readers in calities. We are glad to refer
this issue to a truly valuable lit- to Mr. A. F. Zainey as one of
mBMOTH
——
�this army of able volunteers.
The speech he delivered on
Ch ristmas observances in various lands, published in this issue, served him as an occasion
to fittingly describe the fine
Syrian customs observed at the
Yultide season and paint a vivid
picture of the beautiful family
spirit that prevails in the Syrian home. Mr. Zainey's address
furnishes profitable reading at
any season.
^BU'L TAYEB Al-Mutanabbi is at last finding able
admirers to give translations of
his beautiful Arabic poetry. In
this issue two of our poets,
Amin Beder and Dr. Salim Y.
Alkazin, by a strange coincidence, have drunk at the same
spring, and the reader is bound
to appreciate their respective
selections. We have more of
Dr. Alkazin's translations, and
trust to receive more of Mr.
Beder's.
WHAT does the veteran editor of Al-Hoda, the famous ^\ND again our undaunted
Arabic paper of New York,
hero, Ali Zaibaq, performs
think of our young generation? some impossible feats which
R.ead the translation of his edi- only lead him on to further latorial on the subject and you bors and trials. One would
will know. And what is more, think that after his possession of
don't hesitate to write us your the Magic Box of the All-Seeopinion on this subject whatever ing Eye he should deserve a
it may be, because we believe little rest, but such was not his
the discussion of such an im- destiny. The reader will be
portant matter as present rela- thrilled with the present chaptions between parents and chil- ter as he never was before.
dren cannot fail of producing
beneficial results. The young
pHOSE who are politicallygeneration should have a meminded will find in the exdium of expression and we haustive accounts of the polihereby provide it. Parents are tical developments in Palestine,
also invited to give their point Syria and Lebanon that which
of view, and if they cannot will satisfy their most sanguine
write in English they may do interest. Especially are condiso in their mother tongue and tions grave in Palestine, and the
we will undertake the transla- account given in this issue covtion.
ers reports of press dispatches
We are inviting a symposium as well as original material from
in the hope of providing native sources. Syria is expectgrounds for better understand- ing important developments
ing through a frank and open since the return of the High
exchange of views.
Commissioner,
A
�TTTP
SYRIAN WORLD
VOL. V.
No. V.
JANUARY, 1931.
A Journey Through Jebel Druze
By
A\
SALLOUM
A.
MOKARZEL
JN the. minds of the people of Syria, the name Jebel Druze is
associated with a sense of dark mystery. The country must
have taken on the character of the people who have lent it their
name, because the Druzes, who inhabit the mountainous region,
are noted for the mysteriousness of their religious creed. They
are, in this respect, not unlike our better known secret societies
in that they maintain an attitude of unrelenting denial of the
authenticity of all disclosures bearing on their secret tenets or
rituals. But wherein the Druzes differ is that membership in
their society compasses a whole people. They are initiated when
born although later they are admitted to the several degrees of
the order upon proper qualification passed upon by a legally constituted hierarchy. Hence, also, membership is not open to outsiders. Nor, for that matter, does their number, according to
commonly accepted belief, decrease or increase, because of their
belief in metempsychosis and its consequent restriction.
Such being the character of the people, the country has gained
a reputation in keeping with this intriguing element of mystery.
The military exploits of the Druzes, whether in the remote or
immediate past, and their fierce zeal in the defense of their country against foreign aggression, lend added weight to the conception of exclusiveness. They were known to have successfully
withstood the organized attacks of both Turks and Egyptians in
the nineteenth century, and their revolt against the French in
recent times is a record of unparalleled feats of desperate bravery.
Their unbending determination is best illustrated by the fact that
n—mwjijgm .ill.
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
S55-"S; WE? £ th1 &£S~ £
This illustrates J S3?d^S^STS?"' ""fen" "UTO,dergedness which legend ta ^^^"SSJ'V^ "^
to Jebel Druze, therefore, cannot fail of taking 1 ( '"""f7
hazardous adventure to thl. * .
taking the form of a
er CqUamted with the histOT
of this mysterious par of lvrl /
y
SP rit that W
viewed our contemplated trip o ft NotT ?"** '
*
least fear for our convenient or ,af«v fo Wf enterta">«* *e
seem, nowhere in all my travel in Win '
^ "V' "*
eoast and hinterland, JongcHyZ^'ZTT'1 a',d ?lai">
with any situation bordpri,,„
.1 j
and bedou, had I met
expectatfon ol
^* atla"b% t^"^ *ut * — *e
of novel situations and condhon he' ^S of TTf0"
PC
of going through a country and amonVTn^nl
".
g
P e assoclat
popular conception with the 2?H?
5
ed m the
md m st
our trip to the Draze Mm.„,, 1 u
y "> , that lent
haraCter0f adTC tUre A d
in thisle were nof: fclTa t:ed
"
- "
*
*
C
^Z^^itZ^%t °TT>-
beside
y
y an Nati0
alist leader, Fakhry Bey Baroodv T„ '"T
"
"h WeVer that I
not surprised when the ktterronf, V^' °
'
in his life had he v shedthe n
»/° me that never bef°re
travention of truth Forh re if
**?""» WOuld be a «*
sufficient leisure to grat fy a LlTTf
?* *"* P°Mm and
the conditions of a count wf
i
' f°r traVel to stud>(
shape. That he Ld Z "enttddur'ml"
°
g hS "/
fort"^
odd
take the half-day iourncv ,„
ul
"'
>'
years to
nevertheless, „&* ,** 8 country, considered,
fence. To me th sfrved as , / SX"\fmM be without signibelief that JXDETt* W^P^fe^ ^ P°H«
f rb dd,ng a d m
terious in its almost complete iSioT
° '
"
^
FortnetriSt^
�JANUARY, 1931
7
mos bottle in Beirut, and had ample occasion on this trip to lament my oversight and negligence.
The flood of golden sunshine was just breaking over the old
city of Damascus, hurdling towering minarets and massive
mosques and palaces and finding its way into the narrow and irregular streets, when we wound our way past Al-Marje, the
Umayyad mosque and into the quarter of Al-Midan. It was
Sunday (August 11) but the city had risen early and was already
for some time in the swing of its activities. Sunday in Damascus
is an ordinary workday, because the Moslem day of rest and
prayer is Friday, and owing to this fact we soon discovered that
we could make but little progress on our way out of the city.
We were in the company of a popular leader, at a time in the
seething conditions of the city when the people needed a leader
and sought him for advice on a thousand and one matters We
were stopped ever so frequently by grain and feed merchants,
flour and produce merchants, and all the other categories of merchants whose shops lined the street from the center of the city
to its very .limits. The merchants wanted advice and assistance
in their many grievances. They were subjected to unfair competition on the part of foreign interests; they were willing to
agree to any proposition advanced by the leaders to improve their
intolerable situation. To all of which Fakhry Bey would deliver
a lecture on the imperative necessity of cooperation. I later learned from him that he had been successful in organizing the native
millers into a form of a cooperative and protective association, a
trust, if you please, to pit their combined efforts against the foreign depredatory interests. But in this instance the "interests"
were not the French, nor were the motives involved of a political
nature. It was the case of some enterprising Jews installing modern flour-milling machinery, and investing in the business such
large capital as to effect substantial savings in the purchase of
supplies, enabling them in turn to undersell the native millers
who still adhered to all methods. To meet the menace the natives
had to have recourse to the modern methods of their competitors.
They installed modern machinery to effect economy in production and organized to effect economy in purchase. They engaged
their opponents for a time in cut-throat competition and soon
regained the grounds they had lost. They now readily admit
that the "interests" were their benefactors in having taught them
a valuable economic lesson.
�8
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Once outside the city limits the landscape presented a desolate
appearance. The waters of Barada do not flow in this direction,
with the result that the land presents an aspect of desert aridity.
But compensation was to be had in a different form. Standing bare
in the wilderness was a great white dome, which our companion
explained was a memorial erected on the very spot where stood
the Prophet Mohammad when he refused to proceed any farther
for fear of jeopardizing his entry into the celestial Al-Jannat if
he were to enter the city of Damascus which in its ravishing beauty
appeared to him as a terrestial paradise. As we proceeded further we came to a town whose white buildings, huddling solidly
together, and its many slender minarets rising sharply from a
solid mass of masonry, stood in bold relief against the drab landscape and a Lmpid blue sky. This, as we learned, was Al-Kaswa,
the historic town which marked the starting point of the annual
pilgrimage to Mecca, at the time when Damascus was the great
rallying center of all pilgrimages. Al-Kaswa, literally translated,
is the covering of Al-Kaaba. Out of reverence the Moslems of
the world fashioned every year, on the occasion of the pilgrimage, a magnificent piece of cloth embroidered with gold and brocaded with intricate designs drawn from precepts of the Koran
to coyer the black stone at the holy city. This covering was carried in great pomp and ceremony at the head of the pilgrimage
procession. The caravan started across the desert from this town
near Damascus. The ceremony of loading the rich covering of
the Kaaba, Al-Kaswa, took place in it, hence its name.
The town of Al-Kaswa is preeminently the starting point
into the desert and all those regions of the unknown which lie
east and south of Damascus. No sooner we emerged from the
shade of its walls than we began to experience that peculiar sensation which comes to him who is embarking on a desert adventure. We were now entering Hawran, the Aurentes of the Romans, where great cities and formidable fortresses once formed
the outposts of the Roman Empire, but which now has been reduced to an and land suitable only for dry wheat cultivation.
One could sense in the very air a compound of mystery, the very
feeling which knowledge of the lore of the Druze country gave
the traveler a sense of the dramatic and mysterious. The feeling
deepened as our car sped further into the countrv. Not alone
in its present aspect, but against the background of'its hoary history, the land we were now crossing in the most modern of con-
�i (unn^r", ay T TSS'S
^^
pl
*J3U<* ?P ? f ^SCLS ^^Ss^ £.§ %<?? §
b
�10
THE SYRIAN WORLD
veyances impressed itself on our imagination. Everything upon
which our eyes rested seemed to be reminiscent of the ages of
long ago. Across the horizon, silhouetted boldly against the clear
blue sky, stood historic Mt. Hermon with the refreshing sight of
its perpetual snow amidst the scorching desert heat. Between the
road and the mountain range were to be seen some Arab camps,
whose droves of camels meandered leisurely in the vast wilderness feasting on its most abundant luxury, thistles. Here and
there the newly opened dirt road crossed, or ran parallel to, some
wonderfully preserved Roman road which was at once a reminder
of past glory and a challenge to future effort and achievement.
But aside from its dreariness there was nothing formidable about
the country, nothing to substantiate the fear and awe associated
with every mention of Hawran and Jebel Druze. It was somewhat disappointing. So far nothing of what we had seen was
formidable, although now we were in the heart of the country.
What then could have gained for this part of Syria its sinister
and redoutable reputation? Surely it cannot be the nature of the
country' as much as the character of the people.
About 10 A. M. we had reached Azra', a military post situated
midway between Damascus, capital of Syria, and Sueida, capital
of Jebel Druze. The town is not of prepossessing appearance—
a few incongruous stores ranged along the crooked road with
but a few habitations built of sombre basalt stone and merging
perfectly with the drab landscape. At a point near the military
headquarters we were brought to a halt by a rope stretched across
the road. A dapper little officer advanced to examine our credentials. His manner and speech were of the proverbial French
politeness. He not only let us pass but even volunteered advice
as to where we could find lodgings in Sueida, directing us to the
house of Geaffar Pasha Atrash. No concern was shown over the
fact that one of my traveling companions was a Nationalist leader
and the the other a journalist who at times indulged in considerable vituperation against the mandate. Although the country was
still under military rule as a result of the last insurrection, freedom of travel was apparently permitted to all classes. The apprehension of Fakhry Bey Baroody that he might be held in suspicion owing to his known revolutionary affiliations was seemingly
unfounded. This open-minded policy on the part of the French
authorities of Jebel Druze was later illustrated more forcibly in
the capital. One could but infer that the French now feel their
�MM
JANUARY, 1931
/;
grip on the situation adequately secure, and that if they fear no
further outbreaks it is because they have placated the people by
proving to them their genuine solicitude for the peace and progress of the country. What I saw in Jebel Druze only confirmed
the belief that the French were best loved (relatively) where
they were in direct control. They are in such control in the
Alaouite State and m Jebel Druze, and of all the administrative
divisions of Syria, these two show comparatively the most progress. Pehaps the hands of the French authorities are not here
tied down by considerations of local politics, and they are thus
prompted to a feeling of direct responsibility in the discharge
of their duty. This would be the sounder explanation than the
one accusing the French of displaying more efficiency and conscientiousness where they are in direct control simply to expose
the disadvantage of relegating the administrative power to the
natives.
We still had a good two-hour drive to Sueida, and while not
watching the monotonous landscape we listened to the Bev's outlining of his ambitious reform program. From politics he covered the whole field of reforms that usually engage the mind of
a young and enthusiastic national leader. Oh' What he would
not do to improve education, agriculture, industry and raise the
cultural standard, and effect the economic prosperity, and enhance
the national prestige of the Syrian nation, if only the country
were rid of French domination. And as behooves a man of his
enthusiasm, there was no doubt in his mind as to the ability of
the Syrians to look after themselves and shape their own destiny.
• |Th?i5khry Bey W°uld revert to one of his frequent whimsical and light moods, displaying a surprising versatility and scope
ot interest. His conversation with the chauffeur was typical This
chauffeur was a native Damascene and had had an unusual career
of which the Bey knew every detail. All the youth of Damascus
are the proteges of the Bey inasmuch as they all acknowledge
him their leader. The chauffeur was asked how he enjoved his
stay m leheran, and he at once became voluble. "All the chauffeurs of Persia are Syrians," he began, "but in spite of their exceptional opportunities for gain they pine for the life of Damascus. I could not stand my self-imposed exile for more than
a year, and here I am poorer but happier."
"Missed your sweethearts, perhaps?" suggested the Bey by3
way of furnishing a lead.
�12
THE SYRIAN WORLD
"La, wallah!" came the quick and frank reply. "I had six
wives during the year I spent in Persia."
"Quite a harem "
"La, wallah! not all at once. A new one regularly every two
months."
"Rather reckless in divorce!"
"La, wallah! rather by advance mutual agreement."
"But you are a Sunnite," came the surprised question of the
v
c
F
c
Bey.
]
c
(
"But I was in the country of the Shiites and took advantage
of their regular institutions," was the plain rejoinder.
This matter-of-fact colloquy illustrates a social-religious institution practised in some parts of the East which is given little
consideration by the outside world. The Moslems, it should be
pointed out, are divided into two main sects, the Sunnites, who
are considered the orthodox among Moslems, and the Shiites who
are the adherents of Ali. Some of the latter sect may be found
in Syria and Lebanon, but their principal stronghold is in Mesopotamia and Persia. One of their religious tenets is contract marriage—an agreement between the contracting parties to live together in a conjugal state for a stipulated length of time, at the
expiration of which their union is automatically annulled. The
time may be a day or a year. Some instances are known where a
union is entered into for but a few hours. But in the meantime
the marriage is considered absolutely legal. No witnesses are required.
This form of contract marriage has been in effect in that part
of the East for something like fourteen hundred years. So-called
moderns in the West who preach trial and companionate marriages and the like will have to cast about further afield for
originality.
The country we were now traversing presented a striking resemblance to tKe desert on which it bordered. True, its topography is mountainous, but the rolling hills gave one the impression of sand dunes rather than cultivated land. The whole land
is planted to wheat, and the harvest had just been gathered, leaving the yellow stalks cut with a hand scythe about a foot from
the ground shimmering under the bright flood of golden sunshine. Not a tree or a green shrub was to be seen in the whole
vast horizon, and the only touch of color that broke the monotony
of the landscape was the huge piles of black basalt stones that
mmm.
nmm
-
s
J
s
i
�——
JANUARY, 1931
13
were so plentiful as to be awesome. Even the patience and industry of such a resigned people as the Druze peasants must have
proved inadequate to clear the land of this stone pest. Or was it
only indifference that gave way to expediency? We noticed fields
so encumbered with stones that they could never be tolerated in
Europe or America. Yet we actually came across innumerable instances where a few straggling stalks protruded boldly from crags
in the rock or from amidst a handful of earth between some stones.
But even these few were not overlooked by the scrupulously efficient mower. Perhaps, even, they were originally planted by
design.
Not even the few villages we passed offered a break in the
monotony. They were all of the same basalt stone that denoted
the volcanic origin of the country. The houses are built low,
close together and have flat roofs that seem to present an unbroken surface viewed from a distance. One had to look intently
to discern a village from its sombre surroundings. Hardly a tree
was to be seen even in the villages. And that despite the fierce
sun that beats mercilessly in these regions. An unprotected traveler would fare ill in these vast stretches of desolation which provide neither water nor shade. We met a lone woman traveler
painfully winding her way along the dusty road. She was heavily
dressed and her head covered with the conventional ighal. Being
a native she must have considered herself immune to the midday
heat, yet we noticed blood dripping from her nose.
We were now approaching Sueida with an anticipation of
relief from the trying journey. A bare hill loomed ahead which
was designated as the spot where the ill-fated expedition of Gen.
Michaud, the first punitive column to be despatched against the
Druzes in 1925, met its crushing defeat at the hands of Sultan
Pasha Atrash and his men. This signal victory of the Druzes
emboldened them to assume the offensive and carry the war out
of their territory into the very heart of Syria and Lebanon. The
French military command at that time had acted in haste and
miscalculated the strength of the enemy, causing a prolongation
of the conflict with all its attending suffering.
Historically the country is extremely interesting, but why
should it be so bare and forbidding? The new roads being built
are unquestionably good. They may be planned with military
considerations in mind, but they serve commercial purposes nevertheless. Yet this is not all what the country needs. Are the
�fcfi£
THE SYRIAN WORLD
14
French doing anything in the way of general rehabilitation and
improvement?
We noticed along the flank of the mountain overlooking Sueida a patch darker than the common aspect of the landscape. Being all strangers to the country we fell to conjecturing as to its
nature. Two of us maintained that the patch was nothing but
basalt rock of a darker hue than the rest. Judging by what we
had seen of the country in nearly four hours of fast travel no
other conclusion seemed admissible. Trees seemed a rarity unthought of in these surroundings. Still one of us maintained the
dark-blue patch was vegetation, a growth of shrubs. There was
life in it, a subdued dark green color without the dull reflection
of the shiny black stones. This view proved correct as we drew
closer. The dark patch was actually a growth of shrubbery representing the first attempt of the French at reforestation. The
sight was most welcome and refreshing, accentuating our feeling
of relief and delight at having at last reached the gates of Sueida.
The Rose
By
THOMAS ASA
In thoughtless mood I plucked a rose one day,
And, breathing of its essence, heard it say:
"Thou soulless man! to break me from my stem,
When ah too soon I'll finish my short stay."
And leaning closer I heard it further speak—
"Thy worldly praises thrill my blushing cheek,
As Queen of Flora's kingdom I am named,—
But soon thereat you leave me deathly weak.
"The queen of thine own country you adore,
In your submission you her temper bore;
And when in regal anger gives command
To you, bend humbly to the polished floor.
"But, me, you found beautiful, mild and free,
The wold my home, my palace floor this lea;
Forthwith you plucked me to adorn your queen,—
The rustic queen outshines man's majesty!"
warn
wmmm
�JANUARY, 1931
15
Ancient Nations of the Near East
Voltaire Offers to Modern Syrians High Proof of the Cultural
Greatness of Their Ancestry.
By
THOMAS ASA
ETROM his chapters on Syria, Phoenicia, and Arabia, which are
embodied in his admirable Philosophy of History, Voltaire,
the most universal personality in the annals of French literature,
presents to the modern Syrian innumerable vestiges of the antiquity and cultural greatness of his ancestry. Commenting on the
topography of ancient Syria, Voltaire writes, "By all the monuments which remain for our inspection, I find that the country
which extends from Alexandretta to Scanderoon, nearly to Bagdat, was always called Syriaj the alphabet used by this people
was always Syriac; that the ancient cities of Zobah, Balbec, and
Damascus, were here situated, and afterwards those of Antioch,
Seleucia, and Palmyra. Balk was so ancient that the Persians
pretend that their Bram or Abraham came from Balk amongst
them. Where then could that ancient empire of Assyria, of which
so much has been said, be situated if it were not in the land of
fables?" He continues in his chapter on Syria, "I do not, in other
respects, hesitate believing that the Syrians were much more ancient than the Egyptians, for this evident reason, that the lands
which are most easily cultivated, are necessarily the first peopled,
and are the earliest in a flourishing state."
Concerning the Phoenicians, those bold and enterprising entrepreneurs of transmarine navigation, the French philosopher becomes more specific and increasingly eulogistic in his enthusiasm,
"The Phoenicians were probably united as a body of people as
early as the other inhabitants of Syria. They may not be as ancient
as the Chaldeans, because their country is not so fertile: Sidon,
Tyre, Joppa, Berith, and Ascalon, are barren lands. Maritime
trade has constantly been the last resource of every people. They
began by cultivating their land before they built ships to go in
search of other countries beyond the sea. There is no mention
made by any maritime expeditions, either among the Chaldeans
or the Indians. Even the Egyptians looked with horror upon the
�16
.
"THE SYRIAN WORLD
sea; the sea was their Typhon, an evil disposed being; and this
makes the four hundred ships that were fitted by Sesostris for
the conquest of India very questionable; but the enterprises of
he Phoenicians are real. Carthage and Cadiz were founded by
them, the discovery of England, their trade to India conducted
by Ezion-gaber their manufactures of valuable stuffs, their art
of dyeing purple, testify their abilities, and those abilities caused
their grandeur.
"Commerce necessarily required registers, which supplied the
place of our ancient books, with easy and lasting signs to fix those
registers. The opinion which supposes that the Phoenicians were
the authors of the written alphabet is therefore very probable I
shall not aver that they invented such characters before the Chaldeans; but their alphabet was certainly the most complete and
useful, as they expressed the vowels, which the Chaldeans did
not. The word Alphabet itself, composed of their two first characters, is an evidence in the favor of the Phoenicians.
1 J'1 dr u0t fi,nd that the Egyptians ever communicated their
eir kn Ua e to an 0
ItTS,
g S J
y ^er people: on the other hand,
CEIUaai S
1
1
th V ]angUa e t0 the
who »ft
S T ^ "'?- t
^
Carthagenians
7holiTrTrr r8Cdu *' TJhelr ktterS Were transformed into
X of £ §£&*? a d-ded ^f * *«* of the antiVoltaire now centers his attention on a figure that looms preeminent among the historical and philosophical writers of the
pre-Christian era. Sanchoniathon, whose personal history is unfortunately obscure, writes authoritatively on the origin and cusiTwrV gir aUd S6CUcr' °f hk lineal ancestor*> the Phoenicians,
in writing his account, Sanchoniathon was animated by the same
lofty-spirit and ambition that dominated the authors of the Zend
and Vedam, the same influence that resulted in the work of Manethon in Egypt and Hesiod in Greece. The great prestige of
oroveea:1 h*Tan Wnter " att£Sted' aS ^tairegresumes ^Wha
tZThe firH gI°U/-antiqUlty °f thC b°0k °f Sanchoniathon is,
teries of I,
Tr °f * T" ^ * the cele^ation of the mys
h mage Which the E
tIans
would
2 have
h
T'
,°
«* Greeks
would not
paid
to 'a foreign
author, had^P
he not been
one of
che first sources of human knowledge."
CeedS t0 3
sourI?oTtrdT°
sources of the different terms
ktit ,de
f uaiw
; ° in designating
*» i'^'-^t,
the
employed
the Su
preme Being, "The word El, signifying God Loi^tl" fi'st
�93MB
JANUARY, 1931
17
Phoenicians, has some analogy to the Alia of the Arabians; and
it is probable that the Greeks composed their Elios from this
monosyllable El. But what is most observable is, that we find
the ancient Phoenicians had the word Eloa, Eloim, which the Hebrews for a very long time afterwards retained, when they settled
in Canaan.
"The Jews derived all the names they gave to God, Eloa,
Iaho, Adonai, from Phoenicia; this cannot be otherwise, as the
Jews in Canaan did not for a great while speak anything but the
Phoenician tongue.
"What deserves particular observation, is that Sanchoniathon,
in relating the ancient cosmology of his country, speaks at first
of the chaos enveloped in dark air, Chaut-Ereb. Erebus, Hesiod's
night, is derived from the Phoenician word, which the Greeks
preserved. From chaos came Muth or Moth, which signified
matter. Now who controlled this matter? It was Colpi Iaho, the
spirit of God, by which animals and men were created.
"We may easily be convinced that this cosmogony is the origin
of almost all the others. The more ancient people are always
imitated by those who succeed them. I am sensible how obscure
are all the origins of the Chaldeans, the Syrians, the Phoenicians,
the Egyptians, and the Greeks. What origin is not so? We know
that Babylon existed before Rome; that the cities of Syria were
powerful before Jerusalem was known; that there were kings
of Egypt before Jacob and Abraham; but to know with precision
which was the first people, a revelation is necessary."
Turning to Arabia, we find that Voltaire has caught the fiery
spirit of independence that has ever characterized the ancient
people of this mysterious country. Traversing with impartial
judgment the existing milestones of the authentic history
of this nation, the French philosopher has found them to be one
of the great peoples of antiquity. "The Arabians, whose defense
are their deserts and their courage, have never submitted to a
foreign yoke. Trajan conquered only a small part of Arabia
Patrasa: they to this time brave the power of the Turk! This
great people have always been as free as Scythians, and more
civilized.
"Those may be properly called the people of Arabia who
were the real aborigines, that is to say, who from time immemorial inhabited this fine country, without intermixing with any
other nation, without having been conquered or conquerors. Their-
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..
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IS
THE SYRIAN WORLD
SSSPS ?G~T
and s pk f
[
T ° -** <*^ »
&r so foe Ld dear 1 TTf ^ ^ Which Seemed> «*
-ore magnihce ex han n otl
^ ^V ** of God with
part f atUre
emj the planets s mediatr
?"
"
- TheX considr°
Wed thi relSon t thefc£ f M^ G°d ** ^ ^ fol~
addicted to man^sup ^tit" s° s^h0met- * bdieVe thc>'
*
from the rest of the world l'
J T^ ""^ but detached
of a delicious ^X*^ SfJSr^ P"
essartJy have been Jess nrnn* *
• i j
' the^ must necP
rious as other nations
° ***«**«> «* not so supersti-
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r
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- ^^; ^^zt^ ^^\ r ^ *****
connection with that littlilS^Ja
\^? th^ had no
the ob
ject and foum&tion of o^^^-^ I8.1**0
a certain kind of authors"opvoef
T^ h,St0rieS> wherei»
forget three-fourths of the "earth "
" ° ***' ^ ^ a11
hi
- Wife a^^^:?x T' v*
are many, as they are men- hut
magnificent leadership
th
mg
"
of
fhe
m
°dern Syrians
nm^ rf^1—^
^
C,v,hza
alone, undivided and unequalled
their
*on are theirs
A Marvel and a Riddle
By G. K. GI BRAN
the %Zt '
1,C
'"
hu^of" £&&.*"
tht dUSt
mC
"**
-
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-;„d talked upon
fh=
Sn*ing with the days and dreammg withthe night, I >
But behold a marvel and a riddle'
The very sun that gathered me cannot scatter me
t?*?^^^
of foot do T walk upon the banks
i
�I)
JANUARY, 1931
19
n
l-
h
Christmas in Other Lands
By A. F.
ZAINEV
Editor's Note — Although the Christmas season has passed, the following study of the customs and practices of various peoples in celebrating Christmas is of permanent value in that it collects a wide variety of general information on the subject. The author is a member
of the legal profession and is keen on the subject of bringing about a
better understanding of the Syrians by the general American public.
What follows is the text of a speech he delivered at the Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis, Indiana.
^MERICAN children and many grown ups, too, are apt to
think that Christmas is celebrated in the same way all over the
earth. They picture children everywhere hanging up their stockings on Christmas Eve, and dancing in glee on Christmas morning
before trees gay with lights, ornaments and gifts.
It is not surprising that we should have this idea when last
year five million Christmas trees were cut from Canadian farms,
and that together with six million trees from the northern states
of our country were then on the way to American firesides.
With the Christmas tree in the American home and before
the fireside, it is pleasant to know that people in other parts of
the world have charming Christmas customs, too.
Take the Yule Log! The first mention of the Yule Log
turns one's thoughts to old England. But before England adopted the idea, bringing home the log amid merry cheer was part
of the nature worship of the early Germans. In America, the
nearest thing we have to the Yule Log ceremonies is the chopping
down of a tree, then burning as large a log as our firesides will
hold, or buying a log at some store and lugging it home with
fun and frolic. Doing this takes us into another country than
England. We have touched Norway by this custom, for there,
during the Christmas festivities,, father and children go to the
woods, select and chop down a tree, and bring it home together.
Once upon a time Christmas was observed boisterously and
the Lord of Misrule ran riot, but nowadays Christmas is a day,
or season, of family reunions and of domestic happiness. The
Christmas we know is a home day, and it grows so, more and
more, all over the world. Every one tries to get home on Christ-
'^BMMHHMBHHHIHBi HMMHSB
�20
THE SYRIAN WORLD
mas. Schools close. Colleges give vacations and people try to
spend the day, and longer if possible, at home. Christmas has
become a children's day and we are all children together when
this festival comes around once again.
We know how Christmas is celebrated here in America, because we are a part of the celebration, and while each family has
its own special customs and traditions, everything revolves about
the Christmas stocking, Christmas tree and candlelight. But
other countries have other ways of marking the day.
Finland, for example, has not Christmas trees, but Father
Christmas, dressed as a Yule Goat, goes from house to house with
gifts to which verses are attached. He reads each verse aloud
before presenting a gift. Some are funny, others have beauty of
thought. No one is left out, servants as well as relatives are remembered and the animals are especially well fed. In fact some
countries give special care and attention to animals on Christmas
Eve, in commemoration of the belief that animals can speak for
a short period on this night. Children of Finland sleep on a little
straw on Christmas Eve, because the Christ child was laid in the
hay in a manger.
In Roumania on December 24th, the last day of Advent,
Turte is eaten in almost every home. This is a special "kind of
cake", made of layers of thin dough, with melted sugar or honey
and powdered walnut. The dough is supposed to represent the
swaddling clothes of the Christ child. The boys sing from house
to house on Christmas Eve.* Each one carries a six-cornered star
made of wood fastened to a pole. A small burning candle in the
middle of the star shows through the colored paper and makes
a merry jungle as the boys walk. The "Stars" are carried about
in this manner until the end of the month and gifts are exchanged
on New Year's Day, instead of Christmas Day.
Ukraine, the country north of the Black Sea, used to be called
Little Russia. There Christmas lasts three days. There is no
Christmas tree, but gifts are exchanged. In the homes a jolly
family dinner is served on Christmas Day and one custom which
occurs during the meal is worth mentioning. For so many years,
no one knows when it began, it has been the custom to present
a gift to the one on the table who sneezed first. It has to be a
real sneeze, not make believe, nor one occasioned by aid of the
pepper shaker. Why anyone should sneeze at a Christmas table
is not told. But a gift of a lamb, a pig, or a calf was the reward
-_ ______
II
�JANUARY, 1931
2/
of a sneezer at Christmas time in this country, that is if it was the
very first sneeze at the feast.
The special dish in this country is "Kontia", a raisin cake that,
according to all accounts, is delicious, and about which a tender
ceremony clusters. One of the children is chosen each year to
carry the Kontia to table on Christmas Eve. He crosses himself
three times and bows before the ikons or pictures of the saints
which are lighted by candles. Then he goes outside the door and
brings in some hay. Upon the hay he puts the Kontia or raisin
cake, and on top of this is placed a loaf of bread. He crosses himself again three times and bows. Then all the family bow, after
which each one sits down at the table and the cake is set before
tnem.
In Italy there is no Christmas tree, instead they have a Christmas Urn, into which the gifts are placed by "Banfanta", who
takes the place of Santa Clans. For several weeks before Christmas the children learn poems and songs, and on Christmas Eve,
the family gathers and listens to them. Later thev sit before the
hearth which ,s filled with blazing logs or with a big Yule Log
Gifts are not given out until the twelfth night in remembrance
of the arrival of the Wise Men in Bethlehem.
The Italian home has a "Presepo" as the principal feature
oi Christmas. This is a miniature manger scene. The evening
before Chnstmas the Yule Log is lighted, and at dusk the "PreTnTJrlu W/lh1Ca"dles- * sunset cannons boom forth, announctag that the Holy Season has begun.
Throughout Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Russia, Czechoslovakia, and in some other countries the
Christmas tree is the symbol of the season. All Christian nations
celebrate, but not m the same way. Some countries observe Christmas as a religious day, others make it wholly gay. And each country mentioned has some special Christmas viands that help to
make the season different. In America we have turkey and mince
pie spiced with various sorts of spices and other Oriental ingred!
lents in commemoration of the offerings made bv the Wise Men
01 trie rLast.
th, *W E,a?mrCTtneS' Armenia> Via, and Greece, lamb is
the chief article of diet at Christmas. Old England gave the
boar's head the place of honor at the Christmas dinner and the
second place of honor in those great festivals of the Middle aees
was given to the peacock, whose head was placed at one end of
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
W^ifS
kS
of the ;itt"
-hdy
StUffed With S ices in the cen
P
SP, eading
"
f
° ^
COl red tail
°
^r of the platter
*
the othe
" -d
Throughout Germany, Jittlc frosted spice cakes shaped like
stars and animals belong to the Christmas Eve. The children save
he,r pennies to buy then, In France, bakeries turn out cakes In
Syr" °0f TtVf Pe°Pk and are *"
F to cus^ rT
.Syria, of which Palestme ,s a provincial State, is the birthplace
ittl£ t0WU f
^les
ST,5" th^
° ^thlehem
about
S
miles ZT'ofsouth of Jerusalem,
Christ was born.
Syria is my
native
is openedI in the Holy Land. We do not have trees or Yule
Logs, nor do we exchange gifts. We do, however, extend to our
feJlowmen the season's greetings. At midnight of he 24th Mas
sung i„ the neighborhood churches lasting till two o'dock
in the morning, at the end of whirh tk„
.
until the priesf'gives L^^stlet^ ""W" ~
A family reunion takes place on Christmas morning and a
council is held to determine ways and means of celebrafing the
N
Year S EV£ The
bet
Tvisit
' neighbors
"2meoers oTthtft^w'rS
or the family
forth and
the
and
friends
go
while the female members remain at home tfrece ve
endS iS
On each
t0 the
Surn^rh'^f
r of/rare******
ta^SdkSTk
return the hospitality
wines and sweetmeats
and Turkish
coffee. The greetings are expressed with hopes that the recdviS
family may live for a good many years to come to eniov thf
tHat dl th£
^Ztfor^^/r^
^veanJc°eLnd
trespasses be forgotten and forgiven and other expressions
relat
-g to the words of Christ-'Teace on earth and g'ood wiTl tfall
On a Miser
Translated from the Arabic by J. D.
CARLYI.E
"Hang her, a thoughtless, wasteful fool
She scatters corn wher'er she goes »—
Quoth Hassan, angry at his mule,
That dropt a dinner to the crows.
^
MMBMMNMll
�JANUARY, 1931
Rubaiyat Abu-Taveb
Translated frotn the Arabnc
by A\iIN,
BEDER
Not all thy hopes, O Man, canst thou attain ,„;.-.Some few are quickly won—the rest are vain,
For favoring winds the venturing sailors pray;
Yet what they meet is calm or hurricane.
.jS>. j,\ j,
0j
But if indeed thy soul aspires to rise,
Aim for the highest—aim beyond the skies;
The pang of death is anyhow the same—
For all the way, or half the wav likewise.
J.>=J \ ^ 1^ j^sJ \ j .j
"A.
*yli
If fame thou seekest, wed thyself to toil,
Divorce thy consciousness from earth's turmoil;
To rob a honeycomb is hard indeed;
A sting thou mayest expect before the spoil.
/
The best of men are targets of their time—
And O, the fatal shots they meet before the climb;
Worry forsakes the ones with little sense;
They live to eat, their pleasure is sublime.
�\\
24
THE SYRIAN WORLD
French Author Gives Views on
Syria
Editor,
THE SYRIAN WORLD
cus Under Bombardment »
8
"
my kst work
"!" Damas-
** with such fS^^1fe-*f- -PecSlly if it
Synan
But, on the other hand everv „1
i
,
Question.
Jcate his viewpoint and S2i%t£
* ^i** t0 *"
him. This, unfortunately Urn nTh5 T ?" d'Sagree with
possibility of my gettin/a heTri "
c d° beCaUSe of the **Jike my book, are^ U?X a b "f Si ^M" Y answers,
P-ent me from %£g m^ of which is calculated 5
America, the land of liberty vou win K
j d° h°pe that in
g d Cn Ugh to ub]ish
this reply which I feel I 2st makT
°°
°
P
y
,CW f
You are right in your aoDr^ f° T T
° ^ bookment on the reVolution^erio?" iT b°°k aS a human d^uof a "delicate faaiKSS? j?^ Seen in ** light
In part, it is neither a histo ica comn I 7 "^ meant oth
e.
Foreign Office, but ratherS3^°"' n°r a rePort of the
a brief expose of the S^inTwT ~^^° Which Was add*d
the subject the averse FrTch^T u ^T f°
enlighten
°»
Perhaps I -Klt^^
publishing this personal diary had I nnTl
^ °f
§
amazed at the
number of books on the aS
n
" L?
by people who were £^S^ETH ^t^ " FranCC
S,nan revolution ^^ ^^^ ^^
�JANUARY, 1931
I
2$
thor who, JZ. JTfhou Id L'UeSt",n,the testim°"y "f » authose other auZAwh'n ,l
?. ? '^ pn°nt>' of bdirf °v«"
»he incidel took^llce
" ****** ""* ** W W after
will^UardsThetriantf^ 1 ' f°U"d °+ »«« ««l »»sibility forThe war i, X<:edT th '5 " T 1 that the resP°'th Syrian pe0 ,e
as a mean, rf^SJfc rnandT
r
P ^
mistaken belief ffj£&£ W Tn? '^ "V^ the
der ,Lthe
d,scussi0
"
of
Politi« the victims were forgotten
U„
t.me a stranger to political manoeuvres^ demon«ra e ,JT
H
£ rtLTrSM otfh r' ^^s^rst
being fried on it"
"ho is
e frymg pan
but he
it, it is perhaps'necess^toLpl „' hf tolTon': m"^"'
2
my ldeas and
opinions during mv stav in sJ^ T u J
7
.he
object
of
X^".SMtSdS&r
^e
feminine standard of intellect Fnr fnT
dCSlg ned to raise th
T
nd
to the march of politics* It^ensh^lT.
.' *
t
ideas on the question of the manda
1
Piling French
But then a dou
tion took place in me Mv^TJ?
We evoluu
Damascus con^^^Ztt^^tToI^T "
m bein
from our best classes h«*v» ; k .
, •
S drawn
formed their opimo"' **£££ on 25 ** ^ **"
those Frenchmen who were 1 thZ
5,he,rueXpenence with
found in that circle of S> ns ^"h wh ch I « ^ ^ ^ *
marks of education andUL o wl ch r Su
^^ th0Se
d been accu
while in France The result-«,!
u ?
,
stomed
myself drawn^erTth ^£g±%** ' ^
This, also, was the cause of the revision of my ideas on the
�26
THE SYRIAN WORLD
mandate. Astonished at the mediocrity of the Frenchmen I encountered, I applied myself to a study of the politics of the mandatory administration and I discovered that it was far from conforming to the principle of liberty as we understand it in France.
1 could hardly believe that France could oppose the aspiration of
another people to that independence which it has so persistently
advocated and defended at home, while the French are eminently
known for their logic. In the meantime the war broke out in
Syria.
Now, whatever was the provocation, this war in my judgment
was inexcusable because it could have been averted by the Mandatory Power. It was not, like our war of 1914, inevitable I
would not be French were I to accept without question the killing
of our solders unless under extreme necessity. I have many
proofs that from the outset this necessity did not exist.
All these considerations made me look upon the Syrian insurgents as true patriots fighting for their liberty not against France
but against the mandate, (to which a group of Frenchmen is still
opposed.) I could not, therefore, side with the Frenchmen of
Syria against the Syrians. The duty of being true to one's conscience takes precedence over that of patriotism (especially if patriotism is understood in terms of hiding the shortcomings of
one's countrymen.)
This is what converted me into a champion of Syria not
against France, but against the mandate at least in the manner
I saw it then applied. Every reader of my book should keep this
in mind that no wrong conclusions may be drawn. Unfortunately
the book appeared too late. Like Diogenes, I sought for four
years a publisher who would be a man, without finding one But
courage is not always a masculine virtue. I finally had the book
printed at my own expense.
Because of its tardy appearance, it is only with difficulty that
it is expected to counteract that "historical truth" which I referred to previously and which was officially broadcast by any number of books and newspapers under subsidy. Amidst this promandatory chorus, the contradictory yet isolated voice of mV book
can hardly be heard.
Perhaps, too, it has
only been published at
would have rallied all
was during that period
come a little late for the Syrians Had it
the time of the upheaval in Damascus it
their man-power. As it happened, there
an admirable unanimity of national sen-
/
�JANUARY, 1931
27
timent reinforced by the common sharing of suffering
b our years passed
Syria was torn into small factions which fought against each
red,Z,ng f atthUS k Was
mak
w"
mTch
r
r
^
^ little f w
*as much France, realizing the necessity of pursuing such
policy as that suggested by my book, reformed fts V a&n po icv
and began to grant m degrees those liberties for which TheSr
«« fought in 1925. As a result, many were thev amonethem
who, having quickly forgotten they had been "iLurTenfs " do
not like my book to remind them of the fact. PersoStterest
.^usually one of the most potent factors for the changing 5SS
S } l haV£ reC£ived b
P? h6 S oft Chat
TT
,X ^ r at
llC' Papei Which meek] *
re «5
ST^to
f/t
>o°
'^
S
n°
"
y
tne slanders of L Orient of Beirut which, by the way P^ed
I have
since forced to retract. On the other hand, there wereW „um
ber of distinguished personages from among the pelp e the preTs"
Wy circles, from Parliament and even from Xrdln coTm
tries who congratulated me for having dared to champion the
cause of France against these Frenchmen of the ma'Xe who
would in .me have compromised its rime-honored"^
Thanking you in advance for the courtesy of publisht emv
eply for the information of the readers of THE SSS^&ET
tion
A
t0 aCCCPt S,r
'
'
th£ aSSUrance of
highest consider?
tion and sincere appreciation of your work which so spk didlv
serves the cause of a country dear to me
splendidly
ALICE POULLEAU
Member, Literary Society of
the French Provinces.
Nolay, France, Dec. 9, 1930.
�28
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Egypt
Editor's Note — This prose poem originally written in Arabic, was
published by the London Graphic in its issue of November 22. The author though a resident of Egypt, is of Lebanese descent. The poem was
composed at the suggestion of the Graphic's editor for their special
Egypt number.
By TOUFIK MOUFARRIGE
£GYPT, gift of the Nile, the crossroad of nations, the bride
of the desert, the cradle of wisdom, mother of civilization yesterday and its prey today.
The caravan of days and generations has passed her by, from
the Hyksos to the Pharaohs, from Greek to Roman, Arab, Turk.
Egypt has ever moulded the conqueror to her pattern. She changed nations, played with them, but herself kept changeless.
\f
_ Famine, scarcity, stagnation sweep across her, then blessings
rain down. In either state she stays smiling, untroubled by impoverishment, unscathed by glitter.
Her grandeur is like the waters of her Nile river—it falls
and rises. Her history is a reservoir of greatness and story, brimming with glamour; her history from yesterday feeds today's
J
glory.
The Nile hangs upon her neck and pours at her feet dominion
and ever-old memories.
Not water but pure gold flows along the Nile stream. But
for it, Egypt would be a desert that scorches like Sinai or the
Empty Quarter.
In Egypt, none gainsay the truth "and we have created of
water everything alive."
The Sphinx records how that Egypt brought forth young,
and through three score centuries nourished them at a breast
holding a secret which is not revealed—a secret that is the riddle
of generations and ages.
The Sphinx tells nothing and does not talk; yet it speaks and
is never silent.
r-l!!:_Jr —
�JANUARY, 1931
29
\m>
The Sphinx and Pyramids
Imperturbable guardians of the ancient glory of Egypt
cJ^ th7t Ef^Pt'S P>Tamid> temPk of her immortality, sarcophagus of her kings and priests and sages —
A king desired thee, and thou wast fetched forth, a mountain
of stone in lovely design, that lifts the heart with awe.
These are not stones in the Pyramid, they are tears petrified
from the eyes of a poor people, to stake a tyrant's desire.
Omar beheaded thee, and thou livest a headless body. And
those forty centuries resting in thy shadow, at what do they look?
32dK^**her youth'her evei-beat^ he-' ^
toW.vfr'
lherAo{c 1'^
yesterday and its daughter
today! Forty hundred years watch from behind the Pyramids.
workP,nH I 7
? r,esPlendcrnt' the P^sent is hers, holding
woi k and breeding toil; but the future
is God's
'- '
......i!..]..-..!.,.....)„J.J.,uium
�30
THE SYRIAN WORLD
ALI ZAIBAQ
I
(Quicksilver)
THE UNPARALLELED ADVENTURES OF THE
CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CALIPH HAROUN
.
AL-RASFIID, OF THE CITY OF BAGDAD.
Translated from- the original Arabic by
SALLOUM
A.
MOKARZEI.
and
CHAPTER
THADDEUS
S.
DAYTON
V.
WHAT BEFELL QUICKSILVER IN THE
ENCHANTED CITY
QUICKSILVER forthwith proceeded to the palace of the King
* and at his request was given a body of two thousand horsemen with which to make an immediate attack on the army of the
Blacks. They sallied forth with Quicksilver at their head and
assailed the camp of the Blacks under cover of darkness.
Then ensued a conflict such as can hardly be depicted, for
brave met brave and the hoofs of war steeds trampled on the
breasts of the fallen, and cries like thunder reached the ears of
heaven.
The plain was covered with a surging, fighting multitude,
weapons flittered in the darkness like flashes of lightning as swords
and spears and shields clashed together. It was not long before
the ground was drenched with the blood of the wounded and the
dying. The brave held their ground fearless of death while the
craven fled seeking safety but finding none in that terrible scene
of carnage where the Judge of Death sat on his blood-stained
throne mercilessly dealing out his sentences. The night was a
night of woe and sorrow to the Blacks because of the heroic
Quicksiher who waded through seas of blood attacking the thousands of the enemy and dealing destruction with his deadly sword.
By the time that morning dawned the battle was ended and
the army of the Whites, after gathering together the vast treas-
�I
JANUARY, Ifftr
I
31
"oTheirdcitriChCTh°/ ^ "T^
Bkcks
>
rctu
d
triumphantly
dom of the \\-hues, whereupon he was unbound, and toge hi
The inhabitants of the Fnrhnnt^ r:*,,
i
• , .
h
peaceful slumber. The next mo
I
L
P
*<*'*
'
*'
?&.
*
silver m,rl ,h„ I ,.
i j mor""ig the King summoned Quick^d a^tnt M d If,'0 him CVery detaiI uf *»*< had ocn , f ' , ibJ'md of Enchantment. The King was ama/ed ,,
JSS ~""
in ,ri 8i
i " "«
back
** «- the mage box o
d th th b which he
d
e
:"fx
^,
d
^
»^
la"
m
luir
,ie
w
h K
s court Ali of them marve,cd
:nd tL K^t.d
—*K
wh; n:tt?n?„r;afL7rdorbe^sTh:ded mrmp?hing
wonderful treasure was i£^J££*£^£
LCSI
cnt magic of this wonderful creation."
The next morning the King, his wazir, Quicksilver Hassan
of the k gdom proceeded to
££££$??£
T the magic box ofSthe2S
or the mountain taking with, them
AH
woHf ^ "d th£re' ln SUCC£Ssi0"' -ch viewed the whole
world with its treasures and riches, its rivers and seas and dtie"
all spread out before them whichever way they turned
'
.Such was the King's amazement over this marvelous thine
nea hC; SSl « ^ ^^ f° the C^ a"d - ^ cS
near he called to him his Grand Wazir and said to him^ecretly
f,r nff TA Xt iha' th{\ESVP^n comes to my country from a
far-off land and takes this wonderful box of which there s no
counterpart ,n all the earth when in reality it is my propertv nee
* belonged to my father and my-grandfather before L'iZ
�32
THE SYRIAN WORLD
found in my country and surely I should be entitled to its posses%£•
rT- J •? my c?mmand that you devise some means of
putting Quicksilver and his companion to death so that this heritage irom the great sorcerer shall be mine."
"This man Quicksilver has done to us nothing but good," anHe ddiV
d y Ur d
St
WheBI
IaZ11and
Y,
Tyour
° kingdom
*>
*i
from the Blacks,
then rescued
from^
these*same
people. Therefore it would seem to me most ungrateful to recompense him in such a way."
"If you do not obey my commands," the King replied "I will
straightway sever your head from your shoulders "
"O mighty King," responded the Wazir in terror, "it is not
within our power to overcome this man by force, for swords have
no effect upon him and spears are all too short to reach him In
the morning, therefore, do you say to him: 'Arise and come with
me that I may show you the wonders of this great city,' and upon
his so doing take him to the enchanted fortress. Once he is within, make some excuse to retire, closing the door behind you. Then
Quicksilver and his companion, finding no way of escape, will
surely die of thirst and hunger."
This counsel pleased the King exceedingly.
Now there was in that city a famous stronghold, known as
the enchanted fortress, which had been built in immemorial ages
y en trUnCe WaS by 0ne great door of massiv
Kfc
e iron to
which £
there was .but a single key.
Such was the place in which the King and his Wazir intended to confine Quicksilver and his companion, for there seemed
no means of their escaping therefrom.
When morning came Quicksilver and Hassan repaired to the
WVI*3 7 t0 bld ^ farewd1' but the KinS '»*** that before their departure they should view the wonders of his city as
their own King would no doubt inquire of them respecting it
ion fin
£? fd HiS ^Zir' Quicks^er and his companion, hnally reached the great fortress, the King saidW
«
' ° T fnenJd' that this strongh°W was created by the
same sorcerer who made the magic box of the All-Seeing Eve
which M now ,n your possession, and he embellished its interior1
m a manner that would bewilder the mind. If you are inclmed
to enter and view ,ts marvels, I shall be glad to open its gate
:'
Quicksilver replied in the affirmative, and the King- unlocked
m
m
�JANUARY, 1931
33
thC
A fueatJ°0r Which disclosed a dark passage which the Kins
and the Wazjr hesitated to enter, expressingtheir fear QS
si ver laughed and responded that he had ijfear. Saymg which"
he passed over the threshold followed by Ibn El-Husry Once
1
thC
mad a Slgn Which
o beXed" ^:
^
**
t
«— ^ dSS
answe^t^ ^ KT C°mPanion here" There is no escape,"
answered the King as he turned the key and made his way back
Y
to his palace, overjoyed at the success of his plan.
the
m
WaS thC Ki g S treachet
XTZ7oll7 ^
u '
T>" ^id
bCneath thC etenial
the tale teller. "On
*«* l Wil1 ^ *» of
Two Arabic Gems
By
DR. SALIM
Y.
ALKAZIN
TRUE DEATH
J$j>A\ j^ j\ jSL3
&
J^..
Call him not dead who 'neath earth's friendly crust
Hath found a rest, but him whose Fires are cold,
Whose heart hath no more wonders to unfold
And on the Way e'en stirreth not the Dust.
•
WEAN IT WHILE TENDER
What of the soul? >Tis like a nursling childWean it while tender, and it will forego
Its mother's breast; neglected, it will grow '
And for the nursing have a passion wild.
m.-/7hiS ^ \translatioJ1 of a couplet from the "Burda" the
most famous ode ,n the Arabic language in praise of Moham-
-
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
This Young Generation!
In Editorial of Ai.-H OOA
\J/HAi may be termed the extreme of ignorance is that the
young generation, he they young men or young women,
snouM presume that they are more intelligent than their parents
more learned than their parents... wiser than their parents and'
in general that they are modern while their parents are lagging
helplessly behind on the road of progress. Under the en cum
stances it would seem that the great crime of the parents is that
they tolled and suffered and underwent untold privations to
support and ecicate and keep in good circumstances the child who
thus shows them his gratitude.
Oh! how ugly are these presumptions!
Who of the young generation who can lay a just claim to
bang m elhgent and educated can at the same time deny that
he is what his parents are, that he is a "part" of them, and that
»* their material is mferior so also is his. There may be some
tools who c'aim that narcissus sprouts from a lowly tube, that
diamonds originate from coal. But how can we deny the logic
i* the situation that but for the tube and the coal there Would be
no fragrant flower or diamond, We max even go farther and
-•v that but tor the fer ilixer the earth would not give its beau
firul crops.
And what is this modernism oi which the ignorant rather
than the wise youth boasts:
Tt is in spending thi night in d-mcin;: and drinking and riotous
licentiousness.
It is in pretending wealth, power and influence through sheer
and unpardonable vanity.
It is in being prodigal with the hard-earned savings of those
'olu- fashioned" parents.
It hhi borrowing frem this, that and the other for no tcgiti
mate and honorable purpose, but simply to indulge in reckless
adventures.
Fealty to one's parents is a duty and not a favor.
-
:.
.
t
�IWBBHMHBWBP'i Via.
JANUARY, 1931
35
The mother merges her own life into that of her child. Every
mother is an example of inselfish sacrifice.
The father toils and s peats to provide both sustenance and
protection for the family. And how often do parents give of
their own luxuries and eve3 of their necessities for the sake of
then- children. How often do the parents go almost naked to
cloth their children, go hungry to feed them, go thirsty to satiate
them, and sacrifice of their comfort and well-being and very often
mortgage whatever property they possess to educate'them. If
utter all this the chidren prove ingrates where then is our boast
or human virtues!
It is the duty of the parents to provide a good education for
their children until such time that the latter are fit to take up
the struggle of life. Children wh continue to depend on their
parents after they become of working age are parasites.
Children should also realize that their parents can in no way
be obligated to them. Rather, children should understand that
it is their paramount duty to care for their parents even if the
latter are possessed of independent means.
Parents -at times act on the mistaken notion that thev would
only be showing their children marks of natural affection when
they let them have their way. They must realize that this policy
might prove not only ruinous but perhaps tragic in that it might
lead the children to laziness, continued dependence and perhaps
a criminal career.
Do we not hear the remarks of spendthrift boys and flapper
girls that the fault lies with their parents in that, by neglecting
to train them properly, they caused them to drift into the habit
of spending without earning? This, it must be admitted, may be
partly true, but the spoiled child should not find therein an
everlasting excuse for nursing a grudge against his parents and
refusing to work.
Yes, young men. Your father may not be dressed according
to the most approved fashion, but remember that he is the one
who, depriving himself, made it possible for you to appear in
your fashionable attire.
Ye
i
L \y°Ung kdy- Y°Ur mothcr m;lv not be able to dance,
but she has more genuine culture than vou can ever claim. She
cooks, sews, mends and perhaps fasts for your sake, while vou in
your conceit feel ashamed of her. The truth of the matter is
�f*
36
THE SYRIAN WORLD
1
From the Arabic
DESERVING OF PARADISE
f maS uliM
khrit
hadlak
trlriHttuT^
°
«^
-IUI vvue a woman or extreme
no-f n^co P"
TUabout as a result of tu» „
,
ugliness. Ihis came
face 0? ^'tatt^^^***^
The
hlto the
Al-Jan„at (ft^Kt^ttaA?'"* " *»" <*
the SjffcSSS" y°U t0 SUCH a **"»«'" *—«
ADVICE ON MATRIMONY
'ld0m 1° thlh°
Advise nae „„
Wh
giVC
manage " AlHta?e L d rGi^to 7/aUghter in
for if he should come to {"e hJllm^t"^ "'
round her with comforts and if h' 1 M
°r her and surhe will at least be Z^J^t^T * ^ ^
K Lt
C
of
ttS «':,e'I
W
r
�JANUARY, 1931
37
Grave Situation in Palestine
Jewish Elections Show No Disposition to Compromise, While
Arabs Reply to the British White Paper Reaffirms
Former Stand.
RECENT events in Palestine point to the continuance of the
Hnlv 7 Vf k belWeen Arabs and JeWS over mastery of the
Holy Land. Iff anything, the British White Paper and the disappointment it has created among the two factions only tended
h^fFr^ thT6 S1TT aSfhow» ^ the popular elections lately
held for he Jewish-elected Assembly. The results permit of
iS that b th the ews a d he
arelo're
deeTretat10^' than
f1Chever
" ^
are more determined
on °pursuingJ their» prescribed
courses without the least hint of a compromise
Prescnbed
Upon the issuance of the British White Paper the world
witnessed manifestations of the great indignation of Jewrv over
what they termed their betrayal by the British government" And
it the Arabs were pleased, it was because of the comparative admission by the government of their inalienable and prior rights
But how far the British government was ready to act on its p^
fessed convictions still had to be seen. Only a short time after
LtfoTS^ WJit€ ¥Tl «? B-^governmen "lowed
signs of faltering in face of the formidable Jewish opposition
and made some recession from the stand it had taken S
6
5 Wkh StH1 m re distrust of the
estv'of
°
esty of tT??the British in t'r
dealing with the Palestine
situation hon1 he Arab stand is clearly re-stated and elucidated in their latest
<
1Cement
n f he P litical situatio
,?nThe
f °'T
, °reply
, to °the British White
» asPaper
embodied
in
the Arab
Executive's
This
reply according to the English Edition of the Arab newspaper
Falastine, published in Jaffa, had no necessity to be dekyed
owing to the uncertainty of the precise meaning of the White
Paper. Not that the average reader could not understand it but^
the propaganda of the Jewry obliged the British Cabinet to Vive
new meaning to that paper. Even to this hour the Arabs are not
certain whether the execution of the White Paper would not give
it a new form if not new meanings. The reply of the Arab Executive, however, takes its stand upon unalterable principles and
�2C
THE SYRIAN WORLD
indisputable facts, and, what is more admirable, rests independent of political interpretations and opportunist explanation? »
of theN^lork T° neS
^n *#'
** *<"**" —po'n'dent
LlX \ ,
' a dlSPatch ***** f*»»ry 11, states
lu u unb KXmit!VC ateOT"P«raed the reply with'a letter to
the Hlgh Commissioner in which it asks him to transm t opies
of the statement to the British Colonial Office and to^he Per
manent Mandates Commission of the League of Nations and
manzes the demands w
Sr0;r
A
^ ^ «~£
1. Abolition of the Balfour Declaration and mandate as con '
tradictory to the promise given by the British Government to the
Arabs dunng the World War and as contrary to Article XXII
of the covenant of the League of Nations
'
a government responsible to a elected
-^SSStaf
Arai Ss"
thC
"* ^^
hMfa
-
°f ^ —d by
4. Cessation of Jewish immigration into Palestine
The letter says the Arabs enjoyed national, regional and mu
nicipal self-government under the Turkish regime and v^ere"
and urged that measures be taken to ameliorate the distress of
iSorthern Palestine, which are now farmed on an extensive scabunder concess,ons held by wealthy Syrian and Arab groups
If statements by the press may be taken as an indication of
popular sentiment then the temper of Palestine Arabs goes beyond the sedate phraseology of the Arab Executive's repfy Fal
tt ffi" fVT 0f,December 27> Portly before the issuance of
he official Arab reply to the British White Paper, thus portrav
he Palestine Arabs' feelings: «***The Arab repVshaUbeET
lated into English so that the British nation, wL^epuation
was responsible for the Arabs' faith in the Macmohan prorn^
may know that the Arab allies have been wronged ma kitted
and^misrepreseiited. After all, the replies and coSSr repS
nothing but polemics, Nations who intend to "be independem
W to be self-dependent. The Arab can not plead exLpttn
If he wants his rights he has to sacrifice for them, andff he2
bm sacrifice no one can rob him of the heritag which i ^
4f)
f
�JANUARY, 1931
<Q
The Jews on the other hand, show equal determination to
make England live up to the spirit and letter of the Balfour
Declaration as a binding obligation. Aside from the commotion
nnsed by Jewry all over the world to bring pressure to bear upon
England the Jews of Palestine have shown by their recent elec
t.on to then- special Assembly that they are as militant and un
compromising as ever. The several Jewish parties seem to differ
not so much on prmciples as on methods; they are all agreed on
aggressive Zionism and determined to carry it out. Among the
Jews of Palestine there seems to be no such party as moderates
The elections for the Jewish-elected Assembly were held
throughout Palestine January 5 and indicated a victory for the
i-abontes who oppose the employment of Arab workers in 'Jewish agricultural enterprises. The Revisionists, who constitute the
opposition, would even take more radical colonization measures
Before the elections, the national president of the Palestine /ion'
ist Revolutionist party made the following statement:
hv rS^Tf ie7ry-IUnderSta1nds * last that small colonization
bj a handful of families yearly and immigration of a few thousand families each year is devoid of any political or even economic
importance. Until now the Jewish masses believed Jewish sacrifice of money and human efforts would induce Britain to enlarge
the possibilities of Jewish immigration.
"The people therefore did not believe in the Revolutionist
warning that small colonization could only endanger Jewish
national rights tor mass colonization and mas; immigration ' Thev
now recognize that they have lost all.
"Revisionists and Spanish Jews as a future majority on the
Jewish National Council have decided therefore to take direct
action at Geneva and Washington and in Paris and other European capitals m order to mobilize Gentile public opinion through
out the world against England's breach of its solemn obligations
We do not recognize any negotiations by Dr. Chaim Weizmann
1 nd n Wh m n l0n r
-ictin
r^
f
*
'
H
;° °
°
° & ^thorized to
act in the name of world Jewry or the Jews of Palestine. As long a<
he White Paper remains we shall have nothing to do with the
J.onclon Uovernment which endorsed it."
What the various Jewish political factions in Palestine stand
for, as well as the reaction of the Arabs to the result of the elec10ns, were discussed by Fakhry Bey Nashashibi, prominent Mo,lem and notable leader of the Arab moderate partv, according
�40
THE SYRIAN WORLD
to the Jerusalem correspondent of the New York Times
Fakhri Bey also said thl c;ecnonf> fld the Arab leader,
of view the reLt o ' t e cttTshouM?' "t^* ^
they proved, first, the ^S^tS *«"*
sigent elements always eained m. ,
.
, e Jewish intranand prevented any^aUe ^Dn ' ^ ^d 0n imp°rtant issues
the Arabs and theVewsfandS^T* ^"f effeCted ***"««
selves were divided I 'witlsTed K^t ^l^ JeWS am^ them"
Palestine Jewish Labor mr v and tl P —"ng betWeen the
Joting. Undoubtedly, he'astted ^J^
** during the balto the Jewish Assembly Xre the I ^T Z^ be Carried
>sts would be at loggerheads and t
u "** a"d the Revisi ish Government, tfe world a "1 I
^ ^ f° sh°W the ^~
ment itself that the aSS were in di
T" *C Zl°nist movd
stituting a Jewish national hoTe
^ mCth°ds of co<-
dh& rS £:S *J Arabs should regard the
I
The moderate Arabs whoTthe f ?*^ t0 the Arab <*"*
a faint possibility of ZmeVortZ
^^ haVe observed
militant element amongTe
lew fWSUTan
«ement with the nong
JeWS
Cannot
vivendi, he said.
> "°
^visage any modus
while the Revisionists are 1° f *• ** WeU f in other colo'"4
majority i„ Palesti,
n^&&-£**** * *-«
\':
gained n^tn^ooo'
S°" T
Sh W the Lab
°
- P*«y
lots entitling it **£?*$£,%£* °* *• ^We the Re
with almost 10,000 votes will h„u f '
sionists,
SeatS thou h
position probably willbTZ Lh°" j "T",
'
8 theitwith fifteen seat^, joln'S^^^^ Jews,
8
f(
*
�JANUARY, 1931
41
EDITORIAL COMMENT
BINDING .TRADITIONS
''
V-:
mit of further acceleration now
jgEING comparatively new- that in addition to the influence
comers to America, the Syr- of the public school, has come
ians now are going through that the restriction of immigration
stage of transition which many and the fusing faculty of easier
earlier immigrant groups have contact through rapid transporpassed. And for the Syrians the tation.
transition process may be harder
because of their special handi- ; But there is bound to remain
w every race certain native
caps It must be realized that
they did not come in large num- characteristics which will adbers and settle in rural districts here as tenaciously as some
and thus through their relative high y revered and cherished
family traditions. The des
seclusion succeed in retaining
those characteristics peculiar to cendants of certain racial stocks,
giving in time more care to the
the motherland. Thus to this
study
of their racial backday, and despite the passing of
many generations, we have dis- ground will come to appreciate
tinctive types in the Pennsyl- that which is best in their heritvania Dutch, the Louisiana age and cultivate rather than
stifle it. Now that we are a
French, the Wisconsin German
young nation still struggling
and the Minnesota Scandinaagainst
divergent forces, there
vian. Even in large cities where
may
be
some overzeal in concommunities of large proportions admit of a condition of demning all that which is "forseJf-efficiency, we find old tra- eign". But once our homoditions clinging desperately and geneity is assured in the sense of
giving way only slowly. The banishing from our minds all
doubt and distrust of our varinstinct of self-preservation
ious
elements, we will cease to
would seem to apply to racial
traditions and native character- look upon everything imported
istics as much as to more fun- as being "foreign" and calculated to introduce an incongrudamental conditions of life.
In time, to be sure, Amer- ous element. As we grow we
ica is bound to be fused into will look upon things in their
one homogenous nation as re- true meaning and significance
gards language and social and welcome that which will
forms. This process may per- add to our store of culture.
* lewmg the situation in this
�42
light, we must admit that the
sooner we perceive the value of
that which is distinctively good
it; our racial heritage and act
to preserve and strengthen it
the richer we will ultimately become. What we need, under the
circumstances, is to search outsoul for the exploration of its
hidden treasures and try to
shape our destinies along definite, systematic lines.
The Syrians arc endowed
with many distinctive traits
worthy of preservation, not the
least among which being what
may be described in general
terms as family cohesion and
devotion. The Syrian, whether
he originate from the upper
reaches of Lebanon or from the
plains of Syria and Palestine,
is governed by the same strong
traditions respecting family relations. The love of the parents for their children knows no
end to sacrifice, while filial devotion may be said to be carried close to the point of ancestral .worship. It is a beautiful
manifestation of one of the
loftiest and most constructive
human virtues.
We are squarely placing the
matter at the door of the younger generation because they are
our logical constituents. It is
to them that we wish to bring
a proper appreciation of their
racial heritage, and no higher or
more valuable trait could be
THE SYRIA*; WORLD
found than our characteristic
family devotion. We believe it
devolves upon the children to
sympathetically study those
sturdy characteristics in which
their parents were brought up
even as on their mothers' milk,
and to adopt all that they can
possibly assimilate. Prompted
by their steadfast love, the parents may in all reason be expected to give proper regard to
those influences of modern conditions which of necessity render some of their practices impracticable and obsolete.
There are virtues, that are
fundamental mid everlasting,
more refined perhaps among
some peoples than among others owing to longer adherence
in practice, and these are what
could and should be preserved.
The editorial of Al-Hoda,
published elsewhere in this issue, might have been prompted
by some flagrant breach of filial
respect. Its scathing denunciation, however, should only
prove the high indignation that
such action arouses among Syrians. Although aimed at Migrate children, it carries a timely admonition to those who may
be wavering in their filial obligations. Home ties are strong
and sacred among Syrians, and
our young generation is bound
to gain ultimately by adhering
to this tradition viewed and
valued as one of our finest.
$
i I
I
�JANUARY, 1931
43
II
Read ers
AGAIN THE FEDERATION
Editor, The Syrian World.
I
p
I
You will surely be pleased to
learn that the Syrian youth of Witchita, Kansas, have decided to organize a club for the promotion of
their racial interests. We are acting
on the conviction that the Syrians
have decided to make America their
permanent home, are thinking with
an American point of view, and are
gradually coming to a solidarity of
race consciousness. Under the circumstances we realize all the more
the necessity of the Federation of
Syrian Societies in the United States
which you advocate and would like
to receive information tending to
enlighten Syrian-American youth on.
methods of organization so as to
more effectively work together for
the welfare of the rising generation.
William F. Farha.
Witchita Kansas.
ENDORSING A SUGGESTION
Editor, The Syrian World. ,
'M
I have followed your recent travels abroad in Syria with the greatest
p'easure and interest, especially as
I had the opportunity of traveling
practically the same itinerary two
years after the late war. It has also
been especially fortunate for me in
the position of inactive participant
in your travels to compare the conditions prevailing in Syria today and
the conditions of a few years ago.
In closing my appreciation for
your splendid endeavors, I wish to
rorum
say that 1 heartily endorse the suggestion of Rev. W. A. Mansur to
make your travel articles available
in book form.
Thomas Asa.
West Brownsville, Pa.
THE SYRIAN WORLD ANT)
THE UQUOR BUSINESS
Writing encouragingly and enthusiastically, Dr. 0. Assid Corban
of Kihikihi, New Zealand, makes
the following remarks a propos of
the Syrian World Corporation:
I see you have launched out into
a potential corporation—a wise policy. Reminds me of the policy of
the "Liquor Trade" a few years* ago
in N. Z. It issued shares to the public promising 10 per cent dividends
It worked very well, and at a time
when the trade may have been in
danger of extinction, quite a number
of new enthusiasts considered its
interests a little more because they
were financially concerned. I have
heard it said that in a certain Southern city half of the parsons took
shares, which of course, is a gross
exaggeration, but usefully illustrates the point. I doubt now if they
will ever get prohibition in N. Z.—
at least in the near future. The tide
has turned the other way. All of
which doesn't mean to suggest, ot
course, that the Syrian World is in
danger of annihilation when one
views this latest manoeuvre. But
there's nothing like increasing the
number of your propagandists. If
one man like yourself has been able
to do so much creditably, the magazine by all rules of the game should
�44
THE SYRIAN WORLD
survive, but it also shows how much
more might be done if you get oth- highly educational and entertaining
ers feeling they have a finger in the value of the publication. There can
pie. I rather expected when the next be no disagreement on the fact that '
issue was due to find the amount the Syrian World is an important
factor in bringing about a closer
oversubscribed, yet such is the naunity
of the Syrian race throughout
ture of our folk that they often can't the world.
see a good thing when it's offered to
Especially do I wish to record my
them, or are so "cussed" and conappreciation
of the rendition into
trary that they exhibit apathy in no
English
of
the
fine selections of
small degree. So I hardly expect you
Arabic
poetry,
which,
upon analysis,
to go very far at the moment in
prove
on
a
par
with,
if
not superior
raising $25,000 if only you measure
to, that of any other language.
it in terms of my present subscripFollowing up the splendid work
tion. Rather reminds me of the story
you
have started to bring about uniIn one of your former issues when a
fication
and cooperation between the
certain prince who made a present
scattered
Syrian communities in
of a black slave to some higher digEnghsh-speaking
countries, may we
nitary. There was in the refusal of
hope for a visit from you or any
the gift a reference to the fact that
there was no color worse than black, other racial representative to our
and no number smaller than one. shores? We would be particularly
Yet the intention may have been anxious to show Syrian-Americans
the fine country which their brothers
good.
of New Zealand have adopted.
(Editor — There can be no ques•
Simon Keruse.
T ,
tion as to the esteemed doctor's inNelson N. Z.
tention. He has shown it by an actual
subscription, and ever since the appearance of the magazine has been
AN INSPIRATION
quite active in interesting his friends
m it and making numerous gifts. Editor, The Syrian World:
He may rest assured that his subWhat an inspiration to read such
scription, although limited to one
unit, does not fall in the category lofty sentiments as expressed in the
of black slaves but rather of that sayings of G. K. Gibran and Dr. Saof the beautiful white slave-girls
Hm Y. Alkazin! In fact the high
noted for their accomplishments and
so highly-prized by the Arabs. Nor standard maintained by The Syrian
is his gift in danger of being re- World is a credit to our people and
fused.)
speaks plainer than words can express of the ability of your contributors. It makes me feel proud of
AN INVITATION
being a Syrian. Would that your
Open to anyone who can afford the
message could be carried into every
cost!
Syrian home in America that our
Editor, The Syrian World:
young generation may appreciate the
As a subscriber to your valued worth of their racial extraction.
magazine in a distant land, permit
Joseph S. Joseph.
me to express my admiration for the Cleveland, Ohio.
t
i
•i
*
�JANUARY, 1931
45
Political Developments in Sy na
SYRIA
The present political situation in
Syria permits of two interpretations:
either the problem is so hard of solution that those at the helm of affairs cannot see the light out of
their difficulties; or that they are
confident of their hold on the situation and are deliberately procrastinating for reasons of their own. The
Plain truth is that matters have
dragged so long through the apparently dilatory tactics of M. Ponsot
that many observers are admittedly
at sea as what to make of his motives.
But one of the most outspoken
statements coming from a responsible source is the assertion of the
Syrian correspondent of Al-Mokattam of Egypt that far from being
at a loss for a solution of the Syrian problem, the French are deliberately introducing elements of delay to wear out the patience of the
Syrians. What lends more weight to
the statement is that the paper publishing it is manifestly of Nationalist sympathies, advocating complete
independence for Syria on the assumption that the Syrians can and
should rule themselves.
That it
should give expression to such a
feeling as that contained in the letter of its Beirut correspondent would
indicate the existence of a grave
turn of affairs admitting complete
mastery by the French over the
situation.
Analyzing the evolution of the
political problem in Syria, the correspondent makes the bold assertion
that the French now are deliberately
putting off the elections or the taking of any definite steps towards a
final solution because of their conviction that this is the most effective
remedy for tempering the radicalism of the Syrians.
"The French High Commissariat,"
according to the correspondent "intends to continue the policy of procrastination which it has so far
pursued in dealing with the Syrian
problem and withhold from setting a
definite date for the elections. By
this policy it expects to temper the
excesses which the various Nationalist blocs in Damascus indulged in
in framing their demands. It holds
the belief that the more it temporizes the more the Syrians will become weary of politics and give up
the struggle. As a matter of fact it
cannot be denied that this policy
has brought about the desired result
in that the extreme Nationalists
have somewhat moderated, and the
French, scenting their advantage, are
inclined to pursue it to the fullest
limits."
What, in the correspondent's opinion., is uppermost in the mind of the
High Commissioner is the reorganization of the political bureaus of
the various Syrian States and accelerating the economic rehabilitation
of the country. The first task will
fully take a month, according to the
correspondent, and the High Commissioner has been busily engaged
at it ever since his return from
France. The economic program, on
the other hand, waits upon the arrival of a commission of experts
which is scheduled to arrive from
France sometime in February or
March. Upon the findings of this economic commission will depend the
inauguration of the enterprises ex-
.,.:.:. .
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
pected to bring wealth and prosperity to the mandated territory.
give the country some form of assurance as to what it may expect.
From other sources it is learned
Reports from Damascus indicate
that preparations for the coming
that
government orders bearing on
elections are going apace in Damasthe
coming
elections required the
cus. Some reports would set the date
supervisors
of election districts to
of the e'ections as early in March,
submit
their
lists of qualified electand that instructions already have'
ors before January 10.
been issued by the High Commissariat to prepare lists of qualified
So far M. Ponsot has refrained
voters. In this connection it is said from making any official statement
that th? government of Sheikh Taj- as to his future policy, but unusual
eddin is active in lining up its forces activity has been observed at headfor the coming political struggle and quarters since the High Commissionthat all indications are in its favor. er s return from France. All his poliSeme minor parties, it is asserted
tical representatives in the various
have promised the government sup- Syrian States were summoned to a
port, while the Nationalists are said secret conference, and upon their reto have been isolated and have oth- turn to their respective posts they
erwise lost hope of success due to began to call the leading tribal and
defections in their ranks. The delay local chiefs for apparently imporattending the definition of the new tant and confidential communicaadministrative policy has had the tions. Generally speaking, the Syreffect of disorganizing the Nation- ian press now reflects a spirit of exalists, it is claimed, and many of pectancy not devoid of confidential
their leaders have given up the hopes for a decisive and fair solustruggle in despair and decided to tion.
devote their attention to their own
LEBANON
private affairs, long neglected. Rumor even persists that some of the
The Lebanese government is now
Nationalist leaders have entered into occupied with pure'y administrative
negotiations with Sheikh Tajeddin, matters, and such as are not of a
having become convinced of the fu- very important nature. Aside from
ti'ity of active resistance.
tne flurry of excitement which attended
the reception of Marshal
The Beirut correspondent of Ali'Vanchet
dEspesey, who came on a
Bassir another Egyptian newspaper
tour
of
inspection
of the mandated
discussing the evolution of the politerritory,
and
the
unveiling
of a
tical situation in Syria, makes the
monument
in
Beirut
to
the
Syrian
unqualified assertion that the French
martyrs who were executed durinnow have reached a point in their
the
war by Jama! Pasha for their
study of the Syrians that thev know
po
itical
activities for independence
the Syrians better than the latter
the
capital
went about its routine of
know themselves, and calls on the
squabbles
among
the deputies. SomePwwh I., depart from the policy of
what
of
a
sensation,
however, was
experimentation and proceed to concreated
by
a
certain
Moslem
deputv
crete action. Procrastination, he asserts, has been carried beyond rea- who in all earnestness introduced a
sonable limits, and it is now expect- bill demanding direct French administration in Lebanon and the cured of the mandatory authorities to
tai'ment
of the native ministers'
sett e on a stable policy which would
powers. This move was so radical
j
i\-
�JANUARY 1931
47
that it bordered on the ridiculous
and it was so treated by the Kepre- Pott Tort interests m Beirut are
ssmative Assembly. It transpired controlled by French capital.
Chat the deputy in question, who happens to be a large landowner, had
-at> between France and Lebanon,
taken exception to some policies of which is supposed to be the forethe Minister of the Interior affecting runner of a similar treaty to be later
taxation. The upshoot was that he entered into between France and
showed hi, btk uf faith in al, na
'Vna emphasize the arrangements
fve officials and invited complete for Lebanon's political representacontrol by the French. What lent
tion abroad, by which Lebanon is to
"'ore significance to his action was "jcy the right of maintaining politoat ha is normally of the party on\:il] '^P^sentatives not alone in
1 using the mandate.
"is, but wherever there are large
Of tha other important happen- I ebanese colonies, especially 7n
ings late y reported from Lebanon
Wh and South America. During
Js the rising up in arms of the mem'he earlier stages the Lebanese rep-.•ntatives will serve as attaches
"' - of the Representative Assembly agsinst what they termed disuh trench consulates or legations,
r gard rf their dignity and standing
out then- status is to undergo a gradin matters of procedure in official
ual modification so that in time they
functions. On two specific occasions
«" become priviVged to act inde"hen the deputies were invited they
-'lentiy. No time limit is set for
"US change.
were assigned places beneath numerous subordinates of the High
The treaty further stipulates that
Commissariat. And on the two occa^-"^ «'ill use all possible influence
sions mentioned the deputies refused
at first to attend and swallowed
to facilitate Lebanon's entry in*o
their pride only after earnest repremembership of the League of Nasentations by high government oftions at the earliest possible opporficials that their action might be
tunitv.
misconstrued as an insult to the
i rench authorities.
In diseasing the proposed treaty
the
press draws particular attention
A proposition was advanced to
to
thoss
clauses affecting French
build a railroad connecting Lebanon
control of the finances of the countrv
Jrth Palestine, but when the mandatory authorities were approached and warns native authorities against
for a verification of such a project rmdue concessions. The inference is
t-'v decared they could never that France seeks to so control fiscal
^nagement, customs regulations
sanction it for the obvious reason ;!,
"l development of economic enterthat ,t would spef the ruin of the
prises
as to paralyze native initiative
port of Beirut by diverting trade to
As regards military affairs, Prance
the port of Haifa. Even under pres"nderta&es to furnish advisers to
<nl conditions, if was explained Bei
.? <','<';i1'' ;,n ""dependent native
rut importers are storing goods in
military
force, to be used exclusively
Alexandria for transshipment as
for
nome
defense, while in case of
reeded, bv.t if storage facilities were
war
the
Lebanese
government agrees
to become available nearer home the
to.place
all
its
port
and transportaPractice is liable to become general
and cause severe losses to the home tion facilities at the disposal of the
!• rench government.
�48
THE SYRIAN WORLD
m
About Syria and Syrians
NEW YORK SYRIANS
HELP ALLEVIATE DISTRESS
given to the Ladies' Aid Society for
local charity, while the other half
Three days of every week a long will be devoted to the home for the
line of men may be seen forming aged which the Al-Kalimat Society
in Washington street and extending maintains in Aleppo. The commendat times deep into Rector street. The able custom of devoting the price
line would move slowly to St. of wreaths in funerals for some
George's Melchite church at 103 charity or public institution is growWashington street whence the men ing more general among New York
Syrians. While all Syrian papers are
would emerge with a neatly wrapped
package and a contented smile. In- devoting liberal space to appeals for
quiry reveals the fact that Mgr. donations to charity.
Considering the situation by and
Bernardos Ghosn, rector of the
church, distributes on each of these large the Syrians of the United
three days almost four hundred States are suffering less than the
double sandwiches to the unem- average, owing to their industry.
Only the papers are raising a pitiployed. It is his contribution to public charity in the present economic able wail from lack of sufficient remittances.
crisis.
Many other charitable agencies
among the Syrians of New York are
contributing their share to alleviate
the distress. The Syrian Ladies' Aid
Society this year has met the demands upon its resources splendidly,
helping scores of deserving families in a sustained and silent manner.
The Syrian Junior League gave
a Christmas party at the club-rooms
of the American-Syrian Federation
to about a hundred children and added to the cheer of entertainment
substantial gifts of food and clothing.
The Syrian Chapter of St. Vincent de Paul Society attached to the
Virgin Mary's Melchite church of
Brooklyn gave an entertainment
and dance for raising funds to help
the poor under direction of the pastor, Mgr. Paul Sanky.
The Al-Kalimat Society of New
York is giving a play on January
31 half of whose proceeds wil} be
PAPERS ON DISINFECTION
BY SYRIAN SCIENTIST
Five separate papers, representing as many stages in the science of
disinfection three of which are the
separate work of Dr. George Knaysi
and the other two prepared in collaboration with Dr. Morris Gordon
of Ithaca, N. Y., were published in
the October, 1930 issue of Infectious
Diseases and later reprinted in
pamphlet form. The papers cover
the whole range of disinfection in the
most exhaustic scholarly treatment.
Suffice it to give the titles as an indication of the wider range: 1 The
development of knowledge of disinfection. 2—The manner of death of
certain bacteria and yeasts when
subjected to mild chemical and physical agents, 3—The taking up of
iodine by yeast cells. 4—Do bacteria
die logarithmically? 5—Some properties-of frequency curves and their
use in studies of disinfection.
I
*,
�JANUARY, 1931
49
SYRIAN GOLF CLUB
HOLDS FIRST DINNER
n
a patient auditor and witness. Miss
Emilia Hall niece of George A.
Ferris, dean of Syrian lawyers in
New York, gave several well appreciated piano selections, as did her
teacher and uncle the well-known
composer Alexander Maloof. Gene
Trabulsi led a men's quartet in a
number of breezy songs.
A glance at the program is sufficient testimony to the spirit of the
club and an indication of its efficient
management. It tells in picture and
legend the story of the evolution of
golf from Adam (of blessed memory) up to our contemporary age.
Judging by the chronological portrayal, it would appear that clubs
and balls were wielded throughout
all ages and to very good purpose.
it was not before known that the
club's president was a poet, but he
must have been exceptionally inspired since he took up the game, as
shown by the three well directed
Strokes, (here meaning stanzas)
which may be interpreted not only
as a golfer's excuse for his desertion of home but a bid to join Syramar. They are copied from the
program.
YOU DON'T PLAY GOLF
Brother, I tell you when your health
is low,
When your lively pace has become
too slow,
When lines of worry have started
to grow,
There is one thing wrong that I
want you to know. . .
You don't play golf.
It was a gay affair that the Syramar Golf Club of New York held
at the Delia Robia Room of the Vanderbilt Hotel on the evening of Saturday, January 24th. This occasion,
however, was not one of wielding
niblicks and driving to holes. It was
a purely social endeavor calculated
to promote a spirit of good fellowship, cultivate a proper appreciation for the clean, healthy game of
golf and help drive away the gloom
and depression that seem to have
taken possession of men's souls.
Golfers, as a class, are incorrigible
optimists, and what was seen of
their buoyant spirits on this occasion proved them to be confirmed enthusiasts of the good things of life.
The dinner and the music were
excellent, and the 250 attendance
went at the dancing and merrymaking, figuratively speaking, in
their shirt sleeves. The figure applies to men, because ladies were
conventionally unsleeved, and they
represented a fine collection of figures. The dancing lasted until the
wee hours of the morning.
The courses of entertainment were
as varied and wholesome as the
courses of the dinner. There were
speeches and singing and music.
Richard Macksoud, chairman of the
entertainment committee, acted as
master of ceremonies. He proved
both masterly and unceremonious.
Miss Elvira Halal, who was said to
be headed in a bee line for the Metropolitan Opera, gave a fine exhibiWhen you reach your home on
tion of her talents. Henry Hadad,
dragging feet,
President of Syramar, made a pubYour wife, tho smiling, you fail to
lic profession of faith in the omnigreet;
potence of the golf mania, the fact
You sit at the table but cannot eat,
that it desolates so many homes and
The thing that's wrong—I want
creates so many so-called golf wito repeat
dows notwithstanding. His wife was
You don't play golf.
§
�50
THE SYRIAN WORLD
f
Miss Elvira Halal, gifted
If at length you take to the green
and sky
And count your strokes, where'er
you lie
And watch them mounting hundreds
high;
You try to improve, but the more
you try
The more you dub, the more you
sigh...
Don't swear my friend — don't
wonder why
You don't play golf.
—Henry Hadad
LOS ANGELES SOCIETY
GIVES BENEFIT DANCE
The Syrian Young Men's Society
of i,os Angeles California, held a
Renefit Charity Dance on December
19 the proceeds of which were de-
joung Syrian singer
voted to help Syrian families in
need in and around Los Angeles
during the Christmas season. Although the admission was set at 50c
voluntary donations of money, clothing and food were expected to swell
the total of the charity fund and
otherwise provide comfort and cheer
to the needy.
FORMER U. S. CONSUL
IN SYRIA DIES
William Stanley Hollis, former
American consul in Syria during the
World War, died at his home in
Chevy Chase, Md., at the age of 66,
following a stroke.
Through the courage and resourcefulness of Mr. Hollis thousands of
refugees who were fleeing the Turks
were aided in their escape from the
\ i
�JANUARY, 1931
51
country. He was also charged at
that time with the protection of allied subjects and interests.
At the end of the war he was detailed to duty in London, and was
later transferred to Lisbon where he
served for seven years.
I I
MALOOF PLAYS FOR
EINSTEIN AND TAGORE
(From the Musical Courrier, New
York, January 3, 1931.)
Alexander Maloof, one of New
York's well known musicians, was
soloist at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on
December 7 for the New History
Society at a special reception given
in honor of Sir Rabindranath Tagore,
the poet and philosopher. The affair
was sponsored by Louis Stuyvesant
Chanler, former Lieutenant Governor
of New York State, and Mrs. Chanler.
Mr. Maloof's piano playing won
instant recognition especially when
he played his own Rhapsody Orientale. This number is an original composition and he performed it in a
manner which convinced his audience immediately of his qualifications as pianist and composer. After
Tagore's entrance, Mme. Fedora
Kurban, a soprano, sang a song composed by Mr. Maloof for the occasion. The music was set to a poem
by Tagore, and after Mme. Kurban's
rendition the original manuscript
was presented to Tagore by the
composer. The famous poet was
deeply touched.
Mr. Maloof's playing at Tagore's
reception was so enthusiastically received by the large audience that
the New History Society re-engaged
him to play at the reception given
in honor of Prof. Albert Einstein,
December 14, in the grand ballroom
of the Ritz Carlton Hotel. His play-
Prof. Alexander Maloof
ing again was well received. It was
on this occasion that Einstein delivered his first speech in America, the
subject of which was world peace.
Mr. Maloof has done considerable
concert work of late, and at one of
his concerts given for the N. Y.
Tribune Fresh Air Fund at the
Marks Memorial Auditorium, he
played before a large Dutchess
County audience the Twelfth Hungarian Rhapsody by Liszt, also the
second and the Rondo Capriccio
(Mendelssohn) and several Chopin
numbers, all of which were well received and warmly praised by the
press.
Mr. Maloof is also widely known
as a conductor, having done considerable radio work for the National
Broadcasting Co. and the Bamberger
Symphony Orchestra over WOR with
success. He has also made records
for the Victor Company and some
piano recordings for the Duo-Art.
This talented musician needs no
�JHRhl '-:..
52
introduction to the musical world
whenever Oriental music is mentioned, as he is recognized as one
of its foremost exponents in America, having written several volumes
of this kind of music and having
perfected this type to the extent
that it is sought after by large symphony orchestras and well-known
conductors. He wrote the music to
the Oriental Ballet performed by
Adolf Bohm and the music for the
late Rochanaias Oriental dances.
These numbers were played at Carnegie Hall by the New York Symphony Orchestra under the direction
of Walter Damrosch. However, Mr.
Maloof does not confine his composition to Oriental music only, as he
has to his credit many Occidental
compositions, one especially well
known entitled, For Thee America,
a national anthem endorsed by Mr.
Damrosch and other well-known
celebrities. This anthem was officially
adopted by the New York Board of
Education and also in other cities in
America and is sung daily at many
<»f the public schools throughout the
United States.
CRANE SAILS TO VISIT
KING IBN SAOUD
Charles R. Crane and his movements will ever be a subject of interest to Syrians because of his own
great interest in them and in Arabic-speaking countries and Eastern
peoples in general. It will be recalled
that this wealthy and philanthropic
American had a memorable experience with the French authorities in
Syria in 1923 when he was accused
of having indirectly incited the Syrians to revolution. It was erroneously
reported at the time that he had been
court-martialed and sentenced to
twenty years' imprisonment if he
^Hw^^nwuwvuwigiHMaHffiQRpgMningHBnH
THE SYRIAN WORLD
were apprehended in Syrian territory.
Now Mr. Crane has sailed from
New York on January 23 to visit
King Ibn Saoud of AI-Hijaz whom
he characterizes as the "most important man in the Arab world since
the time of Mohammed."
Mr. Crane is also the friend of
Imam Yahya of Al-Yaman to whom
he has made lately a gift of a modern bridge to be erected in a pass
on the road leading to the capital
San'a.
From Arabia Mr. Crane will proceed to China where press dispatches
report that he has been appointed
honorary political adviser to the
Nanking government. His first connection with Far Eastern affairs was
in f908 when he was named by President Taft Minister to China. At a
stop-off in Chicago en route to China
a speech he made angered Japan,
and he was recalled before sailing.
Later he joined the Democratic party
and was named Minister to Peking
by President Wilson.
For many years Mr. Crane has
contributed generously to various
philanthropies in China.
AL-YAMAN SHOWN
IN MOTION PICTURE
Al-Yaman, an independent country
along the southwestern coast of the
Arabian Peninsula now ruled by AlImam Yahya, has for the first time
on record been shown in motion pictures. This has been made possible
through the enterprise of a SovietGerman Commission which obtained
a special permit from Al-Imam for
the purpose.
As a film of exploration and travel, Al-Yaman should hold forth
special interest particularly to those
interested in Arabia. It is being
»
*
�JANUARY, 1931
53
shown by the R. K. O. Corporation
at the Cameo Theatre. New York.
Reading Rihani's
latest book
"Arabian Peak and Desert," dealing
particularly with Al-Yaman, one gets
a vivid impression of this little frequented part of Arabia. But the impression is naturally greatly enhanced by the motion picture scenes.
The architectural beauty of the
dwellings of Sana, the capital, is
fully demonstrated.
Only in the sense that music is
given with the pictorial presentation may Al-Yaman be called a
talking picture. An attempt was
made to introduce Oriental tunes as
accompaniment, but the effort falls
short of expectation. The value of
the film rests solely on its pictorial
merits, which are considerable.
INSTALLING WIRELESS
IN ARABIAN DESERT
Press dispatches from London on
January 6 stated that a contract had
just been signed between King Ibn
Saoud and the Marconi company for
fifteen wireless stations, which will
link every important centre in the
joint kingdom of Hedjaz and Nejd.
Within eighteen months it will be
possible to flash instantaneous messages from the Red Sea to the Persian Gulf across the desert which
Colonel T. E. Lawrence took weeks
to cross during the World War.
Even the holy city of Mecca will
have its wireless telephone and telegraph. Within the sacred precincts,
where none but believers may enter,'
a Mohammedan engineer will be'
placed in charge of installing the
powerful receiving and transmitting
apparatus.
The dispatch further stated that
the King has also ordered four
portable sets, fixed on motor trucks,
so he can keep in constant touch
with his capitals, Mecca and Riyadh,
during the journeys into the desert.'
Commenting editorially on this
development, the New York Times,
after referring to the hardships undergone by Doughty and Lawrence
in their wanderings in the desert,
gives expression to the following
friendly sentiment:
"And now what was the solitude
is to become audible and is also to
speak in its own language to the
rest of the world. Even the sacred
city, which only believers are permitted to enter, may hear giaour
voices. Across the stretches of desert music will sing to villages and
walled towns that have sat solitary
and voiceless by the water of oases
in the midst of a land of 'rocky
'lava drifts girt in by savage crater
'peaks.' May their own voices be
strong enough to reach our shores
and let us share with them the
charms of the vast desert. If another wish were to be added, it
would be that we might hear voices
that have spoken there in the ages
past, evoked from its long silent
ether."
IRAQ ENTERING INTO
FAMILY OF NATIONS
A wireless dispatch to the New
York Times from Baghdad on Jan.
23 announced that the Iraqian government had just adopted a resolution authorizing King Feisal to sign
the Iraqian-Anglo-American treaty
and protocol which were concluded
January 9.
The treaty embodies an acknowledgment by the United States of
special relations between Great Britain and Iraq. Under the treaty
American citizens are to enjoy all
rights given to citizens of members
�54
of the League of Nations, while the
United States also agrees to suspend capitulatory rights which are
not granted now to any League
member.
Article III authorizes
Americans to hold property in Iraq
in accordance with international
law, without any preference or concession over other powers.
The protocol acknowledges that
Iraq has the right of eminent domain. Eeligious liberty is guaranteed
to Americans as well as all other
foreigners, while Iraq maintains the
right to apply laws for the maintenance of public order, security and
the like to all American institutions
in the country.
One of the most important articles of the treaty stipulates that,
although the relations established
between the United States and Iraq
under this treaty are based on the
special relations between Iraq and
Britain, any modification introduced
into the latter's relations will not
affect America's rights unless acknowledged and approved by her.
The treaty is to terminate when
the special relations between Iraq
and Britain end which will come
about when Iraq joins the League of
Nations next year, thus abrogating
the triple treaty and requiring negotiations between the United States
and Iraq for a new agreement.
RICH DISCOVERY OF
GREEK ART IN SYRIA
What is considered the most important archaeological discovery in
Syria
of
Greek
colonial
architecture has just been made at
Alexandretta, which used to be the
main port of Syria in the time of
Alexander the Great, according to a
wireless dispatch from Beirut to the
New York Times dated Jan. 24.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Pere Boulos Shammas Kaldans, a
native Syrian priest, working independently, uncovered a magnificent
Greek palace in excellent condition,
dating back to the fifth century B.
C. Several compartments and corridors shed new light on the life,
customs and culture of ancient Greek
aristocrats.
The first room, which was named
after Hercules, contains a statue of
this Greek god handing a wand to
Mercury, who is standing near by.
The same chamber contains a large
porcelain bath with water pipes
leading to it. In the middle of this
bath is a tall fountain encircled by
pillars which have been dislodged
from their original position, probably
owing to an earthquake. Apparently
this "Hercules room" was a luxurious bathroom for a noble Greek
family living in ancient Syria.
In the southern part of the room
was found a mosaic portico of a
beautiful design, while near by was
a shattered statue of a man and
woman.
Two other rooms lead off this
chamber one containing a statue
of a goddess, bearing a legible inscription in ancient Greek, "Aritotha the First." Facing the statue is
a fountain constructed in mosaic.
The second room contains a bust of
Archelaus, hero of the Greek wars,
bearing an inscription in this name.
Another room has a statue of
Cupid with his two wings intact,
bearing bow and arrows. This room
was named after the bird of paradise which with a pomegranate tree,
form a statuary group in the middle of the room. The same chamber
also contains a statue of an ancient
plower, as well as a statue of Nineveh, builder of the old Syrian city
of the same name.
Another room contains a splendid
statue of the sea god Poseidon, car-
i
•!
�JANUARY, 1931
f
<i
rying a serpent and trident, while
to the left Cupid rides a dolphin,
at t'he same time extracting a red
fish from the ocean.
Among other discoveries were a
considerable number of coins, chandeliers, porcelain jars and earthenware sti 1 bearing the trade-mark of
the manufacturers, while bronze
candlesticks cast in one piece were
also found.
Probably the most outstanding
find of this marvelous collection is
a representation of a terrestrial
globe spinning on its axis, with both
north and south poles clearly shown.
The French authorities have placed
the excavations under a very strict
guard.
SYRIANS OF BOSTON
JOIN IMMIGRATION PROTEST
The proposal to halt immigration
into the United States entirely for
periods of from two to five years
prompted leaders of various racial
groups in Boston to hold a meeting
of protest and communicate their
disapproval to Congress.
Greeks, Italians, Jews and Syrians
were represented at the meeting
which was held on December 13 and
reported by the Boston Herald of
that date. The spokesman for the
Syrians was Elias F. Shamon, an
attorney and president of the Massachusetts Syrian Association of
American Citizens. The Boston paper reported him as having summed
up the objections to the proposed
complete ban on immigration as
follows:
Only 123 Syrians are permitted
to enter the United States yearly,
and to pass the proposed measure
would do a great injustice to a land
which has been sorely neglected by
the so-called ethnologists set up by
55
Congress to determine the nationality of people in this country under
the national origin act.
The present protective law is sufficient, and to pass an act of complete annihilation of immigration
will be interpreted by the world not
as a protective measure, not as an
aid in the interests of ameliorating
economic conditions, but rather will
be viewed, and rightly so, in the
light of the vindictive and acrimonious proponent of the national
origin act, as more fuel added to
the fire which preceded the welding
of that act.
SYRIAN-AMERICAN BANK
PROJECT MEETS SNAG
The Beirut papers of December
report that the project of the Syrian-American Bank which had started with great promise has been
temporarily discontinued owing to
differences among the organizers.
The principal mover in this enterprise had been Mr. Paul Knabenshue, now American consul at
Jerusalem and for many years previously stationed at Beirut. He was
in America last year in the interest
of enlisting the support of American financiers for the proposed institution. It was reported at the
time that he had succeeded in raising in New York a large proportion
of the necessary one-millon capital.
The principal cause of disagreement, according to reports, is that
Mr. Knabenshue insisted upon receiving 5 per cent, of the capital investment as his commission for organizing the bank, to which the Syrian stockholders objected, and upon
finally breaking with Mr. Knabenshue they entered into direct communication with American capitalists for a new basis of understanding.
�H
II
THE SYRIAN WORLD
56
The annual ball has always drawn
many prominent persons from
Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens.
FAR ROCKAWAY MERCHANTS
HONOR SYRIAN MEMBER
George C. Dagher
Popular Political Leader
The civic zeal of A. J. Tannous,
prominent Syrian merchant of Far
Rockaway, N. Y.. has so impressed
members of the local Chamber of
Commerce that they gave a banquet
in his honor which was held at the
principal local hotel the latter part
of November and was attended by
ever a hundred representative business men.
Mr. Tannous was chairman of the
Dollar Day Committee whose activities under his leadership were
attended with exceptional success.
He was presented with a silver cigarette case as a token of the business
men's appreciation.
REPUBLICAN CLUB
TO HONOR DAGHER
It is a pleasure to note the continuous rise of our countryman
George C. Dagher in esteem and
popularity.
The Brooklyn Times reports that
members of the 1st A. D. Republican
Organization, of which George C.
Dagher is leader and executive member, are making plans for their 21st
annual ball to be given at the Elks*
Club on Boerum PI., Tuesday night,
Feb. 10.
It will mark the first ball under
the leadership of Dagher. continues
the paper, and because of his successful bringing together of the
various factions which existed prior
to his assuming the leadership role,
his friends have designated the event
as "Dagher Night" in honor of the
leader.
IHHHMi
SYRIAN BOY'S BRAVERY
HAS TRAGIC RESULT
On the afternoon of December 8 a
hold-up man entered the grocery
store of a Syrian, Thomas Rizk in
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in the guise of
a customer and When the proprietor
was off his guard whipped a gun and
ordered him to hold up his hands.
Rizk complied and the robber was
about to rifle the cash register when
Rizk's son, a lad of nine, entered the
store and quickly realizing the situation picked up a butcher's knife to
attack the robber in defense of his
father. The robber thwarted in his
designs, fired a shot at the father
and fled the store. The shot proved
fatal and the little hero was overcome with grief.
--
a*
�
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
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Salloum A. Mokarzel
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
New York Public Library
Publisher
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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>
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English
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Processed by Claire A. Kempa, 2015-2017. Collection Guide written by Claire A. Kempa, 2017.
Collection Guide updated by Laura Lethers, 2023 August.
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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.
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NS 0002
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TSW1931_01reducedWM
Title
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The Syrian World Volume 05, Issue 05
Date
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1931 January
Description
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Volume 5 Issue 05 of The Syrian World published January 1931. The issue opens with Salloum Mokarzel's telling of his trip through Jebel-Druze and its capital of Soueida, which lies in the very heart of the country, the scene of the Great Druze Revolt (1925-1927) only a few years prior. Next are two works by Thomas Asa, one a poem titled "The Rose," and the second an article titled "Ancient Nations in the Near East," in which he speaks on Voltaire's discussion of the cultural greatness of Syrian ancestry. Asa's presentation of this information is an important contribution to the Syrian World and in the lives of researchers and readers. It is important because of the fact that it showcases the infamous philosopher’s praise of the cultural wealth and significance of Syria and its people. Following a work by Gibran, A.F. Zainey brings about the discussion of Christmas in other lands, which is an informative account of the customs observed during the Yuletide celebrations in Syria. Following a poem by J.D. Carlyle there are a number of translated poems by Abu-Tayeb presented in The Syrian World (trans. by Amin Beder). French author Alice Poulleau then gives her account of Syria, before Toufik Moufarrige describes Egypt. After another installment of "Ali Zaibaq," The editor Salloum Mokarzel discusses the young generation. His primary focus is the concept that they seem to think themselves more intelligent than their predecessors and parents. Finally the issue closes with a discussion on the situation in Palestine, the Reader's Forum, political developments in Syria, and excerpts from the Arab press about Syria and Syrians.
Subject
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Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals
Arabs--United States--Periodicals
Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals
Language
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English
Creator
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Salloum A. Mokarzel
Syrian-American Press
Source
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New York Public Library
Publisher
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Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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104 Greenwich St., New York, NY
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Text/pdf
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Text
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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.
1930s
Alice Poulleau
Christmas
Druze
Egypt
English
Kahlil Gibran
New York
Poetry
Thomas Asa
Toufik Moufarrige
Travel
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/4e7cf8959b978be1ca3c574d3352ed00.pdf
2705acc1fa058c5f6c0476f5dfc463a8
PDF Text
Text
JUNE. 1931
VOL. V. No. 10.
THE
SYRIAN WORLD
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING
WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE
CHRISTIAN-MOSLEM UNDERSTANDING
REV. W. A. MANSUR
A GREAT ARAB FIGURE PASSES
PALMYRA A GLORIOUS LANDMARK
WADAD J. KH. MQKDIEY
REVELATION
BY G. K. GIBRAN
PARADOX (A SHORT STORY)
BY EDNA K. SALOQMEY
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA
ALI ZAIBAQ (QUICKSILVER)
THE COPY 50c
(A SERIAL)
��SYRIAN WORLD
Published monthly except July and August
by
THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS
104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y.
jBy subscription $5.00 a year.
Single Copies 50c.
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. V. No. 10.
JUNE, 1931
CONTENTS
PAGE
Christian-Moslem Understanding
Rev. W. A. Mansur
A Quatrain of A l-Mutattabbi
Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin
13
The Syrian World to Continue
An Editorial Announcement
14
A Great A rab Figure Passes
16
Palmyra a Glorious Landmark
Wadad J. Kh. Mackdicy
19
Lines to a Lover
23
J. D. Carlvle
.
..
.
...
.
�"' "":
'."I.IWW
CONTENTS (Continued)
PAGE
Revelation
By KahJil Gibran — Translated by Andrew Ghareeb
Backgammon
J. A. Barraket
/ Was Heart-Fret
Thomas Asa
Paradox
(A Short Story)
Edna K. Saloomey
Eternity and Love
Dagny Edwards
ili-Zaibaq
(A Serial)
R eaders' Forum
Political Developments in Syri
na
I bout Syria and Syrians
25
26
28
29
34
i
35
42
44
47
�IN THIS ISSUE
For Those Who Would Know the High Lights of the
Material in This Number.
READERS of The Syrian
World will be especially
interested in the announcement
appearing in this issue on the
future of the magazine. It embobies the result of the symposium held on the subject
among our readers. The result
was reached only after full consideration of the prospects based on the moral support pledged by a number of our loyal
friends who viewed the discontinuation of the publication as a
distinct educational loss to our
young generation and a blow to
our racial prestige. We have
implicit faith in their loyalty.
* # * #
RELIGIOUS dissension has
from time immemorial
been the great bane of the East.
What has prevailed in the past,
however, need not continue in
the future. In the light of
modern conditions a change in
the old order would seem
necessary for the elimination of
those very factors which have
so far retarded the East in the
march of progress. Patriots
have long analyzed this as the
East's worst ill and prescribed
religious tolerance. In several
instances during the two last
decades Christian and Moslem
religious leaders made public
demonstrations of discarding
old prejudices. They embraced and made public avowal of
unending brotherhood.
But
the effects of ages cannot be
eradicated in a day. It is therefore necessary to continue the
effort relentlessly. And now
we have the case of a Christian
minister offering his hand in a
spirit of brotherhood to fellow
Syrian Moslems. Of his sincerity there cannot be the least
doubt, because this is a pronounced characteristic of the
Rev. W. A. Mansur, who is
well known to our readers. He
eloquently explains his motives
in the article appearing in thus
issue on the subject.
* * * *
Gibran wrote his
K AHLIL
first works exclusively in
Arabic, and many of his early
writings were never before
translated. Andrew Ghareeb,
who, with the written permission of Gibran, translated not a
few
of the latter's Arabic
�poems into English during the
poet's lifetime, now offers Syrian World readers an exquisite
piece which he had submitted
to Gibran shortly before his
death and received his sanction
for its publication. Mr. Ghareeb has promised further similar contributions in the future.
* * * *
BACKGAMMON, once a favorite pastime in America,
has recently staged a sensational
comeback. Like many other
games, its origin is rooted in the
ancient East where it continues
to be played extensively. Few
are the Syrian homes in America where the board and other
apurtenances of the game may
not be found, and the young
generation will find in the article of Mr. J. A. Barrakett a
valuable aid to its proper understanding.
[^ONG and strenuous have
been the trials of Ali Zaibaq
who sought only the honor of
becoming the chief of the secret police of Al-Aziz. Once
he falls in disgrace but soon
(emerges out of his difficulties
with flying colors. The adventure of the cave of Barnish
will be the last the Arab raconteur will tell us for this series,
as it was not intended to have
brave Ali continue with us for
more than a year. For the adventurous-minded, however, a
synopsis is published of what
follows in Ali's strange career.
He is commanded to present
himself before Caliph Haroun
Al-Rashid and there falls in
love with the daughter of Dalila, his bitter and relentless
enemy. The denouement of
the story is given for the benefit of the readers.
* * * *
AMERICANS find the 'SyrjYJISS Wadad Mackdicy made
ian World a credit to our
the trans-desert trip to Bag- race. Miss Laura Williams,
dad in the Fall of last year to who frankly admits not having
take up her duties as teacher in known the Syrians sufficiently
one of the government schools. well heretofore, voices the opiAlthough a native of Syria she nion of herself and "her class
had never before braved a de- of Americans.3"
sert journey and seen the ma* * *
jestic ruins of Palmyra. Her
first experience she describes in yHe news department in this
an article which she contributes
issue is exceptionally interto the Syrian World.
esting
and will be found to sat* * * #
isfy the most exacting.
�TFFP
SYRIAN WORLD
SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL, Editor.
VOL. V. No. 10.
JUNE, 1931
Christian-Moslem Understanding
(A Syrian Christian's Challenge to Moslems of Modern rimes)
'By
REV.
W. A.
MANSUR
"WHOEVER, therefore, is striving to bring about a better
understanding between.the adherents of these two world
religions (Christianity and Islam) is certainly helping to solve
a most knotty problem on the solution of which much of the
tuture happiness and peace of the world will depend." (Dr Philip K. riitti, THE SYRIAN WORLD, April 1929 )
ter JfrX^ *F f°r ^T Christkn pr°Phets 'to Promote a better understanding, it is the season for Syrian Christian heralds
to pubhsh a fraternal fellowship, and it is the age for Syrian
Christen leadersh.p to proclaim a higher cooperation between
Christians and Moslems.
Too long have we considered our differences, our superiorities, our animosities; it is time we reflect upon our religious agreements our social aspirations, our human considerations. Let us
take the better way toward a better understanding: religion not
theology, tolerance not bigotry, appreciation not defamation cooperation not arrogance.
'
For ages human hearts have longed for the day of better unetWee
adh£ rentS f
and Isl
The
, is here
° <*****
-ihe dat
day wili
will soon V^
be here, (it
in many hearts) when
Christians and Moslems will live together in enlightenment
tolerance, cooperation, and brotherhood.
gnrenment,
One of the earliest recollections of my life is mv love for
the Moslem people. One of the vivid impressionLTmvIch o
days is my desire to come to better understanding with Moslem
�I
6
THE SYRIAN WORLD
believers. One of the hopes of my life is to see the aggressive
promotion of better understanding between Christians and Moslems I hereby proclaim to Christian and Moslem alike that I
was born a Christian, that I choose to be a Christian, that I want
to die a Christian; and, furthermore, I want my Moslem brother
to do likewise toward his Islamic faith should he choose to do so
it is on the basis of humanity, brotherhood, and cooperation that
I ask you to reflect upon the following considerations toward a
better understanding between Christians and Moslems.
/. A Better Understanding Through App-ecmtion.
A better understanding between Christians and Moslems will
come through appreciation founded on understanding, sympathy
and fellowship. Too long has ignorance ruled our thinking too
long have prejudices swayed our passions, too long have ancient
grudges held us captives. It is time we speak the language of
common human needs, common human limitations, ancfcommon
human failures. The day of appreciation based on courtesy, consideration and respect is here to usher an era of sympathetic
r
understanding.
"Now that the silence of the centuries has been broken," says
Ernest R. Trattner, "the Jew to-day can actually talk and write
about Jesus in a free and unrestrained manner. He is no longer
afraid of being persecuted by Christians for theological error nor
is he m dread of being checked by the suspicions of his own
people, suspicions that have fostered the notion that he who
shows the slightest admiration for Jesus is a disloyal son of Israel.
I his is evidenced of late by two noteworthy books which have
put in their appearance: Joseph Klausner's scholarly and critical
study entitled "Jesus of Nazareth" (originally in Hebrew): and
^mii Ludwig s poetic and imaginative work called "Son of Man"
(originally written in German). Both volumes are of unusual
merit and augur well for the future since they indicate the growing capacity of the Jew to reinterpret the past with fairness and
insight."
Let us make a new appraisal on the ground of fairness, insight, and sympathetic appreciation. Let disinterested search after
truth bind our hearts and minds in a common fellowship. Let
good-will be the motive to guide our search after truth. Let mutual courtesy guard us against jealousy, hatred, prejudice, and
blindness. Let our common humanity, common weaknesses, and
�JUNE, 1931
7,
common aspirations lift us to the realms of human brotherhood,
human sympathy, and human generosity. Let tolerance inspire
m us freedom of thought and worship, forgiveness of intolerance
and lJl-wilI, and appreciation of truth and honesty.
//. A Better Understanding Through Cooperation.
Active intelligent, and progressive cooperation will help bring
better understanding between Christians and Moslems. Hitherto
it has been an individual matter, henceforth it shall be a social
matter. H,therto it has been in secret, henceforth it shall be in
the open. Hitherto it has been in fear, henceforth it shall be in
faith We are at the beginning of an era of progressive understanding between Christians and Moslems which is conceived in
appreciation, empowered by cooperation, and motivated bv welfare.
*
T. H. Huxley said, "The practice of that which is ethically
best—what we call goodness or virtue—involves a course of conduct which, m all respects, is opposed to that which leads to success in the cosmic struggle for existence. In place of ruthless
self-assertion it demands self-restraint; in place of thrusting
aside, or treading down, all competitors, it requires that the individual shall not merely respect, but shall help his fellows: its
influence is directed, not so much to the survival of the fittest
as to the fitting of as many as possible to survive. It repudiates
the gladiatorial theory of existence. If demands that each man
who enters into the enjoyment of the advantages of a polity shall
be mindful of his debt to those who have laboriously constructed
it; and shall take heed that no act of his weakens the fabric in
which he has been permitted to live. Laws and moral precepts
are directed to the end of curbing the cosmic process and reminding the individual of his duty to the community, to the protection and influence of which he owes, if not existence itself, at
least the life of something better than a brutal savage." (Quoted
by Sir Richard Gregory in Discovery: The Sprit and Service ofJ
Science.)
Cooperation is the law that rules in earth and tree, in sky and
star, in animal and man. It is not struggle for existence but
struggle for assistance; not self-interest but self-sacrifice; not
live and let live, but live and help live that should rule in the
attairs of men and nations. Let us do away with our arrogances
our supremacies, our animosities. Let us minimize our differ-
�I
THE SYRIAN WORLD
ences, and enlarge upon our agreements. Let us work toe-ether
for our greater happiness. Let us organize toward greter good
g£ progress and prospenty, and thereby Jive, let live, and Mp
///. A Better Understanding Through Democracy.
for utttoHare,f0Theedd0m "t ^ *" **» °f
hU
" h«*
dom -religious political, mental, and otherwise, and it reaches
them,» says ArdaserTorC N Wad a ZnTtE^fST
hammed. "And as the nreferts „ \l
, Mwf»*« °/ *?<>t he r SCTeral
followed the
L
Provinces strictly
mr f !J
J '
that while in Europe and the r^t- „f A : *u s er^ statement
no recognized civil rl^
f
, SU the peoPle Possessed
joyed, though in a rudimentary fo
leges of a real democracy "
ti basic riX
*? *
'
"ghts and P -
J H Uham m c/
*«^*t/iSr^3
- '?
foundation for belief in h'e'vaC of^f^ ".""""ilaUe
-hem.; ft invites us to co-operate with W "aTj^S
ation^of Th?bumarfi^uair ^S^ ^ T*
�JUNE, 1931
g
meat that shall transcend race, color, creed and circumstance
through the common brotherhood.
IV: A Better Understanding Through Welfare.
^ ^uma!iuwelfare is the paramount issue for Christian and
Moslem. I he issue is not whether a certain political theory shall
survive; it is not whether a particular religious philosophy shall
conquer; it is not whether a favoured race shall dominate The
paramount issue for Christian and Moslem is whether human
welfare shall be supreme; whether human values shall be firstwhether human kindness shall be dominant.
"The common task of the world over today," says Bishop
John Francis McConnell in Human Needs and World Christiantty, is increasingly to exalt the human values. It does not detract from the distinctiveness of Christianity to admit that many
non-Christian communities are striving at this same task * * *
The only deadly heresy, in the opinion of Jesus, was to'get a
wrong view of men. For theological mistakes Jesus had amazing
chanty. A man might make mistakes about God, and the mistakes could be overlooked until they could be corrected, but mistakes about men were much more deadly."
Here we set forth a touchstone for our better understanding
between Christians and Moslems: Let our attitudes, relations,
and actions be motivated by the highest standard of human values
Ihe home demands our highest ideals, the school calls for the
best standards, the community solicits our best endeavors business invites our finest principles, the nation needs our sincerest
cooperation. Let that religion be highly esteemed that contributes
to the enhancement of human welfare, let that people be richly
honored that adds to the enrichment of society, let that leadership
be praised that leads in vision, achievement, and progress
Let Christians and Moslems join to answer the challenge of
the hour: to rid humanity of poverty; to abolish prejudice ignorance, and hate; to smite the god of war, the pestilence of
ill-will, and the plague of selfishness. Come, my brothers Moslem and Christian,, let us join hands to bring friendship, love
and truth in the service of the welfare of mankind.
V. A Better Understanding Through Education.
A better understanding between xMoslems and Christians will
come through universal education, diffusion of knowledge, and
�10
. THE SYRIAN WORLD
-tad of enlightenment, byVejufe .stefd £sympathy' 7*
M
*
f'
a,,d Uve d
t
'" f
the rarth
of the gods of earth, sea and sky
SasSJ£nt£*«
> -^
evolution, the .control of nature by man and the v.W
f T
A better understanding between Moslems and Christians can
be predicated on common, universal and compulsoVfedu ation
True education enables us to appreciate the gifts'o other peopk"
helps us recognize common human limitations; and enlightens^
to evaluate the honesty of other points of view. Pop^ XT
the assimilatii f
able the recogmt.on of what is fine amon| Mher races nations"
% seszLZs
° ^S
mmds and hearts of the rising gelS J^ ^'gf educatio f
ans
or "their
, T^f?'**
betWee
" •* *«£ and cS
57. /! S«t« Understanding Through Tolerance.
The practice of tolerance will usher in the day of better un
Freedom of worship, liberty of conscience
freedom of
�JUNE, 1931
11
thought, and liberty of expression are pillars without which humanity cannot be free, mankind cannot progress, and people
cannot live together in peace, prosperity, happiness, and liberty.
Civilization, progress, and liberty can be predicated only on the
practice of tolerance: religious, intellectual, political, racial, and
social.
The first amendment to the Constitution of the United States
says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the
freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for redress
of grievances."
Tolerance between Christians and Moslems will grow because
of an enlarged world view, because of contact with other world
religions, because of the diffusion of enlightenment among the
masses of earth. Let it be remembered that tolerance is founded
on personal choice, social relations, and human happiness, and
not on accidents of birth, birth place, or environment. Tolerance
will come through appreciation of other world cultures. Religious
brotherhood is coming through a common faith in the unity of
God, the progress of the reign of righteousness, and the increase
of human welfare everywhere. Since mankind is coming to believe in God who is the Architect, Ruler, and Governor of the
Universe; that God is all-wise, powerful, and present; that Truth
is eternal, is winning, and will prevail, tolerance is bound to win
its wav into the affairs of mankind.
I 77. A Better Understanding Through Interdependence.
Interdependence is bringing better understanding between the
adherents of Islam and Christianity. The aspiration for world
peace, abolishing of war, control of nature, uplift of men, women,
and children are making the world a unity, a community, a brotherhood. Common human needs, physical, mental, social, and religious, are destroying barriers, demolishing historic animosities, and abolishing racial, religious and social prejudices and misunderstandings. In a world made complex by democracy, commerce, emigration, internationalism, invention, discovery, and
education, the world of races, nations, and religions is finding itself bound together by ties of interdependence.
"The essential idea of the nineteenth-century nationalism,"
says H. G. Wells in The Outline of History, "was the 'legitimate
�12
THE SYRIAN WORLD
claim' of every nation
to complete sovereignty,
claim of eve
nation
£ Y, the
£ctam
t0
a], ifs afeirs
f
nd LZ:toilT°n- 7^ faW °f this idM is ^ *^Sto
part of the earth T?" COmmunity e«<=»d to the uttermost
parts or the earth. The assassination of Sarajevo in 1914. f .
example, which caused the great war, produced the utmost'dt
tress among the Inchan tribes of Labrador because the Printer
rupted the marketing of the furs upon which the rebel forsuch
necessities as ammunition, without which they could not get suf
stamtp^aZg'lforSr^5' * "Wld °f — .
A better understanding is rising between Moslems and Christ
ans due to mutual interdependence and indebted s We are
understanding better the history of religion. We are reaW
W«^aConlT^
SSSf
w e are trading on the basis of?*"*
common^^
moral principles
We sre
living on the ground of interdependence of J££?m« rlZ
ions, commerce, science, education, and world unTty' Th s' Ltef
dependence between Christens and Moslems is now creating'
ter understanding between them for their commo7welfare^ro
gress, and future peace, prosperity, and happiness.
'?
VIII. A Better Understanding Through Spiritual Brotherhood.
There are ties that make us brothers: common human needs
common human weaknesses, common human aspirations and com
mo„ human sympathies • There are conditionsPthat make for hu~
n P eJ UdlCe
M
d
ne ties
th
?£
SrSat°
ma ke ffor brotherhood
H TTJ are
*> than
S&W
f make
more
I-WP fW
separate, and among the greatest is the regard for he Rreat and
good of all ages, races nations, religions, cultures, and Suntries
There is a spiritual brotherhood whose membership
f°
membersni
limitations of race, color creed hh-fZl
P kn°ws no
who seek truth, who^oteThei^rh-0. T^^T'
AU
property of mankind. Socrates and Plato, Aris odeand ThZ
Archemides and Demosthenes, St. Chrysostom and i A
'
toe, Angelo, Rembrandt, and Bach Mendelsohn H/^
Haydn, Newton, Bacon, and Darwin ShakesnS K 7^ ' ^
Hegel and a host of other great and £5ffi££ ctS
�JUNE, 1931
IS
property of all races, creeds, and colors of mankind.
Moses and Jesus, Mohammed and Conficius, Buddha and
Zoroaster, all belong to mankind. They, and others, transcend the
limits of tribe, race, or nation; language, dialect, or sign: time,
place, or circumstance, they all belong to humanity.
Jesus and Mohammed do not belong to Arabia and Judea
alone they belong to mankind; they do not belong to Christians
and Moslems alone, they belong to humanity; they do not belong to any time, place, or theology, they belong to all the world,
all time, and all religion.
A better understanding is rising between Christians and Moslems through the spiritual brotherhood of those whose sincere
search after truth, diffusion of enlightenment, promotion of welfare, establishing of justice, and regarding of the great and good
wherever found are now increasing sincere understanding, sympathetic appreciation, and the brotherhood of mankind.
O Ye Christian and Moslem brothers, come join me in the
better understanding between Christians and Moslems in all the
earth.
Let us abolish outgrown opinions that still rule our minds.
Let us destroy unworthy sentiments that still enter our hearts.
Let us demolish ancient grudges that still command our wills
Come, my brothers, here's my hand in token of friendship,
love, and truth toward a better understanding between Christians and Moslems throughout mankind.
Will you take my hand?
A Quatrain of Al-Mutanabbi
By Dr. Salim Y. Alka-zin
Give me a pinch of Love, a single mite,
Of sane, wise love, by Reason born and bred,
And not a World of love by Folly led,
And Ignorance, deprived of eyes and sight.
�to
[
14
THE SYRIAN WORLD
The Syrian World to Continue
AN EDITORIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
pRIENDS of THE SYRIAN WORLD will no doubt be glad to
learn of the decision to continue its publication. This decision
they were the ones to have primarily influenced by their promise
of continued and inceased support, and there can be nothing that
gives the publisher more pleasure than to be now able to make
this announcement definite.
The symposium held on the fate of THE SYRIAN WORLD has
been fully vindicated. All the replies received to our questionnaire were in the nature of those already published—stressing the
mdispensabibty of the magazine and promising it more support
to the end of its becoming self-supporting. Many constructive
suggestions were also advanced which we wish to thankfully
acknowledge and promise to carry out to the fullest extent posr
sible.
In inviting the symposium we wanted to take the public into
our complete confidence, and this proved an opportunity to us
to fully realize that there is a racially-conscious element among
us that has the vision of the truly public-spirited. This element
may be comparatively small in numbers, but its influence is bound
to act as a leaven in the otherwise indifferent or materialisticallyengrossed or short-sighted mass. The history of all reform and
constructive movements has ever been thus. A few take the initiative and by the very intensity of their conviction influence the
others in an ever-widening circle. It is in this light that we view
the supporters of the cause for which THE SYRIAN WORLD stands
—missionaries of a worthy endeavor who act on the conviction
of being pioneers and volunteers in a needed cultural movement
that is bound to gain momentum with time and react proportionately to the credit of themselves and their race.
It is because of our faith in the moral support of these loyal
inends that we feel comparative security for the future of THE
SYRIAN WORLD, and trust that in time this feeling of security
will be made absolute.
�"ft
i
JUNE, 1931
15
But we shall not be content with the simple determination to
carry on. Many improvements are contemplated, especially in
the editorial policy, which we plan to introduce with the coming
issue. Several new departments will be created under the editorship of able specialists affording a greatly enlarged scope of interest. The object will be to cater more to the popular appeal
without undue sacrifice of the cultural standard heretofore maintained.
The physical appearance of the magazine will be retained,
inasmuch as the size seems to be overwhelmingly favored. There
will be a substantial increase, however, in the volume of the reading matter by lengthening and widening the page. This increase
should be equivalent to several pages of the present size.
The price of subscription will not be advanced. We would
have liked to announce a reduction had not the revenue been
inadequate to meet the cost of publication even at the prevailing
rate. A reduction, however, will be one of our first considerations immediately the volume of circulation permits.
Just when such a possibility will occur it is hard to predict.
Our immediate problem is to render the magazine self-supporting under prevailing conditions. In this we are depending
on the co-operation of those friends who encouraged us
to continue and promised us the full measure of support. What
we expect of them is to act on the most practical suggestion advanced in the symposium, to the effect that each actual subscriber,
each believer in the value of The Syrian World, be instrumental
in securing at least one additional subscription, or making a gift
subscription to a friend. If but fifty per cent, of our present subscribers respond to this suggestion much of our present difficulties
would be overcome.
With this we rest the case of THE SYRIAN WORLD. Henceforth we shall strive to devote our best efforts towards improving
the magazine and rendering it the organ of service which it is
intended to be. Those who subscribe to our ideal will, we trust,
lend us their best efforts towards making the existence of the publication co-operative instead of being dependent on individual
effort. We have faith in them to carry out their share, and we
trust they will repose their faith in us to carry out ours.
�— —»—»
16
THE SYRIAN WORLD
A Great Arab Figure Passes
Former King Hussein of Al-Hijaz, Head of the
Sheriffian Family, Dies in Exile.
fORMER King Hussein Ibn All, "the great Arab liberator,"
is dead! The news caused consternation throughout the Arabicspeaking world, and the many virtues of the dead monarch and
his ambitious scheme for the creation of a Pan-Arab empire were
lauded as never before. His death marks the passing of the most
romantic, yet least fortunate, figure in modern Arab political history. Had it not been for the crushing blow dealt him by his
arch-enemy King Ibn Saoud, Hussein would have had an excellent chance of being universally acclaimed as the legitimate caliph
by the whole Islamic world.
Death came to the Arab King on the morning of June 4 at
the palace of his son Abdullah, ruler of Transjordania, at Amman the capital. He was in his seventy-sixth year, but had been
in declining health ever since his political reverses deprived him
of his throne and forced him into exile in Cyprus. It was only
following insistent requests by his two sons, King Feisal of Iraq
and Emir Abdullah of Transjordania, both of whom owe their
thrones to British diplomacy, that Britain finally'consented to
permit the aged King to spend his last days with his family.
At his deathbed were his four sens, AH, Feisal, Abdullah and
Zeid, and thirteen grandchildren. Interment was at the Mosque
of Omar in Jerusalem. Moslems, Christians and Jews joined in
rendering him the last honors. All the foreign consulates in the
city put their flags at half mast.
Former King Hussein was a direct descendant of the Prophet
and the head of the Sheriffian family of Qoraish, the chiefs of
the holy city of Mecca from time immemorial. In his youth he
spent many years in Istanbul as a protege of the Turks, then rulers of Arabia, and was later appointed by them governor of the
wilayat of Al-Hijaz. In 1916, however, he revolted against the
Turks and proclaimed the independence of Arabia with Mecca as
capital and himself as king, supposedly with the encouragement
and the promise of support of Great Britain. His three sons,
Feisal, Abdullah and Ali, took the field on the side of the Allies
�T
'i
17
JUNE, 1931
The late King Hussein Ibn Alt
of Arabia
�18
THE SYRIAN WORLD
and acquitted themselves creditably with the help of Colonel
Lawrence of Arabia. King Hussein was acting on the conviction
that England would support him in his effort to create a united
Arabia with Syria included, and later, following his deposition,
published the text of the treaty with England entered into in
October, 1915, and bearing out his claim. In this he was upheld
by Col. Lawrence who played a leading part in negotiating the
treaty. England never published the text of this treaty nor officially repudiated its authenticity. This, by the way, is the reason
for Col. Lawrence's dramatic rejection of the honors and decorations bestowed upon him by the British King.
But the nemesis of King Hussein was not England as much
as his hereditary enemy Ibn Saoud, leader of the puritan Wahhabis. Taking advantage of the strained relations between the
British Government and King Hussein, presumably resulting
from the assumption by the latter of the title of caliph following the Turks' repudiation of the caliphate, Ibn Saoud incited his
followers to war and met from the outset of his campaign with
phenomenal success. Great Britain made a vain attempt to arS?e^e differences of the two Arab rulers, and on October 3,
1924, King Hussein was forced to abdicate. He was succeeded
by his son King Ah who entrenched himself in the port of Tedciah and strove desperately to ward off the fate that befell his
father, but the city of Medina having fallen, and Ibn Saoud having entered Mecca, AJi also was forced to abdicate on January 8,
M
orI ia^°UiWR\?C°SIlized ^ a treaty signed at Jeddah
May U, IJZ7. King All is now being prominently mentioned as
a candidate for the proposed Syrian throne.
But despite these reverses and heavy misfortunes Hussein remains in the eyes of the Arabs the liberator and emancipator who
succeeded in shaking off the yoke of the Turks and dreamed of
creating an Arab empire, striving to effect that unity among Arab
countries which is the dream of those who would restore to the
Arabs their former glory. Both as a descendant of the Prophet
which fart carries with it great prestige in the Moslem world,
and as a wise and benevolent ruler, King Hussein was eminently^
fatted for the role he set out for himself. But his great failing
was that he had for enemy a genius at military organization in
theperson of Ibn Saoud who has since entrenched himself in the
position of undisputed leadership of all Arabia.
-*
�JUNE, 1931
19
Palmyra a Glorious Landmark
"By
WADAD
J.
KH. MACKDICY
^LTHOUGH it is now but a mass of ruins with_ a row of
columns marking the once Grand Avenue and some piles of
masonry proclaiming its once stately palaces and temples, Palmyra remains one of the most fascinating shrines of the grandeur
that was Syria and one holding for the traveler the most charm
and romance. Its memory is inalienably associated with the name
of Zenobia, the beautiful and valiant Syrian Queen who proved
herself a match in wits and strategy to the rulers over the destiny of the great Roman Empire. She dared wage war against
the Caesars and victory crowned her arms for a consideable time.
When-she was finally ovecome by overwhelming force and taken
captive to Rome in golden chains, she went on a "hunger strike",
preferring death to being a party to the Roman scheme of making a show of her defeat' to emphasize a victory. She is unquestionably one of the greatest heroines of antiquity and of all times.
This picture of Zenobia and her famous city is ever present
in the mind of the traveler when crossing the inhospitable Syrian
Desert on the way to Palmyra. There is something in the expectation that seems to alleviate the scorching heat and the monotonous scenery. The result almost invariably justifies the expectation.
It was on a cool morning in September that we greeted the
last sunrise from behind the mountains of Lebanon and started
on the road leading to the Syrian Desert. The scenery all along
the road from Beirut to Damascus was uniformly delightful, and
although every moment carried us farther from the cherished
scenes of our childhood we were overwhelmed with the desire
to go out into the spacious world where life is to start for us
anew midst strange settings and unknown actors.
In Damascus we did not linger long because the call of the
unexplored desert was for us too strong. We soon left the fascinating kaleidoscopic scenes of this ancient city and drove north by
east for many miles in the trackless desert that afforded little to
break the monotony of its great waste expanse. It was only about
noon that we began to encounter evidences of animal and bird
�20
THE SYRIAN WORLD
A scene in Palmyra — A trans-desert bus on the way to Iraq
stopping in front of the palace of Queen Zenobia
life. What appeared to us at first as a diminutive black cloud
proved a large flock of birds moving steadily in splendid military
formation. They were cranes seeking their winter quarters in
southern climates. In a measure they were wiser and happier than
us who were traveling in an opposite direction driven by the force
of necessity.
Further on we came across a horde of beautiful gazelles.
For elegance of movement, symmetry of form and almost human
sensitiveness the gazelle can hardly be surpassed in the animal
kingdom. At our approach the horde began to scatter and flee,
but we noticed that some tarried behind the others and shot apprehensive looks in our direction. I asked our captain for an explanation of these movements and here is his significant explanation:
"The gazelle is not only the most beautiful of animals but
also the most chivalrous. In their code of ethics it is not 'sauve
qui peut' but 'ladies and children first'. The male always tarries
behind in times of danger to protect his charges, and will seek
safety only when he feels sure that all others are safe."
At one time we came across an Arab encampment. It is sur-
:
�—
JUNE, 1931
21
prising how these sons of the desert feel content with their meager fare and their supply of brackish water. To look at fchem one
would think they are as hard and inhospitable as their surroundings. But not so in fact. There is a kindliness in their hearts that
is born of their love of liberty in spite of their privations. We
had gone astray and an Arab volunteered to accompany us for a
considerable distance to put us on the right road. That he did
with utmost grace and willingness.
But despite this assistance we could not reach Palmyra by
daylight. The sun set and darkness began to add to the sense of
forlorn desert desolation. The stars now began to show their
bright faces and the moon appeared to spread a thin mantle of
its silvery light, but the beauty of the vision did not tend to lessen our sense of apprehension and fear of being overtaken by
night in the desolate wilderness. Night in such strange surroundings does not bring wise counsel.
We must have wandered for hours until one of our company
discerned a distant light, and we all shouted of sheer joy. At
last we were nearing our destination and a haven of safety.
We entered Palmyra by way of the royal graveyard. The
tombs here are all in the form of pyramids of various heights.
This is explained by the fact that the different Palmyrian dynasties buried their dead one above the other, adding to the height
of the tomb with every succeeding generation. Most of the tombs
are oven one hundred feet in height, resting on vaulted foundat'ionsy while in some there are as many as five hundred bodies.
To us it was significant that we entered the dead city by way of
the resting place of those who built it. Mighty is memory!
Through it man finds himself in constant touch with the
miracles of the past. And Palmyra's record as queen of the desert was surely a miracle. We slept that night amidst visions of
resplendent ancient glory.
The salient points in the history of Palmyra are well known.
The city had grown exceedingly prosperous as an emporium of
trade controlling the caravan routes between East and West.
Queen Zenobia was ambitious and sought to extend the boundaries of her domains, and the Romans were jealous of their power
as masters of the world. A war ensued which the Syrian Queen
waged for a number of years with much success, but in 272 A. D.
was overcome and taken captive in golden chains to imperial
Rome.
�Jji
Co
to
S
What remains of the Grand Avenue in Palmyra that was once the great emforium of trade
between East and West.
•r-
o
to
�D
JUNE, 1931
23
But the natives of Palmyra are fond of recounting legends
that are not to be found in any written history. We sat for some
time listening to them give seemingly inexhaustible accounts of
the wondrous feats of the Queen and her once magnificent city.
At one time the Arabs had encroached upon the ruins and
built themselves houses within the enclosure. Since the war, however, the Syrian government has compelled the evacuation of the
ruins and built the natives modern houses at a distance of about
a mile. The ruins of Palmyra were not before taken seriously
and were left in a deplorable condition of neglect, but an earnest
effort is now being displayed in preserving them as a national
shrine and an attraction to tourists.
The Grand Avenue is about the most imposing row of columns to be found anywhere. It runs a length of 1270 yards lined
by 750 marble pillars rising to a height of 55 feet. At one end it
is marked by a triumphal arch which is still in a good condition
of preservaton.
Lines To A Lover
Translated from the Arabic by /. D. Carlyle.
When you told us our glances soft, timid and mild,
could occasion such wounds in the heart.
Can ye wonder that yours, so ungovern'd and wild,
some wounds to our cheeks should impart?
The wounds on our cheeks are but transient, I own,
With a blush they appear and decay;
But those on the heart, fickle youth, ye have shown,
To be even more transient than thev.
ti«,.if,, i.-..,.-.. .^,.,,,,.
Tiro-l;.nr..Wj,l/;t,CT^wt.»^~»l-
�•
24
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Revelation
From the Arabic of
Translated by
KAHLIL GIBRAN
ANDREW GHAREEB
\^HEN the night waxed deep and slumber cast its cloak upon
the face of the earth, I left my bed and sought the sea saving
to myself:
"The sea never sleeps. And the wakefulness of the sea brings
comfort to a sleepless soul."
I reached the shore when the mist had already descended from
the mountain tops and covered the world as the veil adorns
the face of a beautiful maiden.
There I stood gazing at the waves, listening to their singing, and
thinking of the power that lies behind them—the power that
runs with storms, erupts with volcanoes, smiles with flowers
and sings with brooks.
After awhile I turned around and lo, three figures were sitting
on a nearby rock, where the mist veils them, yet veils them
not.
I walked towards them slowly, as if in their being something
magnetic were attracting me against my will.
When I came within a few paces, I stood gazing at them as if
there were magic in the place that crystallized my purpose,
and roused my imagination.
At that moment one of the three figures arose. And with a voice
which I thought came from the depths of the sea, said:
"Life without Liberty is like a body without a spirit. And Liberty
Love without Beauty is like flowers without fragrance. And
fruit without seeds
Life, Love and Beauty—are three
entities in one independent and free self, which accept neither
change nor separation."
This he said and sat down in his place.
�JUNE, 1931
25
Then the second figure arose. And with a voice like the roar of
rushing waters, said:
"Life without Rebellion is like the seasons without a spring. And
Rebellion without Right—is like a spring in an arid and barren desert
Life, Rebellion and Right—are three entities
in one self which accept neither change nor separation."
This he said and sat down in his place.
Then the third figure arose. And with a voice like the peal of
thunder he said:
"Life without Liberty is like a body without a spirit. And Liberty
without Thought is like a confused spirit
Life, Liberty
and Thought—are three entities in one and eternal self, which
neither banish, nor fade away."
Then the three figures arose. And with awful voices, said:
"Love and what it begets, Rebellion and what it creates, and
Liberty and what it generates—are three aspects of God.
And God is the mind of the intelligent world."
Then a silence followed, filled with rustle of the invisible wings
and the tremor of the ethereal bodies.
Then I closed my eyes, listening to the echo of the sayings which
I heard.
»•
i
When again I opened my eyes I beheld naught but the sea hidden
beneath a blanket of mist; then I moved closer towards the
rock where the three figures were sitting, and there saw naught
but a pillar of incense rising unto the sky.
�26
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Backgammon
"By J. A.
BARRAKET
Editor's Note. - The writer of this article is a recognized backgammon
expert who has broadcast a series of talks on the game over the network;
of the National Broadcasting Company and acts as instructor to several
backgammon clubs in New York. A Lebanese by birth, he spent his early
youth in Australia and during the World War acted as purchasing agent
for the Anzacs in Egypt.
gACKGAMMON is the present-day vogue in games. Its growing popularity is sweeping the country.
Backgammon is a very old game, dating back to thousands of
years. Its originator is unknown, but most likely it was first devised by the Persians from whom it was later taken and improved
by the Romans. This new-old game in its remarkable comeback
shows every indication of taking its place alongside of bridge.
Any observer will have noticed that within the last few months
the windows of the sporting goods shops and department stores
have been displaying in increasing quantities the attractive boards
used in this fascinating game.
One of its attractions is that no two games are ever the same.
It resembles bridge in this respect, for all who play bridge know
that no two hands are ever the same. This fact alone should be
somewhat convincing to those who until now have hung back
from learning the game, just because they imagined it too simple.
It is true that the rules of the game are simple, that it requires
no brain exertion compared to chess, and, like all games in which
a pair of dice plays such an important part, a certain element of
luck enters into it. But this is only true to a given point, for of
two players evenly matched as to skill, the one whom the dice
favors will be the winner. However, one poor move by one of
the players in an unguarded moment is enough to spell disaster,
and with the modern method of doubling, can very easily be
expensive. The game is one of strategy, but one in which sometimes it is worthwhile taking a chance, and it is only after playing for some time that one becomes thoroughly Au-Fait, or as
we might say in America, O. K., with all the points of the game.
The backgammon board consists of 24 points, divided into
4 sections of six points each. Each player has 15 men which are
�ft
JUNE, 1931
27
placed on certain points at the beginning of the game, and are
moved around the board, the moves being determined by the
throw of the dice.
The men or pieces traverse the board in opposite directions,
the object being to manoeuvre the men around into that part of
the board called the inner board or inner home, and then bear
them off the board, a procedure governed by the luck of the dice,
combined with the skill of the player. The one who succeeds in
bearing his men off the board, first, is the winner of the game.
Backgammon, while new to many and remembered by some
in America as played by their grandparents, has been played continually for centuries by the habitues of the cafes of Cairo,
Alexandria, Constantinople, Teheran, Beyrouth, and other cities
of the East.
The cafes in these cities are always crowded with players
seated at little marble-topped tables, the inevitable demi-tasse
at their elbows, and the narghile, or hubble-bubble pipe, with
its long pliable stem, at their feet. The clatter of the dice, the
exultant slap of the piece on the board when an enemy has been
removed or a position taken or strengthened, and the excited
comments of the kibitzers,—for there are backgammon kibitzers
as well as in bridge,—is a striking and picturesque contrast to
the silent game of the American players. It does seem paradoxical, that while we can tolerate the roar of a subway train,
the screech of elevated railways, the unnecessary honking of
motor-horns, riveters of buildings, etc., we must have our backgammon boards cork-lined. It seems to me that a good deal is
taken away from the game by this innovation, also by the fact
that a good many of the boards are flat, not folding, and have
the edge of the playing area slightly lowered, which means that
the dice must be rolled carefully or they will fall off the board.
Old hands at backgammon prefer those boards which fold up
and which, when opened for play, provide an enclosure by reason
of the high sides and against which you may give the dice a
good bang, "just for luck." This clicking sound, the slamming
down of a piece in a strategic position, is characteristic of the
backgammon of the Eastern World.
Another point of interest is that in Egypt the dice are much
smaller than those used here and are rolled from the hand. In
the modern game now being played here, the dice are thrown
from a dice box. Perhaps that is a good rule, as this game, like
�28
THE SYRIAN WORLD
bridge and poker, is, of course, more interesting when played
for stakes and no doubt, numbers among its converts many past
masters of the national pastime of come 'seven' come 'eleven >
By being more interesting when played for stakes I mean
that where there is no financial loss involved, a player will make
moves which he would not make if the result of the game meant
dollars and cents especially in present times when dollars and
cents are rather elusive. Anyone who has ever tried playing poker
for fun, or bridge for no stakes, will readily understand what
I mean.
Backgammon is a game in which players may relax or engage
m conversation while playing. One of its added advantages is
that it requires only two players. There will soon be midget
sets, (if not already in use) for use on long train journeys, or
even for commuters, so fast is its popularity growing.
It is quite a pleasure to sit and watch a couple of good backgammon players. They move their men about so quickly you
would think that they were making any haphazard move that presented itself to them, which could be bettered if they took their
time and studied the situation. But that is not the case: these
S
ZTMaT hre "rrme
fed it
&
so ade t at the
P
& ** one
"*" * ""^ ^ *
and
I Was Heart-Free
By Thomas Asa
I was heart-free until you came within my sight;
I was alone and knew no other thought.
I was in dark until you flamed the light
Of love, and with its sacred magic wrought
A blooming garden of perennial gladness,
Transformed the gloom into the sweetest madness,
And with Life's chastened touch of sadness,
Filled me
stilled me with the happiness'I sought.
^U
�—'—
JUNE, 1931
29
Paradox
A SHORT STORY
By Edna K. Saloomy
7:
y^DELE was one of those lovely young women, whose charm
and beauty are the pride of their husbands, and the envy even
of kindest women friends. She was as much loved as she was
admired, and strange as it may seem, she was as disinterested in
her beauty as people were quick to admire it.
David, her husband, whose success as a stock broker had been,
one might say, inevitable, due partly to his own ability, and
mainly to favorable economic conditions, lavished on Adele all
the luxuries that his money could buy. He wished nothing more
of life than that his wife might have beautiful clothes, and that
their home might be an exquisite background for her beauty.
He found his pleasure in granting her wishes.
A gown, when worn by Adele, looked like the dream of some
genius among coutouriers, come true. Color and texture took on
life from her beauty. David would say, "Dearest, you are more
beautiful than beautiful." And she would not think of the gown,
but of the pleasure which it gave her adoring and adorable young
husband to see her clothed in it.
Mornings to her meant thinking of household cares, which
were, in truth, no cares at all, and were as unvaried from day
to day as only freedom from money cares could make them.
The apartment was managed perfectly by the cook and maid,
who would have left, had the management not been entrusted
entirely to them. Afternoons were given to those interests which
women have to cultivate for lack of more pressing demands:
luncheons, bridge, backgammon, teas, and, now and then, a lecture. The afternoon hours were a kind of commencement of
the evening. Traveling to Europe, to the shore, to the mountainsall seemed a prescribed thing in their circle, and David's
and Adele's popularity with their friends demanded their doing
the prescribed thing.
Adele found life unbearably irksome at times, but a sense of
loyalty to her husband, whose desire to make her happy had
created, in a large measure, her surroundings, led her to be
resigned to her life. It seemed to her that only selfishness could
�.
30
THE SYRIAN WORLD
be a reason for her unrest, and she was at a loss to comprehend
her dissatisfaction when she had all that wealth made possible.
But, she felt the lack of an absorbing interest, and wished that
there might have been something to wish for, rather than having everything.
Her only source of real pleasure was her work as a member
of a welfare group of women who gave of their money to finance
a medical center for needy families. Adele gave of her monev
and of her services. She helped weigh the babies, and was as
anxious to know the loss or gain in their weight, as were their
mothers. She was keenly interested to hear a mother tell how
she had cared for a child who had had measles. To Adele a
slight case of measles seemed as a crisis in a child's life, and she
gloried m the accomplishment of the child's mother. Her heart
seemed to expand immeasurably within her when she listened to
another mother tell how she had managed to raise a brood of
eleven, and how the oldest helped the next younger, and so on
down the line, and how the ten older ones insisted on caring for
the baby of the group. Her very anxiety for the babies' health
invited the confidences of their proud mothers, and confidentially, as people do when there are sympathetic listeners, they
told her about their husbands, about the good and bad qualities
which they had; they talked of children's achievements, school
reports; bargain sales, church matters; everything which seemed
to be important at the time, or which had been important during the past. Little did Adele realize that she was the favorite
subject of neighborhood chats, when doorsteps became, of an
evening, the council hall of the lowly. Little did she know how
much she meant to the poor mothers, whose lives took on richer
colors after they had enumerated to her their experiences But
long after her visits to the welfare center, she would remember
the affairs of this family and that. Her remembrance had to be
a thing apart from her own life. To have discussed the families
with David was out of the question. She had tried a few times
to tell him about them, but he was very quick to assure her that
these people were being protected by private and public organizations and to urge her to spare herself from any worry about
them And to talk about these matters with her friends, if only
to relate the funny things the children did, was even more impossible. They served at the center the required number of
hours during the season, and felt that their duty had been fulfilled in terms of dollars and hours. They were too interested
�JUNE, 1931
31
in their bridge score golf, scandals, or a good stock market tip.
All these—clothes, divorces, remarriages, sailings, huge fortunes
being made overnight, were more vital to them. Their momentary sympathy for a particularly needy family she might arouse,
biu never their interest. They gave their money generously and
quickly, but their quickness in giving seemed like a sign of'their
wish to forget as quickly as they gave.
_
Life went on, its course unchanging for Adele until a gyrating stock market reversed its upward course and aimed downward with the same velocity as it had formerly gone upward. Its
changed course necessitated the cancellation of a European tour
which David and Adele had planned for the summer. Not only
did it change their plan, but business exacted so many hours of
both uay and night, that David wished only to rest during weekends. Adele had become fatigued by social activities without end,
so they decided the best thing was to open up their modest, but
attractive cottage, in Berkley, a small, quiet country town on
the Hudson.
The cottage, which was as unpretentious as their apartment
had been luxurious, was a welcome change to them. It had been
bequeathed to David by his father, and often he had regarded
it as a pleasant but inconsequential possession. The cottage with
the few acres surrounding it was all the property which David
had ever owned. Often he had wished that he might have had
his inheritance in the form of stock securities instead
When David arrived to spend a week-end, the quietness of
the country and the peace of his home would seem almost like
a silent, paternal benediction. He would come feeling the weariness which seemed to press down on him after days of turmoil
on the exchange, days which ended at early dawn and started a
few hours later. But his strength and cheerfulness would be restored at the sight of Adele's joy for his arrival.
\\ Hiking into the fields, warm with sunshine and redolent
with summer s fragrance, they would feel more together than
they had ever felt before.
Adele felt happier than she had been in the apartment. She
had brought with her a Mrs. Riley, one of the mothers whom
she had met at the center, and her two children. Mrs. Riley
knew intuitively that it was for the children's sake, rather than
for anything which she could do for Adele, that they had been
asked to come.
�32
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Adele's thoughts and attentions were devoted entirely to
-Uavid during his week-end visits. The worried expression of
his race became more perceptible, as weeks went on without any
improvements m stock-market conditions. To save him the fatigue or traveling and in order that she might be with him, she decidea to return to the city in October. The weather was growing colder, and David was finding it impossible to stay until
Monday morning. He was always anxious to be at his office verv
early Monday. Then again, there were many preparations to be
maae tor the winter. Invitations to social affairs were already
beginning to pile up, and there was the matter of selecting
new
to
clothes.
A few days after Adele's decision had been made to return
to their town apartment, the 'phone rang. David's voice was on
the wire asking her to meet him at the depot. She was greatly
surprised at his having come to Berkley a day earlier than usual.
However, when she met him she did not press him for the reason of his coming After dinner, as they sat before the fireplace,
she told him of her decision to return with him to their apartment, and what a happy time she had had in the country, away
irom everyone and everything.
'
. He looked at her quite suddenly, almost as though he had
just seen her sitting there by him. "Do you really like this place?
Don't you miss homer"
•
«w C?jrSC n0t" IVe learned to ]°ve this place."
Wouldn't you object to staying here throughout winter?"
Winter? How can I say. I don't know, because we have
never done that before. Why do you ask, David?"
I must tell you, dear. I have tried mv best... we all did
But like most everyone else, I waited too long and this market
slide came so unexpectedly, I was caught sleeping. What securities 1 still own are worth only a fraction of what I paid for them
In time, perhaps a month or two, there must be a recovery I'm
sure there must be. But, now with our money tied up like that...
I wish 1 didn't need to discuss these things with you."
th J!2T 1 ^'i 5°! u° te,U me every^ing. Don't look as
though the moon had fallen from the sky. What must we do?"
I m terribly sorry I think we shall be unable to keep the
apartment. There would be little of my salary left, after we
pay the rent and the servants. One maid, perhaps, we can keep.
It is our good fortune that the lease expires next week. If you
really hke this place, we could be quite comfortable here and'
�<
JUNE) 1931
33
not need to think about the rent. We will have to pack things
m a hurry. I hate this, dear; I never dreamed of finding myself
in a jam like this. I always believed I could give you everything... and heaven knows you deserve only the best. Perhaps
we should find a smaller apartment in the city."
"David, tell me this. If we stayed here, you would commute
with the neighbors, like Mr. Dorland and Leslie, wouldn't you?"
_ "Exactly. We would be going back and forth on the same
train."
"Well, David, they have commuted ever since their families
moved here two years ago, and they seem to enjoy the country
during winter very much."
"But you might be lonesome. Let's look for a smaller apartment in town."
"David, my darling, meet your chauffeur. I'll be meeting
you every night at the depot, sir. Take another apartment, and
leave this house? Be lonesome? Never! We'll turn the car in,
and get a two-passenger car, one with a rumble seat for guests'
and groceries."
"Guests and groceries? I hope the former will enjoy sitting
with the latter. You mean, Adele, that you are glad to stay
here?"
'
"Glad? I was never more glad. I'll love living here I've
never
wanted- anything more in my life than to bake and sew
m
and cook and put up jars of preserves; you know the kind with
the labels, saying: quince jelly, peach jelly, pears and cherries.
1 m going to learn how to do every single thing with my own
hands."
"Adele, dear, I don't want you doing so much, you will become ill."
"HI? I've been dying from lack of something to do I'll
tell you a secret. I've always wanted to eat supper with you in
the kitchen just once. I'll paint that kitchen table of mine the
color I want, and I'll have two yellow candles for light I've
dreamed that a hundred times, but you know how provincial the
servants would have thought us, if I had dared suggest it It
would have shocked their sense of what is correct for people of
quality. They would have left the minute that they thought
I was capable of being so plebeian, my dear. And now, no cook,
no maid. Just David and Adele."
"But, darling, you will tire yourself."
"Don't you worry. Housewives have serious clean-up sea-
MN
�1
I
34
THE SYRIAN WORLD
sons Would you mind if I asked Mrs. Riley to come once in
a while to help me? It would do her baby good to be in the
country. He hasn't been quite well since he had scarlet fever."
VA r?f .C°UrSe' Tk «M Y°U're the manger of this organization.2
Id like to see that Riley baby. Peter, did you say his name is
Did I ever tell you about the Fourth of July when I was convalescing after having a scarlet fever
and how the boys threw
a package of firecrackers into my room, while the nurse was setting my lunch. I decided to scare her, so I set one off as she
came back into my room, and it made her jump so, she nearly
dropped the tray, and I nearly burned myself and the bedclothes:
"Oh David you were mischievous. You deserved to be
punished properly Had I been your nurse, you would have felt
much chastened. Here I am, loving you because you were so
mischievous."
"Dearest, and how much do you think I love you? If we
reminisce, we'll forget the business of packing furniture. How
about going to town tomorrow? After all, we will probably not
need to stay more than a winter here, and we can always find
another apartment just as nice..."
She interrupted him. "Please, David, even if your stocks
triple in value next week, don't let's ever go away from here.
Ihis is home."
Eternity and Love
By Dagny Edwards
Ten thousand years rolled by
Till first we met,
Yet, I can't forget
That aeons hence
Our love will be a vacum space,
Existentless, as in the years
Before we met.
�JUNE, 1931
35
ALI ZAIBAQ
(Quicksilver)
THE UNPARALLELED ADVENTURES OF THE
CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CALIPH HAROUN
AL-RASHID, OF THE CITY OF BAGHDAD.
Translated from the Original Arabic by
A. MOKARZEL and THADDEUS S. DAYTON
SALLOUM
so
CHAPTER
X.
THE OUTLAW STORY AND THE
CAVE OF BARNISH
\^HILE Quicksilver was satisfying his hunger Ibrahim IbnAl-Anassi proceeded to relate his story.
"THERE was in the country of Tunis of the West," he said,
"a man called Al-Anassi, who had a son named Ibrahim, who
became a great warrior. The Governor of that countrv gave him
command over all his soldiers and entrusted to him the defence
of the land. Everyone so feared and respected him that a defenseless woman could carry gold in her open hands through the
wilderness without harm or danger.
"One day this Ibrahim was called upon to capture a band
of outlaws from another country who had crossed the frontier
at a place distant three months' journey from the capital. Taking two hundred picked men he set forth.
"Now it so happened that the Governor of this land, who
was a good man and much loved by his people, fell ill and died
and in his place there came another as governor. Upon his ascension to power he commanded his Wazirs to seek out and
bring to him to be his wife the most beautiful woman in all the
land, saying that if one more lovely should be discovered subsequently he would instantly put his wazirs to death. They all
agreed with one accord that there was none more beautiful in all
the land of Tunis of the West than the niece of Al-Anassi, whose
father had died long before. When the governor's wazirs came
�36
THE SYRIAN WORLD
to Al-Anassi, my father, and demanded that he surrender his
niece in marriage to the Governor, my father refused, saying
that she had already become formally betrothed to his son, myself, and that when I returned and discovered what had occurred it would certainly cause great trouble in the land. But the
Governor was obdurate and persisted in his demands. Friends
of my father came to him and counselled him to escape with his
niece and seek safety in some other country. Therefore, my
uncle and niece fled under cover of darkness from the city of
his birth and sought protection in Egypt, in the land of Al-Aziz.
"When the Governor discovered their flight he was so enraged that he ordered my father's palace razed to the ground
and not only his property, but all of mine as well, confiscated.
I learned of what had taken place while I was making my return
journey to the capital, and, secretly selecting fourteen of my
bravest companions, I vowed to take the most complete vengeance
upon the Governor who had brought upon my father's house
such overwhelming misfortune. When I entered the city I proceeded directly to the palace of the Governor whom I beheaded
with one blow of my sword and was about to put all his advisers
to death, but* they importuned me to spare their lives, saying
that they had acted against their wills and in fear of being beheaded if they did not obey. I installed a new Governor whom
I ordered to restore my father's palace to its former state.
"Then with my fourteen companions I travelled diligently
until I reached this city of Cairo. I sought my father and my
betrothed and I learned that when my father had arrived in
Cairo he sought Al-Aziz, the King, and asked protection from
him, telling him all the details as to the cause of his flight from
his own country. The King expressed a desire to see the woman
whose great beauty had caused all this to befall. No sooner had
his eyes rested on her than he requested my father to give her
to him in marriage. At this my father exclaimed:
" 'O mighty Lord, I fled from my own country to escape
persecution. Have I fallen into the hands of another tyrant?'
"At this the King was exceedingly enraged and ordered my
father put to death, which was done straightway, and my betrothed was taken to wife by Al-Aziz.
"When I learned," continued Ibrahim, "I vowed that I would
kill Al-Aziz in the midst of his court, as I had the Governor of
Tunis, and thus avenge my father's death. But my father's friends
begged me to desist from such a hazardous undertaking as there
;?
�JUNE, 1931
37
was in the service of the King a great warrior named Quicksilver
at whose hands I might fare ill. After considering the matter
I decided first to kill you, O Quicksilver, and then the King.
Therefore, I began pillaging the houses of the rich in Cairo so
that I might find a means of bringing about your death. Placing
your name on the sack which the King found on the ground
beside you after our encounter was one of my stratagems to this
end. Recognizing your bravery and generosity and feeling that
Al-Aziz was dealing unjustly with you, all my rage again centered itself on him, and for that reason I compassed your deliverance from his hands."
When Al-Anassi had finished his narrative Quicksilver was
terribly enraged and exclaimed:
"Woe to Al-Aziz, the tyrant and persecutor of the poor and
helpless!"
The next morning, Quicksilver having fully armed himself,
proceeded with Ibrahim and his men to the city and there made
their way to the meeting place of the Zohrs who had been dispersed by order of the King after Quicksilver's arrest. Quicksilver summoned fifty of them to his side and with them sought
the King in his palace.
News of his coming had already reached the ears of the
King, and when Quicksilver and his company entered his presence he said smilingly:
"O Quicksilver, have you succeeded in capturing your adversaryr
"Woe to you," replied Quicksilver. "You have unjustly put
Al-Anassi to death and unjustly sought the betrothed of his son
Ibrahim and placed her in your harem. Were it not that the
people might say I had rebelled against my master and had
dealt with him unrighteously, I would strike off your head this
instant."
Then Ibrahim Al-Anassi strode threateningly up the very
steps of the throne and cried in fury to the King:
"O vile creature, do you not realize that the damsel that you
took by treachery was betrothed to me, Ibrahim Ibn Al-Anassi,
the fame of whose warlike deeds resounds through all quarters
of the world? Were it not for the respect and affection in which
I hold this great warrior Quicksilver, I would forthwith destroy
you."
The King trembled in terror and supplicated Quicksilver and
Ibrahim to restrain their fury.
�wmmmmmmmm
38
THE SYRIAN WORLD
"O Quicksilver," he cried, "cover me with the mantle of your
protection and listen to my words. The death of Ibrahim's father was the will of Allah and I have preserved Ibrahim's betrothed in my palace surrounded with all honor. Willingly I
will return her to him and will bestow upon him a great palace,
fully furnished. Furthermore, I will give him one hundred
thousand pieces of silver. As to you, O great hero, I crave pardon for my unjust suspicions and the persecution that they caused
me to visit upon you. Hereafter your place as head of the Secret Police will be assured and you will always be the first man
in my kingdom."
On hearing this Quicksilver and Ibrahim were seized with
compassion for the King. Ibrahim's betrothed was summoned,
and her reunion with her lover brought tears to the eyes of all
beholders. Then Ibrahim asked the King to have Quicksilver
take him as one of his companions in the Secret Police. Quicksilver was much pleased at his desire and addressing the Zohrs
who were with him inquired of them what task they wished
Ibrahim to perform for them to prove his qualifications for the
exalted position which he sought. They replied with one accord
that he should go that night and bring them a sheep from the
cave of Barnish.
Upon hearing the request Quicksilver showed indignation and
addressed them saying:
"It is a most perilous task that you have assigned to this young
man and I wonder that you do not fear the vengeance of Allah
for so wantonly causing this brave warrior to be cast in the very
talons of death."
Realizing, however, that Ibrahim would resent the reflection
on his courage by any attempt to dissuade him from performing
the task, Quicksilver before giving his sanction thus addressed
Ibrahim :
"Know, O Ibrahim, that the cave of Barnish is as dark as
the abode of the demons, so black is it within that if ten men
with fiercely burning torches should enter at the midday hour
darkness would smother the light so that they could not see
their way. It has been the custom of brave men, heretofore, as
the result of some foolish wager to enter this cave to seek Barnish and demand of him a sheep. But all those who have thus
dared face certain death have afterwards been found lifeless at
the entrance of the cave. Therefore, it has been impossible for
anyone to ascertain what lies within. Nevertheless, I can instruct
•-
�JUNE, 1931
39
you somewhat as to what you may expect to encounter, for I
have obtained certain secret knowledge thereof from an ancient
book written by a sorcerer in ages past.
"The cavern, as I have said, is dark from its very entrance
with an obscurity which is almost impalpable. How great its
extent may be no one knows, not even the sorcerer who wrote of
it in the long past age. But there lives in this cave a huge Mared
called Barnish. His aspect is so fearful that none may look on
him and live. He possesses seven heads, each having a countenance that surpasses the other in horror. Seven tongues greater
than those of the camel protrude from seven awful mouths
edged with teeth like those of a ravening lion. His fourteen eyes
dart forth fire that is filled with sparks like those of the flashing
of a thousand words. No sooner does any human being confront
him than he is struck with abject terror at his appearance and
falls unconscious to the ground, whereupon the monster strangles
him and hurls his lifeless body without the entrance of the cave.
So far no one has been able to withstand this fearful sight. Again
I entreat you to forsake your resolution to enter upon this
hazardous adventure."
"If there were a thousand Barmshes instead of one, 1 would
not fear them, for I should conquer with the help of Allah,"
responded Ibrahim.
Ibrahim waited until the advent of night, and then having
armed himself with the enchanted sword which Quicksilver had
lent him he proceeded towards the mountain of Jinshi. He traversed great wildernesses, climbed mountains and passed through
valleys until he arrived at the entrance of the cave. This appeared to him even more fearful than Quicksilver had depicted.
He faltered but an instant and then entered, groping his way in
the awful darkness. Thus he proceeded some distance, when, as
nothing had occurred, he suddenly stooped to the ground and
picked up a huge stone which he hurled from him with all his
might. It struck the wall of the cave with terrific force and as
the noise reverberated throughout the cavern, Ibrahim cried in
a voice of thunder:
"Barnish! Barnish! reveal yourself to me so that I may make
a request of you."
No sooner had he uttered these words than the wall ot the
cave was rent asunder, as though torn by the shock of an earthquake, and the whole place was illuminated with a light fiercer
than that of the sun when it shines in the midday hour. And
�40
THE SYRIAN WORLD
there appeared to the awe-stricken Ibrahim a great Marid of
huge bulk and stature with seven heads and altogether exactly
as he had been described to him by Ali.
"What is your desire, O mortal?" asked this monster in a
voice which caused the mountain itself to tremble.
Unlike all others who had faced this terror, Ibrahim stood
his ground and replied in a firm voice:
"I wish to take a sheep from this cavern and present it to
the Zohrs as proof of my bravery and of my eligibility to the
exalted position of one of their Chiefs."
Instantly the Marid disappeared from view, but the cave still
remained luminous and presently Ibrahim perceived a sheep
moving slowly towards him. This he seized and began to drag
it towards the mouth of the cave with the intention of escaping
with it. But in an instant the sheep was transformed into a mule
which sprang away from him. Thereupon, Ibrahim ran after it,
and, seizing it by the neck, endeavored to force it to accompany
him. Suddenly it was transformed into yet another shape, that
of a camel, at which sight Ibrahim became greatly enraged and
put forth all his strength, succeeding in shoving the beast some
distance towards the entrance. But in the winking of an eye the
camel's bellowings ceased and instantly Ibrahim saw before him,
standing on its tail, a serpent more huge than mortal eyes had
ever beheld. This serpent attacked Ibrahim savagely and endeavored to sink its great fangs into his face. But Ibrahim,
quicker than lightning, drew his sword and struck one terrific
blow which cut the body of the serpent in twain. Simultaneously
the cave was plunged again in thick darkness and a great voice
resounded saying:
"Woe is me, for the power of man has destroyed me."
Ibrahim, not fully aware of his great achievement, still
thought that Barnish was alive- and called upon him to answer
again. But the voice which answered was that of Quicksilver
calling from the mouth of the cave. Ibrahim hurried forth and
there found Quicksilver together with fifty of the Zohrs. Upon
seeing them Ibrahim was surprised and exclaimed to Quicksilver:
"O Chief, why have you followed me to this fearful place?"
"We have come," replied Quicksilver, "to_be witnesses of
your great bravery and your unparalleled achievement. Know
that when Barnish appeared to you and you demanded the sheep
of him he transformed himself into that animal and thus returned to you. Then he successively changed himself into the
�41
JUNE, 1931
mule and the camel with which you struggled and lastly into
the terrible serpent which you slew, thus killing Barnish himself."
Quicksilver and his companions were overcome with joy and
they forthwith returned to Cairo where next day Quicksilver
accompanied Ibrahim to the court of Al-Aziz who congratulated
him upon his success and invested him with a robe of honor indicative of his position as one of the officers of the Zohrs. The
King also ordered the commencement of the celebration of the
nuptials uniting Ibrahim with his betrothed' and the festivities
continued for forty days and were even greater than those which
had taken place at the marriage before.
"But although peace and tranquillity reigned for a time,"
said the story teller, "it was only a calm before the storm. Dalila the Serpent, the head of the Secret Police of Bagdad, appears secretly in Cairo to discredit Quicksilver. There the great
battle between these two begins, and the most stupendous adventures befall Quicksilver. But the relation of these must wait
upon the will of Allah and the fortunate ending of our journeyings."
SYNOPSIS OF WHAT FOLLOWS
Quicksilver finally triumphs. He gathers about him in the secret police
the bravest men in the Islamic Empire. Each has to prove his prowess by
performing some incredible task. In the end, partly by the aid of this invincible handful of extraordinary men, Quicksilver succeeds in conquering
Dalila. The most amazing of the adventures fall, of course, on Quicksilver.
One of these is the story of the daughter of the King of the Mountains
of Kaf who was carried off by the King of the Djinn. after rescuing her,
Quicksilver enters Damascus and narrowly escapes death through the trickery of his opponent, Dalila. When the Caliph Haroun Al-Rashid leafns of
this he commands them both to appear in Bagdad and continue their struggle for mastry under his eyes, partly for his own diversion and partly so
that he can see that each has fair play. Then follows the story of Quicksilver's finding the crown of Kisra, the fabled ancient King of the Persians.
In her struggle against him Dalila employs her own daughter. Unaware of her identity Quicksilver falls in love with her. Dalila consents to
the marriage but insists that her daughter's dowry shall be the Robe of
Azro the Jew. Now Azro was one of the greatest sorcerers of his age and
the magic robe was the supreme product of his enchantment. It was an
effectual cloak against all bodily harm and made its wearer immune from
every disease.
Dalila's enmity for Quicksilver does not end even wnen he marries her
daughter, and she continues to use all her wiles and trickery to overthrow
him, but he triumphs in the end and lives with his bride in peace and happiness forever after.
�"THE SYRIAN WORLD
Readers' Forum
AMERICAN READER'S OPINION
OF THE SYRIAN WORLD
It is the means of acquainting
Americans with the, fine qualities,
and culture of the Syrians. .
Editor, The Syrian World,
In the last issue of the Syrian
World you ask for opinions from
your readers and suggest that unless further support is given, the
magazine may have to be discontinued. Because it seems to me that
such an eventuality would be most
unfortunate, I venture to write you,
in the hope that the opinion of one
of your American readers might be
of some value and interest to your
Syrian-American readers.
In thus making a distinction
between myself and Americans of
Syrian descent, I ask permission to
explain that I am descended from
those English-speaking people who
settled this country, fought for its
freedom and established the democracy which has opened its doors to
the freedom-seeking pioneers of all
lands. Until recently, I, like so
many of my own kind of American,
have been comfortably established in
the certainty that I belonged to whatever aristocracy this country boasted, and in an ignorance of the foreign groups which were coming to
carry on what my forefathers started. Generally speaking, the contacts with those of foreign descent
which we of that established American tradition have had, hare been
with a few Europeans of the better
class and with the great number of
those whom we met either in a domestic capacity or in business, usually of European peasant classes. Our
attitude toward the Orientals who
have come has been one of ignorance
and, I fear, often of patronage
It was my good fortune, however
to become acquainted a few years
ago with some of the Syrians .
Through them I became interested
in Arabic culture, an interest which
led
to a study
of
certain
phases
of that culture.
In
that study I have had the tremendous priviledge of getting to
know numbers of your people and
of coming to the opinion that we
have no finer new Americans in
this country. .My respect and admiration for the traditions, background and character of Syrians is
great and I have devoted my time
and energy to an effort to make
known to my kind of Americans,
that phase of the Arabic culture
about which I have some knowledge .
Your magazine has been of inestimable value to me personally, in
keeping fresh my interest, in giving
me increased understanding of the
people who gave me so generously
of their help and counsel. The
Syrian World should have a wider
public among Americans of my
class. It would lead to better understanding.
As for its value to young English-speaking Syrian-Americans, it
seems to me that it can not be overestimated.
To help them understand and respect their own heritage and have pride in their traditions cannot but help them to be
better Americans. Surely the best
V
�43
JUNE, 1931
thing any human being can do is to
be completely himself and true to
the best that is in him. Do your
young Syrians realize, I wonder,that
their ancestors were in an advanced
stage of civilization and culture
when mine were living in caves and,
so rumor has it, were painting
themselves blue all over?
But what need I add, when your
great Syrian, who was also, we are
proud to say, one of our greatest
Americans, has said it so completely
in his Message "To Young Americans of Syrian Origin'*?
With all hope for the continuance
of the Syrian World, I am,
Yours sincerely,
Laura Williams
New York City
THE SYRIAN WORLD
DISPELS AN ILLUSION
at our present command, is the
Syrian World magazine. If the solution of the difficulty into which this
publication has unfortunately gravitated were an unsurmountable obstacle., an Eleusinian enigma to be
unraveled only by the Sibylline oracle,or an arcanum caelestia-as- Elia
would have said — then the gracious
public might rest' in their placid
satisfaction that Fate is not to be
disputed. But this, happily, is not
the case. The solution is evident —
unobscured even to the child-mind.
Subscriptions are only needed, and
the method advanced by the Al-Hoda
is excellent. The Syrian World
assures and disseminates for us
those most precious attributes of our
racial heritage.
Thomas Asa
West Brownsville, Pa.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
A Poet Advances a Practical
Suggestion
Editor, The Syrian World,
Without in the least wishing to
dampen your enthusiasm and beTo the Syrian W'orld :
little your efforts, I cannot help but
It is indeed a regrettable sit- feel that your method of procedure
uation that now confronts the read- is wrong. The Syrian World is a
ers of the Syrian World. One can needed organ. This fact cannot be
easily apprehend from the Editor's gainsaid. But in creating the orprevious announcements that this gan and not providing for its constep has given him even more pro- tinuance you assume a public resfound regret, for it has ever been ponsibility whose failure is bound to
the solace, and sometimes thank- react on the whole race. The proless reward of the pioneer in any en- per thing to have done, under the
terprise to endeavor to reach his circumstances, was to have had the
destination without the indulgent public underwrite the undertaking
encumbrance of a semi-somnolent in such manner as to insure its stapublic.
bility. If a corporotion is not feaA considerable number of Syrians sible, then a number of wealthy and
in the Old World regard their com- public-spirited individuals should
patriots in the Americas as an ele- take upon themselves the task. Surement more or less uninterested in ly there must be amongst us a suftheir struggles and strivings in the ficient number of rich men with eHomeland. But, as Syrian-Ameri- nough race pride to make the necescans well know, this is a misconcep- sary investment.
tion, and the only available practicA READER
able medium to dispel this illusion,
New York.
�«HH-—BS
44
HI
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Political Developments in Syria
PONSOT LEAVES FOR FRANCE
SYRIANS OPPOSE MONARCHY
Political Situation Becoming More
Complicated Owing to Continuation
of Policy of Indecision and
Procrastination.
High Commissioner Ponsot of Syria sailed for France on his annual
vacation June 4.
Before leaving
Beirut he maintained his usual policy
of reticence and, in spite of the fact
that the country is seething with unrest, would give out no public statement of his intentions or plans. He
did, however, upon arriving at Alexandria, give an interview to the
correspondent of Al-Ahram of Cairo
in which he discussed freely his plans
for the economic recovery of Syria.
He would not touch on the political
situation, but when asked about the
possibility of establishing a monarchy in Syria and placing former
King Ali of Arabia on the throne h»
made the equivocal reply that "every
thing is possible".
The most significant feature of
the departure of M. Ponsot is that
among his fellow passengers are
Nouri Pasha Said, Prime Minister of
the Iraquian cabinet, and Mr Young,
the representative of the BritishHigh
Commissioner of Iraq. Nouri Pasha
Said had spent several days in Damascms and Beirut as the guest of
French officials, and his departure
with the High Commissioner lent
considerable weight to the rumors
that some sort of an arrangement is
being sought to establish King Ali on
the proposed Syrian throne. The
additional fact that King Feisal of
Iraq, brother of King Ali, will join
his Prime Minister in Paris shortly
gave rise to what seems a conviction
that France now favors a monarchical form of government for Syria.
The inference is that the terms of
the new arrangement will be discussed at a round table conference to be
held in Paris.
What some political observers deduce from the presence of a British
official with the party is that Great
Britain and France have reached an
accord on a common policy in the
mandated territories. This accord,
they point out, ws evident from the
many instances of cooperation between the two powers, particularly
when Britain closed the Palestinian border to the Syrian rebels during the Druze revolution. Neither
Power, in the opinion of these observers, can afford to let the East
develop the strength that would
constitute a menace to her position.
By mutual assistance they can successfully deal with isolated instances, but to permit the spirit of nationalism among the natives to crystallize into collective action would
spell disaster.
Whatever the plans of the French
mandatory authorities in Syria, however, in respect to the form of
government for the country, the Syrian nationalists seem firm in tfaeir
conviction that their own will should
prevail. On the eve of M. Ponsot's
departure they held a general meeting in Damascus and a resolution
was reached that "under no circumstances will the people of Syria accept a form of government established without their sanction. Their
will has been expressed in the Na-
�JUNE, 1931
tional Constitution approved by the
legally elected Constituent Assembly. The Syrian nation has the right
to control its own destiny and will
not be influenced by a crown adorning the head of an individual Who
would lend himself as a tool in the
hands of the colonizers."
Not satisfied with the mere statement of their position, the Nationalists sent cable protests to the
French Foreign Office and to the
League of Nations.
POSSIBLE CHANGE IN
LEBANON GOVERNMENT
Repblic Might be Dissolved with
the Expiration of Term of
First President.
If what is claimed to be authentic informotion reaching a leading
Lebanese paper through its Paris
correspondent be true, the Lebanese
Republic is doomed to extinction
with the expiration of the term of
President Charles Dabbas, which
falls early next year. Mr. Dabbas is
the first President of the Lebanese
republic, which in turn is the first
republic in the Arabic-speaking
countries, proclaimed :'n 1923 and
hailod as a great step forward in
the efforts of thft peoples of the East
to launch on the sea of democracy.
It ras had so far i tempestuous
career with rising and falling cabinets and frequent changes of policy
while the cry has ever been growing that the representatives of the
people are but the puppets of the
mandatory power. The record of
achievement of the Representative
Assembly is, to be sure, nothing to
indicate much initiative or, if any,
45
any degree of consciousness of
power.
The alternative, as set forth in
the dispatch, is to install a French
governor in Lebanon obviously for
the purpose of eliminating the
wranglings and jealousies of the native leaders. Some degree of recognition will be given the Lebanese in
that the mandatory power will submit the names of three candidates
from among whom the Representative Assembly will elect one for
governor. The Assembly, it is further asserted, will be induced to
sanction the amendment to the Constitution necessary for the inauguration of the change. Nor will this
change appear as coming from the
French or dictated by them. Rather, it will be made the expression
of a popular demand. Already plans
have been laid, it is asserted, for the
circulation of petitions to that effect
to be signed by the people.
The Lebanese government, to be
sure, does not now enjoy much confidence either of the people or of
the mandatory authorities. A significant incident relative to the boycott of the traction interests serves
as an illustration. The French authorities had professed keeping a
hands-off policy in the progress of
the boycott, conceding to the Lebanese government full authority to
deal with the situation. Yet when the
Lebanese government refused to
deal with the boycott committee, that
same committee was given a hearing by the French authorities over
the head of the Lebanese government, causing the latter to lodge
an official protest against this unethical procedure.
Ths Lebanese government, on the
other hand, is accused of using dictatorial powers in handling the boycott situation and favoring the foreign interests as against the welfare
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
46
of the people. It has so far suspended peremptorily six of the leading papers and materially curtailed
the right of public speech and assembly. This is interpreted by the
populace as nothing else but a servih role which the government is
playing in carrying out the secret
dictates of the French.
The boycott has been brought to
an end after a duration of almost
two months. The people may be
said to have been victorious insofar as they have compelled the traction and electric utilities campanies
to grant a substantial reduction in
their rates. During the progress of
the strike three separate popular
committees were formed to direct it,
each succeeding the other when the
government arrested its members
usder statutary charges and conned them to jail. Such sustained determination was never before evident in any popular manifestation
of the people of the Near East, and
is taken by observers as an indication of a new spirit of popular cooperation.
According to press dispatches, the
report finds the Moslems have sole
ownership of, and the sole property
right to, the Wailing Wall and the
adjoining pavement.Although granting the Jews free access to the Wall
for purposes of devotion, it limits
their right to carry the ark containing the scrolls of the law near to
the wall on certain special occasions.
It also confirms the rules enacted by
the mandatory administration against the bringing of screens.benches and other appurtenances of worship to the Wall and forbids the
blowing of the shofar, or ram's horn
near tne wall so as not to disturb
the Moslems in their worship. A
ban is also placed on the Jews' making any political speeches at the
wall.
The only check on Moslem religious ceremonials is the prohibition of
zikr, a ritiualistic dance, during the
hours when the Jews lament and
pray before the wall.
Press dispatches from Jerusalem report the Grand Mufti as saying that "the privileges granted to
the Jews cannot be tolerated and the
Moslems cannot be expected to foreARABS REJECT FINDINGS
go their legal possessive rights in
ON WAILING WALL
this manner. They never agreed to
The special commission appoint- the appointment of the Wailing Wall
ed by the MacDonald Government Commission, so they cannot underto investigate the claims of Moslems take to submit to its decisions."
The June 20 issue of the English
and Jews arising from the Wailing
Wall situation gave out its long-a- edition of Falastin contains a sumwaited report on June 8. Appar- mary of a memorandum prepared by
ently the Moslems are favored by the Arab Liberal Party in criticism
the decision in that the commission of the commission's report. It cites
finds that the Wall is Moslem pro- the specific articles of the Mandate
perty, but certain privileges are wherein the Moslems are vested
permitted the Jews which the Mos- with the sole right of ownership of
lems resent. To all practical pur- the "Haram area, the wall of the
posees, the situation is nowhere Buraq and the courtyard connected
nearer a solution than when the therewith." Also that "nothing in
commissiibn started its investiga- the Mandate shall be construed as
tion,
v...
conferring upon the Mandatory au-
m -
�If.
47
JUNE, 1931
thority the right to interfere with
the fabric or management of purely Moslem sacred shrines, the immunities of which are guaranteed."
Falasiin, in commenting on the
IV'oslcms' former tolerance of Jewish worship at the Wailing Wall and
its interpretation by the Commission as a "right", fears that the immediate effect of such misconstruc-
tion would be to "prohibit tourists
from going to Al-Aqsa and into the
mosque in Hebron."
The paper
"strongly advises the Supreme Moslem Council to issue an order prohibiting such visits immediately unless the League of Nations guarantees that no permission of visit to
Moslem holy places shall constitute in future a right of visit."
About Syria and Syrians
SECOND LEBANESE FESTIVAL
ATTRACTS LARGE THRONG.
Bridgeport Becomes Mecca for
Thousands of Syrians and
Lebanese for the TwoDav Celebration.
(Note - - Because this issue of
the Syrian World goes to press the
second week in July, it is possible
to include the followisg account of
the Second Lebanese Festival which
took place on July 4 and 5)
The second Lebanese FestivalOuting held at Bridgeport, Conn.,
July 4 and 5, met with even greater
success than had the first. The estimated attendance was over three
thousand and the fame of the first
Festival held last year, having covered the country, this year's event
attracted a considerable number of
people from as far South as Virginia and Tennesse and as far North
as Michigan and Wisconsin. To see
the license plates of the hundreds of
automobiles entering the grounds
was to read a roster of almost all the
States of the Union with the exception of those of the far West.
As early as 6 o'clock in the morning of the fourth streams of automobiles began to file by the gate.
Many had reached Bridgeport the
night before in order to be on hand
for the enjoyment of every moment
of the two days, while many others
from nearby New England towns
had apparently made a very early
start. All were in the most buoyant
holiday spirit and the ideal weather
that prevailed helped increase the
feeling of cheer.
Without waiting for the formal
opening parties began to form and
stage their own games and fstivities.
The spacious grounds of
Champ's Farm, with its many open
spaces and wooded knolls, provided ideal locations for any number of
groups. One group formed at the
farthest extremity of the grounds
evidently with the purpose of indulging in their favorite pastimes and
native songs without fear of disturbance. But only too soon did this
small knot of revelers find itself the
center of attraction of several hund-
�1
48
red watchers who pressed around
them eager to hear every word uttered by the principal performers.
For was this not the circle Which
held the two most renowned qawwals
in the States, who could go for hours
alternating at the improvisation of
poetry in the vernacular, with the
facility of recitation from memory
or reading from an open book?
The center of attraction of another
large circle was a groun of lithe
dancers who performed either singly, to the tune of the oud and flute
and the rhythmic handclapping of
the audience, or in groups, holding
hands and circling and swaying in
the graceful motions of the dabke.
At times sword players with heroic motions and light step would supply a diversion.
Early in the afternoon of Saturday the festival was formally opened
by Mr. N. A. Mokarzel, editor of
Al-Hoda and founder of the Lebanon
League of Progress to which goes
the credit for the inauguration of
this patriotic movement. He spoke
in Arabic thanking the throngs for
their response to the League's appeal and extending them its best
wishes for an enjoyable time. His
speech, as well as those of the other
speakers who followed, were recorded in sound moving pictures. He
announced that henceforth the festival will be officially known as the
Lebanese Mahrajan and will be held
each year, inasmuch as popular approval has already confirmed it as
a national institution.
Other speakers at this function
were the Rev. Mansour Stephen; Dr.
B... T. Deen, Nasib Arida, Salim
Thomey and Assad Rustum, each of
whom recited an original poem composed for the occasion.
The official exercises, conducted
in English, were deferred until the
afternoon of the second day when
^^
THE SYRIAN WORLD
His Honor Edward T. Buckingham,
mayor of Bridgeport, attended in
his official capacity and delivered
an address of welcome. He was introduced by Mr. N. A. Mokarzel in
his capacity of founder of the Lebanon League of Progress and officially welcomed by Mr. N. Hatem,
acting president of the organization. The response to the mayor's address was delegated to Mr. Salloum
A. Mokarzel, editor of the Syrian
World. Miss. Edna K. Salomey, a
resident of Bridgeport, also delivered a most appropriate address. Dr.
F. I. Shatara of Brooklyn and Mr.
Hotchkins, former mayor of Waterbury, Conn, delivered short addresses.
The second Mahrajan, in the opinion of all present, was a tremendous
success. Much credit must be given
the arrangements committee for
having foreseen all possible needs
and fully provided for them. Mr. A.
K. Hitti, its chairman, was indefatiguable in his efforts and was ably
assisted by Mr. Jacob G. Raphael
editor of the Arabic magazine
"Character". The reception committee circulated among the throngs
and provided the maxium of attention.
For a fuller comprehension of the
objects of the Mahrajan we reproduce herewith the Greeting appearing
in the program.
The Lebanon League of Progress
of New York extends to all those
present at this Mahrajan a hearty
welcome and sincere good wishes for
an enjoyable time.
The first Mahrajan, or national
festival, held here at Bridgeport last
year, was in the nature of an experiment. The success attending it
left no doubt that it was the expression of a strong popular sentiment.
Hence the emphatic approval of the
idea as expressed this year by the
1
9
�JUNE, 1931
increased attendance. It is cause for
extreme gratification to the sponsors of this movement that it has so
readily taken hold of the imagination of our people.
Without claiming credit for any
effort on our part, we wish to make
the unqualified statement that the
latent patriotism of the Lebanese
and Syrians in America only required the initiative to coordinate it
and arouse it into action. We are
happy to have supplied the means
for this splendid patriotic expression.
As announced in the program of
our first Mahrajan, the object of
these patriotic gatherings is both to
keep alive our finer racial traditions
and to foster more pronounced loyalty to our adopted country. The
American nation has become the
greatest nation in the world owing
principally to the fact that it was
drawn from the most virile blood
of all nations — those hardy pioneers who had the courage to act on
their convictions and face life with
unflinching determination.
These
finer qualities which form the foundation of the American character
must be preserved in order to give
the nation that continued impetus
to strive for greater achievement.
They are best preserved by keeping
alive the spirit of the pioneers, the
builders, the men and women who
were fired by an ideal and sought
free expression of it in a new homeland. Keeping alive such memories
will only strengthen the hardy and
enterprising spirit of the American
pioneers of whatever nationality.
The social benefits of such gatherings also cannot be too strongly
stressed. For the first time in the
history of our immigration several
thousands of our compatriots were
brought together in a festive spirit
in the first Mahrajan. Old friend-
49
ships were renewed and new ones
formed. The young generation was
brought to realize in the most realistic manner the charm of some of
our old customs and traditions. A
new link of racial relationship was
forged that is bound to bring about
the most wholesome results. Americans taking part in our national
holiday came to appreciate as they
never did before the value of our
spiritual contributions to our adopted land. All this is now being
reenacted in a manifold degree.
The Lebanon League of Progress
fec^s indeed privileged in having
been the instrument for the materialization of such an idea and wishes
to pledge itself to its continuous
and more active promotion that the
benefit accruing therefrom might be
far-reaching and permament. It is
but another indication of the substantiality of our American patriotism that this second Mahrajan is
held on the anniversary of the American declaration of independence.
SYRIAN JUNIOR LEAGUE
HOLDS IMPORTANT DEBATE
Discuss the Advisability of Completely Merging into American Life
The Syrian Junior League is
assuming its rightful role of leadership in the social and cultural
affairs of the Syrian community of
New York . Although but a fewyears old, it has already given many
dinners, dances, plays and socials.
Its latest venture was a debate on
the resolution "that the SyrianAmerican Generation, should completely merge itself into American
life." A debate of this nature was
something altogether novel in Syrian feminine activities, and although
�50
no public invitations were issued the
attendance was beyond all expectations. All were so well pleased that
they encouraged the League to further promote such educational programs.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
accustomed to public appearances,
should have shown the courage and
ability that usually come with long
practice.
Fol'owing are excerpts from the
speeches of each of the debaters.
The debate was held June 9 at the
In opening the debate Miss Zal
clubrocms of the American-Syrian oom sketched the history of the
Federation in Brooklyn. Both deUnited States from the discovery of
bating teams were drawn exclusiveAmerica to the declaration of Inly from the membership of the Jundependence and showed that the
ior League. Those taking the afAmerican nation was drawn from all
firmative were Miss Madeline Zalthe peoples of the earth, and that
oom and Miss Nedda Uniss, while
the best interests of America lay in
the negative team was composed of
the complete amalgamation of the
Miss Madeline Maloof and Miss
diffirent groups. "America does not
Louise Dibbs. The judges were Mr.
want citizens who do not assimilate.
George A. Ferris, Dr. Salim Y. AlShe considers them a menace to her
kazin and Dr. Fouad Shatara.
progress, just as a parasite is a deMiss Selma Milkie, President of triment to a tree.
This country
the League, presided. At the con- of ours is young, and its people are
clusion of the debate Salloum A. the peoples of the earth, I will admit,
Mokarzel, editor of the Syrian Word but by unity of purpose and singleand Cecil J. Badway, business man- ness of action this country, in time,
ager of the publication, were called will no longer be a country of the
upon for a few remarks. Inasmuch peoples of the earth but a country
as the debate was sponsored jointly of Americans in the United States
by the Syrian Junior League and of America
Today, how sigthe Syrian World, Mr. Mokarzel nificant the world over are the
gave full credit for; the Syrian words "I am a citizen of America,"
World's assistance in the debate to and what joy and pride we should
Mr. Badway who gave generously anticipate in feeling that we are a
of his time and ability in assisting part of this perfectly organized
the debating teams.
nation. But more than the words
In rendering the unanimous deci- "I am a citizen of America" should
sion of the judges Mr. Ferris took be our actions which will by thempains to explain that the decision selves proclaim us Americans in
was reached not on their personal America. "
convictions on the subjects but on
In taking up the argument for the
the merit of the actual debate. The affirmative where her teammate had
decision was in favor of the affirm- left off, Miss Uniss discussed the
ative side.
social advantages of assimilation
It was evident from the debate as distinct from the historical and
that both teams had spent consider- economic. "The term 'assimilation',
able effort in preparing their mater- she said, "is borrowed from the field
ial. Their arguments were well rea- of biology and points out a process
soned and there was no lack of by which life seeks to keep its
citation of authorities. The most continuity and progress through abpleasant feature, however, is that sorbing those elements which are of
these Syrian girls, apparently un- vital necessity for its nurture and
�JUNE, 1931
well-being.
Without assimilation
there can be no vitality, no variation
no progress. The opposite of assimilation is stagnation, it is death."
Thence she proceeded to prove that
there was no other alternative open
to the Syrian-American but to merge
with the life of the American people
The whole record of human progress
may be traced to this one factor.
Even "the ancient Phoenicians from
whom we wou'd like to claim descent were themselves a composite
race". Only the most backward
people are of unadulterated and pure
stock. "The United States is a mixture of many races and cultures.
In fairness to ourselves and to the
country that sustains us and has become our homeland why should we
keep ourselves from participation in
this great process
After all
there are two sides to this word
which is the giving as well as the
taking. It is for us to bring our
contributions to our new country as
Americans to America. Let them be
spontaneous contributions that come
from our hearts rather than conscious contributions. Is it necessary
for us to come and say, "here we
are Syrians, descendants of the ancient Phoenicians, we are offering
you our goods; note whence they
came. "
In opening her argument for the
negative Miss Madeline Maloof
sought to show that the American
people are cosmopolitan in their nature and that it is impossible to escape identifying yourself with your
national extraction. She further
proceeded to show that racial pride
is "a very noteworthy trait" and
that individual prestige is enhanced
by identification witih one's racial extraction. It is therefore incumbent
upon the Syrians to preserve those
fine traditions inherited from their
ancestors who have contributed so
51
much to the progress of civilization.
"Do any of us in later years want to
hear our children asked "what is a
Syrian" and know that they cannot
explain and be proud of the explanation ? This will surely happen
if we do not take it upon ourselves
to preserve our identity. As we can
not lose our racial mark the question of your heritage is bound to crop
up at some time." Miss Maloof cited the example of Gibran as one
who has consistently maintained his
racial identity, bringing thereby
honor to his race, and closed with a
quotation from his message to the
young Americans of Syrian descent:
"I am the descendant of the people
that have builded Damascus, Biblus
and Tyre, and Sidon, and Antioch
and now I am here to build with you
and with a will. "
Further elaborating on the argument, Miss Louise Dibbs asserted
that it was impossible for one to so
completely merge with another race
as to entirely forget old traditions
and customs and obliterate one's ancestry. "We have adopted ourselves
to America. We Syrian-Americans
stand for America first. We declare our loyalty to America. But
America does not ask of us to completely wipe off our past and forget
our race identity and traditions."
She proceeded to show that the spirit
of devotion characteristic of Syrian
parents was one of the finer racial
qualities which should be appreciated by America, inasmuch as it helped bring up useful and law-abiding
citizens. This fine quality is reflected in the Syrians' clean record,
and for us to give it up simply to
break away from old traditions would
constitute a distinct loss not alone
to ourselves but also to America.
"We are better Americans by preserving these qualities and contributing them to America than by
�wme—ssst-
52
mimicking- what is supposed to be
American inasmuch as America is a
cosmopolitan mixture of all peoples
and unlike any distinct nationality."
ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE
REMAINS DEADLOCKED
The question of the Orthodox Patriarchate in Syria does not seem to
be nearing a solution, according to
the latest press reports reaching
the United States. What is feared
is that each faction is becoming more
obdurate in its tenacity to its version of the legality of the election
The. various lay committees formed
to effect a reconciliation have all
failed in their efforts.
So determined is the faction of
Patriarch Alexandros of Damascus
to have the -'.Mandatory Authorities recognize him as the legally elected head of the Syrian Orthodox
church of Antioch that it has decided to send a delegation to Paris,
headed by Bishop Theodosius Bourjaily, to lay the case before the
French government. Bishop Bourjaily, as the head of the delegation
was, however, refused a passport and
this confirmed all the more the Alexandros faction in their conviction
that the French are meddling in a
purely ecclesiastical matter and employing underhanded tactics to force
the recognition of Patriarch Arsanius of Latakia, who is said to be
pro-French in his sympathies. This
move forced the Alexandros faction
to appeal to the Patriarch of Istanbul, who in turn sent a special representative to Paris to deal with the
situation. .
What is published by some Syrian
papers as authentic information is
that the Alexandros faction has petitioned the head of the Anglican
. . THE SYRIAN WORLD
Church, the Archbishop? of Canterbury who lately visited Syria and
Palestine, to use his good offices
with the British government to force
the French in Syria to take necessary action in the Orthodox Patriarchate tangle. Although no direct
accusation is lodged against the
French that they are openly siding
with Patriarch Arsanius, their persistent refusal to declare their stand
in the situation is claimed to be the
cause for the continued deadlock.
Hence the decision of the Alexandros
faction to appeal to foreign agencies over their heads, and since permission was refused Bishop Bourjaily to sail for Paris the appeal
was made to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
From the same source it is learned that the Archbishop of Canterbury has placed the matter before
the British government, but since the
latter cannot find justification for
interfering in the internal affairs of
the French mandated territory, it
has instructed its delegates at Geneva to bring the matter before the
League of Nations.
The troubles of the mother church
have had a repercussion in the United States. As previously stated
in these columns, all the Orthodox
papers of the country, with the exception of An-Nasr, are for Patriarch Alexandros, while the Rt. Rev.
Abou Assaly has avowed his allegiance to Patriarch Arsanius. Archbishop Germanos Shahadi, in a published statement embodying his declaration of policy delivered from the
pulpit, advances the proposition that
all dignitaries of the Syrian Orthodox Church now in the United States
be recalled to Syria, following similar action taken by the Greek
Church as a result of the Russian
debacle, and a new bishop appointed
by the mother church to govern the
»
•
�JUNE, 1931
53
American diocese as the only feasible method of insuring unity.
A special Arabic hymn composed
by N. J. Shadid was sung to the
piano accompaniment of Miss Najla Barkett.
The committee on Arrangements
was composed of John Melad, N. J.
Shadid and F. H. Barkett.
REMAINS OF GIBRAN
GOING TO LEBANON
The body of Gibran Kahlil Gibran,
famous Lebanese artist and poet who
died in New York April 10, will be
transported to his native land on
one of the steamers of the Fabre
Line sailing from Providence July
24, according to reliable information reaching the Syrian World.
Gibran's sister. Marianna. and
other devoted friends will sail on the
same steamer.
The papers of Beirut report that a
citizen's committee of Becharri has
been formed with the object of raising funds to erect a statue to Gibran in his native town.
OKLA. CITY SYRIANS
HOLD GIBRAN SERVICE.
SYRIAN CHURCH OUTING
ATTENDED BY 650
The first annual outing of the
Young People's Fellowship of St.
Mary's Eastern Orthodox Church of
Brooklyn, under the Most Rev. Germanos Shahadi, was voted a complete success by the 650 members
and their friends who took part in it.
The committee in charge, comprising Kenneth Ziady, Philip Hanna and
Angelyn Sleyman, chartered the
steamer Warwick for the full day of
Sunday, June 28, which took the
picnickers to Hook Mountain on the
Hudson, where many hours were
spent in ideal weather conditions
and a perfect spirit of good fellowship. An orchestra furnished lively music both on board and on land.
The efforts of William Kaleel,
President, and Miss Eugenie Kalaf,
secretary of the organization, helped materially towards the success of
the outing.
A fitting memorial service to Gibran Kahlil Gibran was held in Oklahoma City, Okla., May 24, under the
auspices of the progressive SyrianAmerican Club. Other societies participating were the Syrian-American Ladies Society and the SyrianAmerican Modern Society.
The meeting was held at Claussen Hall and was opened by S. F.
Farha, the club's presidfent, who
TWO SYRIAN GIRLS
after requesting the Rev. ShokralGRADUATE WITH HONORS.
lah Shadid to give the invocation
Resented as the meeting's chairMiss Mabel Saloomey, daughter
man the namesake of the celebrated of Mr. and Mrs. K. Saloomey, of
poet, Gibran Khalil Gibran Shadid.
Bridgeport, Conn., graduated with
Each of the speakers presented a honors from the School of Arts of
different view of Gibran's work and Yale University on June 17. Miss
personality. They included/ F. H. Saloomey specializes in murals and
Barkett, Mrs. Saleema Adwon. B. portraits and her work has received
D. Eddie, N. J. Shadid, Mrs. Esber high praise from critics.
In her
Abdo, Miss Eva Kouri, and A. S. school career she had at one time
Kouri.
w on first prize for
excellence in
""'
"
:
".;..;
.".
.
�54
English and completed the regular
four-year high school course in three
years.
Miss Evelyn Tannous, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Tannous of
Far Rockaway, N. Y., was the
youngest law graduate of St. John's
College this year, being only twenty
and having completed the five-year
course in three years. Shei was assistant editor of the college journal
and a leader in many other school
activities.
FIRST SYRIAN WOMAN
M. D. IN AMERICA.
Defying the traditions of her people, Miss Saniyah Haboob, a Moslem young woman of Beirut, came
to America to study medicine with
the object of practicing the profession among the Moslem women of
Syria who still refuse medical treatment from male physicians in many
situations. Miss Haboob studied at
the Women's Medical College in
Philadelphia and was granted her
degree on June 10. Shortly afterwards she sailed for her native land
in company with Dr.Elizabeth Vaugh
who is expected to1 be her guest for
several months.
ARCHAEOLOGIC TREASURES
DISCOVERED IN LEBANON
The National Museum at Beirut
is being constantly enriched by the
frequent discovery of relics of which
the country seems to have an inexhaustible supply. The latest report
of such discoveries is that while
workmen were engaged at excavating for a foundation of a house in
Sidon they unearthed a beautiful
sarcophagus similar in every respect
to that of Alexander the Great. The
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Department of Antiquities was immediately notified and the curator
came to supervise the opening in
person. Unfortunately, the sarcophagus was found to contain only pebbles, indicating that vandals had
ransacked the tomb at some time
during the ages.
Simultaneous with this discovery
was when workmen in Jubail, the
cite of ancient Byblos, came upon
two earthen jars still containing a
rich collection* of coins, some bearing the name of a Phoenician King
of whom little had been heard before, while the others were of Macedonian origin dated 322 B.C. and
bearing the name of Alexander.
A. U. B. INSTRUCTOR
VICTIM OF ACCIDENT.
Six members of the faculty of
the American University of Beirut
organized a party to climb Mt. Sannin during the Eastern vacation.
They reached the nearest town, Baskinta, on April 2, and attempted to
make the dangerous ascent during
the night so as tot reach the summit
in time to view the sunrise. Three
of the party were unequal to the
task and returned to Beirut while
Charles Houghton, Iliya Hammam
and a Mr. Tatley decided to continue.
Before reaching the peak, however,
two lost their footing and fell, Mr.
1f
i?hton a distance of 2000 f '
and Mr. Hammam 1500 feet. Mr.
Tatley returned to Baskinta to summon aid and the two injured men
were removed to the American Hospital where Mr. Houghton's injuries
were discovered to be of a minor
nature while those of Mr. Hammam
proved fatal.
Iliya Hammam was a native of
Shweir, and burial took place in the
family plot in the cemetry of the
�JUNE,, 1931
town. He was 23 years old and was
an Instructor of Botany at the University.
FORMER WORLD CHAMPION
VISITOR IN BEIRUT.
Al-Kul'.iyah, organ of the American University of Beirut, reports
the first visit of Major Joseph(Gene)
Tunney, former heavyweight champion of the world, to that institution the iatter part of March. He
was traveling as a member of the
Haardt Trans-Asiatic expedition and
visited with it many parts of the
Near East.
While at the University Major
Tunney delivered several lectures
on clean manhood and sportsmanship
and the large audience "admired immensely his simplicity and natural
manners as a speaker. The enthusiastic cheers they gave him showed
the degree of appreciation they had
of his delightful speech."
Major Tunney i$ reported as
"having paid a tribute of gratitude
to the Near East for the precious
gifts it has rendered to the world
in the fields of culture, science, philosophy and religion, and to have
stated that sportsmanship started in
these regions and from here it was
introduced into Greece and then into
Rome and afterwards into modern
Western countries."
ATHLETIC INSTRUCTION
FOR A. U. B. CO-EDS.
The very fact that women of the
Near East are claiming equal rights
to academic education with the men
seems to make them conscious of
their prerogatives in all other lines
of endeavor, athletics included. Certainly, they would not pay their good
[BBIBHMHHHBIHHIHIHH
55
money for any privilege without receiving full value in return, but in
insisting on their rights they help
introduce in the East many a valuable innovation.
This, much is deduced from a report reaching us from Miss Berneice
Griswold of New York, publicity
agent of the American Near East
Colleges. Her account of how the
"co-eds" at the American University of Beirut demanded, and received,
their money's worth from the University throws a ray of enlightenment on the evolution of the feminine psychology in Syria. But despite
her brave effort at complete emancipation from the traditions of the
past the Syrian girl still balks at
some Western practices, such as having male swimming instructors, for
instance.
Miss Griswold's account
follows in full:
Atheletics are now included in the
curriculum for the twenty "co-eds"
at the American University of Beirut, Syria.
The women students paid an athletic fee, although they received no
instruction in sports. Recently, the
twenty "co-eds" demanded either an
instructor or a remission of the fee.
The University authorities, delighted with their interest-in athletics,
promptly secured the services of an
excellent instructor for a period of
six weeks as an experiment. All
the women students donned "gym"
clothes and attended class regularly twice each week. At the end of
six weeks, athletic instruction for
women students was an established
thing.
The course now includes health
exercises, rhythmic dancing, volley
ball, basket-ball and other games.
Bi-weekly swimming' classes have
been organized and are most popular.
The interest of the University stu-
•!
�56
dents is typical of a suddenly awakened interest in athletics among
women in Syria. Business girls in
Beirut are now taking advantage of
the gymnastic facilities of the Y.
W. C. A. A group of twelve girls
go to the Y. W. C. A. at 7 two mornings each week for an hour of exercise before going to work. Another
group of twenty girls who are not
employed attend class regularly at
11.
Basket-ball is very popular, tennis
has some adherents and volley ball is
also popular. The majority of the
girls are anxious to learn to swim
but as there are no women with life
saving training and many girls still
object to a male instructor no swimming courses are offered through
the Y.W.C.A.
. :; |j
MODERN DIVORCE METHODS
SHOCK BEIRUT REPORTER
A veteran reporter of Lisan UlHal, (Beirut) who thought himself
shock proof against all forms of
sensational occurences,
admitted
that he was shocked beyond expectation when he attended a session of
the newly organized domestic relations court in the city. In his own
words , a man and his wife petitioned the court for their freedom and
duly deposed and said that they had
agreed on the step in a spirit of full
mutual understanding.
While awaiting the decision of the court
they chatted and smiled and appeared to be supremely happy. In response to a question by the court the
husband explained that his wife had
ceased to love him and had, fo» over
a year and a half, been living with
another man. The wife admitted the
facts in toto, smiling benignly. The
judge had no recourse but to grant
their repuest.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
But the couple, explains the reporter, are not natives. They came
to Syria as members af a Swiss
financial commission and in their
impatience could not wait to return
to their own country and seek freedom through their native courts.
They have, however, succeeded in
establishing a precedent for divorce
procedure in Syria.
DRUZE REFUGEES ISSUE
NEW PATHETIC APPEAL.
In an appeal to the Arabs of America published in Al-Bayan, an Arabic
Daily of New York, the remnant of
the Druze warriors who have taken
refuge in Wadi Sirhan, on the borders of Arabia, describe their condition as most desperate. They state
that they are actually starving and
if the Arab emigrants do not
hasten to their aid they face the danger of extinction.
The Druze refugees in Wadi Sirhan number about three thousand
and comprise that band of Jebel
Druze insurgents who would not surrender to the French and are still
holding out for the original conditions for which the Syrian revolution was declared.
A LEBANESE COLOMBIAN
MINISTER IN BELGIUM.
The Syrian press in South America is in receipt of information that
Dr. Gabriel Taraby, former First
Secretary of the Colombian House
of Representatives, was appointed
minister of Colombia in Belgium and
sailed on March 13 for Brussels. Dr.
Taraby is the son of a Lebanese immigrant from Baskinta and has had
a brilliant political career culminating in his becoming the leader of
the Progressive Party of the coun-
�57
JUNE, 1931
try . He is considered one of the wearing silks, because my fatiher
most eloquent orators of Colombia, left me upon his death a sum of
is but in his late twenties, and his $ 7,500,000. But I have decided to
name connected by dame gossip with" definitely and completely renounce
that of the daughter of the Presi- civilization and its attendant excitedent who is now a student in Bel- ment and noise and lead the life of
the desert away from New York's
gium.
skyscrapers. Will you, Sir, accept
me for wife and become the sole
SYRIANS OF NEW YORK
master of my body and my wealth,
PROTEST PAPER'S SUSPENSION and I promise to lead with you the
The Lebanese Government having conventional life of your own peosuspended for an indefinite period ple? I am prompted to make this
the newspaper Zahle Fatat, publish- suggestion by what I have read about
ed in Zahle and edited by Shukri your illustrious father and his tribe
Baccash, who at one time was a resi- in the book of Col. Lawrence, and
dent of New York, the Zahle com- his description of your life 'has
munity of New York held a mass fascinated and enthralled me."
The Arab Sheikh is reported not
meeting of protest and passed a
to
have as yet answered the enstrong resolution condemning the
amoured
lady.
high-handed methods of the government. A cable expressing the indignation of the Zahle immigrants in
MOTOR VEHICLES IN SYRIA
America was sent to the Lebanese
According to statistics compiled
government and signed by fourteen
by
the U. S. Department of Comranking merchants of New York inmerce
total registration of autocluding Bardwill Bros., Gorra Bros.,
mobiles
in Syria as of January 1,
G. Mobarak 'and Bros., Butrus Bros.,
1931,
was
10,246 of which 6,380 were
Elias Abu Arab and Bros., W. Kharautomobiles
for hire, 1,200 privatesa and G. Macksoud and Bros.
ly owned, and 500 government owned. Trucks and buses number 2,166.
FAMOUS ARAB SHEIKH
The figures do not distinguish beWOOED BY AMERICAN. tween the State of Syria and the
The following is a translation of a Republic of Lebanon, but from preletter claimed to have been receiv- vious statistics it may be stated that
ed by the bedouin chieftain Moham- the proportion of automobiles in
Lebanon is double that of Syria desmad Abu Taih, whose father was
pite
the former's smaller size.
made famous by the account of Col.
Lawrence of Arabia, from an American lady who apparently does not
mince words in making known her
intentions. The letter was first published in Aleph-Ba of Damascus and
reproduced in the May 29 issue of
Meraat-UL-Gharb of New York. It
is here given at its face value. Said
the Lady:
"I have, Sir, spent my life rolling
in luxury, occupying palaces and
LOCUSTS IN SYRIA
Early this spring locusts made
their appearance on the borders of
Syria coming from the direction of
the Arabian desert and Palestine.
Although the locusts in some instances have reached the borders of
Lebanon the damage to crops is not
as serious as in former years.
�58
THE SYRIAN WORLD
SYRIA. LEBANON. PALESTINE. EGYPT
CR ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE
NEAR EAST
Can Best Be Known by
VISITING— SEEING
Our native staff is in a position to give you first-hand
information on any of these countries, as well as expert
advice on planning itineraries that will afford the max
lmum of benefit for the minimum of expense.
A. K. HITTI & COMPANY
83 WASHINGTON STREET
NEW YORK CITY
Phone Bowling Green 2765
TOg^sf"3
�BJBW
JUNE, 1931
59
**<<< <•<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< <<<<<<<«<<
THE LEBANON NATIONAL BANK
319 FIFTH AVENUE, COR. 32NDSTREET
Legal Depository of
The United States — New York State — New York City
Member of
The Federal Reserve Bank — New York State Bankers
Association — American Bankers Association
4y2% INTEREST
We are pleased to announce that our Board of Directors has decided to raise the rate of interest on savings
accounts from 4% to 4-l/2%, computed every three
months, which raises the rate considerably above A-l/2%
per annum.
On check accounts, interest will be paid at the rate of
2% for daily balances below $5,000, and 3% for daily
balances of $5,000 and over.
:
The Lebanon National Bank inaugurates the return
of control to its original founders by this liberal policy
of sharing profits with its depositors. Out-of-Town accounts are solicited on the same basis. We shall be glad
to correspond with anyone, anywhere, interested in availing himself of our facilities and liberal terms.
- Ii
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BANKING BY MAIL is a conception of good business.
You can begin at once to enjoy the facilities of
our "Banking by Mail" department.
J k
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THE LEBANON NATIONAL BANK
"THE BANK OP FRIENDLY CO-OPERATION"
319
Corner
New York City
FIFTH AVE.,
32ND ST.,
>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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�THE SYRIAN WORLD
AUTHENTIC
ORIENTAL RUGS
KJ
THE A. SLEYMAN COMPANY, INC.
276 5th AVENUE
NEW YOFK CITY
Phone BOgardus 4-4345
George Haddad
Proprietor
&
|
j^j
Phone
CHickering 4-8878
ALEXANDRIA RESTAURANT
The new and beautiful uptown Syrian restaurant owned and operated
by a master chef, who summons his long experience to the
art of producing the most delectable Oriental dishes.
Small and large parties catered to
So Conveniently Located
21 WEST 31st STREET,
NEW YQRK
mwrnrnmB^mmmm
IT IS YOURS
is the only Syrian publication printed
in English, and as such is the organ of the Syrians in America
You can help it continue and grow by subscribing to it yourself
and inducing others to subscribe.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
PUBLISHER, THE SYRIAN WORLD:
104 Greenwich Street, New York.
_
You may enter my name as a subscriber to "The Syrian World- for the term of one year, for which I agree to
fay the regular rate of $5.00 upon receipt of the first issue.
Address
City &? State
^^^^^^^^^MMmmmmmmm^mmMm
' I
�SB
JERE J. CRONIN
FUNERAL DIRECTOR
MORTUARY CHAPEL
Local or Out of Town Funerals Personally Attended to
LADY ATTENDANT
Expense a Matter of Your Own Desire
115 ATLANTIC AVENUE
BROOKLYN, N. Y.
The large amount of business we do permits us to buy caskets
in large quantity which enables us to give the best funerals very
reasonable. We carry a complete line of the very best manufactured
caskets at $45.00 up. We pay no agents to secure funerals for us but
only give the family who has sorrow the very best of service, reverenca
and economy. Our aim is to help those who are in trouble at a very
little cost. No charge for use of our services or funeral parlors.
Telephone—MAIN 1398-1399-8130-3655
*
HOW TO BREED MOTHS
Leave your rugs on the floor
with all the dirt and germs
they have collected during the
winter and which home methods cannot remove. Nature
will do the rest.
a.
If
i
RESTORATIVE: Call the
THE KOURI CARPET
CLEANING CORPORATION
RUG WASHERS
1
i
NEW YORK, N. Y.
10 West 33rd Street
Tel. LOngacre 5-2385
JERSEY CITY, N. J.
552 Johnston Avenue
Tel. BErgen 3-1085
t»T*TTT>T?*T?Vy>>T>T
SHEIK
RESTAURANT
A well-appointed Syrian restaurant in the heart of the
Syrian Quarter, in lower Manhattan, where you and your
friends can enjoy the most
delectable
Oriental
meals
amidst the charm of an Oriental atmosphere.
Second Foor for Banquets and
Private Parties
KIRDAHY RESTAURANTS,
Inc.
65 WASHINGTON ST.,
New York
'/TTTTTT^yTTTffint; >f»»tT»
�I ime
Tested
n
10 better illustration could be
given of the value of the Linotype machine than the
use it is being put to by publishers of Arabic in
America. To them the Linotype has become an absolute necessity and they depend on it entirely to the
exclusion of all hand composition. And inasmuch as
these publishers are men of long experience and students of methods of economy there can be no more
eloquent testimony to the value of the Linotype than
their adoption of it and dependence on it. And they
have been using it for over fourteen years and as they
go on more and more in its use they get more and
more to appreciate it, proof of which is the fact that
some publishers have bought at first one, then two
and three, up to five Linotypes.
MERCENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY
Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A.
Cable: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK
An illustrated descriptive catalog
of the Arabic Linotype sent free
upon request.
•74.JI.«-X
LINOTYPE METRO FAMILY
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�THE SYRIAN WORLD
64
*> «»
ATTENTION!
» »»
FORWARD!
MARCH ON TO PROGRESS!
» +'4
SAFE!
gS&>
IMMEDIATELY
YOUR
» »»
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START A BANK ACCOUNT
LET
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MONEY
Accumulate for Future
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NEEDS AND HAPPINESS
PfrA
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INTEREST
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"Per eAnnum
$10.00
-. ^m
Jj
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•
ON TIME DEPOSITS
FROM
UP
--SJ>
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Checking accounts may be opened with $200.00 or more.
FAOUR BANK
D. J. FAOUR & BROS.
Established 1891
Under Supervision of New York State Banking
Department.
Capt at and Surplus Over $500,000.00
85
j
WASHINGTON ST.,
. i i
J'. —uLulB
NEW YORK CITY
3EB
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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
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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
TSW1931_06reducedWM
Title
A name given to the resource
The Syrian World Volume 05, Issue 10
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1931 June
Description
An account of the resource
Volume 5 Issue 10 of The Syrian World published June 1931. The final issue of the fifth volume opens with an article by none other than Rev. W. A. Mansur. He begins the issue by talking about the tensions between Christians and Moslems. He specifically references the fact that a number of religious figures in both communities have attempted to make amends by disregarding old prejudices and inviting tolerance. After a quatrain by Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin, The Syrian World makes the editorial announcement to continue its publication. Following the discussion of Palmyra by Wadad J. Kh. Mackdicy and a piece by J.D. Carlyle, a work of the late Kahlil Gibran is featured as translated by Andrew Ghareeb, who received permission to translate from Gibran before his passing. Before a continuation of "Ali Zaibaq" there is an article by J.A. Barrakett discussing the American pastime of Backgammon, a game that originated in the ancient East, still a popular feature in Syrian-American homes. The issue concludes with the Reader's Forum, an update on political developments in Syria, and excerpts from the Arab press related to Syrians and 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
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Text/pdf
Type
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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.
1930s
J.D. Carlyle
Kahlil Gibran
New York
Poetry-English
Recreation
Reverend W.A. Mansur
Salim Alkazin
Syria
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/12bf5ebc20ef1e8cfd0151bd4c1aa5e2.pdf
ab42af53635a28315cdc107d3d3e6dec
PDF Text
Text
MAY, 1931.
*****
THE
SYRIAN WORLD
A
MONTHLY MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH DEALING
WITH SYRIAN AFFAIRS AND ARABIC LITERATURE
FROM BAGDAD TO BASRAH DOWN THE TIGRIS
AMEEN RIHANI
OUR PRIDE IN OUR SYRIAN RACE
REV. W. A. MANSUR
THE CASE OF THE SYRIAN WORLD
OPINIONS OF FOUR CLASSES OF READERS
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA
ALI ZAIBAQ (QUICKSILVER)
^
THE COPY 50c
(A SERIAL)
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THE
SYRIAN WORLD
Tublished monthly except July and August
by
THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS
104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y.
By subscription $5.00 a year.
Single Copies 50c.
Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York,
N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879.
MAY, 1931
VOL. V. No. 9.
CONTENTS
PAGE
From Bagdad to Basrah Down the Tigris
5
AMEEN RIHANI
Queen Ulmana's Turquoise (Poem)
DR. SALIM
Y.
17
ALKAZIN
The Spirit of Gibran (Poem)
18
AMIN BEDER
The Case of
THE SYRIAN WORLD
20
Opinion of the Press
21
Opinion of the Clergy
23
Opinion of the Professions
25
Opinion of the Young Generation
27
�-
CONTENTS (Continued)
PAGE
Our Pride in Our Syrian Race
REV.
W. A.
29
MANSUR
Book Reviews:—
An American Girl's Absorbing Story
36
An Englishman Pleads for Arabia
38
Honor Your Mothers
Miss
40
LAMESE HAMATI
A Mother's Love (Poem)
PHILIP
42
C. S
ABBAGHA
Ali Zaibaq
43
Political Developments in Syria
48
About Syria and Syrians
GIBRAN'S
;
ENGLISH
WORKS
Are on Sale at the Office of "The Syrian World"
50
�IN THIS ISSUE
For Those Who Would Know the High Lights of the
Material in This Number.
AMEEN Rihani enjoys the
distinction of being a gifted
writer in both English and Arabic: Arabic is his mother tongue,
but it may be safely said of him
that his literary ability displays
itself to even better advantage
in English. Perhaps to this singular circumstance of dual capacity may be ascribed the fascination and charm of his writings in both languages, he being
able to introduce in each an element of novelty drawn from
the other. He adds to his native
ability an accomplished technique and rare cultivation and
polish. Hence the demand for
his literary output by outstanding American publications. His
present article, for instance, describing his journey from Bagdad to Basrah down the Tigris,
was first published in Travel
magazine.
Mr. Rihani has given THE
SYRIAN WORLD carte blanche to
publish all his writings aside
from his special and direct contributions to the publication.
His opinion of THE SYRIAN
WORLD, his espousal of its educational mission and his firm
belief in its benefits as a potent
moral force are well known
from his published declarations
on the subject. It is but natural,
therefore, that he should help
carry on the task of education
and enlightenment. Our readers may expect many valuable
contributions from him now
that he is back in the peace and
quiet of Freike.
What we would call particular attention to in this connection is that our readers have
the benefit of Mr. Rihani's literary products which American
publications can only secure at
handsome figures. What matters to them whether we pay for
the product or not so long as
they are enjoying the best that
could be offered at a literary
feast. They should, rather, be
glad in the realization that such
able talent is enlisting in the
cause of serving them, educating them, and elevating them.
Nor are the courses offered
them monotonous. They represent a choice variety which true
literary ^connoisseurs will fully
appreciate. We offer Mr. Rihani's present article as a distinctive piece of travel literature.
�D EV. W. A. Mansur's splen- readers published in this issue.
did patriotism must have We are citing opinions from
been evident long ago to our four distinct classes, and trust
readers. He aims to inspire and that other interested readers
writes from deep conviction. will give us the benefit of their
What should lend more weight opinions that we may be more
to his pronouncements on pa- fully helped to reach the proper
triotic issues is that he is su- decision.
premely altruistic. Not only is
he contributing gratuitously but
does so with the fiery zeal and
abstract devotion of a true mis- HTHE exploits of Ali Zaibaq
are coming to an end, the
sionary. It must be remembered
that the Rev. Mansur is not last instalment being scheduled
serving a Syrian community so to appear in the coming issue.
that he may be accused of sel- But in the meantime there are
fish interest in his display of a many blood-curdling incidents
patriotic spirit. We even doubt that mark the intervening chapthe existence of a single Syrian ters. The humiliating experiin his congregation, or even in ence met by the hero at the
hands of a rival, followed by
the town where he is located.
But for distance and time, we his fall from grace with the
entertain not the least doubt King, are only oyershadowed by
that this noble preacher would his reckless bravery in the face
be the first to attend the com- of extreme danger. The Arab
ing Mahrajan. Still his spirit tale-teller tells it with all his
is wholly in the enterprise consummate art.
which he characterizes as the
noblest thought that has entered the mind of a Syrian. His
E have two contributions in
article on the subject will be
this issue from a Syrian
found most informative and girl and a Syrian boy on their
inspirational.
conception of what the chil-
W
XHOSE interested in the destinies of THE SYRIAN
WORLD will find much food for
thought in the opinions of
dren's attitude should be towards their mothers. We heartily congratulate them, and wish
their sentiments and convictions
will be shared in by every Syrian son and daughter.
�THE
SYRIAN WORLD
SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL, Editor.
MAY, 1931
VOL. V. No. 9.
From Bagdad to Basrah Down
The Tigris
Ameen Rihani Describes His Eventful Voyage Down That MostAncient of Rivers on a Sidewheeler and Tells Why He Is
Not Surprised Adam and Eve Were Not Sorry to Leave
the Scene of the Garden of Eden.
'By
AMEEN RIHANI
I CAME up to Bagdad from Basrah on a railway that was constructed during the World War, and, having tasted of its comfort and speed, I decided to go back by water. There was a boat
anchored on the Tigris in the shadow of a mansion that seemed
to lisp in monosyllables of the glory of ancient Bagdad. It was
introduced to me by my poetic Arab friend as the Bride of the
Tigris, and the official of The Tigris and Euphrates Navigation
Company said that the Zenobia was the best of the line. The
Zenobia—the name alone attracted me. But I remembered that
I was once attracted—and subtracted from the list of the solvent
—by a name in the stockbroker's office in New York. Nevertheless, the Z.enobia, I said to myself, cannot be worse than a junkcarriage drawn by an antediluvian engine. Besides, there is the
Tigris for compensation.
The Zenobia was a sidewheeler of about four hundred tons,
drawing a maximum draft of three feet. But she could tow four
barges, two on each side, without a murmur from her engine or
a complaint from her crew. She. came from England on her own
flat bottom, like many other crafts, during the War, but, unlike
�i-TtMM
6
THE SYRIAN WORLD
some of the others, she escaped the submarines. It could not
have been her skipper's luck, for he had seen better days on a
palatial trans-Atlantic liner.
He was a portly Englishman of middle age with an everyday
face and a holiday smile—a brave Englishman who could smile
even in those early disastrous days of the British occupation of
Iraq. But he was modest and genial and optimistic, because, I
suppose, he had seen the worst. He himself brought the Zenobia
across the seven seas from Plymouth to Basrah. And what a
voyage it must have been, especially through the Atlantic and
the Mediterranean! Indeed, he had dared many a periscope,
watched the wake of many a torpedo, passed over lurking submarines, wooed all the dangers and perils of underhanded warfare for the sake of the Zenobia. Nevertheless, he had the sincere unaffected modesty to say that her luck was contagious. That
won me to the Zenobia and her master. Wherever the luck was
thought I, I was sure to catch it.
But no one could love the Zenobia as the man that dared with
her the penis of the seven deeps and the more than seven submarines. She was the sole object of his attention, his care, his
devotion. Her decks were as clean as a whistle, her cabins as
attractive as a patch of verdure on the barren banks of the Tigris
her two bathrooms as impeccable as a bride's veil, and—luxury
of luxuries—her fuel was Mesopotamian oil.
The bride indeed, of the Tigris! The skipper, not being a
poet, ventured a correction. "Your friend meant pride, I suppose for many English-speaking Arabs confuse their b's and p's "
I said nothing in defense of poetry. The Zenobia herself was
the moving poetry of the day, and it was a real joy to hear the
skipper comment upon her. But sometimes I wondered Is he
speaking of a well-behaved sidewheeler, or an earthquake? "You
notice how she takes a bank, just brushes against it, and a ton
ot earth falls into the water, giving the river an extra width of
a few feet. 'Not while he was speaking, but an hour later, she
did not exactly brush against the bank. She gave it a knock-out,
which shook the passengers also from their afternoon sleep The
women screamed, the sounders yelled one to another, and I
holding to the rail, watched this summary process of widening
the Tigris.
"Now and then a thing like that happens," said the skipper
apologetically. "It's not the Zenobuts faults it's those damned
khatraps [sounders]. They go asleep in their chairs and con-
.
�MAY, 1931
V /
.
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"Drawing Water from the Tigris
Methods of Irrigation in Iraq Are Still in the Most Primitive
Form
tinue to cry out khamsah maay [five feet of water], when there
are but two. And here we're stuck. We've got to send out the
anchor." But the khatraji—there were six on the Zenobia—will
tell you that the long bamboo in his hand, with a measure in black
and white told off on the end he dips into the water, that bamboo
may go wrong, but he—never! He can feel the depth of the
Tigris even in his sleep. And whenever an unseemly contact
takes place between the boat and the bank, he blames it upon the
pilot. The Zenobia has two.
You have to have pilots, native X-ray navigators, on the
Tigris. For what does an English skipper know, or ever hope
to know, about the whimsical and mercurial channels of the most
tortuous and the most treacherous of rivers? One's knowledge
must be intuitive, atavistic, Babylonic. Was the pilot then the
culprit? When the Zenobia "just brushed" against the bank and
got stuck in the mud, the water seemed to be overflowing on the
opposite side; and the pilot swore that the shallow side was the.
navigable one when they last went up the river. Has the water
moved or has the sand? The Tigris itself could answer the pilot
m
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
by passing the buck to some one up the mountains of Ararat.
But what avails the knowledge and the blame? The Zenobia
must be rescued. One of her two anchors is put into one of her
two balams (a slender canoe-like boat), which is rowed to the
other side of the river. There the anchor is planted in the sand;
and, when the sign is given, the Zenobia's little engine begins to
chortle, winding the chain around the capstan. It was a tug-ofwar, and the resistance was sometimes on our side, sometimes
on the other. In the former case, we had to send out the other
anchor, or have the first replanted in firmer soil. To heave the
boat thuswise was a work that lasted from an hour to a whole
day. It depended upon how deep the sounder or the pilot or the
Tigris or Fate itself had driven the Zenobia into the mud.
"But she comes out of it all right," said the skipper. "Sometimes we have to repair one of her wheels. In her struggle she
leaves a blade or two behind." The problem is even more complicated, when the business of heaving is prolonged. "And sometimes," the skipper resumed, "we are left high and dry between
two deserts—not a blade of grass on either side—just such walls
of dried mud—without any means of communication.... Once
we got stranded near a bedouin village. There was a war between
two tribes, and one of them was driven to the river-bank, where
we were anchored. The firing reached the Z,enobia, and we had
to take to our bunks. Some of the passengers were injured and
one of the water jugs on deck was blown to pieces. It was an
exciting day."
But more exciting to me was the incident I witnessed the
following morning. One of our two barges bumped against what
must have been a boulder in the river-bed, and suddenly the
towing rope screamed and snapped. The stern of the barge was
let loose, and, swinging clean around, it hit the Zenobia on the
nose. Full stop. The khatrajis were all silent but not surprised;
the skipper on the bridge calmly gave out his orders; the crew
leaped on to the barge with towing ropes and chains, and in about
an hour the rebellious monster, which stood breadthwise blocking
the stream, after it had dug with its buttock deep into the mudbank, was brought back and chained to its place. And no one was
excited but myself.
But the skipper, as we made our way, now gloriously, now
laboriously, down stream, became more revealing. "Sometimes
the barge breaks loose entirely, and in a jiffy we find ourselves
separated from each other, with a sand-bank in the bargain be-
t
�{MAY, 1931
tween us. Once it took a whole day to pull a barge out of the
mud and get it again in tow. But we came out of it all right."
The assurance was emphasized with a nod and a smile. The
Zenohia's luck was not only contagious; it was also continuous,
with a break, however, now and then, to lend color to her career.
"Khamsah maay!" (five feet of water) cries the sounder at
the helm. "Khamsah maay!" echoes the sounder at the stern.
And all is smoothness and serenity. But of a sudden, in a voice
sharp and shrill, "Thalathah maay!" (three of water). Too late.
We're up against another snag. The Z,enobia shakes from stem
to stern—full stop. Day and night, going up the river, all day
long, going down the river, the life of a wheeler is a series of
sprints and excavations. But the life of the passengers, notwithstanding, is given an increase of joy by the music of the khatraji*s
voice, even when he is droning, while dozing in his chair, "Khamsah maay."
This music ceases at sunset; for only in the light of day,
when going down the Tigris, is navigation safe. You have seen
how safe it is even in the light of day. But up stream, it is not
so difficult to overcome at night the exiguous currents or the
eccentricity of the channels. For eight months of the year this
temper of the Tigris remains unchanged; and it is worse in September about the end of the dry season. After the first rain,
however, it begins to improve; and when the snow on the mountains beyond Mosul begins to thaw, it rises and rises in earnest,
suddenly, violently, overwhelmingly. It is a river of fatal extremes—a voluptuary in April, May and June, an ascetic in the
nine months that follow. And in both moods there is little or
no good for Iraq. On the contrary, there is destruction. Indeed,
the Tigris in the flood season destroys by its power, and in ebbing
season, by its impotency. In other words, the seed of life is
either choked or starved to death.
The only cure for this savage humor of the river is a scientific system of irrigation, which will chain its floods and regulate
its currents. Thus the Babylonian method of irrigation and navigation will come to an end. The bamboo of the khatraji will be
replaced by the fathometer, and the donkey of the chard (waterwheel) by a Diesel engine. Other bounties will follow, the last
of which will be the end of tribal wars. For the bedouin Arabs
will not have to raid each other then, because of the need of
water and pasture.
The river boats are in one thing progressive—they burn oil
/
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
10
instead of coal. But that is because it is cheaper to be progressive.
The coal must be imported from England, and the oil is there
in Mesopotamia under British control. The 7jenobia towed a barge
carrying two hundred tons of fuel oil to Diala, where the AngloPersian Company was setting up a refinery for the oil of Duleim
and Qasr Shirin on the Persian border. But that oil was still
eluding the prospectors, who had been at work there for two
years. Nevertheless, Diala was being prepared for its reception.
It was becoming curiously progressive and offensive. The landscape, with its minaret and few palms, a modestly picturesque
landscape, a silent and pensive landscape, was beginning to clatter
with the skeletons of wealth. Tank sand pipe-lines, engines and
derricks were crowding out the minaret and the palms.
"Aamesh maay!" (plenty of water; go ahead) cries the khatrajiy and we meander safely for a whole day to a quieter and
more pleasant center of wealth. From sunset to midnight we
load grain at Bughailah. No machinery here. Silently, steadily,
sturdily, the Arabs come and go, piling the sacks on the barge.
I must hasten to correct the statement about machinery. The
landscape of Bughailah was free of it. But an Arab farmer told
me that he used oil pumps for irrigating his land. Apparently,
many pumps were brought to Iraq during the War and were disposed of at very cheap prices by the military authorities. But
tractors the Arabs could not use, because the price of grain did
not warrant the expense. A sack of oats, two hundred pounds,
was sold at Bughailah for five rupees ($1.50) and for about $2.00
f.o.b. Barsah or Bagdad.
No horse in Iraq need eat his head off when his oats can be
gotten for a song. But one wonders why there is such a high
cost of living, when wheat and farm products are plentiful and
cheap. Frequently, in Bagdad, at least, a traveler pays London
prices. One evening I asked three friends to a dinner at a hotel,
which boasted what is still called an American bar. We had two
cocktails each and only one bottle of white wine with the dinner,
which was not an Arabian-night banquet. Nevertheless, the bill—
la douleur, indeed—was seventy rupees, or twenty-one dollars.
With twenty dollars in Bughailah, which is one hundred forty
miles from Bagdad by the boat's log, I could buy twelve bushels
of wheat, two heads of sheep, a dozen chickens, five dozen eggs,
ten quarts of milk and a basketful of vegetables and fruits. The
grocers and farmers there, the whole population came out to meet
the Zenobia when she anchored at sunset. Girls with chickens,
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JMAY, 1931
11
boys with pomegranates, men with vegetables and eggs, women
with large bowls of laban (a kind of buttermilk) and shepherds
with sheep—they were all there to supply the needs of the thirdclass passengers. There was a hum, but not a shout, of hawkers.
Every one gesticulated, and one boy selling pomegranates made
music of the Arabic name, rumman.
But more eloquent than any gesture or word was the picturesqueness of a little girl, who stood apart from the crowd, holdingout six chickens, three white in one hand and three black in the
other. For about five minutes she stood there in that appealing
attitude, silent and sad; but her fair face and her henna-colored
hair finally triumphed. A tall Persian youth, one of a party of
pilgrims to Kerbela that were returning home by way of Bushire,
leaped from the steamer to the barge, made his way through the
crowd and across the plank to that solitary figure on the shore.
I was on the barge watching the scene. "How much," asked the
Persian, after he had relieved her of her burden. "Half a rupee
each," replied the girl, smiling winsomely. He gave her three
rupees, and then—"this is for thy smile, this is for thy beautiful
eyes, and this is for the henna of thy hair." In speechless wonder
the girl gazed at the six rupees in her hand, turned her back to
go, and then stopped. "May Allah send thee a beautiful bride,"
she said to the.generous youth, and hastened away.
About sunset the women came down to the river for water
and a little recreation, some with goatskins in their hands, some
with earthen jars on their shoulders, and others with beautiful
copper vessels on their heads. They looked like shadows from a
Jittle distance, shadows emerging from ancient Sumaria. How
much an Arab woman can carry is a story often told with what
savors of exaggeration. But what I have seen myself surpasses
anything I have ever heard. An ordinary sight is a woman carrying a child in a bundle swung across her back, another on her
arm, and one or two trays of provision on her head. In addition
to the two children, she may sometimes be carrying an invisible
third in its eighth or ninth month. Yet she is seldom bowed,
however, under her burden.
Graceful of carriage, sturdy and wiry and enduring, she walks
erect no matter how much she is carrying. But rarely does her
burden include any fat. In fact, obesity is rare throughout
Arabia. Like the Arab horse, the average Arab woman has a lean
and hungry look; by the necessity of things, perhaps, they both
share in the discipline that produces stamina and sinew. For the
�n
12
THE SYRIAN WORLD
women, however, speed is not the rule. Slowly, languidly, as if
taking the air, they come to the river for water. Beauty of face
is not common among them; but beauty of eyes, of figure, of
carriage, in a word, an enveloping charm predominates and seems
to move in harmony with the last throbbing rays of the sunset.
One of these women stepped into the water mincingly, and
after washing her hands, she lifted her skirt to the knee and
washed her feet and legs. She then rinsed her skin and filled it
with water. Leisurely and with a certain capricious satisfaction,
this was done. And why not? She is resting and refreshing herself after the day's labor. The water-skin full, she tied it at the
neck and carried it to the river-bank, where she had laid her rope
in the form of a U. The skin was set across it, and she, crouching between its two ends, took up the curved side, the lower side
of the U, and placed it, like a fillet, across her forehead. She
then took up the free ends, passed them conversely under her
arms and tied them across her breast. Thus harnessed, she rose
up with apparent ease, shook her burden to a comfortable position, and walked away.
Another uncommonly fair-faced one, who was apparently in
the latter months of her pregnancy, stood near the water, looking
listlessly this way and that, like a contented heifer at pasture;
but when she saw a man she knew among those that were squatting
hard-by, her eyes gleamed and her whole body became humanly
expressive. The man smiled and said something to which she
did not reply. But she stepped into the water and stooped to rinse
her goat-skin. She then turned half-way in the direction of the
men, and, lifting her skirt, she began to wash her feet and legs,
while casting, now and then, a furtive glance the significance of
which could be gauged in the man's responsive expression. This
flirtation continued while she remained in the water. She then
carried her water-skin, which was exceptionally large, to where
the rope lay; but after she had harnessed it to her back, she made
three attempts to rise, but could not. The philanderer, who was
still squatting in his place, watched her with silent but unconcealed amusement. He did not move or say a word. And were
it not for the help of another woman, she could not have stood
up under her burden. The fact that she carried another burden
within her should move even a savage to assistance. But that
squatting, loafing imbecile of an Arab man must have considered
it below his dignity to help the woman with whom he was flirting.
I
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�MAY, 1931
13
Nor did she, I think, expect it; for she went away without cursing him and his ancestors.
The skipper, too, like myself, lost his temper that evening
with an Arab; not an Arab philanderer, but an Arab official, the
representative of the Company at Bughailah, who was overloading the barge with grain. And I heard the two exchange unprintable words, words which I thought could never cross the lips or
even enter the heart of the man I had pictured to myself as the
paragon of sea captains. On the Zenobia, at least, whose impeccableness, like her good fortune, was the subject of my admiration as well as his own, such a billingsgate, so I thought, was not
even conceivable. But there it was, and it must have shocked the
Zenobia herself.
On the following day, shortly after we had pulled out of
Bughailah, her behavior was betraying. She bungled her job and
came to the very brink of calamity. She started to do two things
at once, that is, to overhaul the river-bed and to carve a slice from
the river-bank. There is danger enough in one excavation at a
time. It was the worst moment of alarm and peril we had yet
experienced. The skipper, with a lingering temper from the previous night, cried anathema at the two pilots, the pilots shouted
Allah and the Prophet at the sounders, and the sounders' voices
rose higher and quicker and sharper—"Thalathah maay!" (three
of water)—"Ho, yazvash, ho!" (slowly, slowly)—"Thalathah
maay!"
But the Zenobia was already struggling furiously with her
two enemies, the river-bed and the river-bank. Quickly realizing the odds, however, her master called a truce and sent out an
anchor. Most chivalrously, also, he stood up as usual for his
beloved one. "It's not the fault of the Zenobia? he said; "it's
those damned barges at her sides."
The barges did take up half the river, blocking it in places,
running into the mud and the mounts and ruts of the channel,
and getting the Zenobia into trouble. I was becoming an expert
mariner myself—expert, at least, in allocating blame. Take
away those two barges and see her glide, the beautiful bride,
down the Tigris wide, mocking the low tide, and zigzagging
through four feet of water even without a sounder or a guide!
Having shared her fate for seven days and come out of it, like
herself, in fine fettle, it is no more than just to try to set her .
right before the world. For has she not passed all the sidewheelers and quarterwheelers that had started from Bagdad ahead of
-'%
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
her? And has she not broken the record speed by making an
average of four miles an hour?
And what high-lackeyed craft on the high or low seas can
boast of a cook and a larder as good as those of the Zenobia?
I came on board expecting and willing to starve. I was still suffering from the culinary wonders of Bagdad, and I brought with
me, for a diet, a basket of its best pomegranates. But the first
time I entered the dining-room, I fell a prey to its seductions.
Why, even the Zenobia's plate was of silver. And her cook? His
was an eclectic art, which combined the culinary mysteries of the
East and West. He almost tempted me to throw my pomegranates overboard. But they were a fitting crown, a harmonious
epilogue to his performance.
Can we become intoxicated on fleshpots and pomegranates?
Almost. But before I had attained that happy state of "almost,"
I was thunderstruck and illuminated. Biblically, the two go together, and they mean, in the profane, a catastrophe. This is
how it happened. One day, strolling unorthodoxly through the
Zenobia, I passed by the kitchen, and lo, the cook's assistant was
applying a knife, with the utmost zest and relish, to a can of
potted meat! And misreading the expression in my face, he was
eager to add to my joy. "See," he said, as he opened the door
of the pantry, "we have a bounty of cans." Cans and bottles,
indeed—the fifty-seven varieties. But the cook's reputation did
not suffer a jot. On the contrary, the cook that can conceal the
"fifty-seven varieties" with flavors and concoctions of his own
invention, without causing among his clients instant death, is a
genius.
Nevertheless, for three days after that discovery I weaned
myself from the bounties of his art. For three days I stuck to
my pomegranates. And one evening I realized that one can get
intoxicated on pomegranates—and the stars. The Chaldean stars
that danced on Arabian waters and the thousand star-seeds packed
in the russet case of a pomegranate—no wine of Babylon was
ever more intoxicating. And I had a vision of fair women making a rosary of stars for a man in sackcloth, who was once a
hedonist, a voluptuary ; and he of the sackcloth was washing the
feet of the seven virgins, the foolish virgins, with rose water,
and drying them with his coarse woolen cloak. And I prayed
the prayer of the pantheist—O Infinite One, reveal Thyself within me and make me more conscious that Thy life is my life.
Under a sky of ineffable limpidity, at the occult hour of mid-
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{MAY, 1931
15
night, in the most ancient of lands, which is said to be the cradle
ol the human race and all the man-made divinities of the world
Jet me tell you how I imagine the reality of the revelation Do
you remember the red and blue and yellow paper flower-one of
the toys of childhood—that spins in the breeze and as you pull
its string convolutes inside out—reveals itself centrifugally? I
am a speck, you are a speck, we are all specks on the petals of
the Flower of the Infinite, which is eternally spinning in space,
and which is eternally revealing itself centrifugally to every living thing within it. But only those who have attained a certain
state of spiritual illumination can see. And those like myself
who are but beginning to crave spiritual sight can only sense a
little of the ineffable truth of the Flower of the Infinite
Forgive this esoteric digression. Here we are confronted
again with the common realities of human history. We are now
at Kut, the little town of Kut, where the British army, under the
command of General Townshend, was besieged by the Turks
during the World War. The Turks had only 13,000 soldiers in
Iraq. But they recruited, as the story goes, every flock of sheep
7%Z iUn?T their Wa^ t0 Kut to mislead ^e British aviators.
11 he lurkish army must be about 100,000 strong, and to venture out of Kut against it is to court disaster.) When we passed
by Kut neither sheep nor soldiers did we see, only an empty
guffah t one of those round row-boats made of twigs and bark
and tarred inside and out, which swayed in the shadow of the
house on top of the mount that rises abruptly from the water
And all the way to Ali Gharbi, to Amarah, to Ezra's Tomb,
lour hundred thirty miles from Bagdad as the river winds its
way, the landscape between the towns varies not. A dreary wilderness on both sides, with a chard drawing water from the river
to irrigate a row of beans beyond the mud walls or a bedouin hut
ol reed, here and there, until we reach the palms of the tomb
ol Ezra During his journey from Susa to lerusalem, according to Judaic tradition, the Prophet Ezra fell and died somewhere in the neighborhood of the town that bears his name or
even under the very palms that enfold his domed tomb with a
shade of mercy.
From Ezra's Tomb down to Basrah, a distance of seventynve miles, the landscape assumes an aspect of reassurance Here
a grove of palms, there a few straggling willows, and not infrequently a green field, which trails its skirt along the riverside—
this is, indeed, a refreshing contrast to that long stretch of sev-
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
eral hundred miles of desolation. And the Biblical tradition follows us to Qornah, the first home of our first parents, the site,
according to the archaeologist and historian, of the Garden of
Eden. And here, at the confluence of the two ancient rivers, the
Tigris and the Euphrates, still stands the Tree of Knowledge.
In a story about Adam and Eve, by an American writer, I
read the following description of that tree. "It is a beautiful old
tree, protected by a wall of sanctity, so that no one may reach it
save with the wings of fancy." Like the "Holy Roman Empire"
of Voltaire, there are three untruths in this statement. The tree
is a doddered willow stretching a lonely limb above the river;
the wall of sanctity, if it ever existed, is today a crumbling mass
of earth and sand; and I have reached the Tree, not with the
wings of fancy, but on the sidewheeler, the Zenobia.
No spot in Mespot, as the British soldier called Mesopotamia,
is hotter and damper and deadlier. No spot is more pestilential.
As early as April the sun and the swamps join hands to make
life miserable for even the serpent. I am now concerned with
reality and not with tradition. Qornah is a town of many smells
and diseases—a malarial and noisome hole—with a human population of 5,000 and another of a variety of insects and creeping
things—mosquitoes of all kinds, fleas and flies, hornets and wasps
and bugs, scorpions and tarantulas and snakes. If ever there was
here an Edenic peace and charm, they must have vanished even
before the days of Nebuchadnezzar. And if this place, when
Adam and Eve made it their first home, was only half as bad
as it is today, they must have considered it a blessing to be expelled from it.
During my travels up and down Arabia, I found Eve buried
in Jeddah, Adam sharing a tomb with the Prophet's cousin Ali
in Najaf, and Cain tucked away in a nook high up in one of the
crater walls at Aden. We may conclude from this that Qornah
must have been, even in the primal age, a most pestilential spot,
and Adam and Eve and Cain—I did not come upon Abel's tomb
in my wanderings—were mighty glad to get away from it, to be
as far away from it as their donkeys could carry them. If the
tombs speak truth, there was, indeed, a happy dispersion of the
first family.
The devil or the snake may or may not have had a hand in
it. There seems to be some evidence, however, that the devil once
blundered into these parts, and he left, when he fled, a token of
his plight. Coming down the Tigris Narrows, between Amarah
an
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MAY, 1931
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and Qornah, where the channel is like a corkscrew, the skipper
said, as we were negotiating a blind corner, "There is the Devil's
Elbow." Farther down we came to what he called the Hairpin
Bends, and when we reached Qornah, his only remark about the
place was, "The devil himself would not live here."
From Qornah down to Basrah, however, we forget the Devil's Elbow and the Garden of Eden. The two rivers, the Tigris
and the Euphrates, flowing together as Shutt'ul-Arab, become
open-hearted, straightforward, decent, even beautiful, especially
in the moonlight, when along the banks the shadows of the palms
in the water are delicately expressive of the pensive calm and the
limpid bliss of an "un-Edenic" atmosphere.
Queen Ulmand s Turquoise
'By
DR. SALIM
Y.
ALKAZIN
Like a bit of the glory of heaven,
Or a leaf of the violet's blue
When the morning has lent her bright jewels,
Of the purest crystalline dew,
Is the beautiful breastplate of turquoise
That was worn by Ulmana, the queen,
As she rode through the streets of the city
In her chariot of gold and green.
Long ago in the dust of the ages,
The queen to her fair "god" went
In a chariot of pearl and white lilies,
When the reign of her earth-life was spent.
But still, in a palace at Cairo,
Her turquoise reflects back the sky,
And with these and the marks of her scarabaeus,
Her greatness will never die!
wmmmmmmmmm
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
The Spirit of Gibran
"By
AMIN BEDER
Where is your Soul, Gibran, where has it fled?
Why silently you rest—What pales your head?
There is no sign of fear or anguish on your brow;
What hast thou found beyond—what hast thou read?
I wonder if you trembled at the sight
Of Father Death whose hand he lays so light,
To honour thee and crown thee with his bliss;
Why fear his hand—where is our Prophet's Might?
Your pen and brush are left without a seer,
Are stilled, and who will the despondent cheer?
What brush will paint the boundless shoreless sea?
What hand so strong, the ship of life to steer?
Qibran's ^Answer
And as I pass into the darkest sea,
Beyond the gates of Night where none are free,
My eyes, though turned away, behold thee still}
My heart when cold in death will beat for thee.
�Drawn by Kahlil Gibran at the time of the reported famine in
Syria and Lebanon during the World War.
(The original drawing is in possession of
The Syrian World.)
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
The Case of The Syrian World
OPINIONS OF FOUR REPRESENTATIVE CLASSES OF
SYRIANS ON ITS MISSION
We Invite Further Discussion of Ways and Means
for its Continuity
QUR statement of the "Case of THE SYRIAN WORLD" in the
preceding issue has aroused the interest of our thinking element to the point of seriously debating the future of the publication. In New York, many of our contributors and other
civic-minded friends visited the editor for conferences as to ways
and means of maintaining the publication, while.Al-Hoda, the
leading Arabic-language paper in the country, has repeatedly
discussed the subject editorially. Those displaying most interest,
however, are representatives of the older generation. This we
now make as a mere statement of fact based upon the evidence
so far in hand, and shall withhold any analytical comment to the
coming issue. By then we hope we would have a fuller representation of opinion of all shades.
In formulating opinions we would ask our readers to keep
in view the dual role of the magazine—that of its being dedicated to the task of serving the Syrian-American generation along
the lines frequently stated, and of serving as a racial organ in
English to properly represent our Syrian heritage and culture.
This dual role was planned for THE SYRIAN WORLD since its
inception, as may be gathered from the foreword and the editorial comment appearing in the first issue. To view the magazine in any other light would be an unfair assumption, and this
fact we particularly call to the attention of those who would be
inclined to the belief that THE SYRIAN WORLD is meant only
to amuse and entertain a certain element or class.
In selecting the following opinions for publication we believe
we are making a fair representation of a variety of classes—the
press, the clergy, the professions and the younger generation.
We want to assure all commentators and correspondents of our
�21
.'MAY, 1931
full appreciation cf the interest they display, whatever the nature
of their opinion. Criticism is as welcome as approval and commendation. Our aim is to sound the true feelings of those who
evince sufficient interest in THE SYRIAN WORLD as a factor in
our national life. We would particularly invite concrete and constructive suggestions on ways and means of promoting the publication from those who believe in the necessity of its continuation.
Al-Hoda has made one such concrete suggestion and actually
carried it out. Other means might prove equally helpful.
OPINION OF THE PRESS
(From an editorial of Al-Hoda, New York, May 13, 1931.)
J
We were grieved and shocked to read in the April number
of THE SYRIAN WORLD the statement of the editor wherein he
outlines the case of the publication and puts to his readers the
following questions:
1—Is the magazine needed?
2—Should the name be retained?
3—Is the content matter suitable?
5—Should the size be changed?
The fate of THE SYRIAN WORLD is of vital interest to every
Arabic-speaking person in the United States, and we shall answer
the questions of the editor in their reverse order.
The size of the magazine is convenient and artistic.
The content matter is suitable and plentiful, and represents
a fine choice of useful material.
A change of name could only be taken to mean that Syrians are
ashamed of themselves, which cannot be the case.
The remaining point is whether the Arabic-speaking elements,
be they Syrians, Lebanese, Houranians, Iraqians or Palestinians,
are in need of the publication.
A partial answer to this question is that we know a number
of the American elite which holds THE SYRIAN WORLD in the
highest admiration. It includes judges, lawyers, legislators, physicians, journalists, historians, professors and poets who have
gained a higher opinion of our race by what they have read in
THE SYRIAN WORLD of the literary products of our best talent.
Not a gifted Syrian or Lebanese writer, whether man or
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
woman, but has contributed to THE SYRIAN WORLD, and not a
single reputable newspaper or periodical but has expressed an
opinion of approval and admiration of it. In this respect THE
SYRIAN WORLD is one of our greatest moral assets of which we
should be proud and which we are duty-bound to maintain and
support.
It is true that the present economic depression has weighed
heavily on our native press. Not even the American press has
escaped, if we consider that such important metropolitan dailies
as the Globe, the Herald and the World had to seek amalgamation as a means of safety. But then the American reading public
has thousands of newspapers and periodicals while we immigrants
have but one magazine published in English, and as such it reflects to the English-reading public our finest culture and traditions. For our people to permit THE SYRIAN WORLD to suspend
publication would be a serious reflection on our race consciousness
and patriotism.
Without THE SYRIAN WORLD who would there be to defend
our cause, to portray our culture, to serve as a medium of expression for our talent and to record our progress and our history?
How could we, without THE SYRIAN WORLD, prove to the
American nation the honesty of our intention in helping properly
to Americanize our younger generation while assisting them in
conserving the best of their heritage?
How could the coming generations of Syrians be taught the
history of their ancestors that they may claim their proper share
of respect among their associates, and not feel ashamed of their
ancestry or of speaking the language of their parents?
We can appreciate the full measure of sacrifice the editor of
THE SYRIAN WORLD is making for the cause of his people. But
we cannot imagine him faltering in the face of the heaviest sacrifice owing to his journalistic proclivities and training.
As a means of weathering his present difficulties, however,
we would advance the following suggestions: Launch a campaign
for new subscribers} insist in all cases on advance payment} appeal to the public-spirited among us to make gift subscriptions
of THE SYRIAN WORLD to prominent Americans that intelligent
American public opinion may come to know us better and appraise
us at our true value.
This method, we believe, should prove effective. We wish
to demonstrate our faith in THE SYRIAN WORLD and express our
appreciation of its meritorious service to our people by making
�23
tMAYy 1931
five gift subscriptions to the following: Count Robert de Kay,
Geneva; Senor Arturo Elias, Mexico; the French Ambassador,
Washington; Ex-Governor Alfred E. Smith and Judge William
Olcott, New York.
Al-Hoda further commented editorially on the subject in its
issue of May 19 as follows:
If we have advocated support of THE SYRIAN WORLD it is
because we believe the publication to be the logical medium for
the diffusion of our racial culture and the propagation of knowledge of our national history. It is by such means that we can
gain the respect of Americans by acquainting them properly with
ourselves.
We further believe that our commercial interests will be greatly benefited by the wider circulation of THE SYRIAN WORLD. A
Syrian merchant cannot fail to profit by presenting such a fine
publication to his American friends.
Our intelligent compatriots would be inviting greater respect
for themselves and their people, and would enhance their prestige both socially and politically, by making gift subscriptions of
THE SYRIAN WORLD to the governors of their states, to State
senators and assemblymen, and to local judges, political leaders,
priests, ministers and chiefs of police, most of whom know but
little about us and our history.
OPINION OF THE CLERGY
My dear Brother Mr. Mokarzel:
I write to express my thought of THE SYRIAN WORLD in
answer to your statement which appeared in the April issue.
First, it is my religious belief that THE SYRIAN WORLD was
born of God. It is my religious belief that Providence has raised
you up for the founding of THE SYRIAN WORLD. For this reason I have always implored my blessed Master to be with you,
bless you, and guide you. I pray God always to bless you in this
noble undertaking, sustain you amid the trials that would beset
you, and inspire you with vision for its future success. The intensity with which I believe that God's Hand is in the founding
of THE SYRIAN WORLD has led me to pray often for its success.
Second, THE SYRIAN WORLD fills a need in the life of the
Syrian Lebanese race in America and everywhere. Its high stand-
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
ard, its American loyalty, its wise leadership is already an established asset in the life of our race. Its diffusion of knowledge
of our racial heritage is becoming permanent in informed American circles. Its upholding of our racial culture makes THE SYRIAN WORLD a paramount organ of our race welfare in America
and the world. Its good name is already establishing our rightful high racial prestige among the races in America and wherever Syrians and Lebanese live throughout the world.
Third, THE SYRIAN WORLD is paramount in the building of
the future welfare, greatness, and progress of our race. It is
acquainting Syrian Lebanese youth with our racial history, racial
talent, and racial greatness. It is inspiring racial self-preservation through the scattered elements of .our race in America. It is
affording a forum for the statement, discussion, and propagation
of worthy thought for the progress of the race. It is discussing the
principles that make for solidarity, preservation, and progress of
our people. It is initiating movements which make for the improvement of our race educationally, patriotically, and socially.
THE SYRIAN WORLD is universal in its appeal, is founded on
our common aspirations, and is permeated with Americanism, optimism, leadership, and progress. THE SYRIAN WORLD is free
from sectarian bigotry, political strife, and selfish ambition. The
leadership of S. A. Mokarzel is noble in service, unselfish in
spirit, universal in sympathy, American in loyalty, far-reaching
in vision, and high standard in policy. It is my hope that the
policy of THE SYRIAN WORLD will continue in your hands for
a long time to come.
Yours very sincerely for
THE SYRIAN WORLD,
REV. W. A. MANSUR,
(Pastor Methodist Episcopal Church,
Winside, Neb.)
Dear Mr. Mokarzel:
THE SYRIAN WORLD is a unique publication, and one most
worthy of the support of our people because of the crying need
for it. Lack of adequate support does not reflect on the nobility
of the motive, but on the proper appreciation by Syrians of what
is essential, educationally, to their sons and daughters. Especially
that the cost is so slight in comparison to the immense benefits
derived.
I have always held that no matter what the fate of our Ara-
f)
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MAY, 1931
25
bic publications, THE SYRIAN WORLD was destined to endure.
It would be an indictment of our people to let such a splendid
racial organ perish. We are trusting in your courage and leadership. We ask you to persevere until such time that the blind
may see, the deaf hear and the miserly mend their ways. If,
after having exhausted all efforts, you should find suspension inevitable, then make your valedictory in the tone of sounding
the death knell of all worthy public enterprises among the immigrants, and divorce forever the ungrateful calling of the pen.
A fitting conclusion might be the following Arabic verse:
Restrain your voice if those you call are deaf.
No greater waste than call the deaf and dumb.
REV. E. M. HAMATI,
(Rector St. George Syrian Orthodox Antiochian
Church, St. Paul, Minn.)
OPINION OF THE PROFESSIONS
Dear Editor:
"THE CASE OF THE SYRIAN WORLD" in your last
issue is painfully serious; but alas! a true indictment of the Syrian patriotism and intelligence. It is both depressing and tragic.
Your interrogatories pertaining to the need of THE SYRIAN
WORLD can be summarily dismissed without comment. The need
of THE SYRIAN WORLD is completely, overwhelmingly, and uncontradictably answered in the recent editorial of Al-Hoda.
The only question presenting material for discussion is THE
SYRIAN WORLD'S financial difficulties.
Why is THE SYRIAN WORLD financially distressed?
Since the support of the WORLD must come, in the main, from
the younger Syrians, we can rightfully and logically reduce our
analysis to this question: "Why is the indifference? Why are
the young Syrians not supporting such a worthy publication?"
Having come to America in my early teens, it can be easily
and truthfully supposed that my sympathies are with the young
people j but facts, demolishing facts, truths, too apparent and
gigantic to be covered, must be recognized.
Let my answer be one sweeping statement. The nature, habits, life, ideals, and thought of the young Syrian must be
changed, or else THE SYRIAN WORLD is doomed to be crushed
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26
THE SYRIAN WORLD
under the financial burden it cannot carry.
Our young people, (and when I say our young people I
mean the preponderant majority), have not the high ideals nor
the sublime aspirations of their uneducated (literally) parents.
In fact the sacredness of our traditions, and in particular our
home life, our modes of dealing with sexual matters, are openly
scorned, bitterly criticized, flagrantly disregarded and are made
the subject of derision and mockery.
Our religious tenacity, the bulwark and protection of our
civilization, has become, in the minds of our youths, the object
of ridicule and scorn.
They are actually bored with our rites, our ceremonials and
our ancient hospitality.
Sports, sports, sports, Mr. Editor, social affairs, dancing,
drinking bouts, necking, picknicking, parties, all sorts of parties,
constitute 98% of the life, thought and aspirations of our young
people.
If this is true, and I challenge a contradiction, can you not
see, Mr. Editor, that literature of the type found in THE SYRIAN
WORLD is not appealing to the younger element?
In order to maintain THE SYRIAN WORLD in its present glorious standard one of two things must happen, to wit: Either the
young generation be transformed, and this is a bare possibility,
or THE SYRIAN WORLD be demoted from a clean, high, educational, forceful, and morally spiritual magazine, ably representing the best in our lives and habits, to a magazine abundantly
physical, appealing to the bodies of men rather than to their
minds.
I know that this letter will bring forth a storm of denials,
denunciations, and, perchance, vilifications. In the interest of
truth we can endure pain, sorrow and even death.
It may be to the interest (material interest) of THE SYRIAN
WORLD not to publish these thoughts hurriedly but feelingly
written; but these are candid and sincere thoughts based on wide,
long and sad but beneficial experience.
My happiness would be immeasurable if I could be convinced
that I am in error and that my diagnosis is faulty and unwarranted.
I sincerely hope that some way can be found to perpetuate
the publication of THE SYRIAN WORLD in its present form. Any
other form will be a moral surrender; surrender of superiority to
inferiority. It would become less useful, less serviceable and less
h
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27
representative of the best in our history and traditions.
DR. H. A. EI.KOURIE.
Birmingham, Ala.
OPINION OF THE YOUNG GENERATION
Editor,
THE SYRIAN WORLD:
In almost every issue during the past year there has been
made queries, requests, appeals, regarding the possible means for
insuring the continuity of THE SYRIAN WORLD. The situation is
certainly tragic.
Has this publication, now five years old, which has enlightened us all on matters Syrian, cheered us with its pithy tales of
the mystic Orient, educated us, charmed us with its magic poetry,
—are all these to be no more, to go into bleak oblivion:
What a calamity!
Is the present business depression sufficient cause to neglect
a necessity of such vital importance to all of us of Syrian origin?
The editor's repeated appeals mean in very few words that "to
maintain such an enterprise, he must have assistance"—financial
assistance. Any commercial venture to progress must have such.
And in order for the editor to obtain such he must have paid up
subscriptions, and many.
We must face the situation in its true light. Words, beautiful words, cannot remedy the situation which requires deeds; and
deeds, in this instance, mean ACTION! ACTION spells cooperation with the editor.
VICTORIA Z. SHEHAB.
New York.
-
Editor,
THE SYRIAN WORLD:
I have read a great number of the issues of THE SYRIAN
WORLD and want to compliment you on your staff and contributors. The whole magazine displays a choice of English which
belongs only to those of high education, describes scenes as only
those of vivid imagination can picture them, and brings out a
love and loyalty of the Fatherland that the reader senses throughout the magazine.
�28
THE SYRIAN WORLD
And yet, with all these qualities, there is something lacking—
something vital. The magazine is written for the Syrian public,
especially for the younger generation. But it does not express
them.
You wonder why THE SYRIAN WORLD fails to receive public
support. Have you considered that the majority of the Syrian
readers are of average education and cannot derive great pleasure
in your articles due to lack of comprehension, lack of imagination, or lack of interest in reading high-sounding phrases? Have
you considered that "Ali Zaibaq" is not the type of story that
contains the greatest human interest for this generation? Have
you considered that the younger people crave informality in the
writing of news? Do you not think that repetition of writers in
consecutive issues means no variety in articles or style of writing?
The above questions must be analyzed if you want to hold
the interest of the younger Syrians in your magazine and if you
desire to urge them to a greater zeal of accomplishing things, a
greater comprehension of the qualities of the land of their ancestors, and a greater love and loyalty of that country from which
their parents emigrated.
In your March issue, you asked for opinions and stressed the
lack of support. I sincerely hope that THE SYRIAN WORLD continues its publication because we, the American-born Syrians, have
the need of such a magazine.
May I sign myself as
A READER?
P. S.—Why not give us women writers?—of our own nationalitv?
TRUTH
It takes two of us to discover truth: one to utter it and one
to understand it.
GIBRAN.
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MAY, 1931
Our Pride in Our Syrian Race
2?y
REV.
W. A.
MANSUR
Editor's Note—As explained in a letter from the author, the following
article was written in the spirit of an address to be delivered at the coming Mahrajan, or national festival, to be held at Bridgeport, Conn., on
July 4 and 5 under the auspices of the Lebanon League of Progress of
New York. Rev. Mansur's policy, as evident from all his contributions on
the subject, is one of inspiring pride as an incentive to more worthy
achievement. His enthusiasm is but an indication of his faith in the latent
powers of future Syrian generations once they are brought to realize the
necessity of maintaining unbroken their racial traditions of culture and
progress. In his own words, he visioned for his audience not only the
known Syrian leaders of the first generation, but a liberal representation
of the younger Syrian-American generation whom he wished particularly
to impress with the causes of Syrian race pride and the necessity of living
up to their high racial ideals.
I BELIEVE the thought of the Mahrajan is one of the noblest
thoughts that ever entered the mind of a Syrian in America.
I am convinced that it will be creative of pride in our race, in
our heritage, and in our progress. I am persuaded that it will
promote race solidarity, race identity, and race glory. I am confident that it will prove to be a historic event, a significant landmark, and a glorious symbol of the progress of our race in
America.
It is in the spirit of the first Mahrajan of our people in
America, on the ground of the greatness of .our race, and on the
basis of well-known Syrian race legacies to mankind, that I rise
to proclaim our pride in our Syrian descent.
Surrounded by pioneers of the Syrian race in America, by
the founders of a Syrian race empire in the New World, and
by the Syrian leadership of our times, I stand to proclaim our
pride in our racial heritage, which constitutes a contribution to
civilization of which we all should be conscious.
Listened to by worthy Syrian-American youth, by trustworthy descendants of a foremost race, and by the custodians of
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
the honor of our famous ancestors, I speak to herald our pride
in our posterity, the future winners of an illustrious destiny
among the people of mankind.
We Syrians in America are awake to the splendid history and
significant potentialities of our race in the world.
N. A. Mokarzel, champion of our race, said, "The Lebanese
of today are the direct descendants of the Phoenicians
". (AlHoda, editorial, March 18, 1930. See SYRIAN WORLD, May,
1930.)
S. A. Mokarzel, leader of the Syrian awakening, said, "Certainly, as would seem plain from the study of our past history
and from our record in America, we have every reason to be
proud of our race and of our name." (SYRIAN WORLD, editorial,
Syrians Only, June, 1930.)
Philip K. Hitti, Professor of History, says, "With such a
glorious and unparalleled heritage behind, there is no reason
why the modern Syrian, given the proper opportunity, should
not do his share for the welfare of humanity and the service of
mankind." (SYRIAN WORLD, in Syrian Leadership in Arabic Affairs, August, 1927.)
Through the study of Syrian history we realized the greatness of our race. Through our progress we are rising to a preeminent place among the races of the earth. Through enlightenment, appreciation, and achievement arose our pride in our
Syrian race. It is for the glory of our Syrian race, the inspiration of Syrian youth, for the welfare of posterity, and the information of the American nation and the world, that I declare our
pride in our Syrian race on the occasion of this historic Mahrajan
of our people in America.
/. Our Pride in Our Syrian Race Is Grounded in Our Race
Heritage.
The paramount pride of us Syrian-Americans is our pride in
our Syrian race stock. Other races pride themselves because of
superior numbers, some pride themselves because of military
power, and others pride themselves because of material exploitation. Our Syrian race pride is based on appreciation of our preeminent race stock.
"From the oldest country in the world," said S. A. Mokarzel in a radio address on The Syrians in America, "to the land
known as the New World, they bring their priceless racial distinction as heirs to the culture of the ages. They come with the
.
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MAY, 1931
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gifts of all the attributes of varied but virile blood—Phoenician,
Semitic, Roman, Grecian, and Arabian. And it is a significant
fact that the first of the Syrians to emigrate were the Lebanese
of the north who claim direct lineal descent from the Phoenicians." (SYRIAN WORLD.)
We Syrians in America are proud of our race because we are
the inheritors of the finest blood of the ages. We are the custodians of preeminent cultures of mankind. We are bequeathing
to posterity the glorious urges of humanity.
By virtue of our heritage, race talent, and race progress we
Syrian-Americans are rising to achieve a fame similar to that
which was our ancestors' — the Phoenicians.
II. Our Pride in Our Syrian Race Is Based on Our Syrian Race
Awakening.
The Syrian, the product of Syrian soil; the Syrian, the urge
of the Syrian soul; the Syrian, the glory of Syrian skies is at last
dreaming dreams, catching visions, and pursuing his destiny.
Talcott Williams says in the Introduction to Philip K. Hitti's The Syrians in America, "Syria and Syrians constitute the
first land and the first people in Southwestern Asia who have
entered into modern civilization. They stand alone in this. If
Syria were an islanded-land instead of being for four thousand
years a thoroughfare of conquering peoples, swept by many
tides, it would be, in its place, as striking an example of progress
as Japan." (See reprint in SYRIAN WORLD, June, 1930.)
Philip K. Hitti says, "Not only were the people of Syria the
first people in Western Asia to join the procession of modern
progress, but in the last century and a quarter they have achieved
more genuine progress, perhaps, than any other people in that
whole region." (SYRIAN WORLD, August, 1927.)
The Syrian race is awake and full of vigor after the long
dark night, and is on the march to a place in the sun! For ages
our race suffered under political autocracy, and now at last is
free! For generations our native land was wasted under economic
exploitation, but now, at last, is fruitful! For centuries our talents have been suppressed, but now, at last, are at liberty!
We Syrians in America are awake to our heritage, we are
beginning to appreciate our race talents. We are remembering
our history, we are beginning to uphold the legacies of our ancestors, and we are beginning to create a place for ourselves
alongside that of other peoples.
�.
.
'
'"
* ""
32
_—
,„,
THE SYRIAN WORLD
HI. Our Pride in Our Syrian Race Is Supported by Our Benevolent Race Emigration.
We Syrians are proud of our race because our race emigration is a benevolent influence upon mankind. Some emigration
has been due to military power; other emigration has been due
to increase of population; and other emigration has been due to
material exploitation. Permeating Syrian race emigration is mutual trade,, welfare, and progress.
We modern Syrians are emulating the example of our ancestors both the Phoenician and the Aramean. "The great trading
cities of the Phoenicians," says H. G. Wells in The Outline of
Htstory are the most striking of the early manifestations of
the peculiar and characteristic gift of the Semitic peoples to mankind, trade and exchange. While the Semitic Phoenician peoples
were spreading themselves upon the seas, another kindred Semitic people the Arameans, whose occupation of Damascus we
have already noted, were developing the caravan routes of the
Arabian and Persian deserts, and becoming the chief trading
people of Western Asia."
Talcott Williams says, "But the trading instinct of the Phoenician has earned the Syrian trader over both North and South
JT^QT
aS AfHca and Southern Asia
-"
:
^
(SYRIAN WORLD,
We Syrians in America are in pursuit of the highest within
our reach: mutual trade, common welfare, and human happiness.
Ihese can be ach.eved only on the ground of good-will, cooperation, and prosperity. Therefore, in the wake of Syrian emigration there is diffusion of the basic principles of civilization. Modern civilization based on community interest, trade based on
righteous dealing, and prosperity based on mutual welfare is
being enhanced by the influence of the Syrian race in every race
country, and nation under the sun. We Syrians, descendants of
both the famous Phoenicians and Arameans, on the ground of
good-will, mutual welfare, and common happiness are now diffusing the principles of civilization. We are, therefore, proving
ourselves to be a benevolent race for expansion and emigration in
modern times. We are, thereby, proving our right to claim pride
in our Syrian race.
IV. Our Pride in Our Syrian Race Is Upheld by Our Race
Progress.
Already through our Syrian race progress we are achieving
J
I.-
�V
MAY, 1931
23
a fame similar to that achieved by our famous ancestors—the
Phoenicians. Their alphabet, their oceanic navigation, and their
influence have been among the greatest contributions to human
progress. Although few in number the Phoenicians immortalized
themselves in the annals of mankind.
The modern Syrian is already receiving high honors because
of his progress and contributions to modern civilization.
"And on the other side of the Atlantic," says Arthur Brisbane
in writing of the Semitic Phoenicians, "crossed by Semitic ships
so long ago, Semitic trading genius rules in a new world. There
is more organized Semitic trade between Fourteenth and Fiftyninth streets in New York than there ever was in all Phoenicia
and Carthage."
We Syrians are world pioneers through peaceful emigration,
we are world merchants through mutual trade, and we are world
leaders through common prosperity. Although a small race numerically, the modern Syrians are progressive. Commercially,
we are becoming "merchant princes" in the world. Culturally,
we are among the cultured races. Politically, we are a patriotic
and loyal people. Influentially, we are disseminators of civilization in the world. The Syrian race is already becoming a world
factor in the world of commerce, culture, and influence.
V. Our Pride in Our Syrian Race Is Strengthened by Our Syrian Leadership.
I
We Syrians in America are proud of our Syrian leadership
because it exemplifies our race character, race talent, and race
progress. It is great men who make a people great, who multiply the people's welfare, and who point the way of the people's
progress.
I esteem the Syrian leaders of our times because they represent our race character, race heritage, and race progress. N. A.
Mokarzel is the foremost journalist of our times. Ameen Rihani is the famous Syrian traveller of our day. G. K. Gibran is
the renowned poet of our generation. Philip K. Hitti is the honored Syrian historian of our era. S. A. Mokarzel is the able leader of the Syrian awakening of our age. These are leaders whose
leadership is a torch of enlightenment, a symbol of greatness,
and an honor to our race. These honored leaders are founding
race immortality, and bringing the race to the forefront of the
races in America. In worthy Syrian leadership we have upholders of race heritage, defenders of the race, inspiration for Syrian
�34
THE SYRIAN WORLD
youth, symbols of race talent, and dreamers of the Syrian race.
Great Syrian leaders are the inspiration of Syrian youth, the
vanguard of progress, and the champions of our race welfare.
They are awakening the race to the splendid history of the race.
They are influencing the people to realize their inheritance. They
are moving the race to cooperation and organization. They are
moving the race to perpetuate race identity, race heritage, and
progress. Because our Syrian leadership is inspiring the awakening of Syrian youth, because it is creating race enlightenment,
and because it is spurring the race to progress, we are thereby
strengthened in our pride in our Syrian race.
VI. Our Pride in Our Syrian Race Is Enhanced by Our Spirit
of World Citizenship.
The Syrian is a true and noble example of a world citizen.
He remembers with love the native land of his race, he honors
the legacies of his ancestors, and he esteems his people in all the
earth. He, nevertheless, is a true citizen of the country of his
adoption, he desires first the welfare of his new homeland, and
he is ever ready to fight for his new country against all enemies.
The Syrian is a true cosmopolite. There is that in the Syrian that is akin to every tribe, nation, and tongue. There is that
in the Syrian that is part of every time, clime, and circumstance.
There is that in the Syrian that is the soul of a community spirit
of the world.
.
"At the very outset," says Rev. K. A. Bishara, "I feel fully
justified in claiming for the Syrian the most genuine type of
up-to-date cosmopolitanism acquired through a long process of
compulsory experimentation, he having come, in his own fatherland, in contact with practically all the world powers of history,
in consequence of which he is able to feel at home wherever he
happens to pitch his tent on the face of this earth." (SYRIAN
WORLD, January, 1927.)
..
We Syrians, therefore, pride ourselves in being world citizens, world fraternalists, and world cosmopolites. We enhance
our Syrian pride in being loyal to our new homeland, by promoting the welfare of our adopted countries, and by being
ready to defend our new nationality.
VII. Our Pride in Our Syrian Race Is Established by Our Race
Contributions to Modern Civilization.
"'What could be more of a business romance," asks S. A. Mo-
i
•
�MAY, 1931
35
karzel in his article on The History of the Syrians in New York,
"than the record of a penniless, almost illiterate immigrant who,
in the course of a decade, rises from the humble rank of a
peddler to the exalted position of an international merchant
prince directing from his office in New York the humming industries he controls across the waters of both the Atlantic and the
Pacific. The Syrian can now claim representation in every country on the face of the globe, and everywhere he goes he is an
emissary for the promotion of international good-will and exchange of benefits through trade." (SYRIAN WORLD, November,
1927.)
Philip K. Hitti says in an article on Syria's Place in the History of the World, "Thus throughout all ages, and in spite of
the many handicaps and disadvantages under which they labored,
the people of Syria have always contributed their share to the
civilization of the world and have shown extraordinary vitality
and power of adaptation." (SYRIAN WORLD, July, 1926.)
Let it be known that we Syrians are contributing vast influences toward the civilization of races, nations, and continents.
Our Syrian leadership is directing the thought-life of the Arabic-speaking world. We are promoting inter-racial equality that
is based on understanding, appreciation, and brotherhood. We are
disseminating the ideals of political, religious, and intellectual
freedom. We are spreading through peaceful trade, good-will,
friendly commerce, righteous dealing, and higher civilization.
Everywhere the Syrian is loyal to his new homeland through
citizenship, civic welfare, and industrious living.
By our patriotic loyalty, material prosperity, benevolent leadership, common happiness, righteous dealing, and human brotherhood we Syrians rise to acclaim our race contributions to modern civilization.
Because of our pride in our Syrian race I raise my voice and
issue this challenge to the Syrian race which is scattered among
the races, tribes, nations, and tongues of the earth.
I challenge you, O Ye Syrians with our Syrian fair name to
Jionor our race in all the earth.
I challenge you, O Ye Syrians with our Syrian soul to dignify the legacies of our race in all mankind.
I challenge you, O Ye Syrians with our Syrian heritage to
spread the posterity of our race in all the world.
�—
r,l rl
~" '"
36
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Book Reviews
AN AMERICAN GIRL'S ABSORBING STORY
Strange Thoroughfare, by Sonia Ruthele Novak, New York,
TheMacmillan Company, 528 pp. $2.50.
J7STHER O'Shane is the girl who treks through Madame Novak's imagination in this replete and vibrant novel. Many people, from childhood on through life, center around Esther whose
character is, perhaps, most forcibly brought out by the phrase
"born for things to happen to." Strange Thoroughfare, though
biographical, is not stereotype and a single track endeavor. Out of
the highways and by-ways of Esther's path of life there are many
people met and many incidents confronted with. Yet all of them
and everything are directly or indirectly influenced by or influential in Esther's life.
Esther is first met as a child, with both parents dead, and her
grand-mother as the one person who intimately and understandingly touches her personality. On the father's side there is a
strain of wild blood with an inference of Indian ancestry. One
becomes familiar with her father's escapades with many women
by the grandmother's not too infrequent references thereto. Esther is constantly up to pranks and tricks with a spirit of abandon.
Some of these cleverly and subtly inform the reader of her
impending misfortunes in life.
Her childhood love affair with Bob is abruptly broken up by
an instinctive remark she makes, and which Bob misunderstands,
when they embrace for the first time as boy and girl conscious of
their sex. Her strong mental inclinations for trouble lead her
into many uncomfortable situations. This is apparent in the spirit of rebellion she flaunts at disciplinary measures at the several
boarding schools she attends. More significantly is this realized
when, due to an impulse, she returns from school with a chauffeur, for whom she felt sorry, and an automobile as a gesture of
rebellion against financial restrictions. Even though several love
affairs come into her life and of such temperament to cause
gossip, she remains loyal to the love she holds for Bob. Pride
seems to be the deterrent to a reconciliation. Perhaps more for
this same reason than for anything else, she marries the son of
\
i
�MAYy 1931
;
37
a wealthy man, who is more wastrel than man, and leads a stormy,
tempestuous life with him. After this suggestive episode, Esther agrees to marry a musician, whom she meets, provided he
promises not to consummate the marriage until she wants to.
Even though she has begun a career as a composer and pianist,
there is not sufficient strength to the tie to prevent a hellish life.
This tragic second edition of marriage is ended by her third venture into a marital state with a Texan and World War veteran
recently returned. This pans out still worse and more tragedy results. The child she had borne by her first husband, she had
been compelled to relinquish. From that time Esther's child is
lost in the trend of events. It serves as an anti-climax in the closing
chapter depicting a true mother love. Stark tragedy follows her
third marriage and she decides to leave the South, where up till
now the scene has been laid, and come to New York where she
may pursue her musical and theatrical career.
Despite the fact that there are many people met with by
Esther, they remain correlated about her. Far too many incidents enter to review each separately. This line is unbroken and
unfolded more by the dialogues of the characters in these incidents rather than by an attempt at narration. All remain rapturously woven about Esther.
Though the soft southern accent is sometimes used in the
wrong places and perhaps too frequently, particularly when Esther acquires some education, Madame Novak, nevertheless,
shows her keen powers of observation and perception. A new
means of indicating time is used by the author. This is cleverly
introduced by mention of historic incidents in dialogue Perhaps
imagination more than truth is brought out in the stress laid upon
the war. This is noticeably apparent when Esther goes abroad
to meet Bob and there, quite innocently, identifies as a spy the
brother of her ex-husband, the Austrian musician. The means
employed are hardly gullible and perhaps irrelevant insofar as
the story is concerned. Though this may seem to find fault with
the novel, due regard and consideration must be tendered to the
author's clever weaving of the tale through such diversified channels of life brought to bear upon and elucidatingly about Esther
without once losing the coherency and sequence of the biography.
Strange Thoroughfare is a commanding story. The interest of
the reader is held by its realness. The mental tortures, afflictions
and sufferings of Esther cannot but startlingly bring to the
mind of the reader the tragedy of the conflict between the soul
... .
�38
THE SYRIAN WORLD
and life about which that soul is wrapped.
C. J. B.
EDITOR'S NOTE—Madame Novak will be remembered by our
readers as the contributor of the Orange Tree and the author of
Winds from the Moon. Strange Thoroughfare marks her first
venture in the realm of fiction and her first product bids fair to
become a best seller.
AN ENGLISHMAN PLEADS FOR ARABIA
Arabia, by H. St. John Philby, New York, Charles Scribner's
Sons, 387 pp. $5.00.
AS a general history of Arabia the title of Sir St. John Philby's
latest book on that country is misleading. It is not a history
of the country but one of the Wahhabi movement which lately
culminated in the dominance of King 'Abdul 'Aziz Ibn Sa'ud
over almost the whole peninsula, giving fresh zest to the hope
that at his hands will be soon realized the Arabs' dream of unity
and empire.
The author makes no effort to conceal his purpose in the
compilation of the book. The title, we may safely assume, was
chosen by the editors of the Modern World series to conform to
their general scheme affecting other publications of a similar
nature.
But as a history of the Wahhabi movement the author has
succeeded in producing a fine piece of scholarly effort. He traces
the movement to its earliest beginnings and gives a complete record of its successes and reverses. The bloody internecine wars
that resulted from the attempt of the Wahhabi fanatics to enforce their puritanical doctrine extended over almost a century
and a half, and all this period the author covers in detail. He
brings his narration up to date by including an account of the
Arabs' participation in the World War and the Allies' promises
to them of helping them achieve unity and independence. His
record of these negotiations, particularly those with Great Britain, are complete.
Mr. Philby joins the chorus of those proclaiming the present
King of Nejd "not only the greatest Arab of his day, but one
who stands out in the Arab world as no individual ruler has done
�(MAY, 1931
39
since the days of the orthodox Califs." Mr. Philby even goes
a step further by declaring that "if any Arab ruler since the Prophet ever merited the proud but simple title of Calif, 'Abdul
'Aziz is assuredly such a one." He even makes an open plea
to Britain to help Arabia achieve its unity and independence by
relinquishing its hold on the strategic points it now occupies in
the country. "A heavy responsibility," he avers, "lies on British
statesmen of today. Arabia can never be truly great while a foreign Power, materially strong beyond the possibility of serious
challenge, occupies almost every gateway leading out from its
deserts into the world and implicitly encourages centrifugal tendencies on the part of small groups whose interests, both economic and political, demand closer union with the heart of Arabia." He excludes from this categorical demand, however, the
most strategic point in Arabia under British occupation. "Aden,"
he says, "with the narrow strip of mainland necessary for its
bare existence, must, of course, remain as it is, and needs no
discussion."
i
, i
This very fact of inalienable sympathy and consideration for
Britain's safety in cardinal matters is, perhaps, what casts a shadow on Mr. Philby's full sincerity in embracing Islam and establishing his permanent residence at the port of Jeddah. It may be
that he is wronged by such an assumption, for he is an outstanding Arabist and, undeniably, a great admirer of, and believer in,
King Ibn Sa'ud. But there exists a strong doubt among a certain
group of Moslems as to his honesty of purpose not merely in
embracing Islam, but in choosing the strict, puritanical sect of the
Wahhabis. They seem to treat lightly his assertion that the Wahhabi movement will prove as beneficial to the regeneration of
Arabia as Cromwell's era was for Britain.
In this connection it may be noted that the Arabic press
quotes Mr. Philby as having stated among his reasons for turning Wahhabi that he is striving to establish enduring mutual
friendly relations between England and Arabia. Why, they ask,
if his motives are purely altruistic, could he not wish that Allah
lead his (Mr. Philby's) people to join the Wahhabi religion, as
he himself has been inspired to do, instead of forever keeping
an eye on politics and acting under reservations with apparent
ulterior motives?
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
40
Honor Your Mothers
2?y Miss
1
,
LAMESE HAMATI
IT was back in 1906 when a girl by the name of Miss Anna
Jarvis first suggested the idea of observing the second Sunday
of May as Mother's Day, to memorialize the "homegoing" of
her own mother after a long absence. The idea, however, met
with immediate popular favor and celebration of the day became
general. Dr. Geo. W. Bailey, then President of the World's
Sunday School Association, issued a call for the observance of
Mother's Day in which he set forth its purposes as follows:
"To recall the memories of the mothers who are gone, and
by loving word and loving care to cheer the mothers who remain."
Mother's Day became a National Holiday in 1914 when
Congress passed a bill authorizing the President to issue a proclamation calling upon all government officials to display the U.
S. flag on all Government buildings on the second Sunday of
May. The public was also requested to display the flag at their
homes as a public expression of our love and reverence for our
mothers. Truly, America is to be complimented for the sweet
sentiment reflected in her spirit.
Home has been defined as "The father's kingdom, the children's paradise and the Mother's world."
A mother's presence is a blessing to all little ones, her wisdom a guide to the elders of the household.
Her love for her children will keep her at her task until
she falls in her tracks. Why not do our best while she is with
us to keep her happy by a kind word, a kind deed. One will be
surprised to see how little it takes to please mother. After all,
life is short, and if we do not take advantage of the time when
she is with us to make her life as cheerful as is possible within
our power, then our grief will be endless and boundless when
we suddenly come to the realization that she is slipping away
from us, and it is too late to prove how much we really appreciated her.
Down deep in our hearts, we all love our mothers. Of this
there can be no doubt. But the trouble is we all take her too
(•
�3AAY, 1931
41
much for granted, and do not try to put ourselves out in showing
her what her life really means to us—that her presence is a
blessing. We take her love as a natural thing, and neglect to tell
her that it is our "Inspiration", that it is her love and understanding that keeps us going despite our failures. She loves us if we
are good or bad, handsome or ugly, smart or dumb. It makes
no difference what we are. In her eyes there is no one like her
little boy or girl. Can such love and loyalty be measured?
In the Scriptures, it says in Proverbs, 31:14—"She is like
the Merchant Ships." "She is like the Merchant ships."—What
do the two have in common that makes it suggestive?
Firts, they are both products of a world other than the world
in which they operate. The ship is a land product operating on
water, motherhood is a heavenly product operating on land.
Whether she be yellow, red, black or white, there is something
so sublime, so sweet, so beautiful about a mother's love that we
know it was born from above. She operates here in a monotony
as continuous as the rising and falling of the waves in the middle
of the ocean, and in storms and dangers as great, but she came
from another world. She was born in another sphere!
Merchant ships and mothers are alike also in that they are
both bearers of wealth. A country without ships may be a contented country, but it is always hampered and usually poor.
A country with ships is rich and prosperous. England is
the mightiest spot for its size on the face of the earth-—she has
ships. Merchant ships are the bank vaults of the sea, the subtreasuries of national prosperity. So is motherhood the bearer of
untold wealth.
Motherhood and merchant ships are alike also in their speed.
Mothers are not often capturing prizes in hundred yard dashes,
and would be a poor wager in any race that requires a galloping
foot, but with all their fallen arches and aching feet, made doubly
sore by the thoughtlessness of children, they are still the swiftest
things on earth. They anticipate our needs and know our desires
with an accuracy that is almost omniscient. No wonder dying
soldiers cried: Mother! Mother! in their last moments.
Motherhood is like merchant ships also in the fact that neither
have much rest. Look up the sailing dates of merchant ships and
you will find that they are nearly always moving. Battleships
loiter in tropical waters and gather barnacles, but merchant ships,
never. They only stay long enough to unload and reload. Watch
the average mother with her tables to set and babies to pet, her
r"
�42
?HE SYRIAN WORLD
rips to mend and her dishes to tend, her jackets to rub and her
faces to scrub, and you will find the busiest sailing schedule on
earth.
Motherhood and merchant ships are alike also in that they
keep nothing for themselves. Merchant ships are Neptune's delivery wagons. The one thing mothers have never learned to do
is to live for themselves.
Neglect your business and it will leave you. Neglect your
garden and it will starve you. Neglect your mother and she
will love you—love you though her heart lies bleeding in the
dust.
God gives us friends and that means much,
But far above all others
The greatest of His gifts to earth
Was when He thought of mothers.
A Mother s hove
"By PHILIP C. SABBAGHA
Oh Mother dear, my heart's for you,
My life's own blood is thine,
For by thy love my heart is true,
A precious love sublime.
Through pain and death thy love is mine,
A love of human soul,
A love that no man doth define,
A love that's still untold.
For by thy love my heart is strong,
No evil spirits dwell;
Thy love doth banish all the wrong,
And only Christ shall dwell.
Thy love doth guideth me through pain,
Through misery untold;
Through happiness and joy thy name,
Shall always mark my goal.
So, mother dear, my heart's for you,
And all that therein is,
For through thy love, the Spirit true,
Doth show what once was His.
:
�•P"
'
43
a^y, 1931
ALI ZAIBAQ
(Quicksilver)
THE UNPARALLELED ADVENTURES OF THE
CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CALIPH HAROUN
AL-RASHID, OF THE CITY OF BAGHDAD.
Translated from the Original Arabic by
'
SALLOUM
A.
MOKARZEL
and
CHAPTER
i
THADDEUS
S.
DAYTON
IX.
THE GIANT ROBBER
came to Quicksilver one day while he was sitting in
T HERE
the meeting place of the Secret Police a messenger from the
King ordering him to repair to the palace immediately. There
he saw a party of fifteen men weeping and lamenting, who on
perceiving him cried out that their homes had been ruined and
their fortunes had been swept away by robbers. The leader of
the party related how the night before he had been awakened
from slumber and saw before him a man of giant stature who
was accompanied by fourteen others. This giant told him in a
voice of thunder that if he was given all the money and valuables that he possessed no harm would come to him or his household, and that forthwith the giant and his men stripped him of
all his wealth and departed. He described the robber, aside from
being of great stature, as having a large head and that his moustache stood out so prominently and was so thick and stiff that an
eagle might alight thereon. He added that withal the robber
appeared to be of noble descent and was of gentle bearing.
One after another, each member of the company came forward and told the same tale of robbery the night before. Quicksilver assured them that he would immediately apprehend the
malefactor and that night he girded on his sword and alone
searched throughout the city until the morning call for prayer
sounded from the mosques. But he discovered nothing, and
�44
THE SYRIAN WORLD
going to the meeting place of the Zohrs, found that none of his
men had met with any better success.
But when he went to the King's palace he was astounded
at finding there not fifteen, but thirty merchants who had come
to complain of having been robbed of their wealth the night
before. The King reproached Quicksilver for his failure to discover the malefactor, and forbade all persons other than the
police to venture on the streets during the following night under
pain of death.
The King, suspecting unjustly that Quicksilver himself was
the one who had committed these robberies, decided to follow
Quicksilver that night in person.
Night came, and Quicksilver, armed with his enchanted
sword, went about the deserted streets seeking the robber. Hiding in the darkness at the mouth of an alley, he perceived approaching a man who seemed as huge as a mountain, like one of
the ancient giant people of Aad. Quicksilver was sure that this
was the malefactor whom he was seeking. Brandishing his enchanted sword he sprang out and attacked him furiously, but the
robber evaded his blows and grappled with him. Thereupon
there ensued a combat the like of which has not been recorded
in history. Quicksilver and the giant swayed to and fro; they
fell and rose again; they separated and grappled anew, continually uttering such cries that the neighboring buildings were shaken
to their foundations.
They continued struggling until both were exhausted. Quicksilver was convinced that he had met his peer in the arts of war,
and that the only hope of capturing his adversary would be
through a stratagem. So he seized his sword and flung it in the
air, cleaving the darkness with it like the flash of a meteor. Perceiving this his enemy thought to overcome Quicksilver easily,
but Quicksilver had in his hand a stout rope which he succeeded
in throwing about his opponent whom he finally bound and cast
upon the earth.
At this juncture the King and his company of soldiers approached and found Quicksilver standing alone, while on the
ground near by lay a large sack apparently filled with booty.
"Woe to you, O Quicksilver," said the King. "Where is
your adversary?"
"Presently you shall see him at your feet," responded Quicksilver, looking toward where he had thrown the bound robber.
But there, to his amazement, he found no one. Seemingly he
�I
MAY, 1931
had vanished into the air.
"Where is he?" demanded the King in a terrible voice.
"But this very instant I had securely bound him and laid
him prostrate here," answered Quicksilver, "but by Allah I do
not know what has become of him."
The King examined the sack that lay on the ground and
found written thereon in letters of gold:
"This is the sack of Quicksilver, son of Hassan Raselghoul."
Then it was that the King believed that he had found in
Quicksilver the real robber who had been despoiling the rich
citizens of Cairo, and pointing sternly at the sack, demanded of
Quicksilver if it was not his. Thunderstruck, Quicksilver examined it and exclaimed in a pitiful voice:
"O my lord, I implore your pardon. I swear by my head
that I do not know whence came this sack. Surely this culprit
must have written my name thereon so as to make suspicion fall
upon me."
But the King commanded him to be fettered and thrown
into a dungeon, which was done straightway, the jailer receiving
strict orders to watch him closely, for he would pay with his life
the penalty of Quicksilver's escape.
Quicksilver remained in this deplorable state, not knowing
how these misfortunes had come upon him. At times he was enraged at the King's severity; again his fury would be directed
toward the man who had ensnared him with his trickery. Then
he would realize the hopelessness and despair of his position,
and would weep as does a child. To him the flight of minutes
seemed as long as days, and the hours like endless years. He
could not sleep, so oppressed was he by the weight of his misfortune.
It was while he lay thus that there came into his cell an
old man, carrying in his hand a lighted candle. Approaching
Quicksilver without a word, he broke his fetters and signed to
Quicksilver to follow him. Cautiously they made their way
through the dark, tortuous corridors of the prison until they
reached the outer gate. There Quicksilver saw the jailer lying in his own blood, his head nearly severed from his body.
In silence they made their way to the high walls of the fortress
that surrounded the prison. Quicksilver being young and powerful scaled them with ease and he was surprised at the agility and
strength of his apparently aged companion who even surpassed
9
�46
THE SYRIAN WORLD
him in vigor. At last they reached the streets outside, and then
it was that Quicksilver's unknown deliverer spoke:
"Now, Quicksilver, whither do you wish me to conduct you,"
he asked.
"To the home of the King's swordbearer, for he is my loyal
friend," answered Quicksilver.
Thereupon the stranger drew aside his disguise and Quicksilver was astounded at discovering that he was none other than the
mysterious stranger with whom he had been contending on the
night of his downfall. As Quicksilver stood thus in wonderment
the stranger disappeared.
Leaving Quicksilver securely hidden in the house, the swordbearer repaired to the court of the King the next morning. He
entered just as the guards, returning in fright, went reporting
to the King that they found the jailer murdered and Quicksilver
gone. Whereupon the King was exceedingly enraged, and,
springing to his feet, swore that if anyone knew Quicksilver's
hiding place and did not reveal it he and his family would be
burned alive.
The King's swordbearer was seized with terror at this and
threw himself at the feet of the King, saying:
"May God grant you long life, O gracious King: Last night
Quicksilver appeared at my house seeking shelter, and fearing
that he might escape to some place where he could not be discovered I hid him in the cellar."
The King praised the swordbearer for his wisdom and
straightway dispatched three hundred soldiers to bring Quicksilver into his presence.
Meanwhile, Quicksilver remained in ignorance of all that
was taking place. While he was resting in fancied security there
appeared before him a thickly-veiled woman who informed him
that the swordbearer had revealed his hiding place and that a
company of soldiers was even then on its way to apprehend
him. Quicksilver's heart was filled with despair, for he had no
weapons with which to defend himself; but the woman handed
him the dress of a female slave and bade him quickly disguise
himself therewith and follow her. Just as they reached the street
outside the swordbearer's house they met the soldiers, but passed
them unnoticed and made their way unobserved to the outskirts
of the city. Then Quicksilver addressed his companion saying:
"May Allah reward you abundantly for delivering me from
II
�MAYy 1931
kfi
47
a most ignoble death."
He would have said more, but the woman lifted her veil and
disclosed to him the countenance of his adversary, the robber.
Before Quicksilver had recovered from his astonishment the
stranger had disappeared.
Quicksilver hid himself during the day in a great garden
that surrounded a palace outside the city, and after nightfall
went forth. In the distance he perceived a dim light toward which
he turned his steps and found that it came from the cavern of
Al-Sagalil. Now this great cave had long been the stronghold
cf robbers, and was so strongly fortified that even fifty horsemen
could not force their way therein. Quicksilver approached the
entrance cautiously and finally was able to see that the interior
of the cave was furnished with silks and costly rugs and that
jewels and other precious things were scattered about in great
profusion. Still more surprised was he to perceive that, seated
in the center of the cave, was his adversary and deliverer. He
was surrounded by a company of his followers, of whom Quicksilver counted fourteen, each one of whom was of considerable
stature and had the bearing of a lion. They were feasting on
choice viands, and all about them were scattered vessels of gold
and of silver, apparently the fruits of their robberies. Quicksilver hesitated not an instant, but rose to his full height and
sprang into the cave and stood before the chief of the outlaws
whom he addressed with bitter words, saying:
"Woe to you, O vilest of the vile. Not only have you robbed
Cairo of its wealth, but you have brought me almost to my
death."
The robbers sprang to their feet and made as though to slay
Quicksilver where he stood, but their chief commanded them to
hold their hands, saying:
"It is Quicksilver, who has proven that he is the bravest of
the brave by invading my stronghold. I, Ibrahim Ibn-Al-Anassi,
declare that Quicksilver had it in his power on one occasion to
slay me, but he did not. That I am still alive is due to his clemency. I have done him ill, and if God will grant me the power
I will henceforth endeavor to make amends for the sorrow I
have caused him."
"You shall hear, if Allah preserve us until the morrow,"
said the tale-teller, "the story of the outlaw chief of the land
of Tunis of the West, and of his revenge."
�48
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Political Developments in Syria
SYRIA A MONARCHY?
France would follow England's
policy in Iraq and Transjordania.
Ponsot's approaching trip to France
means delay in elections.
Although nothing definite has been
ascertained on the subject, there are
accumulating evidences that the solution of the Syrian problem will
take the form of establishing a
monarchy in the country. The recent visits of ex-King Hussain and
his son ex-King Ali to Syria and
the cordial reception tendered them
by the French mandatory authorities may now be viewed in a more
important light in the face of recent
statements on the subject coming
from French sources which are
looked upon in some circles as being semi-official. This particularly
applies to a recent declaration in a
press interview by a former high
French official who spent three years
directing the Bureau of Information
Service in Syria to the effect that
the Syrians are royalists at heart,
and that "the logical form of government for them is a monarchy,
inasmuch as all Orientals are still
swayed by centralized authority."
The intention, furthermore, of placing on the Syrian throne a descendant of the Prophet, most probably
in the person of ex-King Ali, would
have the further effect of insuring
the Syrians' obedience from religious considerations.
This would seem to account for
the delay in calling the Syrian elec-
tions which have been so long deferred. A further significant fact is
that the Syrian press seems to be
strangely silent lately on the matter
of the elections. But perhaps this is
due to the extraordinary attention
given to the people's boycott of the
public utilities, which is now sweeping the country.
From the same French source
quoted above the additional statement is made that France, if she is
to succeed in her mandatory venture,
must follow the example set by
England in the countries bordering
on Syria, namely, Iraq and Transjordania, both ruled by sons of exKing Hussain.
Whether the Syrians will acquiesce
in such a scheme cannot be yet
ascertained, the French themselves
entertaining doubts as to the willingness of Syrians to relinquish
their rights of democratic representative government.
A prominent Syrian is reported
having lately asked King Feisal of
Iraq whether there was any truth
in the report that the French intended placing his brother ex-King
Ali on the proposed Syrian throne,
to which Feisal is reported to have
laconically replied: "This question
should best be asked of the French
themselves."
It was semi-officially announced
that High Commissioner Ponsot was
planning to leave for France on his
annual vacation sometime in June.
This may be taken to mean that
while he is away no definite developments could be expected to
arise in the Syrian political situation, and that the expected elections
would be further delayed.
�ft
MAY, 1931
BOYCOTT OF UTILITIES
CONTINUES IN LEBANON
|'j
The latest mail information to
reach the United States from Syria
states that up to the middle of May
the boycott by the inhabitants of
Beirut of the traction and electric
companies had been going on uninterruptedly for forty-five days, with
every sign of its prolongation indefinitely until the foreign interests
controlling the utilities heed the demands of the people. The boycott,
to all appearances, is gaining momentum the longer it proceeds, all
efforts of the local authorities and
even the clergy having failed to
dampen the enthusiasm of the strikers. The mandatory authorities apparently are refraining from any
direct interference.
In Beirut several papers were
again subjected to disciplinary measures and indefinitely suspended.
Ad-Dabbour, the humorous weekly
published by Joseph Mokarzel, felt
the heavy hand of the authorities
against it twice within three weeks.
Ad-Dabbour, by reason of its popularity and influence, is accused of
causing a further prolongation of
the boycott.
In Damascus a committee of vigilantes is making systematic efforts
to make abstention from the use of
electric light and power general.
According to the provisions of the
electric company's charter, several
mosques and public institutions were
to receive free current, placing them
apparently
beyond
the general
causes of complaint. But in order to
completely cripple the activities of
the power company, even these institutions receiving free service were
induced to discontinue its use, and
now the principal mosques of Damascus have reverted to the use of
candles and kerosene lamps.
What seems to have added fresh
49
impetus to the determination of the
Syrians to continue the boycott to
the bitter end is the reported remark of the director of the electric company when he was approached on the question of reducing the rates, that "I would be a
Syrian if I did." The Syrians seem
determined "to prove to these profiteering foreigners who fatten on
the resources of the country, while
indulging in hurling at them such
invectives as 'sales Syriens', that
they are done with submitting to
such stinging insults."
The women of Syria have played
a prominent part in supporting the
boycott movement, holding public
demonstrations and submitting to
arrest.
IRAQ PETROLEUM
The agreement reached by the
Lebanese government and the Iraq
Petroleum Company for making
Tripoli the terminus of the transdesert pipe line was ratified by the
Lebanese Legislative Assembly on
May 24. This has aroused hopes of
rapid improvement in the depressed
economic conditions in the country.
Some papers have already begun
agitating the question of establishing refineries in Tripoli instead of
using that city merely as a port of
transit, and judging by the present
temper of the people and their
tenacity of purpose, there is every
hope that ultimately their demands
on this new question will also be
granted.
Tripoli is proving itself a thorn
in the side of the Lebanese government owing to its constant agitation
for union with Syria. The latest
disturbances in the city, which culminated in an attack on the Italian
consulate, furnished another pretext
for the people's declaration in favor
of such a union. Sheikh Muham-
�50
THE SYRIAN WORLD
mad Al-Jisr, President of the Legislative Assembly and a representative of Tripoli, apologized in the
Assembly for the action of his constituents on the grounds that it was
unpremeditated and bearing no political significance, affirming that
they are true to their Lebanese allegiance and to the mandate. To this
the Tripolitans took vigorous exception and availed themselves of the
occasion to again declare their unshaken conviction in the principle of
unity with Syria.
About Syria and Syrians
THE ARABIC-SPEAKING
WORLD MOURNS GIBRAN
The wave of grief that has swept
the Arabic-speaking world over the
death of G. Kahlil Gibran on April
10 in New York bears testimony to
the great love and esteem in which
the Syrian-American poet was held
by his countrymen. The Arabic press
of Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and
other Arabic-speaking countries eulogized him as they have no other
Syrian emigrant before, and as they
have few of the outstanding literary
personalities of the homeland in recent times. The people of North
Lebanon, and particularly of Becharri, his native town, appeared
stunned by the news of his premature death, and already they are
preparing plans for the removal of
his remains to Becharri and for the
erection of a monument to commemorate his genius at his birthplace.
In New York a memorial meeting
for the spirit of Gibran was held
by the Syrian community on May
24 at the hall of the American-Syrian Federation in Brooklyn under
the auspices of Ar-Rabitah, the literary circle which Gibran had founded and of which he had been president. The services were conducted
wholly in Arabic and the attendance
represented the finest element of
the community. It was the New
York Syrians' tribute to their departed beloved son.
Present at the memorial ceremony
was His Excellency Anis Raphael
Bey, Egyptian consul in New York,
who paid Gibran a high personal
tribute and declared that long before he came to the United States
he had known Gibran to exercise
great influence in the intellectual
and spiritual life of the people of
Egypt.
Mischa Naimy, a member of ArRabitah, presided. He read a number of letters and telegrams from
Lansing, Mich.,
Oklahoma City,
Okla., and Fall River, Mass., stating
that similar services to Gibran were
being held on that date in those
. particular cities. He read a poem
composed for the occasion by Abbas
A. Shakra of Detroit and had Nasib
Arida read a fitting tribute sent by
N. A. Mokarzel, dean of Syrian
journalists in America and editor of
Al-Hoda, who was unable to attend.
Other speakers who delivered
their eulogies either in poetry or
prose were Dr. Najib Barbour, representative in New York of the
President of Lebanon; S. Akel, for-
-—.
I
�MAY, 1931
mer president of the American-Syrian Federation; Joseph M. Khoury,
editor of Ash-Shaab of New York;
Salloum A. Mokarzel, editor of The
Syrian World; Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin
the poet; Fouzy Braidy, and the
following members of Ar-Rabitah:
Richard Ayoub, A. A. Haddad, editor of As-Sayeh, E. Atallah and
Nassib Arida of the editorial staff
of Al-Hoda.
Petro Trabulsi, a Syrian violinist, played a dirge which he had
composed especially for the occasion.
51
which copyrights I understand can
be extended upon request by my
heirs for an additional period of
twenty-eight years after my death,
are to go to my home town.
Everything found in my studio
after my death, pictures, books, objects of art, etcetera, go to Mrs.
Mary Haskell Mines, now living at
24 Gaston Street West, Savannah,
Ga. But I would like to have Mrs.
Mines send all or any part of these
things to my home town should she
see fit to do so."
GIBRAN LAST OF LINE
GIBRAN BEQUEATHS WEALTH
TO BECHARRI CHARITIES
The will of G. Kahlil Gibran was
filed for probate in the Surrogate's
Court of New York on a petition by
his sister, Mary K. Gibran, on May
21. The document was executed on
March 13, 1930, less than a year
before Gibran's death. Its full text
is as follows:
"In the event of my death I wish
that, whatever money or securities
Mr. Edgar Speyer has been gracious
enough to hold for me should go to
my sister Mary K. Gibran who now
lives at 76 Tyler St., Boston, Mass.
There are also 40 (forty) shares
of the Fifty-One West Tenth Street
Studio Association Stock lying in
my safe deposit box with the Bank
of Manhattan Trust Company, 31
Union Square, New York. These
shares are also to go to my sister.
There are in addition to the foregoing, two (2) bank books of the
West Side Savings Bank, 422 Sixth
Avenue, New York, which I have
with me in my studio. I wish that
my sister would take this money to
my home town of Becharri, Republic of Lebanon, and spend it upon
charities.
The royalties on my copyrights,
1
From the petition of Gibran's sister, in which is given the genealogy
of the family, it appears that Gibran
had but one half-brother, Peter
Rahme, a son of his mother by a
former marriage, who died in 1903
without issue, never having married.
By his mother's second marriage
he and two sisters were born, one
sister being Sultana who died in
1902 never having married, and the
other being Mary, the survivor, who
is also unmarried. Gibran, according
to the petition, died without issue,
never having married.
Gibran's mother died in 1903 and
is buried in Boston. His father died
in 1909.
GIBRAN MEMORIAL
HELD IN BOSTON
(Special Correspondence)
Under the auspices of Msgr. Stephen Al-Douaihy a public tribute
was paid the memory of Gibran, the
dead in body, and Gibran, the immortal, at the Municipal Building on
Shawmut Avenue in Boston on Sunday, May 24, 1931, at 8:00 P. M.
Over 1,000 Lebanese and Syrians
were present. The speakers were
�mmam
52
Msgr. Stephen Al-Douaihy, Michel
Maloof, Elias F. Shamon, Miss Labeebee A. J. Hanna, Mrs. Mary Kahwajy, Rasheed Abdelnoor and several others.
Gibran's sister, Miss Marianna
Gibran, was present with several
close friends.
Exerpts from some of the poet's
works were read by Msgr. Al-Douaihy.
Between speakers, music was furnished by a reed instrument, violin
and piano and voice. The songs in
Arabic were taken from Gibran's
works and were printed on the programs for the benefit of the audience.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
on the piano.
Prof. Thabit spoke on the general
benefits of education and stated that
the American University of Beirut
aimed at training leaders for the uplift of the country socially, morally
and economically.
QUESTION OF PATRIARCHATE
STILL SPLITS ORTHODOX
Political reasons are now ascribed to
difficulty of accord.
Despite all efforts to effect a conciliation and settlement, each of the
two Patriarchs of the Syrian OrthoDINNER IN HONOR
dox Church still seems to be holding
OF PROF. THABIT off against any concession. Patriarch
Alexander of Damascus, because he
The Syrian Eductaional Society of was conceded the legality of his
*ew York and the Alumni Associa- election by the three ranking Pation of the American University of
triarchs of the Orthodox Church,
Beirut gave a testimonial dinner
namely, those of Jerusalem, AlexThursday, May 28, at Joe's Restauandria and Istanbul, is proceeding in
rant in Brooklyn in honor of Prof
accordance with what he conceives
Khalid Thabit, of the American
to be his admitted right and authorUniversity of Beirut, now visiting in
ity. What seems to lend his posithe United States for the purpose
tion more weight is that most of the
of further studying advanced Amer- church property is in the hands of
ican educational methods. Prof. Thahis followers, and since control of
bit is the Principal of the Preparathis property figured largely in
tory Division of the American Unibringing about the disagreement, he
versity and the first native to have feels himself comparatively secure in
been admitted to the faculty. He has his position.
visited the principal universities of
All the Orthodox newspapers of
the United States and will return to
the United States, with but a single
Syria sometime in July.
exception, are supporting Patriarch
The dinner was restricted to mem- Alexander. The Orthodox bishop of
bers of the two societies and a few South America has also given him
select friends. Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin submission.
presided. The speakers were Habeeb
It is now claimed that one of the
I- Katibah, who recently returned
reasons the Commission of Inquiry
from a trip abroad, Nelson Peters, and Arbitration sent to Syria by the
the son of Rev. Khirbawy and Sal- three Orthodox Patriarchs gave its
loum A. Mokarzel. Miss Marguerite decision in favor of Patriarch
Hatem played several Oriental airs Alexander is that the French manda-
83=3
.
�*
MAY, 1931
:
53
1
Courtesy Majallat Al-Kalemat
His Beatitude Patriarch Alexander of the Syrian Orthodox Church
tory authorities in Syria sought to
influence it into recognizing his
opponent, Patriarch Arsanius. Resenting this interference into church
matters, the commission is said to
have left French mandated territory and issued its report from
Jerusalem.
Quite in variance with this view,
however, is the claim advanced by
adherents of Patriarch Arsanius to
the effect that the Greek Church is
.
again seeking to gain control over
the Orthodox Church of Syria. In
this connection it is recalled that up
to the close of the nineteenth century all Orthodox Patriarchs in
Syria were Greeks, who exercised
full control over the destinies of the
church to the detriment of the natives. The Syrians finally threw off
the Greek yoke and elected a Patriarch from among their own
clergy. This very fact would indi-
�54
cate that the three Patriarchs who
recognized
Patriarch
Alexander,
being all Greek, not only have no
further authority in the affairs of
the Syrian Orthodox Church, but
are deliberately seeking to again
impose their yoke upon it by inducing a split in the church, since they
have accorded their recognition to
the Patriarch elected by the insurgent minority.
From other sources it is learned
that the French authorities are refraining from all interference in the
Orthodox Church- situation, inasmuch as it is regarded as a purely
internal church matter. Nevertheless, they are accused of aggravating the situation by their very indifference.
The details of the negotiations
w'hich Patriarch Arsanius promised
to forward by mail have not as yet
reached the United States.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
as one of the strongest proponents
of a federation of Arab States under
his leadership, since King Ibn Saoud
is' admittedly the dominant persona'ity at the present time in Arabia.
SONS OF LEBANON
CELEBRATE IN QUINCY
At a banquet of the Sons of
Lebanon in the Fore River Club at
Quincy, Mass., East met West "in
one of the foremost inter-racial gatherings to assemble in this city," according to the Quincy Evening News
of Friday, May 29, 1931.
Some of the prominent guests included Rep. Leo Birmingham, representing Gov. Ely of Mass., Mayor
Thomas J. McGrath of Quincy, State
Senator John D. Mackay, Councillor
John P. Flavin, Mayor Michael C.
O'Neill of Everett, Mass., who all
spoke and highly commended the
Syrians as an industrious, home-loving and peaceful people who make
RIHANI TO VISIT
for good citizenship. Rep. BirmingKING OF ARABIA
ham "urged the Syrian people here
Ameen Rihani, the well known to take the places in the affairs of
Syrian author and traveler, is ex- the nation to which they are enpected to reach Freike, his home titled."
Prof. Emile Dumit of the Amertown in Lebanon, by the middle of
ican
University of Beirut declared
June. He sailed from New York on
April 18 for London where he re- "the noble traditions of the past are
mained for a week looking after his a challenge to Syrians of to-day,"
literary interests. Later he went to and added that "they would be
Paris for a visit to the French Co- supremely tested in maintaining
lonial Exposition, and it was the ancestral achievement."
Louis George, attorney, acted as
general understanding at the time
toastmaster.
He said that every Syrthat he would proceed directly to
ian
in
Quincy
was a member of the
Beirut.
Recent information received by Sons of Lebanon. Other speakers
The Syrian World, 'however, is that were Peter Antoon, president of the
Mr. Rihani had reached Port Said society; Michael Batal, Miss Olga
Miss Nellie Perry
and
in Egypt the latter part of May and Motto,
was on his way to Jeddah where he Richard Abdelnour.
Miss Najeebe Morad gave several
will meet His Majesty King Ibn
Saoud of Arabia by special invita- Syrian folk songs to the violin action. Mr. Rihani is known to be a companiment of her brother, Louis
personal friend of the King as well Morad.
�*¥.
{MAY, 1931
REPUBLICAN LEADER
SPEAKS TO SYRIANS
An interesting discussion of the
functions of government and the
manifold duties of the Appraisal
Division of the customs authorities
was given to members of the American-Syrian Federation and their
friends at the clubrooms of the federation on the evening of May 19 by
the Hon. F. J. H. Kracke, U. S. Appraiser of the Port of New York
and Republican leader of Kings
County. The Syrians being large
importers of goods from foreign
countries, the speaker took special
pains to impress them with the
fact that the United States government is ever willing to facilitate,
not hamper, all legitimate business
enterprises. In the course of his address he recalled many humorous incidents where art and antique collectors were the dupes of foreign
dealers who capitalized their ignorance and credulity. Only upon the
arrival of the goods in New York
is the spuriousness of the supposed
works of art and antiques sometimes detected. Mr. Kracke explained that although the Appraiser's office maintains a large staff of experts, it often calls upon independent experts for advice in an effort
to obviate all possibility of mistake.
These experts invariably are willing
to cooperate with the government
gratuitously so as to help mamtain
the high standard of American appraisals.
George C. Dagher, President of
the Federation, introduced the
speaker.
SYRIAN DANCER IS
PRAISED FOR HER ART
Miss Emiline Bashour, a professional dancer whose stage name is
El-Bashara, received high praise
55
from critics both for her modern
dancing and for her interpretation
of classical themes during a dance
recital given by Frances Hartshorne
at the Delancey Play House in Philadelphia on April 17. In appraising her artistic ability the Main
Liner of Ardmore, Pa., in its issue
of April 24, wrote the following:
"El-Bashara, who is a native
Syrian, contributed much to the
program's charm and variety. Her
Oriental flavor was unexpectedly
piquant in modern dancing, and her
interpretation of Prokofieff's difficult
composition, 'Out of Chaos,' showed high creative intelligence. She
is a gifted caricaturist, and her
'Calamity Jane' was a delicious bit
of nonsense."
NUMBER OF ARABIC
MAGAZINES GROWING
Miss Najla Bellamah has resumed
lately in Montreal, Canada, the publication of her monthly magazine,
The Dawn, which previously she
had published for five years in Beirut. Miss Bellamah has dedicated
a section of her publication to the
service of the Syrian-Canadian generation by publishing several articles in English.
The appearance of this magazine
brings the number of Arabic periodicals published in the United States
and Canada to five. The most recent
addition to those published in the
United States is Majallat Al-Kalemat which had been published for
fifteen years previously by the late
Archbishop Raphael Howaweeny,
the first bishop of the Syrian Orthodox diocese of North America,
and is now revived by the Rt. Rev.
Emmanuel Abu Hatab, Syrian Orthodox Bishop of Montreal, Canada,
and residing in New York.
�56
Another magazine published by a
Syrian Orthodox church dignitary is
Al-Khalidat (The Immortals) which
now is in its fifth year and is edited
by the Rt. Rev. Antony Bashir, a
circuit missionary. Both last named
publications are printed by the Syrian-American Press.
The two remaining publications
are Character, a distinctive literary
organ now in its twelfth year, and
As-Sameer, comparatively a newcomer, now in its second year.
And this in spite of the increasing complaints of the older publications, especially the dailies, of
their stringent conditions due to the
lack of adequate support by the
reading public.
FREE TRANSPORTATION FOR
REMAINS OF GIBRAN
THE SYRIAN WORLD
FAMOUS SYRIAN SCHOLAR
DIES IN LOS ANGELES
Dr. Louis Berry Sabonji, famous
scholar, author and poet, at one time
private tutor to the sons of Sultan
Abdul Hamid of Turkey, was found
dead in his room in the Hotel Balboa in Los Angeles on April 25 under
suspicious circumstances.
The discovery of the body was
accidental. Rev. Ananias Bory, a
Syrian priest and friend of the scholar, came to visit him at his hotel to
discuss details of a benefit dance
that was to be soon given for him,
since the old scholar's financial circumstances were sadly impaired.
Not receiving any response to his
repeated knocks, the priest called
the hotel manager who gained entry
through a pass key. Dr. Sabonji
was discovered sprawled on the floor
of the room battered and bleeding,
with his hand outstretched in the
direction of his famous masterpiece
depicting the origin of the world's
religions.
Through the representation of the
Syrian S.S. Ticket agency of A. K.
Hitti & Co. of New York, the Fabre
line, whose steamers make direct
sailings between American ports and
Beirut, has offered to transport the
The police believe that death was
body of G. Kahlil Gibran to his na- accidental, probably caused by a fall
tive land without charge. This may when the feeble old man attempted
be interpreted not alone as a mark to reach the painting. Friends of
of respect by the Steamship Com- Dr. Sabonji, however, are inclined to
pany for our departed poet, but also the belief that he was murdered in
as an indication of the esteem in an attempt to steal the masterpiece,
which the Company holds the firm for which he was said to have been
of A. K. Hitti, its Syrian agents.
offered $100,000 but which he valued
In 1925, when the famous scholar at $400,000. The painting is a huge
and statesman Suleiman Bistany canvass representing the evolution
died in New York, his remains were of religions since the beginning of
also transported to Syria without time, having been executed by a staff
charge by the Fabre Line, in defer- of European artists under the direct
ence to the wishes of A. K. Hitti supervision of Dr. Sabonji over a
& Co.
period of eight years.
Commenting editorially on this
Dr. Sabonji had reached the ripe
generous gesture, Al-Hoda remarks age of 96, and was noted for his
that the substantial saving thus ef- doctrines on physical culture, a subfected could fittingly be applied to ject on which he had published
the charities which were uppermost notable works in Arabic. He was a
in Gibran's mind in making his will. native of Beirut.
�
Dublin Core
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Title
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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
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Arabs--United States
Arabic periodicals
Newspapers
Arab American Newspapers
Creator
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Salloum A. Mokarzel
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New York Public Library
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Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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1926-1935
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<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>
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English
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Processed by Claire A. Kempa, 2015-2017. Collection Guide written by Claire A. Kempa, 2017.
Collection Guide updated by Laura Lethers, 2023 August.
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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.
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NS 0002
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Identifier
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TSW1931_05reducedWM
Title
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The Syrian World Volume 05, Issue 09
Date
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1931 May
Description
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Volume 5 Issue 09 of The Syrian World published May 1931. Ameen Rihani opens the issue with an article already previously published in Travel Magazine that discusses his journey from Bagdad to Basrah down the Tigris River. Following it is a poem titled "Queen Ulmana's Turquoise" by Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin, followed by yet another poem by Amin Beder, a tribute to Gibran titled "The Spirit of Gibran." Presented next is "The Case of The Syrian World," a concise presentation of different opinions surrounding the paper, before an article by a regular contributor of The Syrian World, Rev. W. A. Mansur. Mansur's article aims to inspire the Syrian community with his work discussing pride in the Syrian race. At the end of the issue before the next portion of the "Ali Zaibaq" series there are two works, each by Syrian children, on what their attitudes should be concerning their mothers. The issue closes with an update on the political developments in Syria and excerpts from the Arab press that highlight Syria and Syrians.
Subject
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Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals
Arabs--United States--Periodicals
Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals
Language
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English
Creator
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Salloum A. Mokarzel
Syrian-American Press
Source
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New York Public Library
Publisher
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Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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104 Greenwich St., New York, NY
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Text/pdf
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Text
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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.
1930s
Ameen Rihani
Amin Beder
Iraq
Kahlil Gibran
New York
Reverend W.A. Mansur
Rivers
Salim Alkazin
Syria
Travel
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/7817bf7f737e9861155846112a1ca2a4.pdf
5080f93777a7bed6f649a9f76fc4fe39
PDF Text
Text
'OL VI
NOVEMBER. 1931
NO.
��npxrp
SYRIAN WORLD
Tublished monthly except July and August
by
THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS
104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y.
By subscription $5.00 a year.
Single Copies 50c
Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New lork,
N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879.
VOL. VI. NO. 3
NOVEMBER, 1931
=•=
CONTENTS
The Coming Generation of Syrian Leaders
SALLOUM
A.
3
MOKARZEL
Affluence, (a Poem)
9
EDNA
K.
SALOOMEY
The Deeper Pain
10
KAHLIL GIBRAN
Conditions in the Near East __
__
11
BAYARD DODGE
True Arabian Tales
The Slave Girl Whom the Grand Vizier Could
Not Buy.
14
�CONTENTS (Continued)
PAGE
Poetry, Edited by
BARBARA YOUNG
Soil, by JOHN STERLING HANEY
New Poetry
To Our Lyric Poets
Rubaiyat Au-Tayeb, by AMIN BEDER
Ode, by THOMAS ASA
A Moslem Saint of Damascus
H. I.
.....
j8
19
2n
........
22
23
24
26
KATIBAH
Books Received
-,,
Seek and You Shall Find (a Short Story)
32
By
CHARLES
J.
SASSEN
Our Younger Generation
30
Edited by A.
HAKIM
Conflicting Standards in the Syrian Home in
America
Youth Speaks
Beyond the Sun ,(a Poem)
38
,,
43
BARBARA YOUNG
New Egyptian Minister in A merica
44
The Traveler's Cloak, (a Poem)
47
DR. SALIM
Y.
ALKAZIN
Editorial Comment
AQ
Political Developments in Syria
TQ
Syrian World News Section
53
i
�SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL, Editor
VOL. VI. NO. 3
NOVEMBER, 1931
The Coming Generation of Syrian
Leaders
BREAKING THE BOUNDS OF AGE-LONG TRADITIONS
THEY SEEK TO LEAD THROUGH ENLIGHTENED
AND CONSTRUCTIVE EFFORTS.
By
SALLOUM
A.
MOKARZEL
ALTHOUGH the French might be partly responsible for the
of
pet
" ^? ^
°f °Utl°°kthat
°" Some
their
pet traditions
traditions, itr ,s, nevertheless,
incontestable
these youths
themselves have by their own process of reasoning reached the mo
mentous conclusions that are now carrying them^n the crest o,
aTX mWnal ^f0^^ ^ A of Syria and Sbano,
are becoming practical. They are seriously applying themselves to
oe Sft a"d aPP1,Cat]°" of methods that/in comparison withIheir
age-old traditions, might well be considered revolutionary^ What
» more significant ,s that this change of outlook is evident not only
among the masses but also amone
the classes Th7\ A
'
nrfinlN, kL-,'
..
r
, to
classes, the leaders are
actually blazing the way for this renaissance which augurs such a
nght future for the country. Enlightened leadership may wel
^considered an almost accomplished fact not in the very disTant
Where it had been the time-honored tradition to rely upon
anmaintain family prestige on the old accepted lines of hered tarv
leadership and authority, the scions of the nobility, so-ca led are
fitting themselves by industry in the acquisition of the technica
�4
THE SYRIAN WORLD
knowledge and training to improve their own conditions and those
of their followers. This radical transformation in viewpoint I was
able to observe in three widely separated sections, but with unmistakable signs of a singleness of purpose.
* * * *
Early in August, 1929, while visiting Latakia, capital of the
Alaouite State of Syria, I met Emir Muneer, son of Emir Jaber AlAbbas, President of the Legislative Council of the State and hereditary chieftain of the whole Alaouite nation by virtue of his being the
head of the principal clan in the country. It was through this meeting that my interest was first aroused as to the attitude and disposition of the younger generation of leaders in the country. The
aspirations and ambitions of the young man were a revelation.
Yes, he would succeed his father as the leader of his people. Such
was his hereditary privilege which he would not dream of relinquishing. But he would by all means justify his claim by enlightened leadership. The country is in a state of an ephocal transition
and transformation. Its population is almost completely homogeneous and its land is capable of great productivity. Its resources
must be exploited and husbanded and its political rights maintained.
Hence his sense of prime duty to equip himself for the task of true
leadership—leadership that would guarantee his people their rights
and privileges. And to that end he was taking up the study of international law.
It was a voluntary task he had set for himself, and he was determined to carry it through. He positively will not follow it as a
profession because he was amply independent in his own right.
But it was for the purpose of protecting his people in their rights
that he was foregoing a life of ease for one of study and research.
Already he has graduated from the law school of the Syrian University in Damascus and was now going to Paris for further study.
He was to be in Paris that very year.
Muneer Al-Abbas is in his early twenties but observes the
strict tenets of his religion, indulging neither in smoking nor in
drinking, but for all other appearances he does not differ from the
well-dressed Parisian of the boulevards.
Unlike some others, he was not reticent in giving his political
views. He believes in the necessity of the mandate and in a policy
of understanding and cooperation with the French. Independent
political actions, he also was frank to state, will not be productive
until the country achieves a decided improvement in its economic
�NOVEMBER, 1931
and social status. He entertains
no delusions as to the actual need
of the people in this respect, and
his self-imposed task is to safeguard the rights of the country
during this period of transition.
*
*
*
Another young Syrian leader
is iimir Hasan Al-Atrash, scion
of the psincipal Atrash dan in
Jebel Druze and the titular leader of the country. I met him in
Sueida, capital of the mountain
Syrian state and found him to be
equally determined as to his future ambitions. Although a faction of his people is still nominally at war wit,* the French, he believes that war is destruction if
not actually hell, and he would
apply himself to practical, constructive methods for improving
the conditions of the country.
Am- since agriculture is the principal industry in Jebel Druze,
Emir Muneer A I- Abbas
he is engaged in the conduct of
agricultural experiments on a Young Hereditary Leader of the
large scale on his vast lands near
Alaouites Who is Studying
Sueida. He has already bought
International Lazv.
several tractors and other modern
farm implements which, once he proves their value, he will recom
mend for general use in the country. The topography of TeTl
Druze and its individual agricultural problems wouJdseem to^u!
before reaching a decisi
^hXlinr/r'r
-~ &
metnoa or kind of machinery is most suitable
Lmir Hassan Al-Atrash also is in his early twenties
He
makes no secret of the fact that his literary properties are Tot
that
TFMTZE
to nis particular problems.
k6en
TJ-t
SS
m what Swith
Like his people,
he is endowed
ttlrl°f C°Ur^e Whkh b°rders °« recklessness ATL en
gaged in the war against the French in its earlier stages but came to
realize that the interest of the country would be b'e 'served by a
�6
THE SYRIAN WORLD
policy of understanding. Hence his present relations of amity and
cooperation with the French.
To one who had only book knowledge of Jebel Druze and its
people and rulers, the natural expectation was to see a prince in full
panoply and brilliant entourage moving about in state among his
subjects, especially that Druze princes in their forlorn mountain
still rule according to accepted feudal practices. Not so, however,
was the appearance of the young Atrash prince. The charger gave
way to the speedier and more reliable and comfortable automobile;
the flowing bedouin robes to European attire and the costly and
pompous entourage to a single attendant. Democracy and the spirit
of sportsmanship went further with our young Emir—he himself
was always at the wheel and his attendant did not appear in livery
or bear any outward mark of difference from his master.
The night my companions and I spent in Sueida we were, together with the Emir, guests for dinner at a Christian notable's
house. The Emir appeared not to have the least consciousness of
rank. He doffed his coat and rolled up his shirt sleeves and sat
to the board in the accepted native fashion. He is not of the 'Ukkal, and consequently had no scruples about smoking or drinking.
Nor was he unduly prudish. Everybody knows about his youthful
romance with the Jewish dancer which caused him to knock down
the French superintendent of the school he attended in Beirut and
escape over the fence, so why not tell it himself in its true details.
And he did tell it with apparently little remorse, rather with much
relish. It was but a youthful escapade and his view of it was
typically modern.
* * * *
The third promising young leader is in the Lebanon. Although still in his teens he has very decided opinions of his future
career. What if his forebears once were the absolute rulers of
the country and his branch of the family still holds an undisputed
position of leadership. He will deviate from the path of his ancestors and shape for himself a course of his own. Not for him a
life of empty dignity that spells inaction. He will rehabilitate his
fortune by industry and blaze a way of marked economic improvement in the country by the promulgation of modern producing
methods. If he himself, due to his tender age, does not express
himself altogether in such terms, his mother acts as his spokesman
with evident authority, because, in truth, she is the one primarily
responsible for his training along these lines.
�NOVEMBER, 1931
Front Viev> of 'he Palace of Sitt Nazira Janblatt in Lebanon, Which
u the Scene of Much Industrial Activity Along Modern Lines.
Kamal Bey Janblatt, son of Sitt Nazira Janblatt, who is concededly one of the outstanding feminine figures in'the Eas
s
doubly fortunate for being the scion of one of the principal Druze
families in Lebanon and for having such an able and e, lightened
mother to guide his footsteps. Ever since the child's infancy, when
a cruel fate struck down her husband in the discharge of his duties
as the governor of the southern district of Lebanon, she not only
has acted as mentor and guardian to her children but strove to maintain and bolster the position of the family. Nay, she has succeeded
n materially enhancing its prestige and improving its means. And
this despite the restrictions of her social status as a Druze woman.
So much, m fact, has been her success that she is pointed out as a
pioneer in many economic enterprises and a paragon and champion
of the Eastern woman's emancipation.
One of the enterprises of Sitt Nazira was the installation of a
hydroelectric plant utilizing the abundant water brought to her
palace at Mukhtara from a great distance and hitherto gone almost
total y to waste. With the power generated she is now able to run
a mill and a carpentry shop besides illuminating the palace and a
part of the town Her enterprise and energy deserve special treatment which will be given in an independent chapter.
�.la^B-v-f- -J^_
8
THE SYRIAN WORLD
But the mysterious generation of electricity and the wonders
of transformation it has wrought captivated the imagination of her
son who now resolved on seeking a career in electrical engineering.
The boy's mind is completely wrapped in his selected calling. His
mother often sends him in state to attend some official public functions which she, out of deference to her people's traditions, wishes
to avoid, and at which she feels her family should be represented.
But the boy's interest in these ostentatious functions is perfunctory.
His passion is electricity and its application. He even avoids play
to study on the subject.
Sitt Nazira led us from one of the elaborate reception salons
facing the spacious open court into the nursery. And there was the
boy Kamal Bey, unnaturally grave for a boy of twelve, watching
over his younger sister. He appeared to take but a mild interest in his mother's enthusiastic and admiring explanations. Rather it was the attitude of one who resented intrusion on his pet
subject and its being held up to public discussion. The look in his
eyes was more in the nature of an appeal to his mother to spare him
in his chosen profession, but his good breeding forbade any articulate objection.
* * * *
As good fortune would have it, my first visit to Damascus afforded me the opportunity to meet and study a typical young son of
the desert leaders in the person of Emir Fowaz, son of the celebrated Nouri Shalan of the tribe of Rowla. In him, too, were very
evident the signs of the great transformation, but not along the
lines manifested in the others. He was just a colt let loose and he
well acted the part. With a number of Damascene notables we
were having dinner at the roof garden of the Hotel Victoria Annex,
which in appointment and atmosphere is but another edition of a
high-class Parisian cafe. It is reached through a circular hall where
many of the principal social functions of the city are held. That
night it was the scene of a musicale and dance. Men and women
in fashionable evening dress packed the room, among them being a
large representation of foreigners. But there was a solitary figure
in glowing Arab costume who moved about with the nonchalance
of a habitue. A handsome young face protruded from under the
folds of a silken headdress with but a faint trace of a black moustache. Only his patent leather pumps and silk socks indicated a
concession to European dress. He was none other than Emir Fowaz
of the Rowla tribe, and although I did not personally interview him,
�f
WOVE MB ER, 1931
9
I learned from my Damascene companions that he had a town
house in Damascus and is frequently seen at social functions. ' He
once almost caused an unpleasant international incident when, true
to Arab temperament, he fell violently in love with an English
concert dancer and took the shortest cut to possessing her by kidnapping. He ceded her back only after several months of exciting life
of romance in the desert.
But for the present, at least, the nomad Arabs of the desert
do not seem to form an integral part of Syrian life. Nevertheless,
they are beginning to feel the inroads of modern influences, and
if one of their young leaders maintains a city home and engages in
social activities on such a large scale, a change is bound to come into their life. Already they have modernized their methods of
warfare and use automobiles in conducting their raids; other radical
changes will not be long to follow.
* * * *
A change looms on the horizon in Syria. It is bound to prove
more productive, and will surely be highly accelerated, through
the serious efforts of the young leaders who are fitting themselves
constructively for their future tasks.
Affluence
By
EDNA
K.
SALOOMEY
I shall embrace my poverty, and bless
Fate for willing me not the Midas touch.
Thus, am I spared from having to confess
Futility, a craving for death, and such
Desires as satiety brings to men.
When all need is fulfilled, what need to live?
What pleasure shall await to-morrow, then,
If today credit all life has to giver
From the vast depths of Stygian of the dawn.
Man's gratitude for the beauty of the dawn.
�f
'
THE SYRIAN WORLD
The Deeper Pain
By
KAHLIL GIBRAN
Editors Note—Through the courtesy of Barbara Young, li erary
executor of Kahlil Gibran, some of Gibran's original writings in English will be published exclusively in the Syrian Wor'.d from time to
time previous to book publication.The following is the first of the
series.
To burn but not to shine, that is indeed great pain, but to
burn not at all is the greater pain.
To have a full heart and an empty hand is pain indeed,
But to have both heart and hand full, and no one to receive
is greater pain.
To be a cripple at the foot of the mountain of your heart's
desire is a great pain,
But to reach the top of the mountain and find yourself
alone, that is the deeper pain.
To have a song in your spirit but not the voice to sing is to
know great pain,
But to have both the song and the voice, and none to listen,
is the greater pain.
Once I stood, a beggar, at the gate of the temple.
Night veiled all things, and my hand long stretched forth,
was still empty.
At that hour, my friend, I knew pain.
After seven moons I stood again in the portico of the
temple to tell of Spring in the forest,
And Spring in the heart of a maiden,
And Spring as the beginning of the race,
And behold, there was not one who listened to me.
That was the deeper pain.
-
�D
NOVEMBER, 1931
//
!
Conditions in the Near East
By BAYARD DODGE
President, American University of Beirut
(Excerpts from President Dodge's Annual Report for 1930- -31)
IKE THE rest of the world, the Near East has suffered from
the commercial depression, which has been the principal feature
of the past year. Overland trade through Syria has been cut down,
the tourist business in Egypt and Palestine has been at a low ebb,
and the Arab states of the Persian Gulf have been unable to sell
their pearls.
Persia has been making a heroic effort to introduce a gold
standard of currency, which has envolved such a large readjustment, that the trade of the country has been seriously affected.
Worst of all, there has been such an overproduction of cotton, that
Egypt, the Sudan, 'Iraq and North Syria have endured heavy
financial losses.
Ever since the University was founded, the surrounding districts have been sending thousands of emigrants to the West, and
these adventurers have sent back a constant stream of money to
their relatives in the East. The present economic crisis has stopped
these remittances, with a corresponding share of hardship for many
old parents and unfortunate children. Furthermore, emigration itself has been stopped to such an extent that the- poor can no longer
seek their fortunes in more prosperous parts of the world.
Mankind seems to be learning that war brings poverty and
peace gives prosperity.
Like America, Egypt did not feel the ill results of the war,
while the fighting was going on. The cotton crisis of the past
year has enabled the Egyptians to appreciate what serious readjustments war envolves.
In Syria, 'Iraq and Palestine the situation is very different. A
few weeks ago a friend said to me:—"We Syrians are the luckiest
people in the world; We've alreaciy struck the bottom, so that what
ever happens in other places, we can't go any lower."
The Mosul oil project, the exploitation of Dead Sea chemical
deposits, the new harbor at Haifa, plans for overland railroads to
"'
''
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^m
�12
ft
THE SYRIAN WORLD
bind together the Euphrates valley with the Mediterranean the
presence of foreign institutions, and the promotion of new industries are brining new hope for reconstruction.
A spirit of cooperation is springing up between the neighboring
states and in cooperation lies the future of the Near East. Men are
beginning to dream that some day there may be new irrigation systems and new cities, along the Orontes and the two rivers of Mesopotamia, where civilizations once bloomed and populations multiplied.
It was the wars of the Sassanides and the Tartar invasions
that wrought havoc and left behind a wreckage of broken canals
and ruined towns.
Twelve years of peace have already made it possible to develop overland motor routes and to open up new channels of trade
so that it is reasonable to believe that continued security and increased cooperation will result in reconstruction.
t
The Near East is the cradle of our monotheistic faiths. Oriental forms of religion are so old that they have become too much
matters of ceremony and sect, and too little a concern of the spirit
I he University does not wish to increase the confusion by adding
a new sect, but rather to rear up men and women, who are filled
with spiritual enthusiasm and anxious to make religion a bond of
fellowship, rather than a basis for hostility.
The states of the Near East have tried competition and war
tor over five thousand years. They have become so impoverished
that they form a great contrast to the states of the new world which
have developed prosperity as a result of team work. The 'contribution, which it is worth while for America to give to the Levant
is this idea of team work.
The city of Beirut is like the hub of a wheel, to which students
come from a great radius seeking education. Even in the third and
fourth centuries of the Christian era there was a great law school
at Beirut, which drew students from the Mediterranean provinces
and Western Asia. The Roman jurists, Ulpian and Papinian were
professors there. Nonnus, the poet; Saint Gregory of Neocesaria
the Miracle-worker; and the famous Saint Gregory of Naziansus
were students. Two of the professors, Dorotheus and Anatolius,
helped the Emperor Justinian to prepare his code of law
East and West; North and South; Anglo-Saxon and Latin:
Semite and Greek; Muhammedan, Christian and Jew; Roman
i>i
>
�\\
NOVEMBER, 1931
13
£5°liCK aud °rthodox> have
* and still meet on the bridge
g of
land, which joins together Africa, Asia and Europe
PU,t>
the
M r ~SS
chlldren re
ill
Syria haVe SCattered a11 ov
er
tQ study .n ^ ^
d and
thee wo
world
C
aSt
studv\:
Be0m;Cindepr6SSi0n
°f ,thG Pthan
W
study at Beirut
greater numbers
ever *«faS
before. have corned
The first essential for reconstruction in the Orient is to teach
the young men and women that thev cannot catch m, 7 V
of the West by political agitation 'and ^T^ V^ZfZ
working so hard, that they can measure up to theinteU^ at'
tainments of Europe and America
""eiiectual atmic
of
mur sards'
standards of
made the courses
France During
1
haS ad
T^vV
? UniVCrsity
°Pted the ^deNew York State
as minimum requirements
and
in medicine and pharmacy as long asXv are"n
the past year French and British Ictors from
of "he Schqooianof M dtine "^ aSSiStCd Wkh th£ 2-1
S-SS .
inC S
of Europt
' ° ^ f° aSSUre Standards e<iual to those
boundaries will be dead, dogmas Slt^dT^^^
The development of character and of consecration to spi-it
ual things on a campus radiant with friendship and g
good wU 1Ss"
the ideal of a modern university.
'
R ^AtuBeiJUt thTe 1S "° sectariai'1 religious society, but rather a
Brotherhood, in which men of all races and creeds havean eaual
Q
share to join in social service work and common worship
and women stand shoulder to shoulder in /h
f
^
these
"These things shall be,—a loftier race
Than e'er the world hath known will rise
With flame of freedom in their souls,
And light of knowledge in their'eyes."
V
-
"Nation with nation, land with land
_
Unarmed shall live as comrades 'free •
In every heart and brain shall throb
The pulse of one fraternity."
Tn
�14
THE SYRIAN WORLD
I
THE SLAVE GIRL WHOM THE GRAND VIZIER COUID
NOT BUY
\^HEN the caliph Haroun al-Raschid was on one of his visits to
the city of Al-Basra, his famous vizier and boon companion
Jaafar Ibn Yahya the Barmecide, was in his company. Jaafar,
however, could well afford to neglect the business of state and follow his natural bents in seeking his personal pleasure due to the extraordinary confidence he enjoyed with the caliph. So immediatey upon the arrival of the royal caravan to the city Jaafar called
to him Isaac Ibn Ibrahim, the famous singer and entertainer of the
caliph, and bade him seek information concerning a reputedly extraordinary slave girl the fame of whose charm had reached the
capital Baghdad. Isaac enlisted the services of the foremost slave
dealer in the city who readily gave his expert opinion about the unsurpassed qualifications of the girl in question, but added the further information that her master would never consent to exhibiting
her in public, and will let her be seen only in private and at his own
house.
Jaafar, undaunted, said that he would seek her wherever she
might be, be she in a palace or in a hut, in the city or the wilderness,
because his heart was set on viewing her vaunted beauty and hearing
her reputed unexcelled art in singing and playing the <oud He
therefore, immediately ordered that preparations be made for the
visit, and not long thereafter the three parties to the conversation
in disgu.se, were wending their way through the narrow, tortuous
streets of the city towards the house of the girl's master
In one of the poorer sections the slave dealer stopped at the
door of a dilapidated house and knocked. A young man, emanated
in form and with hollow eyes and pallid complexion, reluctantly
it
�NOVEMBER, 1931
that his robe was of a coarl m ,'
-f7 n°tlCed Parti larly
Finally the slave dealer eTvereT* • *"? aPPare»t]y very old
sion and ask to l^Z^ltl
" * ^^ ** miS"
exPre^7oTdgee7;uffel\n°hereP,ly-, **} *? d
h S Way to
room from which^shortly
H a*eirl
T*
'
VVIULIJ, snoruy aft-w
afterwards,
emero-eH
^ ,xrU
-d an
u^
an
*e ntost bLutifultXTwhe ttr £ EZ^faTf iT^
A2X
Ana what
SUCh l0nS
tad
£ t0appear
^ aftCr
""P^onship,in
tad fan
perpetually self-renewing
our relauonsh.p now become exposed to the dans"
of rupture through ageaanger
Never stall I forget that what now appears old was at
at
one time new;
Nor that the house which is now deserted was once
teeming and gay with life;
U? t0 mC
A/T°
,' ^ the dearest that ever trod on soil •
And I m my We, have consumed myself f„ the effort
to make myself worthy of your attention
The girl could proceed no further She t » H • •
• ,
robe, and reentered the inner room For a wh L .T'^ ? ^
-^i^n^tfr-f^SSr
companions waited a reasonable time and the, decided t"" "
robe, and while be V^Sg&SZ^g
5*
�16
THE SYRIAN WORLD
with the light of a strong determination. It was he who broke the
oppressive silence.
"You are my witnesses that I have set her free," he said,
"and that I now take her as my lawfully-wedded wife."
Jaafar was much grieved and disappointed at having lost the
opportunity to purchase this extraordinary slave-girl, but controlled
himself sufficiently to ask the young man the reason for his action.
The latter remarked that his story was a long one, but that he would
be willing to tell it if they were disposed to isten. They readily
assented.
"My father was one of the notables of the city," he began,
"and we lived in great opulence. To this the slave dealer will
testify. My mother had a large number of slave-girls, and because I had access to the hareem quarters I had occasion to mingle
with them all. The girl whom I have just freed was one of them.
She was young, intelligent and vivacious, and as we grew together
I came to love her passionately. We were tutored together
until such time that my mother decided she would give her a
musical education, but because I could not bear parting with her
we took up musical study together. Then came a time when my
mother decided to sell her because of the high price she would
bring, and no sooner I realized her intention than I begged her to
reconsider her decision as I could not bear to live without the girl
who had been my life companion and had now become the very
essence of my existence, and once my mother realized the situation
she readily granted her to me and we lived happily for a number
of years, during which time my father continually begged me to
marry whomsoever I chose of the daughters of the leading men of
the city, but I persistently refused because my heart would countenance no substitute for the slave girl, although my father interpreted my action as one of chastity. And in time my father
died and I came into such wealth that I thought would never be
exhausted, and I spent and squandered foolishly. The inexorable
sequence is the plight in which you now find me, with nothing more
than this single robe which she and I share between us."
The three men appeared transfixed with his story, and particularly did Jaafar feel pity for the gifted girl who was now reduced
to such pitiable circumstances. The young man cast searching looks
on them, as if to learn if they were interested in having him continue his narration, and when they requested him rather impatiently, to proceed, he took up the trend of his story as follows:
"I well realized that the situation could not be borne any furQ
�NOVEMBER, 1931
I
ther, and when I heard that the caliph had come to the city I
broached to her the idea of a sale, explaining that I could not further suffer subjecting her to such wretchedness. But when you
came to negotiate for her purchase and she realized that the hour
of parting was drawing near, she came to me weeping, in the manner in which you have seen her, and reproached me that if I only
reciprocated her feeling I would not be willing to part with her.
" 'But would you be willing to share my misery to such an extent
when you realize to what straits I have been reduced?' I pleaded.
'However, since this is your wish I will free you and marry you
legally,' I hastened to explain.
" 'If your love is true, this is what you should do,' she replied.
And immediately I agreed to free her and take her as my legallywedded wife, to which you are now asked to stand witness.' "
The situation was tensely dramatic, and the three disappointed
visitors made their way silently out of the house.
Said Isaac Ibn Ibrahim. "After having ridden a long way
in silence, I thus addressed Jaafar: 'You, O vizier, whose bounties
have flooded the land and saved many a destitute, will your heart
not take pity on these two lovers now that you have witnessed their
pitiable situation?'
" '1 es,' replied Jaafar, 'but my mind has been completely
distracted by the natural and acquired gifts of the girl.'
"Then turning to the slave dealer he asked; 'How much do
you carry?'
" 'Three hundred thousand dinars,' the latter replied.
" 'Return immediately and give the whole sum to the girl's
master, and bid him come to see me on the morrow,' he ordered."
In giving an account of what followed, Isaac Ibn Ibrahim
said that the young master went into transports of joy over this turn
of fortune, and when he appeared on the following day to express
his gratitude to the vizier, the latter presented him to Haroun AlRaschid, giving a complete account of what had occured, and the
magnanimous caliph was so pleased that he added the young man
to his retinue and made him gifts and grants that insured his happiness forever after.
ma&m
n
17
�smssmm^
18
THE SYRIAN WORLD
I
BARBARA YOUNG,
l°thnVv
the dictionary
a dml f j y
°
° ^
Editor
nin and W nder with a dash
°
>
of
KAHLIL GIBRAN
Poetry is for the ears and not for the eyes.
old custom of the minstrel, the bard, reading or
market-place is one of the lost delights. Today
compares of human beings who still reap a rich
aS,0n Whe
W
^ublXr
The enchanting
chantW in hf
there L small
g rnerbg f"m
" ^^ " ">^ud, if, som"
a
d
the ractice
be
extLZ^noT?
^ ^^
^ if and
Pcriticism-the
"light
be extended
not for i°°
the purposes
of discussion
time is moth-eaten with these two pastimes-but for she^r enjoyment and relaxation. There are certain poets and certain poems
reahPmrem th! S° * t*^ *"* *' ^ * sickening I'd "treshment that.a of actual economic value, notwithstanding the
somewhat general opinion to the contrary. Ahalf hour of 1 tin b*
to certain portions of Brooke or Masefield, Frost or Kipling No"!
or Gibson will add a sense of zest and vigor to the day wtichTe
ati n f the
atd
accelerate?tT
S5 MtS
*" Vibl
° ° not with
^
and accelerates
the H
blood-but
poetry
read" aloud,
the eves
a one for only
^
h „
y ^
& J
y
o± the muse communicated.
�By
JOHN STERLING HANEY
The soil is my mother
J am the child of the mountain
I am the son of the cleft in the rock
MTbr th ndIJn!.0f th£ swifdunning plain
jy sisters are the young vines of the uplands
Heavy with grape.
>/
The soil is my mother,
I shall not fear.
She speakes to me out of thec mnntu, £
^h« ,,Q
r
.
mouths or men
And the fingers of her hands
Are the longings in the heart of the crowds
Her voice is the words of men
When they are silent.
I am one with my fellowmen,
It cannot be otherwise.
All men are one with me,
The soil is our mother.
I and they shall return to her
They and I shall lie down together
When she calls.
�20
THE SYRIAN WORLD
New Poetry
"PRELUDES FOR MEMNON" by Conrad Aiken, (Scribl
ners, $2.50) is a book for a small company of the elect It is a
volume of some fifty-odd cantos which record with minute and
meticulous detail the daring intellectual adventure into a realm far
beyond the region of intellect. The poet-has not hesitated, as indeed why should he? to plunge into the labyrinths of the soul's
darkness seeking to pierce its gloom. The theme of the work seems
to be clearly stated in the following stanza:
"What did you see?
—I saw myself and God.
I saw the ruin in which godhead lives:
Shapeless and vast: the strewn wreck of the world:
Sadness unplumbed: misery without bound.
Wailing I heard, but also I heard joy.
Wreckage I saw, but also I saw flowers.
Hatred I saw, but also I saw love.
And thus, I saw myself.
—And this alone?
—And this alone awaits you, when you dare
To that sheer verge where horrors hang, and tremble
Against the falling rock; and, looking down,
Search the dark kingdom. It is to self you come,—
And that is God. It is the seed of seeds:
Seed for disastrous and immortal worlds."
Here is unequivocal and final pronouncement of the poet's
philosophy of life. It is a splendid and sweeping gesture The
great self of man is the supreme self. There is no mistaking the
clarity and the definiteness here. Unfortunately, this clarity does
not prevail throughout the length of the poem. Mr Aiken is a
master of subtleties that often rise up and defeat the communication
or his thought. There is too often a wordiness that amounts almost to incoherence, as if the poet were over-intoxicated with his
own ecstasy. The steed that he has mounted appears frequently
to run away with the rider.
There are passages in which we perceive the poet's meaning
not because of his fabulous expression but in spite of it: they seem
to struggle for breath, to wrestle for release.
%
*
�NOVEMBER, 1931
21
^^arealso
^
fpurepoetry;pureth
la„gl^ed:fhere "" ^ «- - *- which are not poetry
in my
The world centripetal—"
And these:
'What is a symbol? t* » +u~ t
pS shar
To clutch a paper tha 1 WS m the
L St°°
P
wind
It is the Wnf
i"
in the W
Light?^ corset?* , "<' ^
lf
^
'"
IS
£
&££*
t
* * ** of^thea
waning fire. There is ^aSS
,
T
h
friend befo
cerned with a Tale of ZeX^'
**,*" P°Cm is
nat morL
sons.
than our paltry three dimenConrad Aiken's is a powerful nen T^
•
the poet himself is
not
e^TlyZn^d
The ran th 0^P"d'
ck
and
"'"'"^ °tbm
* -reives
d he burdock
a
^ht
r'C
e: th
"'
P
And all that welcomes rain"" ' he Sp°tted st°
.
th
°»8h
�20
THE SYRIAN WORLD
New Poetry
"PRELUDES FOR MEMNON" by Conrad Aiken, (Scribner's, $2.50) is a book for a small company of the elect. It is a
volume of some fifty-odd cantos which record with minute and
meticulous detail the daring intellectual adventure into a realm far
beyond the region of intellect. The poet has not hesitated, as indeed why should her to plunge into the labyrinths of the soul's
darkness seeking to pierce its gloom. The theme of the work seems
to be clearly stated in the following stanza:
"What did you see?
—I saw myself and God.
I saw the ruin in which godhead lives:
Shapeless and vast: the strewn wreck of the world:
Sadness unplumbed: misery without bound.
Wailing I heard, but also I heard joy.
Wreckage I saw, but also I saw flowers.
Hatred I saw, but also I saw love.
And thus, I saw myself.
—And this alone?
—And this alone awaits you, when you dare
To that sheer verge where horrors hang, and tremble
Against the falling rock; and, looking down,
Search the dark kingdom. It is to self you come,—
And that is God. It is the seed of seeds:
Seed for disastrous and immortal worlds."
Here is unequivocal and final pronouncement of the poet's
philosophy of life. It is a splendid and sweeping gesture. The
great self of man is the supreme self. There is no mistaking the
clarity and the definiteness here. Unfortunately, this clarity does
not prevail throughout the length of the poem. Mr. Aiken is a
master of subtleties that often rise up and defeat the communication
of his thought. There is too often a wordiness that amounts almost to incoherence, as if the poet were over-intoxicated with his
own ecstasy. The steed that he has mounted appears frequently
to run away with the rider.
There are passages in which we perceive the poet's meaning
not because of his fabulous expression but in spite of it: they seem
to struggle for breath, to wrestle for release.
�KOVEMBER, 1931
21
Yet there are also passages of pure poetry,
pure thought
"Then came I to the shoreless shore of time
J* here never summer was nor any tree,
£or sound of water, nor sweet light of sun
"y-tWngand the shoreXo£b?
Above, around, below, and in my heart."
language" f
"" ""* *« *S
lhe world centripetal
And these:
Aese
** are not poetry in any
"
"What is a symbol? it is the 'man stoops sharp
To dutch a paper that blows in the wind- P
S bendi
in th wi
LhL
rOCUS
'«with
<= »<V
the
laght, S^l
that breaks
on \
the water
waves
'the
Wing, that <aeh,eve in the gust unexpected.' >
review^ V ££ bS «SS% ^ to ,he <°°ls °f *.
waning fire. There L^^^tiTeV ,! tr *""" ^ '
cerned w,th a Tale of somewhat mo^tha!
U1 ^r
our L rv SfJ? ^
sions.
paltiy three dimen- !
he dipTt^'y^ SSi?* .««• - -* in the ink
reason of overw^i ,g such w rds as "l? ""ST*"." T^ *
Ventricle ..5ometmKsHy oterltklaSn'0"
'"^
meanmg^t^on5:^ LrfiXbf d°7f *"* ** *e
"Beloved, let us once more praise the rain.
-Let us discover some new alphabet, .
The r 'S ^ °fuen, PI"aised' and be ou^lves
The ia,n, the chick-weed, and the burdock leaf
. lhe green-white privet flower < »,«
*I J '
And all that wdcoLTJ ' "* SP°"ed stone>
�22
THE SYRIAN WORLD
"Forget the proud in wisdom, those who fear
To know the things they do. We are the sons
Of that bright eight that knows no turning back;
We the prometheans who never die j
The crucified who scorn their crucifixion,
Because we know our fate was in ourselves.
We are the Jesus and the Judas, too."
To Our Lyric Poets
The world that listens to John Masefield, poet laureate of
England, embraces a vaster population than the world that listens
to plain John Masefield, poet.
It is a good and gracious event when a man who has wise and
wholesome recommendations to make to a people, finally achieves
the eminence from which he may be heard. What he says from the
heights is precisely what he had been saying in the valley of his
quieter days; but now the faces are upturned to his face, and they
wait for his lightest word, who were before, fully occupied with
their own words.
To The New York Times Herbert W. Horwill, writes from
.London :
"John Masefield suggests that there is a fine opportunity waiting for some of our enterprising young poets to-start poetry entertainments in London. According to his plan, poetrv written especially for the purpose would be read aloud in small halls
The
poets would be writing directly for their public, and this would re-suit in vigorous, vital work. They would have the advantage of
seeing its effect on an audience—an invaluable guide which is denied
entirely to the man who writes for books."
_ _ Why not this plan also for young American poets of Syrian
origin t
'
�NOVEMBER, 1931
23
Rubaiyat Au- Tayeb
Translated from the Arabic
1
By
AMIN BEDER
«-»- \f Y, %_^ ^
u Cj Vj
^ ^vi
^ ur ^, ^, ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
i-
v
u
^ ^
I neither blame the hand of fate, nor praise
The urgent guest who steals awa our days
It wants but little till we shall pass on
From earth to earth, for life is but a maze
Entongis.this life. ...the sages know
And yet the,r wisdom melts like April- snow
AnW 7 S02n/°rget 'tS witcheries arc false'
And Lo! we find them actors in the show.
\\—^Vl Uj|
tj*
C53
fjL-5"
cT
'iT uij
High aspiration is for thee a pest,
My soul, if thou be greedy in thy quest,
A A t YriY IS the one «"* suffers mostAnd 'neath the curse of sickness it must rest'.
;-ix« cT
Beauty that's false is surely in the lead,
Endeared to women like a noble steed1 o me the real appears a golden trait •
No dye nor paint will enter in my creed
>
^
�m**
24
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Ode
{From BOOK ON NATURE)
By
THOMAS ASA
Thou hast reclaimed the world's lost loveliness
0 wand ring dryad from Pierian bow'rs —
Revived rich beauty with thy soft caress
Imparted sweet perfume to scentless flow'rs
And stirred the dormant zephyrs with thy laughterRestored the music of the sylvan streams —
1 hy time today, and not the morrow or thereafter
No crude awak'nings in this life of dreams.
Ah! would I soon forget the world of men,
Io follow thee where'er thou mayest lead:
And through thine eyes divine the woodland ken,
And with my lips drink deep thy sacred mead
i-ead thou my spirit to thy safe retreat,
Show me what mortal eyes have never seen:
Reveal the secret of those silent feet
That walk the carpets of the woods unseen—
And now the sun has gone its wonted way
Teft o er the hours to twilight and the night,
And soon the earth in dreamless slumber lay
lo wake again but with the morning light— '
But in that mystic region of no sleepBut in that fabled realm of life unseen,
Which from the world its hidden borders keep,
And vanishes within the forest green
Beneath the drooping lilacs lost in sleep,
1 he woodland elves a noiseless revel hold
Arch schemers they, how sharp the vigil keep!
I hat no intruders might their sight behold.
Oh how delightful was that moonlit glade
Where reigned Queen Titania with her tr'ain,
And on her vernal throne of Flora's shade
Unseen by men, and ever thus remain.
�NOVEMBER, 1931
Fresh as the dew-drop on the morning rose,
basr as bright Hesper in the evening sky,—
And would thine eyes but for a moment close,
And all the world of beauty then would die
bam would I make my presence known to thee,
O wondrous queen of this sweet land I see
Now through the woodland sounds a trumpet note
lJear to the fairy queen it seemed to be
Might I have known it issued from Love's throat,
When came King Oberon his queen to seel
Immortal ruler of a cherished race'
With thy fair queen in lasting glory spend
Unnumbered days within this favored place
Ldemc peace and gladness without end
And never may the toll of future doom
find thee, sweet Myrtle, weeping dewy tears,
As thine oblatwn to the saddened gloom
Of crumbling Eros shrines that Venus rears ' '
And there bright Phoebe through the swaying eaves
Illumes with its soft gleam, the sylvan throne:
And with the faint rustle of Autumn leaves
Gentle Zephyrus sings its soothing moan
All this have seen, but not with earthly eyes
Hut m the inmost regions of the mind'
Where dwells the impish Genie of surmise,
Which rues the thoughts and wishes of mankind
Long shall I rove the verdant fields of thought
By gliding-streams of Love and Beauty steep '
My inward soul, until old age has brought
Me to the verge of unawak'ning sleep
*>
i
25
�-.IT' . I,U,III.U
/
26
THE SYRIAN WORLD
A Moslem Saint of Damascus
. AN INTIMATE GLIMPSE INTO THE DAILY ROUTINE
OF LIFE OF THE FOREMOST MOSLEM
TRADITIONIST OF THE AGE
• By H. I.
KATIBAH
JF SOMEONE had met you on the street and told you: "Meet
brother AbeJafd, just coming out from his lectures at the Priory
of Maisoncelle", or just as casually: "Let me present you to Saint
Ansdm, celebrated schoolman and author of the Proslogion » you
would realize something of the surprise which was mine when I
was presented, two years ago last summer in Damascus, to "the
Greatest Traditionist, Our Master Badr-Ud-Din al-Hasani.
For I had always associated a traditionist in my mind with
musty tomes of yellowed leaves and with the misty past of Moslem
history when both schoolmen and traditionists ruled the dav and
were influential figures in the world in which they moved.
As I pored over some ancient Moslem hagiographv such as arf frUTu°USre,7v.yah' °r Kitab ul-Luma'> or ^rned the rich pages
of the Ihya of al-Ghazzali, the vivid descriptions of the lives the
manners and idiosyncrasies of those spiritual paragons and ponderous
pundits of Moslem learning seemed to conjure them to life in my
imagination, and their quaint figures rose to meet me through those
yellowed leaves from the glamorous past to which they had receded.
'
Vaguely I realized that there were such men still living today
Somewhere m Mecca, in Baghdad, in Samarkand, in Kerbala, in
Nishabur and in Damascus itself, solitary men in their silent meditations were still saying their wirds, (devotions) or squatting on a
worn out mat reading their Qoran with a gentle sway of their bodies
Just as I knew that here and there in the moss-covered monasteries
o± Europe there were still monks whose outward appearance and
daily habits remind us of the days of St. Francis of Assisi and of
1 homas Aquinas, but I had met in person neither the former nor
the latter and they had remained in the world of my mental visions
enveloped by their aura of mystery and antiquated charm
-1
�—
NOVEMBER, 1931
27
It was therefore with some justifiable thrill and flutter th*t
ot'of rSfiedtthr0U^
DamaSCUS after an
^senceSIte
to meet in person
one who V "a '
Z£t7£%^T ^
"-
lbMalik A?i ^Modern ?"*>" a celeb^ed successor of
Sw^oStnlfcl
,anbaJ-' Abu-Ha"ifa -d the rest of
0skm tradltl0
nnn,W 1 !l •
^
ts and theologians. He was
to the Pope m the world of Christendom. Slmnite Moslems re
cognize no ultimate source of authority, save the Goran S
S
the
a,id
^ to *?
*» °l of
^life
"^
on of Haet
and their
their application
the "*
exigencies
from generation^
generat.on lies m the hands of the .radMonun, amo./whom Bad ?
0
tHC mynad
tl world
woHd'overT'
" fsupreme
°f His fo"—«nd admire s
me
over, is most
andJ exalted.
imagine an ordinary two-story buildine- of che un^ ,
Damascus rather dilapidated and its mud pwLg^Toff A
,h OU8h a
MS S« SS3&» "
^*
To one of those cells on the upper floor we ascended the stone
sta,rs and were ushered first to "the man" of Shaykh Badi ud D n
Shaykh Yahya al-Maktabi by name. He was hTspXnt nts
agent his publiast, and occupied a position simila tTthat Gfa
secretary to a great celebrity with us. He was the buffer that stood
between the saintly master and the mundane world
My -nend, an instructor at the American University of Beirut
and myself sought to interview His Eminence, Shaykh Badr ud
Ehn al-Hasam on a burning issue that had agitated nVonly Syria
and the Near East but the whole civilized world. For it was fo
f
S mCr 1929
SfwaUW^Tc T ° r r
'
' -cl thTname
5S MostmSnty^- ** ""* - *« "
�/ iff;
2R
"THE SYRIAN WORLD
v,
We made our mission known to Shaykh Yahya al-Maktabi
an affable gentleman with a typically Semitic face and neatlv
tnmmed
characteristic
dressTf aa M«£
Moi
em el black beard Hej wore the ^
^
r
Igl0US m
d we comed ug
Damascene congeniality of spirit which made us feel that we had
W known the man and had met him on familiar term before
He excused himself and went to another cell on the same row then
mtLas"S Mbr" he„retUnied SSSUrillg
US
** *^*t
minutes uur Master" will receive us o-lirH,,
u
•
i
making Turkish coffee for us S^ ml^cdL
as he requested us to wait until "Our Master" was through wi h
his dors or lecture. He squatted on the mat-covered floor totl v
unfurnished but for a few rush stools, while we sat on a nuple
one ^^^r fete flM ff£
gleaming with reverent pride, "and the rest of his time he spends
between the House of Tradition and the Umayyad Mosque'?
«. h
Lon
^befr,the *" ^" he continued, «heri£ up to
to the Umayyad Mosque, which is only a few paces away to attend
£e dawn prayer with the congregation. AfrJ that he goes to the
House of Tradition and prepares for his lectures which star n he
morning, and at noon he goes out again for prayer at the mosque
Then again he returns to his lectures, and in the afternoon after"
the prayer, a large circle of worshipers forms around himThe ex
pounds to them some topic from the Qoran or Tradi IT Back
again to his lectures he goes, and after the sunset prayer he breaks
his daily fast and immediately afterwards pores olhis books S
long after midnight, when after a few hours of sleep L rises UP
again and so begins another round of daily studies Pand prayer?
Hardly anything else occupies his mind or diverts his atfendon »
The coffee by this time had boiled over and we sipped it be
with age with an innocent ruddy face, almoft child lle Ld a
sparce little white beard. His attire consisted of a shabbybut clean
striped cotton kimbaz, open partly near the neck and held in nlace
with a simple white woolen girdle. A towel was tuckedIk heup
M
it i
�NOVEMBER, 1931
29
name of ^„, •ffl^itS.*' f^
spun socks and native yellow shoes SftZSffi?^^ homeno attendant with him and nobody to SI fc^W W ^ ^
crossed the threshold of the door He ',
Th° had a,ready
Badr-uI-Din al Hasani hW^whS fame for l r "^ S>kh
had spread from China to the'ij, i d sSL^^TS^. ^
Si^'k *** Severs ^ tm lacTtoYah ""an aXi^e^t^X^^ Wa
to move higher to a more^spectabl ^ '*"" ^^
g S
Ws
^
^"
Sun, or ^ammadan'm:^of D^" ** 'I0 "31 ^ °f *«
the Traditions of the ftonnet who
^' *? h'gh CUStodia" °f
Sa d t0 haVe heJd the
harite ulema (dons) SDdZ H
'
Az0
Whe
he dd
a lecture within the pec"cN of ^",1" T^' "
"
'«=red
Moslem world dism s, d h° that highest seat of learning i„ ,he
Palestine in a fewZTl taLT,±
^ °f the tr°"Mes in
religious legalistic ^ MSoiS " "' "^ "
called I'kTao^fwtfto1!^' "^ 3" "eighb°ri"S «*no one has anyrigtito 1, 5
l"V ^ P"bl,C pr°l'ert>' "*kh
use save *Jt£J2^?*^%£& °*£7 f=r
he
-raw ^39^-*
m the past some pci'vi'^in » ^tl^a1*
*«
signify that these privileges sive the ij .
i
,
,» " does not
fang, not even Our M25-OmS £Z T*, ^ "J^ to * No
today, could legalize the noss ,on hv th . "^ f[°m ,lle drad
al-Masjid ul-Aqsa. A M'O te^ "" r caiiphls n'"'5 P*".0'
an opinion on a religious matter Z Z^J^^tJ° *"*
cognized as the sunna (Qoranic law). On
STX&£
�30
THE SYRIAN WORLD
ditions declares that a Waqf is inviolable, from the seventh earth to
the seventh heaven. These latter-day arrangements cannot be concurred in by Moslem jurisprudence."
There was a note of finality to the words of the venerable
shaykh as he rose, excusing himself with the remark that it was
time tor mid-afternoon prayer.
As we bade Shaykh Yahya farewell and left the House of
lradition I could not help but recall another visit which I had made
a tew weeks previously to the summer residence of another religious dignitary, the supreme head of a Christian sect in Lebanon
tor the contrast was so vivid and significant to my mind.
At that other visit we were made to wait about an hour before
His Beatitude finished his breakfast. Then we were bid to stand
in the corridor with others who were also standing and waiting for
the appearance of the supreme religious head. Suddenly a gentle
venerable white-bearded old man, bent with age and walking with
the help of a stick, appeared in the corridor, followed by a train of
dignified bishops and priests.
_
He carried his title of "Saint," one of his official ecclesiastical
titles, as gracefully as he did his scarlet sottana and pelerine, which
he wore. A simple, black, turban-shaped cap, a heavv golden cross
hanging pendant from his neck and a big ring on the'fourth finger
of his right hand completed his informal ecclesiastical vestment
Almost a year after my interview with Shaykh Badr-ud-Din I
was also passing through Damascus. There was a wave of popular
murmur and rumble of resentment against the local native government headed by Shaykh Taj-ud-Din, son of Shaykh Badr-ud-Din
himself. I was discussing the general political situation with a
young nationalist, a modern Mohammedan graduate of the American University of Beirut. Among other things I askfd him
whether the fact that the head of the Syrian government was the
son ot the "Greatest Traditionist" gave him much prestige and influence with the general Mohammedan populace. He said:
"I will answer your question with an incident which I'myself
witnessed:
"Before the war, if you had passed through the Umayyad
Mosque after mid-afternoon prayer, you could have seen no less
*'
I
v
1
h
d
rr
N
iai
Ui
Jis
"P
Pn
To
vi A hle^° S'f hundred Persons in the halaqa (circle) of Shaykh
Badr-ud-Din, listening intentively to his lectures. Recently I passed
through and found only a handful, not more than fifty in number
Inen, as I was going out through the eastern gate I found two religious shaykhs also leaving the mosque, a young man and an elder-
ext<
clue
to :
Pre:
*> >i
�NOVEMBER, 1931
31
Jy °"e- I greeted then, saying:
"The l7eIy0U "0t
in the
Shaykh's circle!"
head rf the august Shaykh, addi",'
artistes-- """ **
dra
«
Y h1s son
^ ""P***-* on the
from the
^
-5oo/'j- Received
(To be revised in
lhe December
^
Printed fiStt^SSrftS^ ^'T *""• "««*
-'ographed by the autho,W. 10th St. New York
Pn " "M"' The
If^fe
"um^ and
G,b
> Studio, Jl
pubhsltd p^ptTf teotsr rh
who was closest to him and is now hi .',
Young ,s tne foremost li^^X ' ra
hith
-° -
V ,he Amerira
"
1 5, eKcutor
"
-
P<>«
Miss
LS
—*- oor sa^rs: sirs ass ^^ASSM^JJ^ * * Oimstead.
.
A dutiful volume on the hLfv / S' 'lluStrated- * 0
an conquest. The author is Prof°J °f S"a '" tbt MacedonUntversrty of Chicago and onetf (T f
"""'^ hist^ * *e
** The present work is „! ; I'T *""*" <"^^
^^^riSSf^ £» * H^haway, New
cJudtng Coolidge and Hoover. The book' h M"" Presid *, ind P
to students of American history Facs.mi
'e inValuab]=
»— - reproduced together ^"pen SSM&S
�32
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Seek and You Shall Find
A EUROPEAN RESIDENT OF BEYROUTH THOUGHT
HE COULD PROVIDE THE NATIVE POLICE WITH
A MYSTERY THEY COULD NOT SOLVE.
(A SHORT STORY)
By
CHARLES
J.
SASSEN
JT WAS a night in the Syrian Springtime, the time of night when
love longings reached their climax and revels were at their peak.
In the brilliantly lit cafes in the Street of the Cat in cosmopolitan
Beyrouth the haunting strains of the urgool tinged all love lilting
sadness. A fitting dirge for the dead—a bouquet to many a blushing bride—the haunting melody rose and fell.
Softly, sweetly pealed the bells of St. Daniel. From afar
came the voice of the Muezzin "La Ilah-a-Illa'l Lah; Wa Muhammad Rasoul Allah". In a room in a house nestling beneath
the tower of St. Daniel on the left and the minarets of the Mosque
on the right, a man lay dead. A neat little hole in the centre of his
forhead denoted the fact that his spirit had not danced out of his
body to the tune of a harp, but to the bang of a bullet.
The Chief of Police of the City of Beyrouth loved a mystery.
in fact, he would prefer being engaged to unravelling an intricate
crime far into the small hours of the coming day to lounging about
at ease in one. of the numerous Cafes on the waterfront, listening
to the throb of the tambouriyat and sipping the milky white arak.
Murders were his hobby, and a strange hobby it was. Nothing delighted him more than to ascertain how, why and when, and lastly
by whom, the foul deed had been committed.
At five o'clock in the afternoon of that day (European time)
i-he Chief of Police sat at his desk—a very puzzled man. A message
had just come over the wires to the effect that at eight o'clock he
should search the house between the church of St. Daniel and the
Mosque of Muhammad. The prolocutor gave no name and laughed
at the Chief's repeated requests for further information.
The Chief had more than half decided to regard the matter
as a joke, when he was interrupted in his reverie by one of his sub-
�»
.
NOVEMBER, 1931
^
ordinates. El Halabie was no ordinary man. Reared in the gutters
of Beyrouth, there was consequently fostered within him a queer
mi ed°P
Y
'-A
I
g
T£St
argUmeiU Was that the
P°or never com-
ed in h the
the
middle1 classes.
l'
' ^
?" I 1UXU1
'y indul^he
-d
the middle
Although
uneducated,
had Vgreat A*
wisdom
for he came of an Arab father.
r,.
Sl ch was the
; '
man who entered the office of the Chief
C iVersati
the fJ^fr °;
wisuom,
a
Tl
m
The
d
°° ^mediately decided to place
the facts of the afternoon before El Halabie with a request for his
opinion on the most advisable course to pursue
fte
t0 hin
"We^
7awhat
'7ating
Vhe meaSre facts the Chief demanded:
Well, and
do you adviser"
"Well » replied El Halabie, "as we have nothing to do this
evening why not visit the house? From what I know Joe Cordova
the wealthy tanner, occupies the place."
^-oruovan
"Good," replied the Chief, "meet me in front of the house
at about eight o'clock."
H.I-K d!Ht/d°Cku ^ SCCOnd the Chief> <^ompanied by El
Halabie, stood on the door step of the house of Joe Cordovan
Lookmg about and over the house the Chief remarked that he
could not notice anything unusual, but as they had come so far hey
nught as well enter the house under some pretext or other He
Whirtv "
H 1 thC d0°r *"«*• After an interval of
abou thnty seconds having received no reply, he knocked againthis time longer and ouder. After an elapse of another thirty
PoTared " II fh W *"* ^
t0 n
°^
T
«» ""accountable silence
Zse were om
T ""^ " ^^ "" the ^ b the
By this time the curiosity of the men had been awakened In
exasperation the Chief turned the handle of the door and to his' surprise found that the door was not locked. With El Halabie at his
thC bnlliantJy lighted
"Yahoo Y^ mt
Pass^e a»d touted
m °a stentor
ft
°
'an voice. Still no reply.
Ibis seems strange," muttered the Chief. "However let
us search the house."
' ie.
Room after room was searched, but though the lights burned
in all the rooms yet no trace of a living occupant could be found
Arnving at the last door the Chief tried the handle, fully expect ng
the door to swing back on its hinges revealing an empty interior
To his surprise the door proved to be locked* Bending^own he
placed his eye to the keyhole, but his vision was impeded by the
key ,n the lock on the inside. The Chief rapped at the door but
�34
THE SYRIAN WORLD
~d:irfeP,y- ? ^hhk^d6dded that > k=y y«
de could
prevent a determined officer of the law from manipulating it In
a farw»4 the lock of the door clicked and El Halabieftraight
reniai ed hrm With a puzzled air he turned to the Chief- "Must
be hoi ed on the mside" he remarked. The Chief merely nodded
After a few moments of indecision the Chief barked- "El Halabie
ZZ£2£££r
and
"
if
*» »» ~* » -r'vSote
fe» A a *], minutcs,E1 Hal*e returned with the disturbing news
hat the window was also locked and the blinds drawn. By thfs time
u ti?orderead
FTHI
lT*J*. ^ * ^ °f -patience
cu aopent0 trHd'abi StrUme"£ ^"T* *«
d^^Mta
forS
r
j , ,
,
open, m Malabie soon returned w rh 3
orS minU0ttr and ^ ^^ °f ^ d- " K*^*
The Chief and El Halabie burst into the room simultaneously
Th room was well furnished after the taste of a European resided
m the East. Numerous beautifully colored and hand worked
dlfaHnd S nY7Pet1 fl0°r- The intnCate workmanst;^
d van and Chesterfield was thrown into bold relief by the light cast
g
by a large electric chandelier in the centre of the room
\ neat' litHe hi
T"^ °f PU/e marWe a man ^ on h back.
foroner c^dd .'VlSl l"*" °f his f°rehead testified ** ^
natural ousel
'
" Pr°n°UnCe the Vei"dict °f death due •»
The two men stood rooted to the spot. The Chief's eaze
retired h°mfthC h°dy,t0 thC Wind°W a"d his bra- -chtifa J
registered the fact that this was locked on the inside. Slowly his
Y
gaze returned to the body, then to El Halabie.
^ Well, was his only comment.
"Murder!" was the laconic reply.
El Halabie tiptoed towards the body and fell on his knees be^
side the prostrate figure. A blotch around the wound showed that
the death weapon had been fired at close range.
"Smell anything?" questioned the Chief
"Burnt powder," answered El Halabie
"Who is he?"
"Joe Cordovan."
tried
tf!rwCaHting ai10t!ier J°0k at the bod^ E1 Halab* rose and
tried the window A close examination of the walls revealed that
the only mode of ingress and egress was through either the door
If
�A(OVEMBER, 1931
:*£?& £jaxjs
rsr
,
,
at£sR. S===. ?a.-3as
Willfully r„ fa'S " t°
°
"« - He
a d
Pped n t0 his k
from a few ,ersonn W
"f8 th/°Ugh ,he Pockets>
Now tnorl^ ]y LTd El Hi r a ¥Pf"! 'UtUre
s
b
« apart
""d-
s fo
Toe SffiteJS" riVettCd 2? °"e Sp0t-the left "-I
He picked it uPp a ,d r T rt^Tff *£" the *"* « «stfeatures as he SSZte^gSg*** "* "^ °» his
it eontamed" ^ "" ^ *"' «*
and
^ shall find," was all
"Who wrote this, I wonder?" asked the Chief
the saS'rejoint C"im"ey' "*?« ** "S
to
*** *">" was
notX ^ 'tfr^^siSI f°U,Hy "*$ "" »" ^ did
would certainly believe you "
""" " ^
in thc
«*
I
* * * *
wen fpp'oinSofficr0;;,:
Frida
rthc chief sat»«** - *
the office ples°«l rec Ld'^TH y'r"'*^!' "' the ~ a *air
Ms eyes and an ar,,,m,c Torkih
' 7'*, his hat tilted °
his lips.
' rUrklsh "Satette dangling iooxly between
c-^«fc^SJSdS* "Vm(
person or persons unknown "
afra d the demise f
;
"* °f "** °r
mUr<fe
°
**
J«/
=
pensefreSed t« Tl^
"* * *? at « "N*^ exadapt over feetg^o 'L^unTXnd" """ "* Withi"
«"•
f> «i
�BBS
1 I
36
THE SYRIAN WORLD
rwTagccounth:tTh" IE? t0Kd° S°
hOUSe
reWdffi
Z^T**?
i elapsed into an attitude
of repose -
P
e
investigation on his
^nt and
The Chief nodded as
and t Vh0Uf?t.ful m°°d E1 Hakbie we'^d his way to the house
Sen e he mfd hm "** *! ^ ^'^ * Headquarters t
silence he made his way to the death room which had not been His .
turbed since the fatal night. He realized that a sear"h woudit
«£ o^1V£d " ^^ himSdf ^" whitXi^
null ^tSTed himfeJf on the divan> lifted hi* ^et on to the table
pulled his hat over his eyes and folded his arms over hi chest An
nour two hours passed and yet no sign or movement from El Ha
t ing I„d Sf th£ r°°m darke-d - • %„ that the sun w s
S
F H,l
-u WaS, Creepin^ stealthiJy over gav Beyrouth
tH U h
f, ame
he re m Kd
anHisJSSS'.lS*
?
T
/
5
"
'
>'
«
' " everbecLT „T T. [
, '"e '^ stillness of the room.
of dlst urb
eves, became glued to the hreplace~he listened
Softlv ever
t0 hiS
thC Peali
follow el SZ
?"voice
'« mueyyin
°f the "ell
St &,e
f
followed
by the far
off
of the
«T »of D.u
rn !i
ad Raso 1
"oat^eltT„d
d
d
^\^*
tnc nrepiace and dropped
on h.s knees in front»££23
of the
h s edhisfeceroimds as
e fe
tts h,.'r d
mlf
° *°•«*"p<n c hi „:
remained m,n V CrePt 7" the grate and i,,t0 the «« He
P
hT at Sudde
,d h" "5L* Setmed Ws neck must b k with
T,t
V ^dden<y he withdrew his hand and regained his feet
tefore
Sed «1°0! O d
d' ^ "f
l^P
th OU8h
y0 **"
be dead 1 ^e grate ad mut
CatLJ' li I r"' t
"
Wy homage."
f
d
Srtnere into tL'street. "' ^ "* ^ » *'
« <^
Deliberately El Halabie seated himself in the office armchair
selected a cigarette and lay back with a sigh of conte," The Chief
being familiar w,th the idiosyncrasies of El Halabie, continued he
perusal of certain uninteresting documents on his desk
- f
A 'I TJ 'lCh'ef' did y°u realize that the room in which
W
^ *e ^ °l 3°rl Cr°rd°Van is absoiutdy -undproof""
driving S
"
""*• "«"*'** What hh -hordinate was
"Chief, listen, and you shall hear of as devilish a trick as ever
MHMaan
�H.OVEMBER, 1931
37
conceived by the mind of man. When in the room th\
realization came to me that no so,,nH f the'°°m
concluded that as the he Ik n«U
J
.u
. long nad Sly drivtole^
a out eight
inches of catapulf
mos
que.
evenm
S
the
1 thereupon
^etT f ^7-
ettSiel* ht"
ail,
S
r:dreedvoiy
ver. The magazine contained one live cartridse anrl rL 1
,."
eontamed an empty cartridge case. FrdnTtiS ifwaTbu^
f
Ut a sim ,e
matter to reconstruct the deed.
P
"Joe Cordovan sat on his heels in fmnt „f ,k
his arm up the flue and withdrawhereZl^ ^J^f
elastic as much as possible he pointed tL k
T1 LStretchmg the
forehead and fired Te fo ce ofthe bul .Tn ?$?. ^ °f his
PUShed him over
his back whilst the reWH
1
°» to
drawi1 U
by the elastic"
^ ^ ^
P the flue
There was a look of elation in the eves of Fl Hoi i :
continued: "Poor Joe Cordovan. He looked l£hS HaLll*fraa \e
thought he would even depart with a ioke He lh "T ^ ^
viding the police of Beyrouth with „ L^ble^^ °f ^
�38
THE SYRIAN WORLD
1
H
(
A.
HAKIM,
Editor
CONFLICTING STANDARDS IN THE SYRIAN HOME
IN AMERICA
REFERENCE was made in the opening remarks of this department to "Two opposing forces—two sets of diametrically different ethical conceptions and standards developing in our social
order, with a hint to the dire results which are bound to follow if
this condition is not treated rationally and in time. It is now the
purpose to amplify this statement and discuss all phases of this
social condition in an effort to devise means of alleviating its evils
and mollifying its effects. The subject, as can readily be seen, has
breadth which does not permit of full treatment in one article The
fundamentals, therefore, must be considered first, and with time
it is the hope of this writer to consider every phase of the conditions
attecting our family life in America.
The fundamentals are mainly cultural, and to a much lesser
degree economic. Old traditions are clashing with conceptions of
both parental authority and filial obligations as well as of moral
standards. The parents make demands to which the children cannot concede, and while this conflict of views brings distress to tlparents it also creates a considerable measure of unstability in the
characters of the children.
Syrian immigration into the United States is comparatively
recent and rarely does it go beyond the second generation The
first immigrants, therefore, are still the dominant factor in our home
Me. And they are imbued with certain ideals of conduct and rules
tor living which it could not be reasonably expected that they should
easily forego and relinquish. These ideals are so dominant in them
that they may be considered a part of their very being, and any dis-
y
�NOVEMBER, 193J
39
turbanee of the order which has governed their lit.
wake untold unhappiness
and* mler^
might
-ry Th?
T^
u dergo J*.
nix
-^'"
itS
{
st01cism
but for them to have complete neace JJTA 1
,
>
and standards must „ot Xl^X^ ^ "^ ^
sufficient gratification tftorfSdS^S^ * "* »', "-If
objective is to live their life aW ,h7
=**"*«. Their ultenor
condueive to happiness
These tJTfcH* COcertain
"CdVe f° be m°St
which have been imrrained i,»u
.
,
standards
ment of which thev cTnever Jl
^ a"d wkhout th<= f"lnll-
*? are .^STSSSS^ feather
imagination to reaLe the antoum ,',f f T"* "° Stretch of th<=
te forego the *£S«K£*&~2
School education seems to !
°f the school. American Public
duality of the chUdT^ ^ prepare hLT^ "*
th
f "**"
as an independent and sepfra^end y No effort' f ^ °f Kfc
and tram him as a unit in the family. Vde ath
t iTf H° 5 J
g
training the Syrian child finds himself at
.7.home
rfa
standard of
ferent influences InsteadI of k
, , J
g totally difentity he is cons dered a„ inte^ W °l ^ UP°n aS "" "'^ndem
The $
withholds notm gfromh ,s hold h^ T',.
*" **»
f the convi
he sacrifices all for h°s chi d ti '
" °
«ion that if
bis old age, the ^ZS&S^BSS •""* f"
will insure him against want. I„ olL7ZnhZY S,md?ds>
first generation count on their MJ
' y "f parents of the
part of the hm
semble throughout life a,n
I,
"*
'h enC
ngthemSelWS to admit tha
changes of cofdkL *'f wt aZt
'
V eWP ! tS shoU,d
their long prevalent standards
'° '
°"
^
lack oTf%pC.?tio8ne':fatnsVmole t" ^ '»— °f **
consider & ^MSA,*^ «££
�.
38
THE SYRIAN WORLD
A.
HAKIM,
Editor
CONFLICTING STANDARDS IN THE SYRIAN HOME
IN AMERICA
h
s
REFERENCE was made in the opening remarks of this department to "Two opposing forces—two sets of diametrically different ethical conceptions and standards developing in our social
order," with a hint to the dire results which are bound to follow if
this condition is not treated rationally and in time. It is now the
purpose to amplify this statement and discuss all phases of this
social condition in an effort to devise means of alleviating its evils
and mollifying its effects. The subject, as can readily be seen, has
breadth which does not permit of full treatment in one article. The
fundamentals, therefore, must be considered first, and with time
it is the hope of this writer to consider every phase of the conditions
affecting our family life in America.
The fundamentals are mainly cultural, and to a much lesser
degree economic. Old traditions are clashing with conceptions of
both parental authority and filial obligations as well as of moral
standards. The parents make demands to which the children cannot concede, and while this conflict of views brings distress to the
parents it also creates a considerable measure of unstability in the
characters of the children.
Syrian immigration into the United States is comparatively
recent and rarely does it go beyond the second generation. The
first immigrants, therefore, are still the dominant factor in our home
life. And they are imbued with certain ideals of conduct and rules
for living which it could not be reasonably expected that they should
easily forego and relinquish. These ideals are so dominant in them
that they may be considered a part of their very being, and any dis-
�ACOVEAfiERyl&ri
39
turbance of the order which has governed their life will bring in its
wake untold unhappiness and misery. Their economic fortunes
might undergo serious changes which they will bear with stoicism
but for them to have complete peace of mind, their ethical codes
and standards must not suffer any radical change.
It takes but little mental effort for any of us to realize what
the older generation values most in life. They have cleaved their
ties with the motherland seeking primarily economic opportunities,
but the realization of their ambitions along this line is not in itself
sufficient gratification of their subconscious motives. Their ulterior
objective is to live their life along the lines they conceive to be most
conducive to happiness. These lines follow certain standards
which have been ingrained in their nature and without the fulfillment of which they can never experience true happiness. Whether
they are totally justified in their reasoning, or rather in their natural inclinations, is beyond the point. The fact is that they were so
born and have so grown and lived, and it requires no stretch of the
imagination to realize the amount of stress this generation must endure to forego the things they consider almost inalienable to their
very nature.
Now this generation of first immigrants builds up homes and
brings forth children who grow under painfully conflicting influences. From early childhood the standards of the home would
seem to be at variance with those of the school. American Public
School education seems to concern itself simply with the individuality of the child, aiming to prepare him for the struggle of life
as an independent and separate entity. No effort is made to treat
and train him as a unit in the family. While against this standard of
training the Syrian child finds himself at home facing totally different influences. Instead of being looked upon as an independent
entity he is considered an integral family unit. The Syrian father
withholds nothing from his child, because of the conviction that if
he sacrifices all for his child and cannot in consequence provide for
his old age, the child, in conformity with Syrian family standards
will insure him against want. In other words, Syrian parents of the
first generation count on their children as part of the family ensemble throughout life, and cannot bring themselves to admit that
changes of conditions of life and economic viewpoints should alter
their lung prevalent standards.
The young generation, on the other hand, because of their
lack of appreciation of, or sympathy for, their parents' viewpoint,
consider these demands in the nature of an imposition. Why, they
"*-"** '
�40
TH'E SYZIAN WORLD
argue, should they be hampered in leading their own lives? It is
the individualistic principle as against that of family obligation and cooperation. It forms one of the most serious problems
of the Syrian-American home.
A phase of this problem is the attempt of parents to enforce
their standard of conduct on the children. Let it be conceded that
from the viewpoint of education the children have by far the greater advantage. Thanks to their parents, it must be remembered,
they were able to profit by the educational facilities generally provided in America and which in the motherland are available only
to a limited few. But be it also remembered that scholarly education is not character, nor culture, nor ethics, nor morals. - And
even when the parents are illiterate this is no justificatioa for disrespect or an attitude of overbearance or impatience. This condition in the Syrian home is a marked one at the present time, and
just where to draw the fine line of distinction in the relations of
parents and children should prove a subject for serious consideration.
But the clash is most serious in the enforcement of the moral
standard. Syrian parents view with unconcealed alarm the tendency
of their children towards so-called modernism, while the children
resent what they term undue and unwarranted interference in their
personal liberty. It is again the conflict of two codes of ethics which
subject the unity of the Syrian-American home to an immense strain.
And perhaps this particular problem is the most virulent and irksome of all.
* * * *
We do not presume to have covered here the entire range of
the problems confronting the Syrian home in America. We have
only alluded to the more pronounced complications, and that in a
general way. Amplification of the infinite details will ensue at another time. What we do hope for, however, is to arouse interest
and insure thought on the subject of our social relations to the end
that a better understanding might be promoted in the Syrian home.
Every family has problems peculiarly its own, whose solution could
come only through the serious consideration of the persons directly
concerned, actuated by a sympathetic and indulgent attitude of
each toward the other's viewpoint. After all, family ties should
be made to endure and they cannot be binding nor permanent unless
based on understanding. It is true that the period of transition
through which we are passing is a difficult one, but will not our
culture prevail in compelling us to hearken to the voice of reason?
�NOVEMBER, 1931
41
Youth Speaks
C
S
W
1
GE A BURN
T^^^ *
ING QUESTION
WITH THIS SOCIALLY-MINDED CORRESPONDENT
Editor's Note—Whatever agitates the minds of our younger generation ve invite them to write to this department about ft unreservedly. The department zvas created for their benefit and of
thts fact they may take full advantage This was the explicit understanding mth the editor in chief without reservations'as to the nature of the communications. The intention is to have the department serve as a public forum to reflect the actual thought of our
youth. 1 he following is the first received.
Dear Mr. Hakim
Q • !tw "IT1 xW'th ',ntereSt that 1 renew my subscribtion to the
Syrian World. Now that I am taking it I want to say tdat I would
not be without it for the simple reason that it is doing me a great
deal of good. I am learning much of our former civilization as
well as of current problems confronting the Syrians both here in
America and m our fatherland. I could go on to say many more
things regarding the benefits I am deriving from this magazine
arid of the great influence of our lost but not forgotten poet, Kahlil
Oibran, but to continue to do so would be to get farther away from
my particular discussion.
I write on the subject of the new department, "The Younger
Generation." My question is: "What is being done to bring The
younger generation together?» In my discussion and correspondence with the younger Syrian-Americans I find they are getting
away from each other instead of coming together. This is much
more evident in the smaller cities as far as I am informed. It seems
that fewer marriages are taking place among the Syrians and that
they are intermarrying with other elements with much more frequency than usual. To illustrate my point, I quote a few lines from
a correspondent in your own state. "Of the bovs ranging from
yr
n
girl at all.
4ge' he Says' "hardl>' ^ of them g° with a Syrian
There is just a couple of them that do. One couple
�42
THE SYRIAN WORLD
were married last week and they had a big wedding. We have a
lot of pretty Syrian girls here who don't even have a fellow. The
Syrian boys and girls don't stick together at all here. Most of the
boys I know go with American girls." These few lines are surely
self-explanatory.
As the saying goes: "There is something rotten in Denmark."
Some force is needed to bring the two groups together. What is it?
I am sure I don't have a solution but from observation I will lay
the greater extent of the blame on the parents. They prohibit their
daughters from going with boys until the latter show serious intentions of mariage. I can say that I certainly admire the girls for their
high standard of morality and ideals. There is nothing more to be
admired than a clean, decent, intelligent, and home-loving Syrian
girl. I can say wonderful things about many of the boys, too.
It is against mental and physical principles to suppress certain
natural emotions. I mean the clean, ideal emotions such as love,
joy, happiness. "The boys, having a much freer latitude than the'
girls, seek company that satisfies these emotions. This results in
the boys marrying American girls. Now what is there left for the
girls to dor They must do the same or become old-maids. If the
youth were taught more about Sex, Love, Courtship, and Marriage,
I think that this dilemma would be more readily solved. I am
now attending a series of lectures on this subject, and I find it of
much benefit. I was given a questionnaire to be used in the compilation of the ideals of the youth of today concerning these problems. Here are the questions.
I. In seeking for a wife would you prefer a home-maker or
a society woman:
II. Do you want a wife who smokes?
III. In seeking a wife would you consider sexual purity on her
part an absolute requisite?
IV. Which ar£ the most essential qualifications of a good
wife—physical beauty or genuine moral character?
V. What criticism in general would you offer of the young
women of your acquaintance?
VI. If you and your fiancee were both employed before marriage, would you want her to continue in her employment
after marriage provided your own income was sufficient to
provide for the home?
VII. If you establish a home of your own, do you want children?
I think that the conventions reported in^the Syrian World as
s-
l'
cc
so
Ii
al
F<
�NOVEMBER, 1931
43
being held in various places are doing wonders in bringing the
WnVS "' '^ th7 " StiH "^ * ** d°"e- * *> -te'som
I have trfed r * reOVerdomS
tters and developing snobbishness.
Up f b yS but have Jacked su
cooTra
• n or perhaps
"T my
* &,
° all° wet. I would like to^ent
cooperation,
plan is
have
ome comment on this problem by both yourself and the readers
If I am cockeyed with my ideas somebody please tell me so. After
all, 1 still retain many Syrian ideals at heart. So help me God!
r ,m
Thomas G. Ember.
T ,
bort Wayne, Ind.
Beyond the Sun
By
BARBARA YOUNG
Behold this vast incalculable ray,
Brighter than stars, more luminous than suns
More distant than all space beyond all space
In its beginning, if indeed there be
Birth or beginning to that principle
Man's mind hath never conjured, nay, nor will,
Perchance, with all his weighty conjuring
This side the glimmering secretive Veil.
Behold this ray, ineffable, informed
Beyond the sun, beyond these measurements
Of skies and firmaments and fashioned voids;
This uncreated, all-creating volt,
This unthought word, this might without a name
That shook Old Chaos into rhyme and rhythm
No single atom looted or laid waste
Unto this hour.
What hath God wrought indeed
Himself, and light and law and life and love.
These from the mist that moves beyond the sun.
The Times, New York.
�-
""
THE SYRIAN WORLD
New Egyptian Minister in America
"HE APPOINTMENT recently of His Excellency Sesostris Sidarouss Pasha as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Egypt to the government of the United States again
focuses public attention on the fact that Egypt is the only sovereign
Arabic-speaking state having diplomatic representation abroad. The
growing national consciousness of Egypt is making her forge ahead
rapidly as the leader among Arabic-speaking countries in the struggle
for world recognition. She also is nobly acquitting herself as the
leader among those countries of the renaissance movement in literature, the arts, and sciences.
This cultural movement the Syrians have had a strong influence in launching and promoting, as Egypt, for over fifty years,
has been the logical field for the display of their talents. The
proximity of Egypt and Syria, and their being bound by a common
language and common traditions, has given rise to the popular
reference to them as the "sister countries."
Abroad these cordial relations seem to manifest themselves as
strongly as they do in the home countries. Everywhere, especially
since the ushering of the era of Egyptian diplomatic representation
in foreign countries, the Syrians, particularly in America, look upon the Egyptian diplomatic representatives as their own in the sense
that they are representatives of a "sister country." The strong
bond of kinship and traditions between them transcends the limitations of time and space.
These bonds of cordiality and co-operation are expected to be
materially strengthened through" the influence of the new Egyptian
Minister at Washington. A man of broad vision and deep understanding, it cannot escape his observation that while Egypt enjoys the
distinction of being the only Arabic-speaking country maintaining
diplomatic representation abroad, the Syrians, at the same time,
form the only Arabic-speaking element in America. The necessity
of co-operation between the two would seem but obvious.
* * * *
> The record of Sesostries Sidarouss Pasha is one of brilliant
achievement. Born in Alexandria, he was educated at St. Andrew's
Scotch School and the Jesuits' College of St. Francis Xavier of his
-
K
<
> !TSfe=
�NOVEMBER, 1931
His Excellency
Sesostris Sidarouss Pasha
Egyptian Minister at Washington
45
�46
THE SYRIAN WORLD
native city. After having obtained his French degrees in Arts with
honors, he took up the study of law in Cairo and in Paris, and received his degree of Doctor of Laws in the latter city.
His first practice was before the Mixed Court of Appeal in
Alexandria as an assistant prosecutor in the office of the Attorney
General. Later he was appointed in the Ministry of Justice in Cairo
as private secretary to the Judical Adviser and secretary to the Committee of Judicial Surveillance.
In 1907, he was selected as Professor of Law at the Royal
Faculty in Cairo where he was given the Chair of Civil Law, in
both the English and the French sections. Later he was also entrusted with the direction of the Faculty, as Vice-Principal.
Asked to join the Diplomatic Service, he was appointed First
Secretary to the Royal Egyptian Legation in Paris in December
1923 and acted at the same time as Charge d'Affaires in Brussels
until December 1924.
In 1922 he was called to the Bench as Judge at the Mixed
Court in Cairo.
He was promoted to the post of Counsellor to the London
legation in 1925 and given charge of the Legation as Charge d'Affaires ad interim.
In September 1929 he left London to take over his post of
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Athens and
Belgrade. In May 1930 he went, in the same capacity, to Brussels
and The Hague, and from August 1930 until August 1931 he was
on a mission in London.
Sidarouss Pasha left England on August 1, 1931 to undertake
his duties in Washington and on August fourteenth he presented to
President Hoover the letters accrediting him as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Egypt to the Government
of the United States of America.
Sidarouss Pasha's services have been recognized not only by
his Government but also by several Foreign Countries. He holds,
among others, the highest Egyptian title, that of "Pasha," as well
as the Egyptian Orders of the Medjedieh and the Nile. He is
bearer of the Grand Cross of the Belgian Crown, of the Greek Order of the Phoenix and of the Yougoslav Order of St. Sava. He
is Commander and Officer of several other Orders: The Royal Victorian Order, St. Gregory the Great, the Legion d'Honneur, the
French Public Instruction, and St. Sylvester.
Sidarouss Pasha is not only a jurist and a diplomat but a writer
and a linguist as well. His Principal publications are: his famous
-
c
I
b
d
K
a
T\
Th-
Th(
�NOVEMBER, 1931
in the ottoma Em
^M^^sr'
" »- ^
"The Personal & S £ , Eg^S "7 2*?*
Legislation."
^eononne Potaque, de Statistique et de
*2aK£ *dtdSS^'wife'a daughter of *< »*
barrisS nel^ Ivatd c2t^' r^*
^
S<fa
»• «
a F^an KlfS^^^ So =£" *
7&? Travelers Cloak
By DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN
The traveler:
Kind tailor, through rough and hostile land
• For leagues and leagues Pve wended: '
And my cloak is torn and sorely worn
And would 'twere rightly mended.
Its fabric, you can see, is rare,
And should have met with better care.
The tailor's apprentice:
But master, why, since the gaping harm
1 ou have undone, you turn
Upon him your back? you hide the cloak
Away—why not return
The man his own? Or what I see
A secret of the craft may be!
The tailor:
Perchance of waiting he will grow
Fatigued, forget his cloak and go.
�48
THE SYRIAN WORLD
EDITORIAL COMMENT
^THOUGH we have set a definite plan for the New SYRIAN
VVORLD we do not propose that this plan should be so rigid as
W Uld be
o det^ T^T' 7H?** °
°^ *
«<*° Sri
m
Hence the
f^1?8^ *sPect °* "ew and varied material.
Hence the omission m this 1Ssue of some departments in order to
make room for the other material that does not fall under any pa -
nt e t- r nat!°n; bUt *"*> —rtheless, will be found equa Uy
P 3n
f
be S mewhat dastic
SSfve
i " of
Tant
° of life.
»"* hence indicative of
of .h?/
the freshness
new °currents
* *
READER.? will observe that the working of the arrangement
f
ThercTe
rlTtravel
Iffeatures
"* ^^
° travd
' ^^
^fiction.
1 here are two
m this issue
which
are admittedly
inent
lg Pa, ticularly Mr Katibah
tlTwni L f
r^Ti -
;
-
'* «*-£-
gll> aPPeaJ,Ug t0 b th SchoIar and
Wh e M
Y°Un
'
°
lavman.
While Miss Young is always resourceful in the choice of material
e
ngmal
is
atv
"" ^T
?" °^ ^^
^t
pauaty of
of he°r
her own poetry
m her department.
It is a sense
of *e
medesty
hat is depriving the readers of some of the loftiest poetry of all
^ • *£r JaSt Publ]shed Poem in the New York Times was f a
tured ,„ box form in the Literary Digest of November 14. We have
«IW P
I°Z ,,;dePcndent sources that the Thomas Moult
^est Poems of 1931» prints her "Requiescat" also from the Times,
in the , <;;iJy.p0enl/rom fhe American daily press to be included
*£$£2
We fear we sha11 have t0
«- °- *
bead
-
Fiction is also maintained, an original short story and an Arabian tale appeanng in each issue. But of fiction we premise even
more and we would especially invite that class of stories that shall
touch on our home life in America.
***** *
SOME
readers
med the impression from our anilouncemem
SiXth yC r hat by
-f th" WaH W ORI°Ur
! i
P°Pula
ig the material
D WC ,ntended
J I
}
'
^ lower its standard. They expressed themselves after perusing the two last issues as being pleasantly surprised that such was not the case. The fact is any question
i
�I
NOVEMBER, 1931
49
V
licy so far has been quite wh„k me
mo cumulative substantial results.
We
us
t
will L^f ft
translated
* * * *
^nubbi:;
A
f0l 0W the
,!
.
P
tice of
°« »«ive press, we would
scribers'o V Teremt" ^tT"
*° * we
^
hoWever
do n ^ * ^
Certain pract cesftfftft
'
>
<* P pose to do.
a Dec lift ft I
ft^" Prcss m,Sht be Pardonable owing to
a peculiar psychology. A Syrian subscriber, for instance is ft t„
and* « an insult, induced by lack of confide ft if Jh edtor
were to discontinue sending him the paper even though he igno e
the numerous statements sent him ana fails to make payme, f A
W Sh
tto
FftliTaft'
^aware
' ft?
°" the aSSUm
Ptio"will
thfte
refd
tnghsh and are
of American
practices
live
uo who
to them
atftftft'ftftldeci n"t0 dLntime "«P^ -Ci "ft;
k
reft4 for ftfe/ft
ft"
We wU1
«ladIy «««*"
Y
ftrft/of a^lftlftftft^ftfti-^ciaf lefts' £
of their -to^aat1'^.1:
S; r^sftvn ST^ ^ «" -»*- «^
every cty: ^Z^L^ZIt^^T "^ '"
* * * *
. Those who contend with the perennial problem of selecting
Chnstmas g,fts m.ght well consider the propriety of mnkhft ft
ubscnbfons of the Syrian World. Asidefrom being a ge tore 0f
on
ft' ftftrft/fta fift C°meS t0 *« -ipfentftroug
out the year for comparatively a nominal consideration Friends
holidays!
"
WOrU arC
^
t0
*"*
!t in rai d d
"
»
g the ftftg
�50
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Political Developments in Syria
SYRIA AND IRAQ UNDER ONE KING?
King F„isal „ R„e „ n^jprZ** M. Brother A*
fiege„t
,„
Bagdad.
The most sensational rumor to appear so far concerning a possible
solution to the Syrian problem is that
of the plan to create a dual kingdom
of Syria and Iraq with King Faisal
as ruler of both countries established
at Damascus and his brother AH acting as regent in Bagdad. Just how
much truth there is in this rumor it
is impossible at present to determine
because of the abundance of the rumor
crop on the subject of the Syrian
question with no indication of possible materialization. This latest rumor, however, seems to have enjoved
even more vogue than any other and
there are many responsible Syrian
leaders who apparently attach much
credence to it.
During the summer, King Faisal
was in Europe and spent much time
in Paris. High Commissioner Ponsot
was also in Paris, as were many prominent leaders who are not in the
habit of visiting,Europe for their
health. King Faisal had once been
king ,n Syria and owing to his popularity and influence it was commonly
accepted that he was attempting to
help the French solve their problem
m Syria by inducing them to revert
to a monarchical form of government
with his brother former King AH of
Arabia on the throne in Damascus.
The fact that King Faisal is the
better diplomat, plus the fact that
he still has a large following in Syria
where once "he was king, makes the
proposal of establishing him on the
Syrian throne instead of his brother
sound like a more logical solution
i^ngland is represented as favoring
this arrangement despite her rivalry
with France for the preponderance of
influence in the East because of the
stability it would insure for that
part of the Arabic-speaking worid
Especially that King Faisal has won
tangible results from his negotiations
for good will and amity with King
Ibn Saoud of Arabia, who had
forced the abdication of his father
King Al-Husain and later wrested the
throne of Al-Hijaz from his brother
King AH. It will also be remembere]
that King Faisal is a direct descendant of the Prophet and of the line
that had the custody of the holy
places of Islam. While his other brother Emir Abdullah is the ruler of
Trans-Jordania, making it possible,
with the proposed creation of the
dual Kingdom, to form one solid bloc
of homogeneous countries under three
brothers, extending from the Mediterranean shore to the borders of Persia, with the exclusion of the small
strip of Palestine.
All these considerations make the
proposed scheme of the dual monarchy
not only feasible but highly desirable
in the opinion of its proponents. What
would seem to lend weight to there
having been serious discussions of
<~
�NOVEMBER, 1931
\
•
51
such a possibility between the French
authorities and King Faisal is the
reference the latter made to his policy
m Syria during his rule in Damascus
m an official interview he gave to
newspapermen and notables of his
kingdom after his recent return from
Europe. This interview was described
by the correspondents as being in the
nature of a speech from the throne,
ine King's remarks about the Syrian
Situation were to the effect that his
hands were forced to assume the attitude he took towards the French in
1920 and which had such disastrous
results. The Syrians were too impatient, he said, and sought to gain
by force what they could have achieved by patience and a spirit of
conciliation, and this despite the fact
that they were too little equipped for
the military undertaking on which
they embarked.
There are those among the Syrians,
on the other hand, who disapprove
unequivocally of any plan to restore
the Syrian kingdom irrespective of
personalities. A considerable number
of the Nationalist leaders maintain
that Syria has a legal constitution
which declares for a republic, and that
the provisions of this constitution
must be enforced until amended, and
this amendment cannot be under^
taken except by the convocation of
a popular assembly enjoying the same
Powers vested in the Constituent Assembly which first drafted the contitution. Particularly are the Nationalist leaders of Aleppo bitter in
their opposition to any change, because of their professed belief that a
monarchical form of government would
be construed as a step backward for
the country. They further argue that
the French would naturally favor a
king because a single responsible person would lend himself more readily
as a tool in their hand.
In the face of all these rumors no
word has been forthcoming from
French official sources. All that the
natjive press could procure was a
statement by an official of the High
Commissariat who refused to be
quoted under his own name, and who
denied there had been any conversations of a concrete nature between
the French government and King Faisal while the latter was in Paris.
Meanwhile, High
Commissioner
Ponsot, according to the latest reports
of the Syrian press, was still in Paris.
His movements and plans continue as
mysterious as he is reticent. There
had been a report at one time that he
planned to return to Beirut the latter
part of October, but later advices indicated that his return had been delayed until late in November. His
return is naturally awaited with great
interest because of the expected announcement of the solution he might
have reached on the Syrian question.
The expectation is that he will order
new elections for a popular assembly
not only to determine the form of
government to be adopted but also the
relations Syria should assume with
France. This will naturally depend
on the conditions France will lay for
Syria by way of concessions to its
demands for fuller independence.
A logical reason ascribed to the
protracted stay of the High Commissioner in France is his desire to discuss the final arrangements of the
solution of the Syrian question with
Premier Lavale upon the latter's return from Washington.
CONDITIONS IN LEBANON
Lebanon appears satisfied with its
political destiny. Apparently the republic has come to stay and there is
less disposition at present to raise
the queston of union with Syria at
least until Syria is able to determine
�52
THE SYRIAN WORLD
its own political status. What would
seem to occupy most the attention of
the Lebanese at present is their acute
economic problem, with taxes weighing heavily on the people and the
government facing a crisis in attempting to balance the budget.
Emil Eddy, one of the prominent
possible candidates for the Presidency
in the 19S2 elections, has returned
from Paris and categorically denied
the rumors that he had sought,while
in France, to create of Lebanon a
national home for the Christians in
the East by an exchange of population with Syria. It was learned, however, that the French, in whatever
solution they might arrange for the
Syrian problem, are determined to
maintain the status quo in Lebanon,
both in its political institutions and
its geographic boundaries . They are
said to be unwilling to return to Syria
any of the districts formerly attached
to it and since ceded to Lebanon, although they would have no objections
to the formation of a union between
the other Syrian states. For the purpose of accelerating the solution of
the Syrian problem, it is further asserted, they would even be willing to
cede the port of Tripoli to the Syrian
government, but this would represent
the maximum of their concessions.
BEIRUT'S FINEST STREET NAMED FOR EGYPT'S KING.
On the occasion of the anniversary of the accession of His Majesty
King Fuad I to the Egyptian throne,
which faFs on Oct. 9, the Lebanese
government, this year, gave proof of
the growing spirit of good-will between the two peoples by naming the
fnest thoroughfare in its capital for
the King of Egypt. The dedication
ceremonies were attended by the
Prime Minister and many high government officials as well as by representatives of the French Army and
Navy and Civil Administration. The
occasion was hailed by the press as
emphasizing the traditional friendship between the two "sister countries."
The Consul General of Egypt in
Beirut, Muhammad Sary Bey, represented his Majesty the King at the
exercises. He expressed in the name
of his Majesty Egypt's appreciation
of this new gesture of friendship on
the part of the Lebanese and said that
it went far to strengthen the bonds of
brotherly relations between the two
countries. The Syrians and the Lebanese are at home while in Egypt, he
asserted, because they form an in-
alienable part of Egyptian life since
they have played an important role
in accelerating the renaissance movement in the Nile Valley. Such names
as Mutran, Jemail, Zaidan, Ridha,
Rafii, Sarrouf and Barakat, will ever
be remembered as those of men who
have marched in the van of Egypt's
movement of progress. Especially in
the civil administration and in their
early monopoly of the press will the
Syrians and Lebanese be remembered
as having rendered Egypt an invaluable service.
In responding to the address of the
Egyptian spokesman, the mayor of
Beirut appropriately remarked that
the strongest bonds between nations
are those of language, culture and
tradition, and all these conditions
are common property between the peoples of the two sister countries.
Other speakers stressed the point of
Egypt's leadership in the renaissance
movement among the Arabic-speaking
peoples. All agreed that co-operation
between the two peoples was essential
for their continued progress and their
proper recognition among the family
of nations.
-..'
-w* "" -..
„
�NOVEMBER, 1931
53
THE
SYRIAN WORLD
NEWS SECTION
VOL. VI. NO. 3
'PROPHET" OF GIBRAN
IN AMERICAN CHURCH
Impressive Memorial Services and
Dramatic Presentation Given in
St. Mark's in New York.
Gibran Kahlil Gibran, Syrian artist and author and "Poet of the Cedars," was hailed as a true prophet
from the pulpit of the church of St.
Mark's in the Bouwerie in New York
by Rev. William Norman Guthrie the
rector, during the memorial services
given on Sunday afternoon, October
25, as a loving tribute to the memory
of the departed poet. The Church was
packed to overflowing by Gibran's
friends and admirers who had come
from all parts of the city and many
of whom shed copious silent tears
throughout the touching ceremonies
The services consisted of two partsa devotional office composed entirely
of the earlier poetic works of Gibran
read alternately by Dr. Guthrie and
several assistants; and a dramatic presentation of the "Prophet" as devised
by Phoebe Anna Guthrie and presented by her with the assistance of a
carefully selected cast of participants
—dancers, enacters and a reader.
This is the fifth presentation of the
"Prophet" at St. Mark's, but although
not new it assumed prticular significance on this occasion owing to the
NOVEMBER, 1931
recent death of the author. The souls
of the vast audience were touched as
much by the symbolism of the work
as by the memory of the man who has
given the world this masterpiece of
power and beauty. The fact that he
was hailed as true prophet, and the
recurrent presentation of his work as
a self sufficient devotional service
gave rise to the thought that a cult
was m the process of formation around
the work of Gibran, now bound to
take additional momentum since his
demise.
Following the religious ceremony
a reception was held at the rectory
where tea was served. Later in the
evening Miss Laura Williams gave a
recital of Arab songs.
On November 8th, and at the same
church, a further service was held in
memory of Gibran, at which several
oi his unpublished poems were read
by Barbara Young, and following this
five leading American poets paid their
tributes to his spirit, in original contributions.
They were Robert Underwood Johnson, Dean of the Hall of
Fame, New York University, Anna
Hempstead Branch, Director of Cristadora House, Mary Siegrist, William
Griffith, President of the poetry Society of America, and Leonora Speyer.
It is but fitting that we reproduce
the sincere tribute of Dr. Guthrie to
our beloved countryman, as published
in a special leaflet distributed on the
occasion of the presentation of THE
PROPHET. It follows:
�54
THE SYRIAN WORLD
KAHLIL GIBRAN
By Dr. Wiltfam Norman Guthrie
Kahlil Gibran, prophet-poet and
painter from Mount Lebanon, had for
over twelve years moved among us
as one of us. To some he was friend
and comrade, as well as teacher—for
that he always was. Unpedantic and
unassuming, though never falsely modest, naively spontaneous, though
subtly constrained by beauty, in
speach and gesture, he represented to
us an almost racially distinct tradition.
For generations Christian in culture, he yet received his inspiration
and fashioned its expression instinctively in the Arab tongue, of which
the supreme music and magic are forever in the spells and oracles of Mahomet. So a strange gnomic quality,
a thrilling suggestiveness, mystifyingly concrete and logically unseizable, characterize all his utterances
in English.
,Was this the wedding gift of that
union in his soul of two tongues?
Languages of course not only express
but subconsciously impose, even as
deep as the insight and outsight of
the mystic.
He knew other European tongues,
but deliberately chose that of England
for the work of his maturity, which
aimed at a world hearing. Few have
achieved that, as he most certainly
did, while also retaining a provincial
loyalty. And how closeknit is that
earlier following of his, that great
reading public, throughout the Near
East, and even to the borders of China
as well as the heart of India, to Whom
Arabic is the holy tongue!
It was, then, in a four-fold capacity, of Syrian, of Arab singer and
seer, of English-American poet, and
always original illustrator of his
poetic work, that he made so wide
and deep an appeal.
O for a few more years! Not for
exactly the same reasons that we
would have given of our own to Keats.
How cruel, to have Kahlil Gibran arrested by the hand of death, at the
very gate of his Eden, so that he could
not take us with him, past the whirling sword of the cherubim, to the
sacred Tree of Life.
AMERICAN MISSION IN
EAST EDUCATIONAL
So Declares President Dodge of the
A. U. B. at Dinner Given in his
Honor in New York
By H. I. Katibah
Once more President Bayard Dodge
has given1 a clear and unequivocal expresson to the new spirit which
governs and guides the American University of Beirut and other institutions of learning made possible in
the Near East by the generous contributions of American philanthropists and humanitarians.
At a banquet in his honor and that
of Dr. Mary Belles Patrick, President-Emeritus and for fifty-three
years active president of Constantinople Woman's College, fittingly given
at the International House of Columbia Univelsity, New York, on Nov.
16, President Dodge declared that the
new attitude of the American colleges in the Near East has been one
,of cooperation with the peoples of
the respective countries where these
institutions of higher learning are
posted; to make the students who flock
to some of these institutions from all
quarters of the Near East realize their
vast opportunities at home and equip
them with the technical knowledge to
cope with them.
Dr. Dodge emphasized the amazing
speed with which conditions are
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�NOVEMBER, 1931
55
changing in the countries of the Near
nians, representing the six American
East, where formerly time had very
colleges in the Near East. About
little value. The next day the Herald
300 guests were present.
Tribune featured in bold letters an
Mr. William Fellowes Morgan preinstance which Dr. Dodge gave to
sided. Musical entertainment for the
illustrate his point, namely that Bedevening was provided by Madame Feouins of the Syrian Desert today carry
dora Corban, styled the Syrian Nighttheir raids by means of Hudsons and
ingale, who sang the Syrian national
Dodges, instead of horses and camels,
anthem in Arabic and some French
giving the chauffeur 25 per cent of
and English operatic selections, and
the booty as his share! Another sign
by the Quarles Sisters, Virginia, Marof this change cited by Dr. Dodge was
guerite and Alice who played the
that whereas formerly very few Turkpiano, the 'cello and the violin.
ish girls attended Constantinople Woman's College, today they form 80
per cent of the student-body.
As usual, Dr. Dodge's speech was SYRIAN BROADCASTING
ACTIVITIES IN AMERICA.
replete with witty and illuminating
remarks. One of these was that apThe first regular commercial Syrplications from Americans of Syrian
ian broadcasting effort which has come
origin, particularly of Brooklyn, for
to our knowledge is that of the Arabadmission to the American University
ian Eastern Broadcasting Co. operatof Beirut have been so numerous that
ing over station W. N. J. in New
the authorities of this University have
York and of which Mr. Salim Ayoub
decided to apply the brakes on them.
is the business manager. The comThe new spirit of the American inpany has engaged the services of
stitutions of learning in the Near
several well-known professional singEast is an antithesis of the spirit with
ers and musicians, whose repertory
which the crusaders, whom he called
embraces the classics as well as modthe most bigoted people that ever
ern popular songs. They can be heard
went to the East, invaded the Holy every Sunday at 9 P. M.
Land to wrest it from the hands of its
Miss Louise Yazbeck of ShreveMoslem possessors. It is also different
port. La. advises us that she believes
from that condescending spirit with
herself to be the first to have broadwhich some Western philanthropists
cast Oriental music in the United
and missionaries approached their
States. Her work was started in
work for the natives. It is, in short,
1924 when radio was still in its inthe American spirit of give and take,
fancy, and she has broadcast not only
of working together for one single
from her home city of Shreveport
aim.
Dr. Dodge would apply the
but from many other Southern and
American spirit of democracy which
Southwestern centers. She now broadallowed each nationality to develop,
casts regularly every Sunday evening
freely its innate culture, and yet
at 10.45 Central Standard time over
molds all in one loyal body when duty
station K. F. K. H. 850 kilocycles,
• calls for common action, to the whole
featuring
an Oriental program and
world.
using principally Prof. Alexander
The banquet itself was an embodiMaloof's compositions. She also makes
ment of this new spirit, for it conregular broadcasts every Thursday,
sisted of alumni of different nationover the same station, giving an Ameralities: Syrians, Greeks, Turks, Armeican program.
�56
THE SYRIAN WORLD
;
SYRIAN RADIO ARTIST
WAHHABIS OF NAJD
KILL ARABIC SCHOLAR.
Press dispatches from Jerusalem
reported on Oct. 27 that the Wahhabi
Arabs had killed the Danish Journalist and Arabic scholar Knud Holmbo
near Amman while he was on a pilgrimage to Mecca.
Although the exact reason for the
murder is not made clear by the dispatches, there would seem to be no
doubt that the fanatical Wahhabis resented the insistence of the European
scholar on making the pilgrimage to
their holy city, apparently doubting
the sincerity of his motives in becoming a Moslem.
Mjiss Louise Yazbeck
First to Broadcast an Oriental
Program
Miss Yazbeck is a recognized piano
teacher of high standing in Shreveport,
and lately has been elected
President of the Progressive Music
Club composed of the piano teachers
of the city.
INDIAN SPEAKER
"GUEST OF SYRIANS.
Miss Sumayah Attiyeh, the wellknown Syrian lecturer, invited the
Hindu speaker and companion of Mahatma Gandhi, Mr. Das Gubta, to
address a meeting held at the Wells
House in Brooklyn Thursday evening
November 19. Miss Attiyeh introduced the visiting Indian in glowing
terms and the latter gave a detailed
and comprehensive account of the private and public life of Gandhi based
on personal knowledge.
Knud Holmbo was but thirty years
fid and, had achieved considerable
distinction as an Arabic scholar. In
Scandinavia he was known as the
Danish Lawrence, and his love for
the Arabs prompted him to take many
adventurous trips in their various
countries. Two years ago 'he made
an automobile expedition to Tripoli
and was arrested by the Italians on
the suspicion of spreading Bolshevist
propaganda because of his open
championship of the Arab cause,
which in Tripoli is interpreted as sedition. He was released only after
persistent diplomatic representations
by the Danish government.
In the summer of this year he was
reported by the Syrian press as having reached Damascus on his contemplated pilgrimage to Mecca. He
openly embraced the Moslem faith and
adopted the name of Ali. Apparently
he could not proceed on his journey
any further than Amman which is the
capital of Transjordania.
The Wahhabis are the fanatical
followers of King Ibn Saoud and are
known as Al-Ikhwan, or the Brethren
•1
<
�NOVEMBER, 1931
57
A STUDY
of
KAHLIL GIBRAN
"The Man from Lebanon"
Barbara Young, the American poet who is now Kahlil Gibran's literary executor, speaks with authority in a 48 page
brochure con^ming his life and work, illustrated with
several hitherto unpublished portraits of the Poet of the
Cedars, and a reproduction of one pen and ink drawing and
one page of original manuscript.
A few copies of the limited first edition, serially numbered and autographed by the author, are still available.
The price for this edition is $2.50.
Owing to the wide interest in the brochure, a second
printing will be necessary. These will not be numbered nor
autographed, and will be procurable at $1.50 the copy.
Checks may be made payable to the Gibran Studio, 5 1
West 10th Street, New York City.
'mUHmmmmSS^mBSBSSSsBSm^SBm
�58
THE SYRIAN WORLD
S A E ENT
/ J ^
x?rF,'?HE.?WNERSHIP- MANAGEMENT. CIRCULATION
•f The Syrian World,
published monthly at New York, N. Y.f Oct. 1, 1931.
STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF NEW YORK.
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for the state and county aforesaid,
personally appeared Salloum A. Mokarzel, who, having been duly sworn
according to law, deposes and says that he is the publisher of The Syrian
World, and that the following is, to the best of his knowledge and belief,
a true statement of the ownership, management (and if a da.ly paper, the
circulation), etc.. of the aforesaid publication for the date shown in the
above caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1912, embodied in section
411, Postal Laws and Regulations, printed on the reverse of this form, to wit:
1. That the names and addresses of the publisher, editor, managing
editor, and business managers are:
Name of—
Post office address—
Publisher, Salloum A. Mokarzel,
104 Greenwich Street.
Editor, Salloum A. Mokarzel,
104 Greenwich Street.
Managing Editor, Salloum A. Mokarzel,
104 Greenwich Street.
Business Manager, Cecil J. Badway,
104 Greenwich Street.
2. That the owner is: (If owned by a corporation, its name and address
must be stated and also immediately thereunder the names and addresses
of stockholders owning or holding one per cent, or more of total amount of
stock. If not owned by a corporation, the names and addresses of the individual owners must be given. If owned by a firm, company or other unincorporated concern, its name and address, as well as those of each individual
member, must be given.)
Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street.
3. That the known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1 per cent, or more of total amount of bonds mortgages, or other securities are: (If there are none, so state.) None.
4. That the two paragraphs next above giving the names of the owners, stockholders, security holders, if any, contain not only the list of
stockholders and security holders as they appear upon the books of the
company but also, in cases where the stockholder or security holder appears
upon the books of the company as trustee or in any other fiduciary relation,
the name of the person or corporation for whom such trustee is acting is
given; also that the said two paragraphs contain statements embracing affiant's full knowledge and belief as to the circumstances and conditions under which stockholders and security holders wKo do not appear upon the
books of the company as trustees, hold stock and securities in a capacity
other than that of a bona fide owner; and this affiant has no reason to believe that any other person, association, or corporation has any interest
direct or indirect in the said stock, bonds or other securities than as so
stated by him.
5. That the average number of copies of each issue of this publication
sold or distributed, through the mails or otherwise, to paid subscribers during the six months preceding the date shown above is.
(This information is required from daily publications only.)
S. A. MOKARZEL.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 14th day of October, 1931
[Seal.]
Edna M. Huckner.
(My commission expires March 30, 1932.)
HHNHHII
�II
1
, 1
59
NOVEMBER, 1931
1
f
Gibran's Message
To Young Americans of SyrianOrigin
By G. K.
1
GIBRAN
Author of f'TAe "Prophet,"
"Jesus the Son of t\/a«,"
Th« Syrun
Syrii World, July. 1*26
I believe in you. and I believe in your destiny.
I believe that you are contributors to this new civilization.
I believe (hat you have inherited from your forefathers an ancient dream* a song, a prophecy, which you can proudly lay as a gift of gratitude upon the lap of America.
I believe you can say to the founders of this great nation. "Here I am, a youth, a young
tree, whose roots were plucked from the hills of Lebanon, yet I am deeply rooted here, and I would
be fruitful."
And I believe that you can say to Abraham Lincoln, the blessed. "Jesus of Nazareth
touched your lips when you spoke, and guided your hand when you wrote; and 1 shall uphold
all that you have said and all that you have written."
I believe that you can say to Emerson and Whitman and James, "In my veins runs the
blood of the poets and wise men of old, and it is my desire to come to you and receive, but I shall
not come with empty hands."
I believe that even as your fathers came to this land to produce riches, you were born
here to produce riches by intelligence, by labor.
And 1 believe that it is in you to be good citizens.
And what is it to be a good citizen?
It is to acknowledge the other person's rights before asserting your own, but always to be
conscious of your own.
It is to be free in thought and deed, but it is also to know that your freedom is subject
to the other person's freedom.
It is to create the useful and the beautiful with your own hands, and to admire what others
"have created in love and with faith.
It is to produce wealth by labor and only by labor, and to spend less than you have produced that yonr children may not be dependent on the state for support when you are no more.
It is to stand before the towers of New York, Washington, Chicago and San Francisco
saying in your heart. "I am the descendant of a people that builded Damascus, and Biblus, and
Tyre and Sidon. and Antioch, and now I am here to build with you. and with a will."
It is to be proud of being an American, but it is also to be proud that your fathers and
mothers came from a land upon which God laid His gracious band and raised His messengers.
Young Americans of Syrian origin. I believe in you.
.»A-,t A * A>;>K .*; A .*; A
Ml
FREE TO SYRIAN WORLD SUBSCRIBERS. This beautiful message by
Gibran 13x17 inches, printed in large type on heavy paper with ornamental border suitable for framing. Every PAID subscriber whose term begins
with Sept. 1931 is entitled to a copy, mailed in heavy cardboard tube. Subscribers whose term begins before Sep. 1931 may secure a copy by renewal.
.-—-. '
-
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—-
�ft*
60
THE SYRIAN WORLD
AUTHENTIC
ORIENTAL RUGS
THE A. SLEYMAN COMPANY, INC.
{276 5th AVENUE
NEW YORK CITY
Phone BOgardus 4-4345
«SSKSESSSSK^SSS
George Haddad
Proprietor
Phone
CHickering 4-8878
ALEXANDRIA RESTAURANT
The new and beautiful uptown Syrian restaurant owned and operated
by a master chef, who summons his long experience to the
art of producing the most delectable Oriental dishes.
Small and large parties catered to
So Conveniently Located
21 WEST 31st STREET,
NEW YORK *
IT IS YOURS
is the only Syrian publication printed
in English, and as such is the organ of the Syrians in America.
You can help it continue and grow by subscribing to it yourself
and inducing others to subscribe.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
PUBLISHER, THE SYRIAN WORLD:
104 Greenwich Street, New York.
You may enter my name as a subscriber to "The Syrian World" for the term of one year, for which I agree to
pay the regular rate of $5.00 upon receipt of the first issue.
Address
City & State
Bft^BgMBais^BHiBmiMmiroM
�NOVEMBER, 1931
61
3S
•it
JERE J. CRONIN
FUNERAL DIRECTOR
MORTUARY CHAPEL
,
Local or Out of Town Funerals Personally Attended to
LADY ATTENDANT
Expense a Matter of Your Own Desire
115 ATLANTIC AVENUE
BROOKLYN, N. Y.
The large amount of business we do permits us to buy caskets
in large quantity which enables us to give the best funerals very
reasonable. We carry a complete line of the very best manufactured
caskets at $45.00 up. We pay no agents to secure funerals for us but
only give the family who has sorrow the very best of service, reverence
and economy. Our aim is to help those who are in trouble at a very
little cost. No charge for use o our services or funeral parlors.
Telephone—MA N 1398-1399-8130-3655
HOW TO BREED MOTHS
Leave your rugs on the floor
with all the dirt and germs
they have collected during the
winter and which home methods cannot remove. Nature
will do the rest.
RESTORATCVE: Call the
THE KOURI CARPET
CLEANING CORPORATION
RUG WASHERS
NEW YORK, N. Y.
10 West 33rd Street
Tel. LOngacre 5-2385
JERSEY CITY, N. J.
552 Johnston Avenue
Tel. Bergen 3-1085
ft»Ttynt»MttMM>TTV^
BH(HBPBHMMHHOHHHHsWsWBHiHHBHBMH
SHEIK
RESTAURANT
A well-appointed Syrian restaurant in the heart of the
Syrian Quarter, in lower Manhattan, where you and your
friends can enjoy the most
delectable
Oriental
meals
amidst the charm of an Oriental atmosphere.
Second Foor for Banquets and
Private Parties
KIRDAHY RESTAURANTS,
Inc.
65 WASHINGTON ST.,
New Yerk
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—_______—_
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The Arabic
Linotype in
EgyptAlthough the introduction of the Lino-
the very fact that governmental and
type into Arabic-speaking countries
corporate agencies were the first to
is comparatively recent, it is fast gain-
decide in its favor not only proves its
ing in popularity through the gradual
necessity but presages its ultimate
conviction of publishers and printers
general use. Because such agencies
that it is the type-setting machine of
reach their decisions only after thor-
the present and the future. It is not
ough investigation and comparative
only speedy but economical and ef-
study. This can be readily deduced
ficient. As is natural, the government
from the trend of Linotype installa-
and large corporate concerns were the
tions in Egypt which in the last few
first to realize its ultimate savings re-
years have
gardless of the initial investment. And
well-known printing establishments.
included
the following
Agricultural Bank, Cairo
1 Linotype
Government Press, Cairo
2 Linotypes
Egyptian State Railway Press, Cairo ...
2 Linotypes
Imprimerie Misr, Cairo
1 Linotype
MERCENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY
Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A.
Cable: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK
/ '
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V; RDE LINOTYPE
A
MARK
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0
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.
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An illustrated descriptive catalog
the Arabic Linotype sent free
u
P°n request.
of
Representatives in the Principal Cities of the World
LINOTYPE METRO SERIES
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Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A.
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Cable: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK
(•""LINOTYPE -)
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Representatives in the Principal Cities of the World
JJid.1 ^Js. i_»_yiuw JZj&j ijulfolj V. ^ *-^->.r- 0* 0^*VI li* ^3 U j5
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64
THE SYRIAN WORLD
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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
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TSW1931_11reducedWM
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The Syrian World Volume 06, Issue 03
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1931 November
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Volume 6 Issue 03 of The Syrian World published November 1931. The issue begins with an article by Salloum Mokarzel detailing the coming generation of Syrian leaders. Within his article, Mokarzel comprehensively discusses the changes arising in Syria as a result of French control and a change in thought surrounding what constitutes a leader. This is followed by a poem titled "Affluence" by Edna K. Saloomey. Kahlil Gibran has a work presented next, as will occasionally happen thanks to Barbara Young a literary executor of some of Gibran's works. The work included in this issue is titled "The Deeper Pain." Bayard Dodge is also featured for their work titled "Conditions in the Near East" in which they have taken excerpts from their own annual reports from 1930 to 1931 in order to formulate a research based presentation on the current situation in the East. Barbara Young is featured yet again for her editing work on a number of poems. After a number of literary works by writers Katibah, Charles J. Sassen, A. Hakim, Barbara Young, and Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin, the issue closes with an editorial comment, an update on political developments in Syria, and the Syrian world news section.
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Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals
Arabs--United States--Periodicals
Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals
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English
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Salloum A. Mokarzel
Syrian-American Press
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New York Public Library
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Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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104 Greenwich St., New York, NY
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Text
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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.
1930s
A. Hakim
Barbara Young
Charles J. Sassen
Edna K. Saloomey
Habib I. Katibah
Kahlil Gibran
New York
Poetry-English
Salim Alkazin
Syria
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/c87aa75085a72b7c3dcde9369dca3685.pdf
2ef3e807f6eb8117a0bc94ed7c14f1d9
PDF Text
Text
OCTOBER, 19y.
7ho
��THE
SYRIAN WORLD
Tublished monthly except July and August
by
THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS
104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y.
By subscription $5.00 a year.
Single Copies 50c
Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New lorkj
N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879.
VOL. VI. NO. 2
T
OCTOBER, 1931
CONTENTS
PAGE
Two Cities, Two Worlds. _
3
Habib I. Katibah
A Precocious Arab Child
10
News and Views.
11
By A Staff Observer
Child Marriages
Starvation in the U.S.A
Urn Kalthoum in Syria
When Mayor Meets King
Poetry, Edited by Barbara Young
Waiting, by John Burroughs
.."..
The Poetry of the Days, Haryot Holt Dey
Is Poetry a Business:
Lute-Strings, by Najla Sabe
Current Poetry
11
12
14
15
16
18
20
21
22
23
�CONTENTS (Continued)
PAGE
True Arabian Tales
The Choice of Su'ad
Arab Wisdom
24
27
Home and Family, Edited by Bahia Al-Musheer
Taste in Furnishing a Home
Laban as Ink Remover
How to Cook Vegetables
28
29
30
The Mystery of Aornholt (A Short Story)
Thomas Asa
31
Visitant (Poem)
41
Nada Sabirah
Our Younger Generation _
Edited by A. Hakim
Introducing a New Department
42
42
Reflections on Love
44
By Kahlil Gibran
Editorial Comment
What the Syrian World Represents
A New Poetry Department
Decorations
45
46
47
Questions and Answers
Iraqis and Syrians
Prof. Philip K. Hitti
48
Political Developement in Syria
49
Syrian World News Section
51
�ynan
t/
SALLOUM A. Mi
MOKARZEL, Editor.
VOL. VI. NO. 2
OCTOBER, 1931
Two Cities, Two Worlds!
By
HABIB
I.
KATIBAH
JT IS only about ninety miles from Beirut to Damascus, going in a
slight southeast inclination across a maritime plain, two chains of
mountains and a narrow valley between. In the days of muleteers
it required over four days to cross from one city to the other, with
many stops between for the rest of riders and mounts alike. Then
the diligence coach with its two teams of four horses harnessed ar
tandem came, and the distance was shortened to a day. The diligence was so prompt with its service that Syrian peasants in villages
along the newly laid route set their watches by its stops, and horses
were changed more than once to keep up the brisk pace. Again progress clipped a new record of speed when in the early sixties the present narrow-gauge railway connected the newly-developed port of
Beirut with the Syrian metropolis in the interior. And today, keeping abreast with time, Fords, Chevrolets, Hudsons and Dodges
whizz by in both directions along a macadamized, asphalted, modern
traffic road, making it possible for a busy merchant of Beirut to keep
a business engagement in Damascus and return home for supper before the sun has' Set in the Mediterranean.
It is but a four-hour ride between Beirut and Damascus, but a
world of ideas and traditions seperates them! Sometimes one thinks
that they are in two seperate worlds. Certainly, these two cities
differ in temperament^ and traditional associations more than New
York and Los Angeles, three thousand miles across the continent of
the United States, or New York and Houston, Texas, or Jacksonville, Florida. They differ more than New York and New"Orleans
�:
D
4
THE SYRIAN WORLD
which in point of history belong to two different civilizations.
In spite of all its Arabic blood, and the infiltration of Arabic
civilization and culture, Beirut is more of a Western city, a Western
colony on the coast of the Mediterranean. And Damascus, in spite
of all modern influences and invasions, has remained Oriental to the
core, perhaps the most typically Arabian city in the world today, a
stronghold of Semitic, Moslem culture and civilization that has persistently resisted capitulation to the West.
li ou have only to consider the location of these two cities and
reflect a little on their histories to understand this great spiritual
chasm that seems to saparate them.
Beirut is a seaport on the Mediterranean sea, a direct descendant of a Phoenician city that, for a considerable period of time,
was a Greek colony. From the middle of the 3rd Century A.D. a
law school flourished in Beirut which became famous throughout
the Roman World, and from which some of the most distinguished
legal minds of the age came forth. Itself on Syrian, Semitic soil
Beirut had its face turned outward towards the azure sea, and its
associations were those of all sea-faring folks, cosmopolitan and
xenophile.
But of Damascus one thinks in different terms and its mention
gives rise to other associations and memories. It is quite significant
that while Beirut can hardly name half a dozen remainsof Arabian,
Islamic antiquity, Damascus, the city of delight, is replete with
them. It ranks perhaps first among the Islamic cities for the richness of its historic Islamic sites and monuments, perhaps only outrivalled by Baghdad, the City of Peace and ancient capital of Ha~
roun al-Raschid. To the single mosque of any prominence in Beirut,the Omari mosque, you could name a score of mosques in Damascus that are hoary with historic traditions and that enshrine the
bones of men whose names were boldly emblazoned on the pages of
Islamic history. One immediately thinks of the Umayyad mosque,
on the site of which, it is claimed, Khalid Ibn Al-Walid and Abu
IJbeida Al-Jarrah, the Moslem invaders of Damascus, met, and on
the Western Wall of which one can still read the names of AbuBakr, Omar, Uthman and Ali, the first four caliphs of Islam. It
was.in this same mosque that the famous Moslem theologian, AlGhazzali, cloistered himself to write a large part of his monumental
work, the ReyivicaticHi of the Sciences of Religion.
Not less interesting are the tombs and mausoleums of this ancient capital of the Umayyads, the only truly Arabic dynasty of Islam, even if not truly Islamic. Here we come across the tomb of
�OCTOBER, 1931
QUESTIONS ANSWERED IN THIS ARTICLE
Why is Beirut a city of the West while Damascus, less
than one hundred miles away, remains the most typically
Oriental center extant?
Do the people of Beirut adopt Western standards
through affectation?
Is the French official's observation about the inhered
difference between Beirut and Damascus true?
What has helped to make Beirut the cultural enter of
the Near East?
Abu Lbe.da h.mself, of Bilal al-Habashi, the muezzin of the Pro
phet Mohammad, of Fatima, the Prophet's own daughter, of the
great Saladdin and his brother Nur-ud-Din, to mention but a few
at random. The mausoleum under which the remains of Nur-ud
Din rest is about midway in the Bazaar of Clothes, (Suq aPKhayvatin ) a narrow canopied street joining al-Hamidiyvah with the Street
Called Straight, (Suq al-Tawil), which is said to be no less than six
hundred years old in its present condition.
It is only natural for a city which from ages immemorial has
been the metropolis of Syria to be so rich in historic associations,
lo many Westerners Damascus is the city where St. Paul was con
verted to Christianity, and to the present dav if vou go there you
may be shown the very spot of that historic conversion, the Church
of Hammyia m the Bab-Tuma quarter, built over the supposed site
oi the House of Ananias, who received St. Paul and baptized him
after his historic journey, from Jerusalem to Damascus. And long
before that, Damascus was the capital of Naaman the Syrian and
other Aramean kings mentioned in the Bible. Greeks and Romans
undoubtedly dominated this city as they did others of Syria but it
is highly doubtful that Damascus, for any appreciable'length of
time divested itself of its Semitic character or adopted the ways of
the Gentiles and Franks from across the Mediterranean.
Preeminently, perhaps, Damascus has been the oasis of the
Syrian Desert, the magnificent, luxurious haven of the weary bedouin shepherd or tradesman who crosses the arid wilderness ofSyri
"on the palm of the Compassionate" in persuit of his share of Al-
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
Jah's boon. No wonder he calls it his earthly paradise, and whoever named it the City of Delight must have been a bedouin himself
or one speaking the longing of his hungry, thirsty heart.
And today Damascus is still the bedouin's paradise and home.
You see him strutting proudly in its streets, in his outlandish garb,
or sipping his cup of coffee in one of its numerous cafes as if he
were as much at home as in his tent under the star-spangled sky of
his desert domain. Rarely do you find a bedouin in Beirut, and
whenever you spot him he looks so dejected and homesick, lost in a
foreign city with those ways and manners he is hopelessly unfamiliar.
The first time I was vividly struck with the marked contrast
between the people of Beirut and those of Damascus was on my last
visit. I was walking with a friend of mine in one of the streets of
Beirut when a typically Beirutian Moslem, with an old fashioned
shirwal and shawl girdle, approached us and asked us for the correct
time. It is so customary for the old people of Damascus and the interior of Syria to run their watches according to "Arabic time", which
is calculated on the basis of sunset, instead of the meridian. And
wishing to accomodate the gentleman, whom I assumed to be oldfashioned and "Arabic" in sentiments and traditions, 1 asked him
whether he wanted the "Arabic" or "Franji" time. To my surprise and amusement he blurted out in his Beirutian brash and frank
manner:
"Blankety, blankety blank Arabic time! Who cares for Arabic time nowadays!"
Yet this Beirutian, and many thousands like him of whom we
know, may be as ardent a nationalist as you may find in all of Damascus. And you can count many Damascene Moslems, with their
turbans and Kimbazes and all the appearances and appurtenances
of Arabic traditions, who are more lukewarm about "nationalism"
than any of the Christian inhabitants of Beirut, and some of whom
are positively Francophile. But the exception here does not prove
the rule, which, in this case, is that the great majority of the Beirutian Moslems, or at least a considerable part of them, favour a policy
of cooperation and understanding with the French. When I first
arrived at Beirut three summers ago it was election time, and Dr.
Halim QaddurahT a notable modern Moslem, had adopted a
platform urging the Moslems of his city to drop the policy of intransigence to the French and try to come to some understanding
with the mandated authorities guaranteeing the political rights of
�mm
OCTOBER, 1931
the Moslem population. Dr. Qaddurah won, and his nationalist
opponent, Anf al-Nimaam, lost.
The point which I wish to make here, however, is not whether
he inhabitants of Damascus or Beirut are more nationalists, but
that even Beirutian nationalists have more of a Western atmosphere
about them than Damascene Francophiles, and more sympathy with
W estern ways and methods. In their manners, conversations and
even mental habits you catch Beirutians adopting the Western attitude, interest and point of view. To casual Westerners, and particularly tourists, thi, is hastily noted down as "aping," and creates
a reaction oi disgust and revulsion against "imitators of the West »
I ei haps that >s what a French official of the High Commissariat at
Beirut had m mind when he replied to my question: "Which do
you like better Beirut or Damascus " Waving his hand in a characteristic brench gesture he said.
"Beirut! Bah! Beirut has no soul, but Damascus, ah' There
is a city for you!"
But what this French officer and other transient Western observers forget, or lack the sympathy and patience to observe, is that
this Westernization" of Beirutians is most often not affected by
any means and comes to them by right of historic descent as much'
as to any dweller on the banks of the Seine or Thames.
Beirut is not an Oriental city imitating the West. On the contrary, it is a Western city with Western traditions and associations
which has never completely been Orientalized. It is the outpost of
Arabian culture and civilization on the Mediterranean, one of many
such outposts, but certainly the most influential and important
Long long ago, a little less than a century before its invasion
by its Moslem conquerors, after Beirut was destroyed by a disastrous
earthquake and tidal waves, a native poet lamented it in a touching
poem of classical beauty. The poem was in Greek, the language
undoubtedly familiar to his fellow citizens. But more significant
than the language are the terms in which this disconsolate poet describes his native city in ruins, and the classical associations that were
uppermost in his mind.
"Here am I," he pictured Beirut as moaning, "the unhappy
city, lying in ruins, my citizens dead men. . . . The fire-God de
strayed me after the shock of the earth-shaker (Poseidon)
Where is Aphrodite, guardian of the city, that she may look upon
the shelterless haunt of the dead, once the abode of the graces' A
tomb of tombless men is the city, under whose ashes we lie, Beroe's
thousands,
Sailor, stay not thy vessel's course for me, nor lower
�10
"THE SYRIAN WORLD
thy sails. . . . To some other place free of sorrow shalt thou urge
with sounding car thy advancing bark!"
And now as Beirut's sad disaster which rocked the city to its
foundations and destroyed most of its inhabitants has become a
dis ant memory cf the past, and after all the vicissitudes of fire
and sword through which it passed, one wonders if Beirut has not
always risen frcm its ashes with its heart on the sea and what lies
beyond it. Like Aphrcdite herself, the ancient matron goddess of
this city, Beirut is born and reborn from the sea foam. And perhaps
it is not an accident, nor because it was the first city at which they
stopped, that missionaries of all descriptions and convictions cho:;e
Beirut for their base of operation, spreading Western culture and
civilization with ther gospel message and sectarian doctrines
throughout Syria and the Near East. That is why today Beirut is
the cultural metropolis of Syria, and the most congenial citv in the
Near East for one with a cosmopolitan mind and a international
point cf view.
Beirut may be a colorless city, lacking the Oriental glamour of
Damascus , it may be even a city without a soul, but it is a city with
a big and receptive heart!
A PRECOCIOUS ARAB CHILD
THE uncanny precocity of Ar-Rakkadh, when still four-year's old,
reached the hearing of Haroun i\.l-Raschid who commanded that
he be brought before him. As reported by contemporary Arab
chroniclers the conversation ran as follows:
Al-Raschid: "What would you have as my gift to you?"
Boy Prodigy: "Your valued counsel, as with it I would gain
the blessings of both this earth and the hereafter."
Al-Raschid: (After having ordered a pile of gold pieces and
a pile of silver pieces to be placed before the child) "Choose that
which you value most."
Boy Prodigy: "I value most the condescension of the Prince
of the Faithful, but since it is his command, I shall choose these",
and he grabbed at the gold pile.
The great caliph was extremely pleased and amused, and ordered that the boy be included in his household.
�.-<*&
OCTOBER, 1931
11
News and Views
By A STAFF OBSERVER
CHILD MARRIAGES
fcN AMERICAN woman missionary in Arabia was reported in
the daily papers of Sept. 28 as having told a congregation of the
Ketormed Church that child marriages form the chief problem with
which the Christian educator of girls in Arabia must contend "It
is not at all unusual," she was quoted as saving, "for the school
routine to be disrupted by the appearance of'an angry husband of
twenty-five m search of his 10-year old wife."
Equally interesting and significant was the statement in the
following paragraph of the report that the American missionary
lady in question "had organized one of the two girls' schools operated by the Reformed Church in Arabia and has seen it -row
from a venture begun on a capital of $35, with a student body of
nine, to a flourishing institution."
The purpose of the missionary lady is obvious and it would
appear futile to comment on it. She was drawing a picture of social conditions that would appeal to the Christian spirit of the sponsors of her project—those who hold the purse-strings. For had it
not been for such representations how could she have developed a
flourishing institution out of a venture whose initial capital was $35*
One may also venture the opinion that the Christian lady did not
tell her audience anything that would reflect the brighter side of
her missionary field. Otherwise they would cease to be interested
in contributing towards civilizing a savage people!
Oddly enough there was published, also in the metropolitan
press, and almost simultaneously, a report by Rev. Thomas A. Little
of H onkers, N.Y., wherein the assertion is made that "of 261 child
marriages in New York City forty-one -were married before they
reached the age of eleven years" The learned divine leaves no
room for ambiguity. The children were still ten years' old.
There were other important statements in the report of the
Rev. Little which indicate the urgent need for the application of
�12
THE SYRIAN WORLD
some missionary, zeal right here at home. "In some of the homes
I have visited," he asserted, "mothers of school children living in
close proximity to churches of all denominations have actually confessed their total ignorance of prayer, saying that they had never
heard of it before, and in these United States there are 28,000,000
boys and girls without any church affiliations."
This reminds the writer of having read some few years ago
of an American missionary who returned from China to preach in
New York "because the need here was much more urgent." Other
missionaries in different fields, including Syria, might do well to follow his example.
And speaking of Syria, there was perhaps no more wholesome
move than that of changing the name of the Syrian Protestant College to that of the American University of Beirut and severing the
management from missionary connections. President Bayard Dodge
proved himself a man of true wisdom and foresight by effecting
this change. Now whenever the University appeals for funds in
America it does so on the plain representation of helping the cause
cf education and none other. It has intrenched itself more strongly in the hearts of the Syrians by these methods.
The subjects of social and marital relations as they exist here
and abroad is rich field for comment, especially where the American
missionary lady refers to the twenty-five year old Arab husband
who comes to claim his ten-year old wife. She naturally wants to
infer that the disparity in age between husband and wife is such as
to be unheard of except in extremely so-called backward countries.
But she and her gullible audience fail to take into account rhe many
so-called "daddies" in America and Europe who look upon age only
as an imaginary line. Also our return to "paganism" is probably
something unheard of by the good Christian American missionary
lady. No, we here are perfect and the people of the lands where
civilization flourished when Europe was in darkness and America
had not yet been discovered are all savages! But of this more
later.
STARVATION IN THE U.S.A.
^PEAKING of misrepresentation, misinformation, misapplication
- -- and all - the other "mis-es" of similar termination that have in
them not only the elements of comedy but border on the ridiculous.
�OCTOBER, 1931
A certain correspondent in Syria wrote to ask lately whether it was
true that one thousand persons died in the United States every day
of starvation and whether the United States had gone bankrupt
because the Bank of United States was forced to dose its door's!
We who live ,n the United States make light of such rumors because we know how far they are from being true. But can we not
see how people abroad take them seriously and believe them?
I he same should hold true of exaggerated reports reaching us
from abroad. We hear of a great deal of distress and misery in
Syria; we hear that a rape or murder was committed; we hear that a
child was abducted and we conclude that the population is in danger of extermination or that it is lawless, savage and degenerate. The
trouble R that we are misinformed and the parties circulating such
reports are e,ther ignorant or deliberately malignant. We have no
more nght to accuse all the people of France of being cruel and
murderous because one Frenchman committed a ghastly murder by
cutting the body of his victim and shipping it by express in a trunk
than to form a similar opinion of the people of the United States,
or of the people of Chicago, for that matter, because one gang lined
up some members of a rival gang against a wall and riddled them
with machine guns. It is possible for such things to happen anywhere, anytime but it is a form of stupidity, indeed, to take singular instances of this nature as the standard of conduct of a whole
people.
Syrians themselves are not free from blame in spreading false
information and impressions about their country and people Therare some among them who capitalize on the ignorance of the American public to the detriment of their own kind. They go about
masquerading as actors of Biblical scenes and dress in'outlandish
styles which they represent as the accepted form of dress in their
country .Some of them go to the extent of portraying Syrian home
life as being very primitive and crude, citing the one 'illustration
that Syrians use the,,- fingers in lieu of forks and spoons in break
ing their fast, but no attempt is made to give an authentic inter
pretation of the custom. The deduction is that Syrians who still use
such crude methods of eating are benighted, to use a mild term ' '
There ,s another phase of the story,- A professor from one of
the principal. American universities who had spent considerable time
m; Syria,, together. With .a..Syrian" professor who is also cormect-d
with another of the principal universities, were guests on Vcertain
occasion at this writer's house. Be it said to the credit of the guests
that they felt completely at home and sat on the floor and partook of
�<*=*»«
14
THE SYRIAN WORLD
food with their fingers, with the ready explanation that they could
get more relaxation by stretching their limbs on rugs upon the floor,
while eating with their hands, using the native thin, pliable Syrian
bread, was more hygienic than the use of knives and forks and much
more delightful. There was no question of one being savage simply because he was natural.
There is a whole world between the two points of view.
UM KALTHOUM IN SYRIA
IJM! What a great time Um Kalthoum must have had during
the few weeks she spent in Syria this last summer. She created
a near-riot wherever she appeared in Damascus, Beirut or Aleppo.
She certainly proved herself popular and, incidentally, proved many
other things that were least suspected.
And, who is this Um Kalthoum? She is the Nightingale of
Egypt, a girl still in her early twenties who was discovered but a
few seasons ago. She is said to have been an itinerant singer who
performed anywhere, anytime, for a pittance. Now, she is the
singer par excellence of the Arabicspeaking world.
An enterprising impresario of Beirut induced her to visit Syria this summer under contract for twelve concerts. Yes, induced
is right, for he is said to have had considerable difficulty in persuading her to sign on the dotted line for twelve hundred pounds for
each concert. Lest we create a false impression, we hasten to specify that the sum is in Syrian pounds, and not Sterling. Nevertheless
the twelve hundred Syrian pounds mean the round sum of 1,000
good American dollars. Not so bad for one night, on a contract of
twelve nights.
What occured exceeded the impresario's wildest expectations.
There was a scramble for tickets in Beirut at one, two and three
pounds for the pasteboards, and there was a riot over them in Damascus. In the latter city the police were called in order to prevent
the mad admirers of the Egyptian singer from storming the theatre, and the streets leading to the theatre had to be roped off for
several blocks around. There was a faint protest from the conservative Moslem element against such "degrading influences,"
but their protest had the chance of a whisper against a gale. The
Damascenes simply went mad over Um Kalthoum, and in order to
accomodate all classes of her admirers a special concert was set a-
�OCTOBER, 1931
15
side for the Moslem ladies who are prohibited by custom from
mingling with men at any form of public entertainment.
Surely Urn Kalthoum proved her popularity. Also she proved
that the Syrians are a music-loving public. Also that they seem,
somehow, to find the money to gratify such expensive tastes
WHEN MAYOR MEETS KING
\^HEN our jovial and debonair mayor of New York, His Honor
James J. Walker, was visiting in Nice and creating fashions in
men s berets and multi-colored sweaters and trousers, another distiguished personage was to visit the famous French resort and the
two were expected to meet. The other visitor was His Majesty
King freisal of Iraq, hero of Lawrence's "Revolt in the Desert."
T ne tWain
AX7
°f distinguished personages of the East and the
J ,
West did not meet. Kipling's famous dictum had to be justified
-But this is not our point.
Press dispatches at the time reported our mayor as bewailing
that he did not know anything about Iraq. Before meeting its
king confines the report, the mayor of the Empire City of the Empire State of the United States had to beget himself to some sources
ot information so as to glean sufficient knowledge that would enable him to engage in intelligent conversation with the king.
This is not unusual, and even a mayor should not be held to
task for his apparent ignorance of geography. Does anvone recall
the incident of one of our Secretaries of State issuing an invitation to
the bwiss navy for participation in a pageant in American waters?
I he fact is "we" Americans feel too self-contained and selfsufficient, an attitude which cannot fail to reflect on the so-called
small racial groups in America who suffer from this lack of understanding, or shall we say lack of interest. Syrians in this respect do
not fare any better than others, if not worse. One can find any number of high-school and even college graduates who cannot locate
fcyna, some confusing it with Assyria and others making a wild guess
that it is somewhere in Africa.
But the fault is not all theirs. It is incumbent upon Syrians to
educate the American public 3S to their history, their rulture and
fine traditions, that they may be more respected through this diffusion qf proper and sorely needed knowledge.
�16
THE SYRIAN WORLD
BARBARA YOUXG,
Editor
Poetry is wisdom that enchants the heart;
Wisdom is poetry that sings in the mind;
- If we can enchant man's mind and at the same
time sing in his heart,
Then he will in truth live in the shadow of God."
Ka'hlil Gibran
^HEN Lord Bryce first came to these shores thirty years ago,
as ambassador from England, a gentleman,of the press asked him,
among other questions, this question: "What in your opinion, is the
outstanding need of the American people?" And without a moment's
hesitation the great man replied, "Poets."
If Lord Bryce had-been sent as ambassador to an Eastern land
he would have, perforce, made a different answer, for the East is
peopled with poets. Their poetry is expressed not only through the
medium of the pen; it permeates every sentence of their daily living.
In the West we make a gesture of assistance with the words, "Let
me help you." The Arabic world says "I would serve you with my
eyes." The grandfather, speaking of his beloved daughter's child
calls her "my heart which goes before.me." When wine is spilled
there is no exclamation of dismay, rather a smile and the words "And
for the table also a- port-ion of your generous cup."
A few weeks ago a poet of my acquaintance was dining with
one of the governors of perhaps the most powerful financial enter
pnse in America, and-the poet asked,_"What is your solution for the
dikmma which confronts-us and the world?" He replied, "I have
none. What is yours?" "You are laughing at me," she saicj. "No,"
he answered. "I am not laughing. If the poets do not come to our
aid now, then may God help us all."
�OCTOBER, 1931
17
Here is something to think upon. Is poetry made and read and
sung for beauty's sake alone? Is it solely a literary and not a living
force? If martial music carries the weary and homesick soldier-boy
into the battle with head high, may not poetry refresh and renew
the courage of the beaten and the disillusioned in the day's debacle?
The answer is, it can and it does. I have seen it work not once but
countless times.
The spiritual health of a nation is not maintained by one man
or by any group of men, but by the esprit de corps. It might be an
extremely interesting and salutary experiment to try lifting the
thought-life of the whole people into another world, the world that
the greatest of the poets have inhabited and revealed.
There is in the Arabic tongue and in the English—the two
languages in which readers of this magazine are peculiarly interested
—a wealth of poetry that should make any man lift his head and
look out upon the world with a new vision and a heightened purpose.
It is our hope that through these pages we may be able to remind
ourselves of some of the forthright poetry that we have forgotten
in the midst of the tumult and clamor.
Here is one; the word of a fine poet, a great naturalist, and a
person with whom an hour of talk and laughter and reading was
an event that does not pass from the memory.
Waiting
gERENE I fold my hands and wait,
Nor care for wind, nor tide, nor sea;
I rave no more 'gainst time nor fate,
For lo, my own shall come to me.
I stay my haste, I make delays,
For what avails this eager pace?
I stand amid the eternal ways
And what is mine shall know my face.
Asleep, awake, by night or day,
The friends I seek are seeking me.
No wind can drive my bark astray
Nor change the tide of destiny.
�pfc-J
18
THE SYRIAN WORLD
What matter if I stand alone?
I wait with joy the coming years.
My heart shall reap what it has sown,
And garner up its fruit of tears.
The waters know their own, and draw
The brook that springs from yonder heights,
So flows the good with equal law
Unto the soul of pure delights.
Yon floweret nodding in the wind
Is ready plighted to the bee.
And maiden, why that look unkind?
For lo, thy lover seeketh thee.
The stars come nightly to the sky,
The tidal wave unto the sea,
Nor time, nor space, nor deep, nor high
Shall keep my own away from me.
John Burroughs.
gAID a young English poet to a young American poet in my presence the other day, "True poetry is lyric. Vers libre is not true
poetry. To which the other replied, "Vers libre is probably the
only true poetry."
Perhaps the first assertion of our English friend was sufficient.
I rue poetry is lyric." For certainly the free verse form is lyricit lyric means singing—as are the waves and the wind and the rain
from which it is patterned. And though these cannot be scanned
and measured beat to balance beat, as the seasons, and day and night
and the swinging of the planets can be scanned and measured yet
their various and veritable singing is unquestionable.
Poetry has chiefly to do with beauty. If it has not then it is
not poetry. And we do not mean that it shall always be agreeable
and pleasant to the taste. It may be, and indeed it often is terrible
in its beauty, merciless and intolerable, but it may never be uglv nor
vulgar nor commonplace.
Another concern of poetry is singing. If it is not singing it is
not poetry. It may be brilliant and glittering with characterisation
and narrative; it may be delighful satire; it may tease the mind with
'T
..I.J.II HJlljllll
�OCTOBER, 1931
19
subtleties or vex the spirit with vague anachronisms or with an
amazement of technique, but these things have nothing to do with
poetry. There must be singing or it is all an outcast from the magic
circle.
Vers libre has been treated by many poets and their critics as
a stepchild, and it is not a stepchild. It is one of the two true children of the Muse. To be sure, there are miles of so-called free
verse that have no claim to the divine maternity. But no listener with
a real sense of rhythm, certainly no poet who lives and breathes
rhythm, can be deceived for a single moment. Perhaps many makers
of free verse, and surely most of the readers, do not listen at all,
they merely look. And that will not do. Poetry is not for the eyes
but for the ears.
But the fundamental reason why there is so little fine free
verse to be found in our contemporary poetry is that it is perhaps
the most subtle and exacting form to execute successfully. It must
swing, it must beat, it must make its music throughout the changefulness of its varying measure even as the tempest or the whisper
of the leaves make their music. Vers libre is the captured song of
the free elements of air and water.
What we have long been accustomed to regard as lyric is the
song with the evenly recurrent line and rhyme, and this is without
doubt the form in which, for the most part, the masters of the
golden word, in both the Arabic and the English, have spoken to us
out of the past. It is a form with infinite possibility of variations,
and will never lose its almost sensuous enchantment. It is the medium for the finer musical nuances. It penetrates and shakes the
heart with its persistent return to the same chord or half-chord and
its white economy of magic words, for it may never be prodigal as
its free verse brother may sometimes be. And in a peculiar fashion
entirely its own the rhymed lyric invests the soul with the assurance
of worlds beyond this world, formed as it is in the likeness of the
spheral music.
We have said the soul, not the mind, for pure poetry has little
to do with the intellect. A great poet said once, speaking of a little
poet—and the great poet was Gibran—"judge his work leniently,
remembering that it was all written from above his eyes." It was.
There was hardly a heart-beat in it all. Poetry is of and for the
emotion of living.
The function of the poet is not to instruct, nor to divert, nor
to persuade, though he may perhaps do all of these things frequently and incidentally. The function of the poet is to recall for-
�20
THE SYRIAN WORLD
gotten loveliness, to recapture the wonder and delight that were
from the beginning, and to restore the freshness to Beauty's garment
and the heavenliness to her voice; it is to pour the wine that shall
exalt the spirit. For this the poet sings and has always sung.
The Poetry of the Days
By
HARYOT HOLT DEY.
*
fRULY I do see poetry everywhere, everywhere where love and
joy and order and beauty exist. I see poetry in Luella Borgonia
the little growing plant brought to me by a poet one night not long
ago. I even see poetry in the color and orderliness of the teacups
and in the peaceful movement of an old lady's rocking-chair—an
old lady who feels young and pretends she thinks she is old, pretends
lest some call her names and reveal the secret first. Thus the pretending is a mere defense. I even feel poetry when the canary from
China, Mr. Caruso, sings the song of a new day at six in the morning, and joyfully defies us to sleep another wink. I see poetry in the
food Iseason with love. I feel poetry in the gift of a bag of sea-salt
—the salt of the earth—brought to me by a loving friend.
It's wondrous where poetry can be found even without looking
ior it. I see it in the faithfulness with which the people I know
meet their daily tasks. I feel poetry in all affirmative thoughts of
those who appreciate and put their thoughts on paper. I sense it in
the eyes of all my sons and daughters—my sons from the North
and my daughters from afar. Every dav I receive a love-letter
rrom somebody, sometimes in verse, usually in prose that is too
modest to line itself up with free verse.
I saw poetry yesterday when the young Italian painter who was
renovating for me, gave my Winifred a pressed flower, taking it
gravely from his wallet, telling her it is edelweiss and came from the
Alps and was difficult, to find and gather. Real poetry! Both young
contemporaries, recognizing the bond of youth, sunshine and poetry
and prophesy in both faces.
*
Haryot Holt Dey is a prominent figure in the American literary'world'
She was-for ten years president of the Women's Press Club of New York
W
Id" Ee/tm£!SSage
t0 the firSt JSSUe
°f
the P etry S6Cti0n
°
of the
Svrian
�OCTOBER, 1931
21
Real poetry—it is in all longing for the unattainable, the longing to make a poem, to paint a picture, and so, as none of these
things are mine as self-expression, I can only paint the days for
my friends So it's an old lady, a painter of days in an arm chair, a
gay old lady who is free, and grateful for the great blessing of
loving friends, especially of the poets. When a poet raps on my
door, then I know that sometime, somehow, somewhere I must have
done something right!
Is Poetry a Business?
pOR the benefit of some who seem not to have discovered the
answer to this question, even though they sit in what the smartest litterateurs call high places, let us assert crisply and without
quaincation, it is not.
Being inoculated with the insidious germ of chronic cleverness
and drowsing around in a fever of vernacularia, certain gentlemen
of the quill and shears would spread the uneasiness of their ailment
to the healthy and hearty-minded.
Mr. Mencken of the Mercury approaches poetry with a squint
and a chortle. He says the poets can no longer "make a crop" though
"time was when they did a brisk business." He asserts that the "American people are naturally poetic, as Rotary and Kiwanis so brilliantly demonstrate." He says that today nothing is offered (by the
poets) that they (the American people) can get their teeth into." He
proceeds, "one no longer hears that a certain poem is either swell
stuff or dreadful rubbish, as the case may be."
And there is more, all in the vein of in-humorous wisecrackery
that we expect, and get, from college freshmen. This method of
comment upon literary output should have long since fallen into
Mr. Cleveland's "innocuous desuetude," and has, in most mature
circles where it was found to be anything but a decoration.
It is altogether likely that Mr. Mencken cares nothing at all
for poetry, and comprehends it less; a silk purse is not woven from
hempen threads.
For the enlightenment of the Menckens then, let us repeat:
Poetry is not a business, and it is not a commodity. It is an ancient
and honorable art that antedated the first sneer and will outlive the
last scoffer. And it has not gone to pot, neither in the West where
it grows silently in the night, nor in the East where it was born;
�wmamsmmutmm
22
THE SYRIAN WORLD
C
nor will it, in spite of the truth in the statement that "most of the
sjtutt that makes the bottoms of the magazines pages is . . .baffling."
I his is the affair of the editors, not the poets.
Dignity and beauty live still in the sonnet and the lyric of
twentieth century poets even as they have lived in the poetry of all
ages, and clarity and simplicity still garment their expression. But
the names that are most shouted in the marketplace are the names
of the rhymsters and of clever artificers of words, not of the veritable poets. Sidney Lanier, a prince of song, once said, half a hundred years ago, "Art has no enemy so relentless as cleverness." And
every artist has learned this well, and has learned also to take the
dose without a grimace, even with relish, and with perhaps an occasional retort, for the fun of it. Which is what we are doing here.
Lute-Strings
Poets' dreams are crystals
That shine in the gloom, like stars.
* * *
My soul is like the sea-foam
That lives in evanescence.
"p
*T*
*f*
Yonder lofty star is my guardian angel
Who fills my path with light.
Let
Thai
The
The
Keej
Whe
For
* * *
The poet lingers near the sea
To hear the echo of his song.
* * *
Fir trees are nuns
Who live in silence.
Its t
1
And
1
Eartl
* * *
The flowers weep softly into sleep
And waken with tears still in their eyes.
Najla Sabe
j
And
May
And i
The
r
May
t:
* ".:;
�:he
-v w
OCTOBER, 1931
23
Current Poetry
A RIDE
You would have loved that wild wet Saturday
1
Lt,
.^f r°ad that ribb0ns our I"* valfey
Between stark sullen hills and bustling bay
The sun, with gray retreat and golden rally
Made war on roving cloud-banks in the sky
And wayside puddles mirrored the high battles
Scared rabbits bounded out as I sped by
Gray gulls cut vague arcs in the air and cattle
Stood numbly huddled in the chill green fields.
I drove up to the ridge above the ocean
Where fogs forever cling, and nothing shields
'
Yon ir°Vte Wi.nd'S Unending moan a»d motion.
You would have hailed the men and women bent
w^ ^ ^tlCh°keS °n
aU
h ed
0
sl
°Pes
t0
^her,
draWing boxes
BeHnd
, Jbowed
"' to the blowing weather
—t
Ben nd, th
their r
heads
As I swept past the last steep little farm
The soft mist thickened to a milky drizzle,
ine wind rose to a note of weird alarm
And mountains bared bleak beauty through the mizzle
I though you rode then, thrilling by my Le
You would have loved that day of sun Ind showers
Of tingling living, when I took the ride
From town to cover your cold grave with flowers.
Lori Petri, in The Forge.
CIOSE TO THE EARTH
Of surer songs than a bird ever
Let the brown lark fly
sings—
That has wings to fly.
Songs
slow with the pulse at the root
The ant, the beetle,
of things.
The mole and I
Margaret Emerson Bailey
Keep close to the earth
Where we like to lie.
STRONGHOLD
For close to the earth a beetle may
We are prepared, my love and I,
trundle
For Winter by the tarn;
Its treasure below in a claw-clipped
I
put
a saffron wing away,
bundle;
And
she a spider's yarn.
And close to the earth an ant may
I put away a rack of oak,
funnel
And she a cruse of oil,
Earthworks in turrets the length of
That friendliness might be obliged
its tunnel;
With credit to the soil.
And close to the earth the secret mole
We
are prepared, my love and I,
May fit to its body its cool dark holeFor Winter on a hill;
And I, who have never a wish to climb
The sky with a lilt or a whistling I stored a theme of song, and she
~ root of daffodil.
rhyme,
Edwin Quarles
May stoop and listen and mark the
in The New York Times
time
in Harper's Magazine
�24
THE SYRIAN WORLD
OmJEORIGINAL
ARABIAN
TALES
TRANSLATIONS
THE CHOICE OF SU'AD
TOE day was of scorching heat. Not a breeze ruffled the leaves
of the trees or rippled the surface of the water. The fountains
in the vast courtyard of the caliph's palace played incessantly but
brought no apparent relief. The caliph was extremely depressed.
He nnally ordered that immediate preparations be made for departure to the outskirts of the city, where the open spaces might entice a little coolness. Presently, the whole court repaired to a garden
in Al-Ghouta where the caliph seated himself in an open pavillion
commanding at once a view of the verdant gardens of the great
oasis of Damascus and of the vast arid plains marking the beginning
of the Syrian desert.
Chancing to look in the distance, Muawiya, the caliph, saw a
bedouin in rags trudging his way painfully in the dust and heat of
the open road. He turned to those about him and exclaimed- "Can
there be among Allah's creatures one more deserving of pity than
he who has to travel about in such torrid heat?"
And some of his courtiers replied: "Perhaps he is seeking
the
6
Prince of the Faithful."
"If this be the case," said the caliph, "I shall not turn him
back empty-handed if he is in need, nor shall I turn a deaf ear to
his plea if he is seeking justice." He then commanded one of his
attendants to post himself at the gate ready to admit the bedouin if
he shoulds seek entry.
The bedouin was duly admitted and the caliph asked him of
his name, his tribe and his mission, to which he replied that he was
°r L ?Zra tn^ and had come from the heart of the desert to seek
thC Faithful ustice fr
?u ?Si £n,°e
J
°m his agent in Iraq, Mirwan
lbn El Hakam.
He related his grievance as follows:
"Know O Prince of the Faithful, that I had a wife by the
name of Su'adwho. was the light of my life. I was not rich but
comfortable. My livelihood was derived from a drove of camels
:«*-
�r
OCTOBER, 1931
SO
WAS IT A DILEMMA TO SU'AD?
Forced by her merciless father to leave h er poor bedoum husband;
!l
the ^ ^
marrhge l
°
tke G0Vern r
° > *»»** *&ent of
~*. f°Ugh! « thSi P'eSeme °f the cal'^h who hi
f covetsher anaI offers her to choose between him, his agent, or
her poor bedouin husband;
Whom do you think Su(ad chose?
which I tended with much care and devoted ail my earnings to the
suppor and comfort of the woman who was to me all that/ife was
worth Lvmg for But in a severe drought I lost my cam Is and a
my possessions. I was reduced to a condition of actual want and mv
former friends shunned me. Then it was that my father££r £
claimed me and separated me from my wife. I was desperatl and
appealed to your agent Mirwan for justice. Mirwan LZ££
m- aw denied even knowing me. I asked Mirwan to havclnm pro
in-law denied even knowing me. I asked Mirwan to have him pro
duce his daughter and question her as to whether my claimTo^er
being my wife was true or false. This Mirwan did%utTmmedi
ately he set eyes on her he turned against me and ordered me to
prison He then proposed that her father give her unto hm in con
^deration of one thousand dinars and ten thousand dirhams The"
father consented and Mirwan proceeded to force me to divorce her
ntS t0 bCat me
U
a11
SelTv
, ^to"^
P°"life.
« But
2Mirwan
5
cruelty unll
until lLTr
I had to grant the divorce
save my
kept me in prison until the elapse of the stipulated time necessary
for her to remarry, and when the nuptials were concluded hTrl
leased me and banished me from the city. -Now I am appealm/to
you in the hope that you will restore her to me anS vo
Y
name as the dispenser of justice to the Faithful "
The bedouin was so overcome with emotion that he fell nros
trate on the ground and began to writhe as if in great pain Muawiva
was beside himself, with anger at the action of his agent"'and foT h
with wrote out an order to Mkwan to^the^Ss^
�26
THE SYRIAN WORLD
despatch her to Damascus with his two trusted messengers, Al-Kumeit and Nasr Ibn Zibian, who were entrusted with fhe message
At the appointed time the messengers returned with the woman and reported that Mirwan had divorced her with great reluctance and to the accompaniment of much tears. His letter to the
caliph also bore witness to his deep affliction
"Mirwan has well proven his obedience," commented Muawiya despite his professed admiration for the bedouin woman."
He then ordered Su'ad brought before him.
If
1
23 ° u, °f th°Se instances when reason is totally overcome
by an indefinable pass.on that defies every attempt to control. Muawiya could not restrain his admiration for the woman of the desert
and inwardly excused his agent for having fallen victim to her
n*lf?f ^ TK
V35/ re^ation eve» to one who had almost
nali of the then civilized world at his feet
Having recovered from the effect of his first shock, Muawiya
thought to test the woman as to her intelligence. He questined her
on many subjects and found her to be of flashing mind and captivating speech. Her conquest of his heart was then complete
Muawiya ordered that her former husband be brought before
him and thus spoke to him:
"O brother Arab! Your love for Su'ad should inspire vou
with solicitude for her comfort and happiness. You admit that you
cannot adequately support her, while if you cede her to me I will
have her surrounded with all forms of luxury. In return, I will
award you three virgin slave-girls, and with each three thousand
dinars, and shall grant you, besides, an annuity from the public
treasury sufficient to maintain you in comfort for the rest of your
But no sooner did the bedouin hear this than he fell in a swoon
from which he was revived only with much difficultv. Still the
caliph was unrelenting. He pressed the bedouin for an answer.
O powerful caliph," he finally replied. "To you I have appealed from the injustice of your agent, but to whom can I appeal
my
nam"
Tyou
^^
^^
name TAUTTU
of Allah, I beseech
to return
my wife°»—«
to me, for ^he
I will
surely d,e without her. Allah forbid that in appealing to you from
the arbitrariness of Mirwan I should be as ifescaping W Z
heat of the sun to that of the fire."
At this Muawiya became visibly disappointed, but with ap~
parent calmness said to the bedouin, "You have admitted havbg
divorced Su'ad, so has Mirwan. Now she is free and mistress of
!l'
�i
OCTOBER, 1931
27
her own destiny. She shall make her own choice »
Ihen addressing the woman: "Between the three O Su'ad
whom do you choose: the Prince of the Faithful wfth hb pomp
and glory and power and great palaces; or Mirwan, a imple £££
insecure in his power and notorious for his cruelty; or hTbedTn
who^has nothing to offer you but the prospej'of X«YZ
anSWen This bed0uin
P
of
or the"F^lf^f"the i aithful although he be in rags, is" preferable to> °
me thane
any man of wealth and power. Want with him is better Aplenty
0t he
palaceT
haveHhad
;S ??*
^him
'° «
^£3
palaces. II have
happyT
days" with
and ^
he begrudged
me
not his means in his days of affluence. I could not, inlusdfe f
sake him now in his hour of need after all the proofs of eenume
g
solicitude and devotion he has shown me »
At this answer from Su'ad, disappointment in the heart of the
caliph gave way to a feeling of unbounded admiration "Take back
your wife," he said to the bedouin, "and may you be happy with her
ZTJ te\ n°U T aSSUr6d °f «* fullest P-tectioi?aPnd no ot
Yo 1 !", t l m°leSt y°U- N°r Sha11 y°u be in want any longer
^ou shall have more than the former number of your came s fnd
^Xl^C^wil1 insure you against wJ"
Arab Wisdom
A
C
^RTAIN Arab Prince held open court one day and asked to
a!ne
fth Se
absenA^abTe
A H the
,nep
^^ pr°Ceeded t0 belit^ an
aosent notable. And
Prince° remarked:
"I judge the amount of your shortcomings by the amount of
Said Ibn Al-Ward: "We have been told that Wisdom is divided in decimal numbers; nine of which consist of silence and the
tenth in evading the company of men."
I
�28
THE SYRIAN WORLD
HOME AND FAMILY*
BAHIA AL-MUSHEER,
Editor
TASTE IN FURNISHING A HOME
O^R primary or what should be our primary object in building
V
8
furmshin
g a home is to have a haven in which we
mJ Z Tu
a
f S me f th6Se But how man
S^lulV
?
° °
y ti^ do
we fall short of our goal! I propose in what follows to discuss Sjust
one of the many causes of our failure.
On the surface of t,^ may
£ve t due IJ
;S "^ 3S Str°nf " itS W6akest link> ^ c-not but
give it due consideration as one of many ingredients that go into the
2S6£:£rLet
me then
->this
time
—tLgnta°bohu:
Directly upon entering some houses, we feel creeping over us
a sensation of spiritual, mental and physical relaxation. ^Ifee
ourselves enveloped by. an atmosphere that rests the nerves and
U
t0 hear a w
wetmrbvTl
t fr*E
^ of?the—
^d
welcome by the air° itself.
The type
furniture, the size
number, nature and mode of disposition of the different pie es in S
lation to the size and shape of the room; the colors the background
d many other things combine to reate the sensations to
which I have just alluded. The chairs or couch in4e u to the r
bef re dr Pping int
thaftU
wiTieaafford
ffd;r
°
°amount of° comfort
»* one °^hem
that they will
the greatest
and im
mediately realize that they were meant and are for use ' WheV"
words we find such a home "homey" and feel immediately at ou
ease, even without the slightest effort on the part of the host
On the other hand, m other houses we find the reverse The
furniture may be costly, the appointments rich, but we sensTa stiff!
ness^.snobbishnjss, rf you -please, in the air which no amount of.
graciousness on the part of the host can dispel. We feelThafhere
�OCTOBER, 1931
ould be ]ooked
fere t ajEM t ,
29
- -*
someone's pet corn. I amVot
7\dS aS lf he is StePPing °n
attitude of the owner £*£tt£<f1 *" ^ ^ and
mtUre Selected and
^ay ,n which it is arranged for I kn
K
th
1 kn W some
' fo be the soul of kjjSm'Id Z >T
°
People
lengths to afford their gues pletu ° P ^^ ^° WiU ^ to
Y
mf rt Whose
was defeated because they faikd o
u° ° '
P^ose
f the choi
of furniture the thought Ldtudv if"' ^f""^ °
of show and exhibit^ sweeps heir LlT^ Somet^es a Jove
'fry feet completely, or a sense of f^
J"deement off its imagtneir poor opinion of^Sn&* side-tracks them, or
.
them
I fully appreciate thrfaaTr^ ^ kads
-**
Tha k
^r that! But there shouldlbItVaS,
mon sense when one is thinkiW of ll /
not w
7'
?
ertZ
to hire an int^2c:2\oT
» ^ Lord
corn-
amount of
°ithings-
Y U do
°
have lt fitted according to periodsmL
"^ y°Ur home> "or
make if coz and
ortable and livable. Whafwonld
[^
y
comf the hous
tquip, her kitchen with cake pan^fn " ft °
-ife who
desSert f
before she ever thinks ofpo sCd'dTsheff *£?."*
°rks
>*g at: the essentials are funSame
^ * What * am driv"
comfortable a chair or a LcltlZt ^^^ knows ^w
And every one can form 17' ?"C fltS or stretches on it
article by careful examma 0T te "^ ^^ °f ^ l these
comes the shape the color 1' c ,
essentials? Then
mine but not impossible
Le7° /
Thl$
".
more difficu]
t to deter-
LABAN AS INK REMOVER
I HAD heard somehow, that Laban was veryettectne
effrrtW
ink from rugs. I was sk-ent^l k
>
m remov ng
evening when /dropped a bot Je of T ^f®6*"* ""til the othef
on one of my rugs.
' °f mk' SPllhn§ half of its contents
I confess that hid T U^A
have ran for It bi , I LV S0.m=P«ented slain remover I would
a bowl of z£& Lel-St'^r^ l"****
"3
th e tnCk b
Ispread the £ A* generomlv over r h ',
,
««ifullv.
of *e rUg and wa/ed it 3te^^*^*ȣ
m
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
morning I was unable to discover any traces of the ink
with /TSe /'u StainS that haVe drkd> cover the stain generously
with,Laban and allow to remain from four to five hour!. Should
the stam not disappear completely after first application, repeat
HOW TO COOK VEGETABLES
THE term Vitamins has become a household term relegating the
caloriesto the dark, dark background. Take vegetables for example: We are told that in order to get the full benefit of vegetables they should be eaten raw-especiallv the leafv vegetables
Heat will destroy those valuable Vitamins
vegetables.
If we are to cook vegetables, we should use no water or as
little as possible. In other words they should be steamed AL,
we should utilize the juices that escape. These and many anofh
g
r
bOUt
which W£ wil1
to
feTto
^
**"?"
^^
to re
refer
to mlb:
in subsequent
issues.
But when I think of
all this I
marvel at the wisdom-perhaps it should be called instinct or ex
pediency-of our forbears in preparing their food. To his s de
of the subject I will again have occasion to refer. At presen I
want to pass along a little something that may prove worS le
When you prepare stuffed cabbage leaves, you LLrally parb0Tl fe
eaves m order for them to become pliable and easy too
m boding the leaves, use as little water as possible and save the
wa er to use in cooking the dish. By so doing vou will not onlv
utilize the better part of the cabbage and incorporate k in he n e
oared dish, but you wi 1 find marked improvement in t flavor Yet
by all means use garlic but be judicious about it. It willTmprove
the flavor of the dish and it is decidedly beneficial AnTwhln
cooked it is not so objectionable. Now that I have mentioned et
lie, I recall with a great deal of amusement the attitudT of ae~
a P eOPh
rdS
atdtude
H
T°r
* fcWit ^
*** How Afferent ifthd
attitude to
today.
They are *using
extensively
Even some of the preserved tomato cocktail that has taken the
country by storm recently, is flavored with it
' '
"'
.
'
V
.
�OCTOBER, 1931
31
The Mystery of Aornholt
A THRILLING
««rg««nffir«D
By
BRILLIANT
THOMAS ASA
( Continued from the September issue )
A
h!Shad ^^ ^ ^^
h
a
thC SW1SS m Untain Villa
°
R of seasoge of Aorn-
tiJ t iu0°z i^: nt^r^°
of nature seemed Tmme^Tn
a
&
77 ^ '
S
-'«*£-
*£* * *
V&St
'^s
heavy peace and quiet of the village annals
^^
Ine short acquaintance of the
Forsvths
«rl
i\/r
•
3
y
Madame de Challons had «*- :"e/
.and Monsieur and
tha C0 sa
ul
understanding met dnenedr
/. " "g ^ty of feeling and
fnendsh
endure Wr
?han would
would have
U
*been exnert-prl
'P th^ TU,
was favored
to
, '&cr rnan
i i .
not passd uneventfully for them 7Z
,peCted-. The week had
his charming wife were to £ ?' I ^\ ^^^ the artist and
Friday morning dawned ominously. Maitre Pierre
artist qSSSS.
"" "**"
to Ve tUre
"
whn
I kv
°Ut *** «"«," the
with another ^^'Ih^^TSd '" "' *" ^^
AS the fat, good-natured inn-keener utte »H fk;*
u
i
Prophesy, it fenced to snow with aSdenn^thtt'd"!
�.,..
32
THE SYRIAN WORLD
cheated the impending climax of the elements of winter. A sharp,
swi/ZfT
swittly tailing
Urtkd
0Ugh the VaIIe
bd0W
^
snow in t
furious lateral flurries
' «** the "0-
tone^H8 ^ Makrf PielrreJhas said>" the artist reflected in underb£ deCP in th U ht for a few
then
he addressed
^ S£eni the
u f°inn-keeper.
,
° &
moments;
then he
aVe dCJ
r SerVCd b my r00m aS Usual Pierr
and
wSTA
?Tto
>
e;»
and with
that he ascended
the second floor
About eleven o'clock, Monsieur de Challons again went below,
this time accompanied by his wife, who, quite in contrast with the
dvTs ZTf °UT ^,WlS f Ch6erful SPiHts: As th£y seated themaWe bef
the onlv M
T thC firCPlaCe> the artist ticed ^at
r
CCU
r
the Venerable
BenoT
wh sat
,°at
rnttable
S thC
°°m WaS occupied
Monsieur
Benoit who
the
he habitually
Phall
P ty
-
"He WH
to m; .r;
^C
P
°°r
gen tkman
,
'
Raoul
>" ^marked Madame de
a 0W
J .TrCe' ^landng comPa^onately
Y StlH nabl e t0 roceed
"
,
P
at the old man.
°" his journey. It is strange
&
«t m ^WS °f hlS Pllght has been sent to his daughter."
«,
. j'^ ?'erre t0ld me that Mo eur Benoit did not wish to
cause his daughter any unnecessary distress, as he expected to resume
his journey as soon as the weather breaks," explained the artist
watching the aged traveller with covert scrutiny
'
m w tl eagr ^ entered the eyeS °f de Challo"s
he continued
M nSieUr Bendt being aware of
whIT
UAT
,°
* HJ* nght hand,
which was hidden from view, grasped a kg of the table, and under
the flSr
PrCSSUre eXGrted thC hard knUckks almost burst
'
soon -fUS impr°bable that we wil1 ** anything of Captain Forsyth
o ll
I'' r COntinues>" ^e artist said to his wife, wishing
to maintain the conversation as a means of hiding his observation of
Monsieur Beno.t, who, in the meantime, had withdrawn a soiled
paper from his pocket, and which he now read with stolid impas?
siveness with the aid of oddly fashioned glasses
, "T^ W?d S^mS.t0 have died doWn somewhat, Raoul. It b
quite likely that Monsieur Forsyth will come as he promised, for
tte was very eager to see your canvas."
The silence in the large room was unbroken, save for their
subdued conversation At this stage, Maitre Pierre emerged from
h s prevision roam, where he had been taking inventory of his supni
forward.0^1^
ieur de Challons and hi wife he
*
>
-ent ^y
"Good morning, madame," he greeted, with a solicitous smile.
�;
OCTOBER, 1931
33
WHAT WAS THE MYSTERY?
Capt. Forsyth had no inkling as to the purpose of the
French artist de Challons. __ Nor did de Challons's charming
and gifted wife.
But de Challons had a purpose. How he succeeded in
it and how near he came to losing his life at the hands of a
desperate criminal is graphically told in this chapter
"It is very rough weather we are having for early winter."
«-m. "G°°d morning> Monsieur Pierre," madame greeted in return,
lhe weather is exceedingly bad, but I believe that the storm is
gradually abating."
"Ah! it is but a lull in a worse storm that is soon coming, madame, the inn-keeper ventured with conviction, being well aware
of the vicissitudes of mountain climate.
The amiable Pierre was recalled to the provision room by the
approach of Jean, who was assisting him with the inventory. As he
passed the bar-counter, he nodded to Monsieur Benoit, who however, failed to notice him.
As the proprietor disappeared from the room, Monsieur Benoit
replaced his glasses in a worn leather case and put the soiled paper
he had been reading back in his pocket. He then arose from the
chair, apparently with some difficulty, and walked slowly towards
the enclosed stairway, which he ascended with still more deliberate
steps.
Monsieur de Challons observed the withdrawal of the old
man w;th the closest attention. His wife, looking up, saw the acute
tension of his features.
"Is there something wrong, Raoul?"~she asked, with slight
misgivings clouding her face.
"Nothing, Charlotte,—nothing," her husband replied, forcing
a smile.
With the passage of ten minutes or more, the artist threw his
half-smoked cigarette away and arose from the table.
mm
�34
THE SYRIAN WORLD
There « a-little matter I must attend to, Charlotte," he said,
assuming a nonchalant tone of voice. "I shall be back in a few minutes, he added, as he left the table and ascended the stairway} to
the second floor.
Madame de Challons sat almost motionless, gazing reflectively
at the fire. Her husband's peculiar behavior had disturbed her
equanimity, especially as she could not account for it
As she mused, somewhat desultorily, the tavern door opened,
and much to her surprise and pleasure, the snow-covered figure of
Captain Forsyth entered the room.
"Good-morning, Monsieur Forsyth," she said, smiling in her
charming manner, «I see that you did not allow the inclement
weather to break your promise to come."
"Good-morning madame," Forsyth returned in his cheerful
h,sCb7>orr«M}g mmdA*asSnd
n 1;?,
ZZ
severe ?>'
f ,
and
*
J
W Uld
°
UJSter and brushin
^
"0t
let
set
&
some snow
from
°« seeing Monsieur de Challons'
the St rm st
°
°P me> no matter how
a
Please be seated, monsieur," Madame de Challons invited;
my husband just went to his room, but will be back shortly"
Captain Forsyth sat in the chair vacated by the artist and
chatted very pleasantly with Madame de Challons, who found in
ST£2ii£
husband considerable
'
his
•*« » «? -
by a ^cZv^^l^^^^^y is-?look^htrmfacee
Chall nS
°
~ ^^l *""
her
^
a Startled
wav-^W ^°fSieUr!r-She exc^m^ Parting towards the stairway, 1 fear that something terrible has happened!"
o-Captam Forsyth quickly followed her up the carpeted steps
very much puzzled by her abrupt departure *nd nervous utterance:
Madame de Challons almost ran down the corridor on the
second floor She opened thedoor of her husband's room, wh ch
ShelC?r?
^ ^ C?amb-She -*upied, and found it'empty.
.^dtc^of ferrWmg f"r and indeOSi0n at ^ F°^h' ^
A muffled noise issued from the room at the extreme end of the
wl°'d t nghL ,MadamC de €hall°nS' Z ?mS the -Pain's arm
walked hastily in that direction. Forsyth took hold of the door-knob
of the roomand turned it forcibly. The door was locked. Again a
soaping sound issued from the inside, this.time distinct- and sharp
\
�urn
OCTOBER, 1931
I
35
"He is in that room!" Madame de Challons cried excitedly,
her eyes dominant with fear.
Captain Forsyth again tried the door-knob, but finding this
means ineffective, he drew back and threw his tall form against the
door. It did not yield. He drew back once more, and then hurled
himself against it with tremendous force. The door gave way from
its solid hinges with a splintering crash. Forsyth almost fell to the
floor inside, but managed to maintain his balance with great effort.
There before him sprawled on the floor was Gaston Benoit, who
completely covered the body of De Challons, straining with terrible
intensity to force a gleaming stiletto towards the latter's throat.
Captain Forsyth leaped forward and seized hold of the artist's
adversary and jerked him roughly away. Benoit regained his feet,
and whirling about struck at Forsyth with the stiletto. The captain
ducked the furious thrust and then struck with all his might at his
opponent's jaw. The fist landed with an awful jar, and Benoit was
knocked senseless to the floor, the knife slipping from his nerveless
hand.
De Challons had instantly arisen from the floor, and nov
leaped towards the fallen man. From his pocket, he hastily withdrew steel handcuffs and shackled the hands of Benoit, who was still
unconscious.
During this scene, which did not consume more than two minutes, Madame de Challons leaned against the shattered door, almost
faint with terror. The artist got to her in time to catch her frrom
falling to the floor.
"There is my pistol near the bed, captain," De Challons said,
indicating with his finger where the pistol had fallen in his struggle
with Benoit. "Watch this man; he is a dangerous criminal," he
cautioned, as he turned towards his room, still supporting his
wife, who was slowly regaining consciousness.
As they passed through the open door of his bed-chamber,
Maitre Pierre and his assistant, Jean, suddenly appeared, both
greatly excited.
"What has happened, monsieur! what has happened?" the
proprietor questioned in an astonished voice, being considerably
winded by his run up the stairs.
"It is over now, Pierre. I shall explain later," the artist said
briefly, closing the, door in the inn-keeper's face.
De Challons laid his wife on the bed. In a few seconds she
opened her eyes, and looked up dazedly in her husband's anxious
face:
�36
THE SYRIAN WORLD
"Gome come, Charlotte," he said, with great relief, gently
chafing her hands. "There is no cause for further worry."
As silent tears came from deep emotion, his wife flung her
arms passionately about his neck and drew him to her.
At the sight of her distress, the artist was almost unnerved,
but succeeded, after a few minutes, in calming her so that she sat
upnght on the bed, her arms still clasped tightly about him.
l
Be brave, Charlotte," he entreated tenderly, kissing her quivering l,ps repeatedly. "I must go to the assistance of Captain Forsyth ,who,s waiting for me. Remain here; I shall return soon."
De Cha Ions left the chamber, closing the door after him.
He entered the room that was occupied by Benoit, who was now a
state prisoner. He could not resist an amused smile at the bewildered
stare with which captain Forsyth greeted him. Maitre Pierre and his
assistant were kneeling on the floor beside Benoit, who had not yei
completely recovered from the paralyzing blow
i i^T a ,W°rd' De Challons took the pistol that Captain Forsyth handed to him. He replaced it in his pocket, and then clasped
l< orsyth s hand and shook it warmly-.
"I thank you for your timely service, captain. Be sure it will
not soon be forgotten."
Still bewildered and, needless to say, humiliated because of
his attack on the aged Benoit, Forsyth was more puzzled than ever
at the feeling of gratitude the artist expressed.
"I see that you do not understand, captain," De Challons said,
smiling again. "The man you have so neatly put away is known to
he police department as Gaspard Roman, and he has merely added
to his distinguished list of aliases by conveniently calling himself
Gaston Benoit. He ,s wanted for brutal assault and for the theft
or a diamond necklace, a famous and extremely valuable heirloom
owned by the Countess Saliny of Paris and Monaco. I shall now
dispel the sentiment of shame you undoubtedly feel in having
struck
&
so elderly a man."
The artist took a few steps forward and suddenly bent over the
recumbent figure of Benoit, who was now regarding his captors with
sinister hostility. He seized several locks of the prisoner's disordered
hair and gave a quick jerk. The ingenious wig, for so it proved,
came off readily, exposing a closely shaven skull
Captain Forsyth started back in great surprise at this disclosure,
while Maitre Pierre and the youthful Jean almost fell over in their
astonishment.
With a faint smile still lingering on his lips, De Challons-felt
/
�OCTOBER, 1931
37
tX^IZ'^l^rr^ Cn'minal> and Mediately withdrew a hollow leather belt, in which the stolen necklace was verv
StoTeL
C nCealed
HC
ct
cord "Lt^the
^"^
thC bdt in
V6
7/hankfuVf /0U
- sta^ &£?££%! °
- ^ P«*et, 3 the!
Wil1 b
f tHe
g me some strong
***«* -—i ^
The boy hurriedly left the room, and in a few minutes re
turned wjth enough stout line to secure'several Romans
With Captain Forsyth's assistance, De Challons tied the nris
oner beyond a 1 hope of escape, and 'afterwards, fo greater""-"
cunty he was locked in the empty room across the hall
Maitre Pierre had watched these proceedings with extreme
££?£ KTdy!?VfrC°me Wkh the £« that for two weeksTr
more he had been sheltering a notorious criminal.
*• rfttroom. "^^
arm in a
Wkh Ca t3in Fo
P
the donr^KT ^ " f°me.nt' Captain>"
llCVe madamC
us beW'
" SUfficientI^
againfhim Umed * * ** "*"* "**
hJS
^ to the
the artist
said, opening
—d to accompany
re
^
who J
—d lightly
"Charlotte thank Captain Forsyth for saving me from a most
ignommous end," De Challons said in a bantering tone but m,a
voice that was not devoid of feeling.
'
"You have put us forever in your debt, monsieur » madame
said, with emotion not altogether controlled
Approaching Forsyth, who was considerably embarrased at
this continued show of gratitude, Madame de Chains ookfhis
s ightly swollen right hand, which had so suddenly ended the
^V'u- ?reSSf1 k Wkh illde^ble gentleness. 7
peted!tePs
^
""^ * preceded them do
the carThe three seated themselves at the faKI*. ««„ » J
ago. Maitre Pierre had by this titne «£ffi h«d
SSffiSj " ^ aPPrMChed *eir *"* his S wasV£*
"You have, I believe, Monsieur Pierre, some very rate Amon-
�38
THE SYRHNWORW.
tillado, which I should greatly enjoy at this moment," said the
artist, with his searching smile.
"Amontillado, monsieur!" the inn-keeper exclaimed in surprise, a deep flush suffusing his Boniface features. "Ah! monsieur
is undoubtedly joking," he said, feigning complete incredulity.
"Surely, my good Pierre, a native of Spain does not deny his
own vintage," continued De Challons, still smiling, and mildly
enjoying the confusion of the proprietor.
Wthout another word, the proprietor turned away and disappeared in his provision room. He returned shortly, carrying a
fantastically shaped bottle, which he wiped with a clean cloth.
"You are very discerning, monsieur," Maitre Pierre admitted,
addressing the artist, as he placed the bottle and glasses on the
table. "I was born in Andalusia, and spent my early manhood there,
and never quite lost my taste for this excellent wine," he added, in
explanation.
"You are no doubt regarding me in the light of an imposter,
captain," De Challons said, smilingly, after the inn-keeper had left
them.
"No, no, monsieur!" Forsyth protested, good humoredlyj "but
I confess that I am still greatly confused in my ignorance of the circumstances leading to Benoit's capture."
"I shall explain, then, my dear friend. You will pardon me
if I seemingly diverge from the explanation by taking you back some
ten years before I had the good fortune to meet my wife." He
bowed to madame, who blushed happily. "At that time, I pursued
with considerable fervor the profession of painting. I had already
exhibited in public with some success. It was during this period that
I became acquainted with Monsieur Armand Fillon, the present
prefect of the Parisian police, and about ten years my senior.
Through his friendship, I acquired unusual enthusiasm in the study
of criminology, and, by the gradual process of theoretical assimilation and active experience, became proficient in that branch of research. Thereafter, I was more or less officially employed as Monsieur Fillon's assistant, and gained a slight reputation as criminal
investigator. Now to return to the present occasion. Two weeks
before the robbery had taken place, madame and I decided to spend
a belated holiday in Lucerne. On the twentieth day of our stay
there, I was notified from Paris headquarters of the robbery, which,
for reasons of expediency, had not been given out to the press.
Through the activity of the police, the man who was suspected of
being responsible for the felony was forced to quit the city, and, a
\
�OCTOBER,-1931 i' AiVs
39
few days later; he was reported to have fled to this district and nos
ably in disguise. I was instructed to take up the searchSflSnS nt
After travelling for almost a week though Sl^U K£
neighboring Lucerne in the person of aif artist Z*ng"SSS?
my wlfe accompanying me, and, being ignorant of my que^s Teat y
^Xldi:\Hl narldiSf "^ ! Wa§ inf—dbyqa »E
thC mail
d PaSS£nge;
Sta^e^tS^
the
stranger
in th, tu
A
, ', Tthf
Presence ofTan unknown
nh0k
the ITJnll hI?f °/PPineSS
- °n ** Seei1^ this man> dunng
t0 make y Ur
Forsvth T w
? 5
° acquaintance, Captain
*orsyth, I was greatly disappointed,-Which (you remember mv re
mark) caused me to think him a suitable subject foTa canv7 be
cause, of the trouble he had unwittingly given me I waT^teH
o prolong my stay in Aornholt in the LoS^eTf yaur^SS^
company, knowing it would do no harm, and with the not remote
gUISe f tHiS
Benoit
S
oold me
H° the
, mistake
^Tthe
tooled
me. But
But he
he made
third day °ofI^AS
our stav here -
-, ^
generally, we do not associate teeth so well n »
01 his apparent,y a<Wd
P
^txrrv
^ Thrand0SeI de-v:
ion, irrelevant as it may seem, awakened my suspicions
r n,
r ;partt0ofPthrrafthiS ^M^ ^ ^obligin8ly
^
,eft tt
his
^ff^wte^r ^
to breikinto hie -
, r,
lhlS
&ave
me an
opportun ty
draet,the^e0sndriStake °/ kaVr hiS^- K nlyT "he
transparent glass shaped ovally to conform^'thefra ^H
to further verify my SUSpicionSi , found after JgJ^ *s '<
strands of hair here and there about the room-some on the pillow
which indicated that he presumably slept with the wig on fo S
itTTT
Jehe Wa5.skePi»g. "»* a few strandsVn the w^h
stand. Th. condition, as ,s well known, is unnatural, for grav hair
does not fall out very easily. I then quitted the chamber Sd „en
immediately below where my wife was waiting for me MoJeU
,o
my return and a ha]f h ;
Ssr
"ft?
t was 'through a slight neclimwri,
»~ "
lie ascended to the second floor. It
on the part of Maitre Pierre's assistant that I was enabW f get
co„dus,ve evtdence against Gaston Benoit. Going over to the talk
�BBS-
40
THE SYRIAN WORLD
that Benoit had just left, I noticed, after a close but hurried examination, the distinct imprint of the thumb and forefinger of the
right hand. The impression was preserved in a small space of dust
near the edge of the table. The thumb mark, easily distinguished
by a rough scar on the ball, corresponded exactly with the thumb
print incautiously left at the scene of the robbery. This fortunate
discovery made further investigation unnecessary, and—well, it is
needless that I recount what little remains to be told, for you'were
very much concerned with it, captain."
Monsieur de Challons had given this detailed explanation without an interruption, and now leaned back in his chair with complete
relaxation..
Madame de Challons regarded her husband with eyes filled
with commingled pride and relief. Captain Forsyth had listened to
-De Challons' account with the closest attention.
"But, monsieur, you were certain of the man's identity! Why,
then, was he not apprehended in the customary way?" questioned
Forsyth, with a puzzled expression on his face.
T at WaS the dis ustin
TA ^" n
S
g Part of the whole matter, captain,"
De Challons answered, shrugging his shoulders. "Before I entered
his room I drew my pistol. Fortunately, the door was unlocked
Turning the knob noiselessly I threw the door open and leaped
inside. Benoit was so completely surprised by my abrupt entrance
that I had him covered with the pistol before he could turn around
I then locked the door for greater caution. Benoit realized by my
decisive manner that continued subterfuge would be futile. He
pretended to be overcome with dejection and fear. Drawing up to
him I began to search his pockets for concealed weapons. I was
deluded with this weak resistance j my attention lagged for a second
and that period, brief as it was, proved costly. In some inexplicable
way, and quite in keeping with the craft of his profession, he knocked
the pistol from my hand and threw himself violently against me
Losing my balance I fell to the floor with him on top. I was slightly
stunned by the fall, but I recovered in time to perceive that he had
drawn a stiletto. Exerting myself to the utmost, I caught his arm
as it descended with the blade pointed at my throat. I do not know
how long this position lasted, but I shall always remember the
terrible tension of the moment."
Madame de Challons visibly paled at the conclusion of the
recital.
"Why did you not shout for assistance, monsieur?" Captain
Forsyth asked.
/
�OCTOBER, 1931
41
"I had no thought of that, captain," was the somewhat laconic
answer from De Challons.
"Even at the point of death this man did not falter in the
stern regimen of the police," mused Forsyth inaudibly, his admiration for the artist-detective increasing boundlessly.
Early the following morning De Challons dispatched a messenger to the nearest large town southeast of Aornholt. Late that
afternoon the messenger returned, being accompanied by two specially commisioned gendarmes from the Canton of St. Gallen, who
immediately placed themselves under Monsieur de Challons' orders.
An hour later found the officers on their way back with the prisoner,
—Gaspard Roman, alias Monsieur Gaston Benoit.
A month later, Captain Geoffry Forsyth stood gazing reflectively through a window of his London apartment in Westminster
which overlooked Hyde Park. The sudden ringing of the bell at
the outer door recalled him from his reverie. Walking over, he
opened it, and confronted the smiling visage of a delivery boy from
the express office. He signed for the package that was handed to
him, and then closed the door. The package, which was large, but
quite light, and very carefully boxed, bore the postmark of Paris.
He loosened the top strips of wood and slowly removed the thick
paper and pasteboard covering with which it was wrapped. An extremely beautiful painting framed in handsome walnut, depicting
mountain scenery in a representation of winter solitude, lay before
him. A small white card was conspicuously wedged in a corner of
the frame, and picking it up he read, with considerable surprise and
pleasure, this legend:
To my esteemed friend,
Captain Geoffrey Forsyth
Raoul De Challons
VISITANT
By
NADA SABIRAH
The son of Beauty came
And where he walked
There is a path of light
Upon earth's floor.
There is a shining circle
Where he knocked
On earth's green door.
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
that Benoit had just left, I noticed, after a close but hurried examination the distinct imprint of the thumb and forefinger of the
right hand The impression was preserved in a small space of dust
near the edge of the table. The thumb mark, easily distinguished
by a rough scar on the ball, corresponded exactly with the thumb
print incautiously left at the scene of the robbery. This fortunate
discovery made further investigation unnecessary, and—well, it is
needless that I recount what little remains to be told, for you were
very much concerned with it, captain."
Monsieur de Challons had given this detailed explanation withreUlaxa1tionnte^rUPtl0n, ^ "°W ^^ ***
in his
°hair
with com lete
P
Madame de Challons regarded her husband with eyes filled
with commingled pride and relief. Captain Forsyth had listened to
JJe Challons' account with the closest attention.
"But, monsieur, you were certain of the man's identity! Why
then, was he not apprehended in the customary way?" questioned
forsyth, with a puzzled expression on his face.
r» r7n3t WaS the djsgusting Pa* of the whole matter, captain,"
De Challons answered, shrugging his shoulders. "Before I entered
his room I drew my pistol Fortunately, the door was unlocked,
lurnmg the knob noiselessly I threw the door open and leaped
ri! t l\ AT' ^ S(\ComPletely prised by my abrupt entrance
that I had him covered with the pistol before he could turn around.
l then locked the door for greater caution. Benoit realized bv mv
decisive manner that continued subterfuge would be futile" He
pretended to be overcome with dejection and fear. Drawing'up to
him I began to search his pockets for concealed weapons. I was
deluded with this weak resistance; my attention lagged for a second,
and that period, brief as it was, proved costly. In some inexplicable
way, and quite in keeping with the craft of his profession, he knocked
the pistol from my hand and threw himself violently against me
Losing my balance I fell to the floor with him on top. I was slightlv
stunned by the fall, but I recovered in time to perceive that he had
drawn a stiletto. Exerting myself to the utmost, I caught his arm
as it descended with the blade pointed at my throat. I do not know
how long this position lasted, but I shall always remember the
terrible tension of the moment."
Madame de Challons visibly paled at the conclusion of the
recital.
ForsyZkeA11
y U
°
"0t
Sh Ut f r aSSiSta Ce
°
°
" -
<
?" Captain
�'"
OCTOBER, 1931
41
"I had no thought of that, captain," was the somewhat laconic
answer from De Challons.
"Even at the point of death this man did not falter in the
stern regimen of the police," mused Forsyth inaudibly, his admiration for the artist-detective increasing boundlessly.
Early the following morning De Challons dispatched a messenger to the nearest large town southeast of Aornholt. Late that
afternoon the messenger returned, being accompanied by two specially commisioned gendarmes from the Canton of St. Gallen, who
immediately placed themselves under Monsieur de Challons' orders.
An hour later found the officers on their way back with the prisoner,
—Gaspard Roman, alias Monsieur Gaston Benoit.
A month later, Captain Geoffry Forsyth stood gazing reflectively through a window of his London apartment in Westminster
which overlooked Hyde Park. The sudden ringing of the bell at
the outer door recalled him from his reverie. Walking over, he
opened it, and confronted the smiling visage of a delivery boy from
the express office. He signed for the package that was handed to
him, and then closed the door. The package, which was large, but
quite light, and very carefully boxed, bore the postmark of Paris.
He loosened the top strips of wood and slowly removed the thick
paper and pasteboard covering with which it was wrapped. An extremely beautiful painting framed in handsome walnut, depicting
mountain scenery in a representation of winter solitude, lay before
him. A small white card was conspicuously wedged in a corner of
the frame, and picking it up he read, with considerable surprise and
pleasure, this legend:
To my esteemed friend,
Captain Geoffrey Forsyth
Raoul De Challons
VISITANT
By
NADA SABIRAH
The son of Beauty came
And where he walked
There is a path of light
Upon earth's floor.
There is a shining circle
Where he knocked
On earth's green door.
HH
�INTRODUCING A NEW DEPARTMENT
By A. HAKIM
'HE term "Younger Generation" is a relative one. One cannot
think of it without calling to mind the older generation of which
it is the offspring. Hence, obviously, the necessity of bearing in
mind the two when speaking of each. They are inseparable in all
treatment of social subjects and are more so here in the sense that I
believe this department of the SYRIAN WORLD is meant to cover. In other words, it is intended to treat of the Syrian home in
America insofar as it affects the relationship between parents and
children under the influence of radically different conditions which
the parents are forced to face and the children have to endure. It
is, indeed, a social problem of the first importance which exists nowhere in such virulent form as it does in the United States owing to
the flow of immigration and the necessity of moulding a homogeneous American nation out of heterogeneous elements that go into its
making. And the Syrians in America are perhaps more affected by
the operation of this amalgamation process than is any other race for
reasons that will be later explained.
For the editor of the SYRIAN WORLD to have invited me to conduct this department is both a compliment and a privilege, and both,
as I feel convinced, undeserved. The compliment is implied in the
assumption that I can properly treat this social problem with impartial analysis; the privilege, in the opportunity of addressing our
younger generation through the SYRIAN WORLD on what should be a
matter of concern to all of them. What a great privilege, indeed, to
realize that one could be instrumental in bringing a better understanding between bitterly opposed views; of restoring confidence
where there was suspicion; of mending relations that had been
mm
�OCTOBER, 1931
4S
foolishly broken through misunderstanding and ignorance; of keeping together a family union that was being threatened of falling apart; of substituting love for hate, understanding for mistrust and,
finally of bringing the two opposite camps—parents and children—
to the point of thinking out their problems in order to iron out their
differences.
The trouble with most of us is that we give little thought to
the study of the fundamental forces that go into the building of our
social structure. Perhaps it is the fault of the times. We are living
to the tempo of a world that is moving at a terrific speed. If we
stop for anything we are in fear of being left behind, and we fail to
stop even to think. It is a pitiable situation.
What I shall attempt to do in this department, if this meets
with the approval of the editor, is to survey our home life in America and analyze the forces that are agitating and affecting it, be that
constructively or otherwise. Every effort will be made to lay each
case in the most impartial spirit, in the hope of getting first to the
cause—diagnosing the symptoms—and then trying to discuss the
effect and prescribe whatever remedy would be possible. Readers
will please bear in mind that no claim of superior knowledge or infallibility is here advanced. The writer may be as wrong in his deductions as the individuals concerned in the presentation of the problem. What might be truthfully stated, however, is that this department will be conducted in a spirit of absolute fairness and with the
sole purpose of bringing better order to our fast disintegrating family life. This is an admission that the editor of this department feels
constrained to make at the outset as representing his honest and unshaken belief in the present condition of our home relations in America. Two opposing forces—two sets of diametrically different ethical conceptions and standards—are developing in our social order
which if not treated rationally and in time will threaten not only our
race entity but our individual happiness.
The subjects to be treated in this department will cover the
whole range of adult relationship, whether between the younger
generation and their parents or between the younger generation
themselves. Courtship and marriage will be given the fullest consideration.
And may it also be here stated that the editor of this department is not of the so-called younger generation. But although he
has reached certain convictions on our social problems which he will
gradually discuss, he will entertain whatever objections to his views
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
mrtmenfCn ^ ^ "^ and giVe them Publicity in this very dewlfh the 'eH-r001"^^6 Wth the tCrmS °f an understanding reache,
fo um wher?1" 0t th£ magazine- The obJect is to create an open
vaZs nrohl °Ur TTu- genfation could meet to discuss their
indeed is a Valuable
IhouMhjfl
A And tHlS
'
should be taken advantage
ofi to the fullest
extent opportunity that
Let us hope some good will develop from this effort
Reflections on Love
By
KAHLIL GIB RAN
toUchTeeL:rro7Lhra„itdy.tOUCheS
thC ha d
******
" °f
a W ma
° " **
bMh
Love is the veil between lover and lover.
******
Every man loves two women; the one is the creation of his
imagination, and the other is not yet born.
***** *
Men who do not forgive women their little faults will never
er
enjoy their great virtues.
******
in turLn7sWyd0eS " "" """ ^ *» ****** *
hMt
*"d
******
othe^0^^
CmbraCe tHat WhiGh iS betWCen them rather
than each
******
Love and doubt have never been on speaking
terms
&
******
page or%hta W°rd °f
%ht Writte
'
"
by a hand
°{ %h<> upon a
I
�OCTOBER, 1931
45
EDITORIAL COMMENT
WHAT THE SYRIAN WORLD REPRESENTS
T
A
RLD
n<>t thC Pr duCt
f an im uke
»ed toto bT°
° It is Pthe rh\]A
- «nf ^
aesignecl
be a mere" instrument °of gain
dea , a physical expression of a spiritual^ to^v nd.o pre"
ness to serve. But service most have a nkn and a m,l TU
T
here . the preservation of that priceless rad Uer tagethi* Zel
to us as the legacy of centuries of culture and advanfed 6vtZZn
^Jer27X^p:rd and carefully nurtured>
to greater glory with the opportunit.es at hand.
n
«"
This we take to he
ibU,i n t0
Aftei^allTN^i^f
° °" •***££
w lJi ' a
World was settled by immigration from the
K
:
New
flM
Old World, and regardless of the date of our coming and of our
t enb0es°tgthatXtraCt'OnS* ?*" Sh0Uld f«' *« -cessify f ^
US t0 tHe C0Untr
the way
w ofi opportunities.
>' that "i'hholds from us noimng
£
inn the
w„s if! T
th Se baS C c
u
'
a d
°nsiderations that the
SYRIAN WORLD
f
enterpri
f iit Tad
" ' the
? *test
^f^
^
****£
enterprise,
had toTo
to undergo
of time° and
the trial
of'stiwgkfor the establishment of its ideal. Its days of trial ate not yf.
, Tie
SYRIAN WORLD
is now in the early stages of its sixth vear
TJZl?:fCrm'°" °{ itSJ!fth y"r « h'ld a symposium on the
whethe? its ZTTg u' ^l" *" this should b= {° <* advisable,
e
of a str cril H^
M
^T ,d S° aS t0 lift i[ from "•« ^here
anneal TLverHPf*a°n, and t^reby inSUre for i£ m°re public
d tt f PUM C 0P m0n WaS t0
PS nlme.
' °
'
'
"»ti « i, und'er its
were I^dT the"'q8 S
"V^1 *£- eXPrcssio" of opinion
St n that the
Z «h^ f V
'°
P"blieation was not receiving
the share of public support which it deserves. Thev were hooeful
that with its continuation sufficient public sentiment migh be amused
�,
,—I—MWil
THE SYRIAN WORLD
may be taken by the readers and give them publicity in this very department, in accordance with the terms of an understanding reach*!
with the editor of the magazine. The object is to create an open
lorum where our younger generation could meet to discuss their
various problems And this, indeed, is a valuable opportunity that
should be taken advantage of to the fullest extent.
Let us hope some good will develop from this effort.
Reflections on Love
By
KAHLIL GIBRAN
,^?le,j; a ma?'s hand toU(*es the hand of a woman they both
touch the heart of eternity.
fnll
******
Love is the veil between lover and lover.
******
Every man loves two women; the one is the creation of his
imagination, and the other is not yet born.
******
t Men who do not forgive women their little faults will never
enjoy their great virtues.
******
Love that does not renew itself every day becomes a habit and
in turn a slavery.
******
Lovers embrace that which is between them rather than each
other.
******
Love and doubt have never been on speaking terms
******
page^fVHghta
W rd
°
°f
llght
'
Wntten by a hand
°f
Hght
' UP°n
a
�OCTOBER, 1931
45
EDITORIAL COMMENT
WHAT THE SYRIAN WORLD REPRESENTS
T
ifnedT KW°RLD " mSt
^
thC Pr dUCt
°
Ument of
ai
°f
an im ulse
P
' « is it
idealTnhvsi^l * S?
/
g "- * is the child of an
f a SpiritUal desire to serve
erve fc
^^T
^d role
to preserve.
The service,
on the °one hand, is to be in the dual
of
bringing to the young Americans of Syrian orig n a finer appreda
a med° um7 T* **$* *** «* Culture> ^^pSg
STfor,a deeP^ understanding by the general American pub
he of these inherent Syrian qualities; while on the other hand the
ld f0ll
aS th£ natUrd
tZV:^T7
r
°\
u
r
ness to serve. But service most have a plan and-ult
a goalof the
Theete
Lai
g
wh£h f
r
CentU ,eS
[
°f
Culture
«d-advanced civilization
CarCfUlly nU1 tUred Wil1 bl0 m
^Z^nT^
"^
"
to greater glory with the opportunities
at hand.
'
° -
This we take to be
our most distinctive racial contribution to our adopted count y
Old Wlf' 5C NCW W°rld Was settled °y imm gration from the
Old World, and regardless of the date of our coming andTour
e hnolog c extractions, we all should feel the necessity of g«
in U
Sw
V° thC C°Untry
in tne way of opportunities.
that Withh Id
° ^
was brouZZ^u" ^ j:onsiderati°ns that the
tXp
tcd
frcm
e
ns no" h n|
SYRIAN WORLD
f CV
h
Tntertisf
i 25
^ ^ the
? *test of
f time° and ^
**
enterpn e, it
had to undergo
the trial^'
of'struggle^ the establishment of its ideal. Its days of trial are noTyf t
The SYRIAN WORLD is now in the early stages of its sixth vear
Before the conclusion of its fifth year we held I symposium on the
necessity of continuing it, and in case this should be found advisable
whether its name should be changed so as to lift it from the sphere
.
lea
rLCvSSrbl,?tl0Mand thereby mSUre
P^sent name.
f
* ° ^°
Pmi n
°
for
*
re
Public
~ <° "* '* ^
its
w.reTi°Se/eSP°uding t0 °Ur appeal for an expression of opinion
were agreed on the question that the publication was not receiving
the share of public support which it deserves. They were honeful
that with its continuation sufficient public sentiment might be aroused
—;—._
�46
THE SYRIAN WORLD
to render the enterprise self-supporting, if not profitable.
To arouse this sentiment is now our immediate aim. We do
not advance any claims of popularity because that would be misleading. Nor do we care to win popularity in its accepted meaning
at the expense of deteriorating our standard. As announced in the
first issue of our sixth year we shall concede to the demand of popularity only insofar that it shall not be interpreted as a recession
from our main ideal.
To that end we have readjusted our editorial policy to what
we believe is a great step towards meeting popular demand. This
has been achieved so far by creating a number of new departments
in charge of most capable associate editors who are proving themselves unsparing in the contribution of their time and talent towards
the ideal for which the publication stands. Other improvements,
both editorially and in the typographical presentation, will be introduced gradually and progressively.
This, if at all, should be interpreted as an advance and not a
recession. It is in keeping with what we consider to be our duty in
the promotion of the ideal underlying the publication of the SYRIAN
WORLD.
/
A NEW POETRY DEPARTMENT
Edited by Barbara Young
^E ARE happy to announce the introduction with this issue of a
poetry department conducted by no less a figure in the American literary world than Barbara Young.
Not only recently, but since the first year of the publication of
the SYRIAN WORLD, Miss Young has been an occasional contributor
to our pages. To have her now as a constant contributor and an associate editor is, we feel confident, what our readers will concede to
be a distinct privilege.
Miss Young will be appreciated not only for her intrinsic poetical merit and fine literary discernment, but also for her genuine
love for Eastern culture in general, and particularly for her partiality towards all that is of Syria and Lebanon. Because of her deep
feeling of that sense of spiritual kinship that attracts and binds her
to all that is of those ancient lands, she asserts with pride and
sincerity, "My heart is Lebanese."
�r~
'-
"• "
""m
OCTOBER, 1931
ttlRZrc7:Z rePr°dUCed »*«« b»8
PhicalTtch
1
throughout the United States. Si,S SEj d^SME'
n W h °reuext»si« biographical account of hinfwhtch wi 1 be
h Ure f0rm
for
vembtt;"
3? B,s a,the
",0U
'Md
m t assuredly
vember 1 5. ShT
She most
one
person -leaselo«
best Qualifier] Nofor
such a task, and her work should prove authentic adaurtori ative
bhe now ,s the bterary executrix of Gibran and had bee, nis
1 iteirv
associate for many years before his tWh r, •
"7°
"terary
aeDr
of undying gratitude.
We heartily welcome Miss Young to our family circle 4nd
from her department as may be expected, shall "flow the wnefha
shall exalt the spirit," to make fitting use of her own word
/
DECORATIONS
and the name is that of the gifted American artist Mareerv
Haney who has implied volumes in the exquisite ske he she has
drawn for some of our titles. In this issue we introduce two of Hie
canvas replete with fine original conception and symbol smth
Jatter, a masterly visualization of Gibran's immortal mess^e to
Young Americans of Syrian origin wherein he sav^ tTs 0 ftand
before the towers of New York, Washington, Chicago and San
Francisco saying ,n your heart, <I am the d°scend .-Tf
i
that builded Damascus, and Biblus, «*$££*£ ITt
tioch and now I am here to build with you,'and with a will -
�48
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Questions and Answers
IRAQIS AND SYRIANS
A Question on the Iraqis' Origin Answered by Professor Hitti.
THE QUESTION
Submitted by David Zaily Los Angeles, Calif.
W ha
S the race
T
> (,10t nationality) of those born and reared
3 V, ,
in Iraq? Although both speaking the same Arabic tongue, it stands
to reason as is generally held, that a person born in Mosul or Bagdad who has never been in Syria, is not a Syrian.
THE ANSWER
By Professor Phils? K. Hitti, of Princeton University
1 he people of al-'Iraq are Semites. The original stock—whether Babylonian Assyrian, Chaldaean or Aramaean—was mixed with
the later Arab stock- but all these peoples were branches of one
lamily the Semitic family, which comprised, in addition to all that,
the Hebrews and the Phoenicians. The 'Iraqis are not a race, nor
are the Syrians. To speak of a Syrian race is wrong. The Syrians
are a separate nationality, and so are the 'Iraqis. The basis of
classification in nationality is political} in race it is biological. Even
when we speak of the Semitic "race" we are stretching the meaning
of the term "race" to include all those historical peoples who spoke
or still speak a Semitic tongue: Arabic, Hebrew, Phoenician, Assyro-Babylonian, Aramaean, etc} but we have no assurance that these
peoples were all descended from the same ancestors. Strictly speaking, "Semites" and "Semitic" are linguistic terms. The word "race"
therefore should be used very sparingly, and scientifically speaking
the race to which the 'Iraqis, Syrians, Arabs, etc. belong is the white
race.
Editor's Note—Scientifically speaking, Professor Hitti's restriction of the use of the term "race" is admittedly correct The
term however, has come to be used in a much broader sense especially in the United States. The American government classifies
immigration by "races" applying the term to all distinct groups of
immigrants coming from given countries. Hence "Syrian Race "
"American Race" etc; are explicitly used.
As inferred by Prof. Hitti, the Syrians and the 'Iraqis are two
distinct nationalities. Hence a person born in 'Iraq is not a Syrian
Nor are all those speaking the Arabic tongue Syrians. Almost all
. the Arabic-speaking element in the United States is of Syrian origin
but this is no indication of Arabic-speaking peoples elsewhere.
ii
�OCTOBER, 1931
49
Political Developments in Syria
SYRIAN NATIONALISTS
INSIST ON REPUBLIC
Refuse All Forms of Compromise and
Adhere to the Constitution
of 1927
The Syrian Question seems as
far as ever from a solution.
The
French are said to have laid a program which is expected to be acceptable to all the Syrian factions, but
the exact nature of the French proposals has not been learned. There
is one Syrian faction, however, that
has anticipated the new French declaration of policy by flatly rejecting
any form of government for Syria
that will not conform to its platform.
That faction is the Nationalist bloc
which 'is admittedly the strongest
party now in the political field in
Syria. From this quarter the French
High Commissioner may expect much
trouble in whatever attempt he might
make to settle the Syrian Question
upon his return from Paris.
The Syrian Nationalist Party held
a convention in Damascus in the middle of September to discuss their
stand upon the reported intentions of
the French to give Syria a monarchical form of government and establish
one of the sons of the late King Hussein of Arabia on the throne. At
the conclusion of the deliberations Hashem Bey Al-Atasi, Nationalist leader
and former President of the Constituent Assembly, gave a press interview in which he declared that the
unalterable decision of the Party representatives was to stand by the
Constitution adopted in 1927 by the
Constituent} Assembly as the only legal representative body elected by the
people.
This constitution declared
for a Republican form of government
for Syria.
Some Syrian papers, however,
stated on the authority of a prominent
Syrian Nationalist leader that the decision of the Nationalists might be
amended if a king can win for the
country more political rights than
they have been able so far to win
themselves in their bargaining with
France.
The Syrian press gives special
emphasis to the fact that the Nationalists' declaration followed immediately upon the return of King Feisal of
Iraq from Europe. This is taken to
indicate that they were in receipt of
authentic information that the new
French policy revolved upon making
a monarchy of Syria and establishing
former Kng Ali of Arabia, a brother
of King Feisal, on the throne. King
feisal, while in Europe, had numerous
conferences not only with several high
French officials but with a number of
prominent Syrian leaders Who met
him by special appointment in Vienna.
In other quarters the Nationalist
declaration is taken as an indication
not so much of the improbability of
establishing a monarchy in Syria as of
the impossiblity so far of King Feisal
and the Syrian Nationalists reaching
an understanding. The effect of
these latest developments has been
to further confuse the political situation in Syria which has resisted all
efforts at settlement for the last
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
twelve years.
As has been previously reported,
the so'ution now being considered by
France for the Syrian Question is to
give Syria a wide latitude of independence and enter into treaty relations
with it similar to those existing between Great Britain and Iraq. But
before any of the proposed conditions
are made public an undercurrent of
dissatisfaction is now evident among
the Syrian population especially as
regards the national army. According
to the special correspondent of AlAhram of Cairo in Beirut, whatever
form Syrian independence might take
conscription is inevitable, as there
would be little hope of raising an
adequate army by the volunteer recruiting system. The Syrians are
said not to have had undergone such
compulsory service for centuries and
they would naturally balk at conscription. On the other hand, France's
greatest inducement for relinquishing
her ho'd on Syria would be the assurance of having in the latter a
strong ally, possessing an army capable of national defense, as otherwise France would be at a disadvantage in maintaining a large army in
Syria for the protection of its territorial integrity against foreign enemies while enjoying no adequate political advantages in return.
There is, besides, the question of
mritary co-operation between Syria
and the Republic of Lebanon in national emergencies. This is expected to
prove another stumbling b'oc in any
effort to settle the Syrian Question.
COMING ELECTIONS IN
LEBANESE REPUBLIC
There are no less than eighteen
prospective candidates for the Presidency of Lebanon in the forthcoming
elections of 1932. It is now evident
that President Charles Dabbas will
not be a candidate for a third term,
and the scramble for the office has re-
solved itself into a free for all affair.
There seems to be an understanding,
however, that the office this time will
fall to a Maronite, inasmuch as representation in Lebanon is still based
on denominational considerations.
With High Commissioner Ponsot
still absent in Paris, the Lebanese are
now mainly occupied with internal
affairs. The only important incident
was the flurry caused by the supposed
declaration of Emile Eddy, one of the
more prominent Presidential candidates, that the logical solution of the
differences between Syria and Lebanon was for the latter to cede t'he
port of Tripoli to Syria and thereby
help create of Lebanon a preponderantly Christian country. This was
later emphatically denied, but it tended to show the undercurrent of sentiment prevalent in the country.
The little Republic is grappling
with a serious internal problem, that
of balancing its budget. Despite the
insistence of the native government
to have the French High Commissariat pay to it its proportionate share of
the customs' proceeds, the latter refuses to make any inroads on the reserve it has decided to maintain, with
the consequence that the Lebanese
government had to devise other means
of meeting the deficit. Its first step
was to decide on reducing by 10 per
cent, the salaries of small officials,
but this aroused such cries of protest
from press and public that the reduction was made to apply to all
government functionaries, from the
president down. The attack of the
press was directed principally against
the members of the Legislative Assembly who long have been accused
of exploiting the public treasury for
their own personal gain, to the extent of exempting their personal property from taxation. This victory of
the people over those whom the press
calls profiteers was received with a
good deal of elation.
P
�—"^
OCTOBER, 1931
51
TTTF
SYRIAN WORLD
NEWS SECTION
VOL. VI. NO. 2
FINDS CLUES IN SYRIA
TO CITY OF 1931 B.C.
French Archaeologist Believes Inscriptions Are Earliest Known
Literary Efforts.
TABLETS 3,300 YEARS OLD
How the history and arts of a
vanished people who flourished in
1931 B.C. is being pieced together and
corroborated through legends of forgotten wars told in unknown tongues
was related Oct. 9 before the French
Academy of Inscriptions by Professor F. A. C. Schaeffer of the University of Strasboroug, who reported on
the third season's excavations of the
royal tombs at Minet-el-Beida and
Ras-Shamra in Northern Syria, according to a special cable dispatch
to the New York Times from Paris
on Oct. 9 .
A wealth of new finds has been
made this year by a mission representing the French Academy, the National Museum and the Ministry of
Education, which a year ago attracted
the world interest of archaeologists
by the discovery of what was thought
to be the world's oldest dictionary, inscribed on stone* tablets in six languages, two of which were previously
unknown.
These tablets came from a library attached to the Ras-Shamra sanctuary, dating from the thirteenth or
OCTOBER, 1931
fourteenth century before Christ.
More of these texts, unearthed this
year, have added interest, constituting
what probably are the earliest efforts
in literature (and poetry thus far
brought to light.
"These new texts," said professor Schaeffer, "are composed of words
in two languages and divided into syllables, and they belong to a series of
epic poems written on large tablets
in several columns. They form a very
valuable addition to the episodes of
the astonishing poems read before this
academy by M. Virolleaud, their translator, who has shown their great importance as regards Semitic philology and the history of religions.
"Several of these tablets were
found incorporated in masonry of an
ancient construction, which indicated
they had already been discarded as
texts and which givesv us hope that
we shall later find texts even more
ancient than these and probably dating as far back as twenty centuries
before the Christian era." Professor
Schaeffer's expedition brought back
a large number of several thousand
art objects, utensils and images unearthed this season. Important among
these were six curious necklaces in
multi-colored glass, each bearing pendants of an unidentified nude goddess,
done in hammered gold.
"What greatly increases their interest," Professor Schaeffer said, "is
the fact that each is in a different
�52
form, showing the strange goddess,
from the simplest kind of representation down through various stages
of perfection until done w$th the
greatest faithfulness to nature.
"In one of these representations
she is shown standing on the back of
a lion on whose shoulder is placed a
rosette or solar sign. The goddess is
wearing a Hathorian headdress and
holds two bouquets in her hands, and
from her lips spring serpents in a
manner which recalls the famous goddess entwined with serpents found at
Gnossus.
"Three different techniques of
workmanship are found in these pendatives, which resemble in style relics
found in Egypt, Mesopotamia, Crete
and Anatolia. I would not hesitate to
recognize in this figure the divine
Astarte, if the epic poetry on the tablets at Ras-Shamra did not reveal the
pantheon of a goddess whose attributes were similar, and for that reason I deem it prudent to reserve identification until they are further investigated."
In the excavations at Minet-elBeida, on the site of an ancent harbor, where these necklaces were found,
no human bones have yet been discovered, but, because of the richness of the art objects, jars, vases and
utensils found, the investigators believe they surround the tomb of some
extremely
distinguished
princess
whose burial place will be found intact during the later researches.
More than four hundred objects
unearthed this season have been
brought back by the expedition, including what are believed to be vanity boxes and beauty accoutrements
of that princess. These consist, said
Professor Schaeffer, of a score of elegant little flasks and vases in alabaster of an Egytian type, together with
a number of little boxes for cosmetics,
done in ivory, whose covers all are
THE SYRIAN WORLD
carved with the head of a water fowl
finely executed.
At Ras-Shamra was found the
effigy of a princess identified by inscriptions as of the royal house of
• -&ypt. Princess Chnoumit Nofre,
whose tomb had been discovered near
the pyramid of Amenemhat II at
Dahshur. This statuette evidently had
been willfully shattered, probably by
hordes, who, coming from Asia Minor
in the eighteenth century B.C. conquered Syria and Palestine and finally
Egypt, which had dominated this region of Syria.
Further confirmation of this invasion was found in evidences of the
partial burning and destruction of the
tombs and a sanctuary at this date.
"This damage at Ras-Shamra
probably was a consequence of an invasion by the sea people of the Syrian coast in the thirteenth century B.
C. who were beaten back from the
Egyptian frontier by the armies of
Rameses III," said Professor Schaeffer. "These invaders probably used
the city as a base for operations and
only demolished Egyptian sanctuary,
as would be indicated by the discovery
we made of several rude native images
left intact. The city never recovered
its importance and probably was definitely destroyed in the course of the
thirteenth century by the Assyrians."
TURKY PLEASED WITH
PROPOSED SYRIAN SETTLEMENT
Reports from Angora indicate
that the Turks are highly elated at
the prospects of France granting Syria complete independence because that
would relieve them of the worry of
having to contend with a strong
neighbor. They claim to entertain no
further designs on Syria, but with
France out of the country they feel
that their Syrian border would require less of their attention for purposes of defense.
�OCTOBER, 1931
- 53
SYRIANS OF CAROLINAS
aim and object of this society was
GATHER AT COLUMBIA fully explained by President Mack,
A spirit of solidarity and co- who said this society, the first organoperation seems lately to have been ized in South Carolina, was the reawakened among the Syrians through- sult of several years' work.
out the United States. They are holdAn address of welcome in the
ing gatherings and festivals in wide- Syrian language was made by Miss
ly-scattered sections. But what is Olga Hykil. Interesting talks were
more significent is that they are hark- made by G. M. Hykil, vice president
ing to the appeal of patriotic organ- of Syrian-American society, and B. J
izations to form their ranks and learn Baroody of Timmonsville, who spoka
to work collectively for the better- on "Syria, Past and Present, and Its
ment of their standing.
Contribution to Civilization."
The
In the preceding issue of the founder of the Syrian-American soSyrian World we had accounts of ciety, and its past president, S. A
three extensive group meetings in Sabbagha, was then introduced, and
widely scattered sections. The Mahhe explained that his ambition of
rajans of Bridgeport, Conn, and Det- several years had become a reality in
roit, Mich, under the auspices of the organizing the society which was funcLebanon League of Progress of New tioning in an excellent manner. InYork, and the convention of Syrian teresting talks were also made by N
societies in the Southwest sponsored Arrab of Florence, and J. J. Bashere
by the Young Men's Amusement Club of Charleston.
of Port Arther, Texas, were notable
Dinner was then served after
events; while the forthcoming con- which Syrian music was rendered by
vention of Syrian, societies in the a quartet. Swimming and boat- ridEastern States to be held at Lawrence, ing was enjoyed by the younger set.
Mass., promises to be well attended. '
The officers for 1931-1932 areWe are now pleased to copy from E. S. Mack, president; G. M. Hykil'
a local paper of Columbia, S. Carolina vice president; S. Koosa, secretary
the following account of a Syrian George Wackym, treasurer, and J S
gathering which took place in that city Mack, F. A. Masad and S. N. Baron Sept. 6 last.
koot, trustees.
The Syrian-American society of
Columbia, S.C. was host on Sept. 6,
1931 to about 500 Syrians from all CHARITABLE EXPENDITURES
OF SYRIAN SOCIETY
over the State of South Carolina and
The published report of the Virof North Carolina.
This gathering, held at Duna- gin Mary Conference of St. Vincent
way's Place, near Pontiac, was for the de Paul Society, attached to the Virpurpose of fostering good-will and gin Mary Syrian Melchite Catholic
Church of Brooklyn, covering the fisfellowship among the Syrian citizens
cal year of June 1, 1930 to May 31,
of South Carolina and North Carolina.
George Wackym was master of 1931, shows receipts of $3,900 and
ceremonies for the occasion, and in- expenditures of $2,948. Receipts were
troduced the president of the Syrian- from individual contributors and the
proceeds of dances and entertainAmerican society, E. S. Mack of Lexments.
The report, published in Araington, who delivered the welcoming
bic
by
the Syrian-American Press
address on behalf of the Syrianlists
all
the individual contributions'
American society of Columbia. The
received.
�————, >
54
SYRIAN JOURNALIST
BECOMES FLORIST
Business is bad with the Syrian
papers in the United States. On previous occasions we referred to the recurrent complaints of the editors about the delinquency of subscribers in
remitting their dues. We mentioned
also that several papers had to reduce their size for reasons of economy.
Now the first casualty has occurred
by the As-Sayeh's implied admission
of defeat in the struggle against the
adversity of the times. As-Sayeh has
suspended publication for well over
half a year.
If hope springs eternal, there are
those who still entertain the notion
that As-Sayeh will some day resume
publication. The paper had an interesting and colorful career. It was
at first a weekly, then graduated to
a. semi-weekly, and for some time
joined the ranks of daily newspapers,
it was in the habit of publishing each
year a special number to which many
prominent literateurs in Syria, Egypt
and the United States contributed.
Gibran had taken As-Sayeh under his
patronage.
What portends ill for As-Sayeh,
but should augur a prosperous future
for its publisher, Mr. A. Haddad, is
the fact that the latter decided to
turn florist, catering the natural, fragrant and apparently the useful and
needed article in lieu of the poorly
appreciated intellectual product. We
are in receipt of a circular letter in
Which he makes the announcement
that he has joined the florist shop of
Santomarco at 6914 Fort Hamilton
Parkway, Brooklyn. The language he
uses is frank and flowery. After describing the artistic qualifications of his
Italian partner he turns to himself and
says: "As for myself, I have been
intrigued by the fascination of this
profession which now I am studing
seriously. It has for me the appeal
THE SYRIAN WORLD
of the fragrance and the delicate
coloring of the flowers. In the meantime, I attend to the actual management of the establishment."
There are only a few instances
when the newspaper profession among
the Syrians proved to be a paying
one, and for Mr. Haddad to have renounced it is no reflection on his
ability. He has our best wishes for
a flowery and fragrant future.
RELIEF MOVEMENTS
AMONG U. S. SYRIANS
Meraat-Ul-Gharb, a Syrian daily
of New York, is vigorously agitating
for the creation of a national Syrian
committee in the United States to
take care of relief work during the
coming winter. It emphasizes the
fact that the Syrians were never public charges during their whole record
in America, and advocates the maintenance of this record by having a
relief body composed of themselves
to take care of their own needy this
coming winter. Undoubtedly there
would be a number of Syrians Who
would feel the weight) of distress
which has fallen heavily on the country, but it is now proposed that they
should help themselves instead of depending on general relief agencies.
No tangible result has yet developed
from this press campaign.
The Syrian Ladies' Aid Society
of New York, an old organization engaged in charitable work, receives
funds which it employs judiciously in
helping needy families. Its funds
were recently augmented by a sum
of $1,291 representing half of the
proceed^ of a benefit performance
which the committee of Al-Kalemat,
an Aleppian organization, gave last
season.
The St. Nicholas Young Men's
Society of New York has announced
its willingness to devote half of the
�OCTOBER, 1931
proceeds of an entertainment which
it is giving on Oct. 17 towards public relief.
PATRIARCHATE QUESTION
REMAINS UNSETTLED
The Orthodox Church of Syria
has made little progress in its efforts
to solve the knotted problem arising
from the election of two incumbents
to the same office. Lately the French
authorities of the High Commissariat
are reported to have taken a constructive step towards a settlement
by inviting the two Patriarchs to appoint each two members of a mixed
ecclesiastical tribunal invested with
authority to settle church litigation.
Patriarch Arsanius of Latakia, refused to be a party to this arrangement on the ground that he alone is
the legally elected Patriarch and
should exercise supreme authority.
The Orthodox Arabs of Palestine
are still agitating for the election of
a native Patriarch to succeed the demised Greek Patriarch. The movement has spread to the United States
and has been given a purely racial
turn, since Christians and Moslems
of Grand Haven, Mich., united in
petitioning the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem to exert his influence in bringing about the election of a Patriarch
who would be Arab "body and soul."
LEP.ANESE IN URUGUAY
HIGHLY ESTEEMED
An exchange of courtesies has
been going apace lately between the
Western republic of Uruguay and the
Eastern republic of Lebanon. The
cause of this extreme cordiality is
the high position of esteem which the
Lebanese community in Uruguay enjoys with the people and the govern-
55
ment of the South American republic.
On Sept. 1, a new school was dedicated in Montevideo, the Uruguayan capital), which was named the
"School of the Lebanese Republic."
The President of Uruguay in person
attended the ceremony and complimented highly in his address the civic virtues of the Lebanese community. He touched on the fact that because of the high esteem in which the
Lebanese are held by the government
of Uruguay the latter decided some
time ago to name one of its principal streets after the republic of Lebanon, a compliment which the latter graciously returned by naming
one of the streets of its capital, Beirut, after the republic of Uruguay.
Now Uruguay wants to further prove
its love for Lebanon by naming one
of its new school after it.
Representing the Lebanese Republic at the ceremony was the French
Minister in Uruguay and a number of
local Lebanese notables, one of whom
made a fitting response to the address of the President.
During the exercises, according to
reports, 150 pupils of the new school
sang in chorus the Lebanese anthem
in the Arabic language, a gesture of
extreme friendliness which highly
touched the hearts of the Lebanese,
in view of the fact that the pupils
were natives.
Commenting on this latter incident, The Sphinx, a Lebanese paper
of South America, expresses surprise that the American Uuiversity
of Beirut has never shown such courtesy to Lebanon although located in
the Lebanese capital. We doubt that
the criticism is deserved, and an explanation of the attitude of the American University of Beirut by one of
its faculty or alumni will be cheerfully given space in the Syrian World.
�56
FATHER KILLS DAUGHTER
TO AVENGE HIS HONOR
Aleppo was the scene of a cruel
murder whose victim was a young
woman killed by the hand of her own
father. The details of the gruesome
tragedy can hardly be duplicated in
the wildest fiction.
As reported by the Syrian press,
Fatoum, daughter of one Mahmoud
Moakeh, went to live with a certain
Taher Hafiz as his common-law wife.
Fearing the wrath of her father, she
cautioned Hafiz against admitting him
to the house, and for further security
the two went to live in a distant
quarter.
The father soon found himself unable to stand the jeers and disdainful
locks of the neighbors and decided to
leave the city. He was all the while,
however, making secret inquiries for
the whereabouts of his daughter until he located her, his two sons in the
native police assisting in the search.
One day the father called at his
daughter's house and was admitted
by the brother of her lover who did
not suspect his motive. The daughter
remained in hiding until she felt sure
by her father's attitude that he intended no harm. When finally she appeared in the reception room the parent
returned her greeting with apparent
affability, but a few moments later he
asked for a glass of water which the
lover's brother hastened to go out to
bring. But during the brief moments
that he was absent the father savagely attacked his daughter with a dagger, inflicting mortal wounds. The
other man, upon his return, raised an
alarm and immediately two policemen
appeared at the door and seized the
murderer red-handed. They conducted
him safely through a howling mob until they reached a secluded spot in the
outskirts, and there set him at liberty.
They were his two sons who had wait-
?HE SYRIAN WORLD
ed at the door by prearrangement and
had encouraged their father to do the
deed that would blot out the family
shame with blood.
ARMENIANS IN SYRIA
A VEXING PROBLEM
Although welcomed after the war
as refugees and guests of the country,
the Armenians in Syria and Lebanon
now present a serious problem. Due
to their native industry and extreme
necessity, they have competed with
native labor in such manner as to
cause general complaint. The French
mandatory authorities and the native
governments are expected, furthermore, to contribute to the support
and maintenance of these strange
guests, and now that the economic depression is acutely felt in the country,
the Armenians are viewed in the light
of an unnecessary national burden.
When, therefore, reports were
circulated that negotiations were set
on foot to transfer the Armenians
now in Syria to Soviet Armenia, the
Syrians hailed the news with a sigh
of relief. Of the Armenians now in
Lebanon alone, it was stated, 3,000
have already signified their assent to
the transfer.
OTTOMAN PRINCESS
BURIED IN SYRIA
On Sept. 25 the body of the Turkish Princess Saniha arrived at Beirut
and was sent by train to Damascus
for burial in the cemetery of Sultan
Salim. The Princess is the daughter
of Sultan Abdul Majid, last of the
Turkish sultans who saw his dynasty
swept away by the tide of Turkish
democracy. She died in Nice, on the
French Riviera, and her grave will
adjoin that of her uncle Sultan Wahid
Ud Din.
�OCTOBER, 1931
KAHLIL GIBRAN
;
" The Man from Lebanon"
The man whose life and work form an epic of our age;
whom few knew in' his intimate life, and whom a vast host
of those who have felt his influence, desire to know.
The first authentic opportunity is now given to draw
near to a knowledge of Gibran as he lived and worked, as
he conceived and executed.
A biographical sketch by BARBARA YOUNG, American
poet,, who was closely associated with Gibran and is now
his literary executor, will be published about November 15.
>
This story of the great son of Lebanon, "The Poet of the
Cedars," will appear in the form of a brochure, and will
contain a wealth of detail concerning this rich life, illustrated
with hitherto unpublished photographs of the poet.
The first edition will be limited to 250 copies, serially
numbered, and autographed by the author.
Orders for this edition will be filled as received, and
may be sent in advance of publication either to the office of
THE SYRIAN WORLD, or to the author, at
The Gibran
Studio, 51 West 10th. Street, New York City.
The price of the brochure, First Edition, will be $2.50.
-
57
�58
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Gibran's Message
To Young Americans of SyrianOrigin
By C K. GlBRAN
Author of ''TJt* Prophet,'
M
/««j l/*e Son of Man,"
TW Srrua V«M, J«JT, |92«
I believe- in you. and I believe in your destiny.
I believe that you are contributors to this new civilization.
I believe that you have inherited from your forefathers an ancient dream, a song, a prophecy, which you can proudly lay as a gift of gratitude upon the lap of America.
I believe you can say to the founders of this great nation. "Here I am. a youth, a young
tree whose roots were plucked from the hills of Lebanon, yet I am deeply rooted here, and I would
be fruitful."
And I believe that you can say to Abraham Lincoln, the blessed. "Jesus of Nazareth
touched your lips when you spoke, and guided your hand when you wrote: and 1 shall uphold
all that you have said and all that you have written."
I believe that you can say to Emerson and Whitman and James. "In my veins tuns the
blood of the poets and wise men of old. and it is my desire to come to you and receive, but I shall
not come with empty hands."
I believe that even as your fathers came to this land to produce riches, you were born
here to produce riches by intelligence, by labor.
And 1 believe that it is in you to be good citizens.
And what is it to be a good citizen?
It is to acknowledge the other person's rights before asserting your own. but always to be
conscious of your own.
It is to be free in thought and deed, but it is also to know that your freedom is subject
to the other person's freedom.
It is to create the useful and the beautiful with yout own hands, and to admire what others
have created in love and with faith.
It is to produce wealth by labor and only by labor, and to spend less than you have produced that your children may not be dependent on the state for support when you are no more.
It is to stand before the towers of New York. Washington. Chicago and San Francisco
saying in your heart. "I am the descendant of a people that builded Damascus, and Biblus. and
Tyre and Sidon. and Antiocb. and now I am here to build with you. and with a will."
It is to be proud of being an American, but it is also to be proud that your fathers and
mothers came from a land upon which God laid His gracious hand and raised His messengers.
Young Americans of Syrian origin. I believe in you.
FREE TO SYRIAN WORLD SUBSCRIBERS. This beautiful message by
Gibran 13x17 indies, printed in large type on heavy paper with ornamental border suitable for framing. Every PAID subscriber whose term begins
with Sept. 1931 is entitled to a copy, mailed in heavy cardboard tube. Subscribers whose term begins before S2p. 1931 may secure a copy by renewal.
1
�OCTOBER, 1931
59
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THE SYRI^ WORLD
PUBLISHER, THE SYRIAN WORLD:
104 Greenwich Street, New York.
You may enter my name as a subscriber to "The SyrJforld" for the term of one year, for which I agree to
pay the regular rate of $5.00 upon receipt of the first issue.
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City 6f State
mmjmmr
�OCTOBER, 1931
61
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THE
MACHINE
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The rapid advance of our age may be ascribed to one fundamental cause
— the application of man's mind to the scientific use of the machine.
Hence our characterization of our times as "the machine age," because
it was through the machine that increased production in all commodities
has been made possible, and the comfort and well-being of man more
fully realized.
The machine has proved to be the controlling factor in all human
activities, the typographical industry included. It was through the advent
of the type-setting machine that popular literature became available
and illiteracy gradually eliminated.
But for the type-setting machine it would never be possible to produce
the prodigiously large editions of many daily newspapers in Europe and
America, and the immense number of books that are constantly being
turned out by the presses.
Speed is the prime requisite to increased production, and speed is
made possible only through the use of the machine.
The Mergenthaler Linotype Company of New York, manufacturer of
the Arabic type-setting machine, wishes to present for the consideration
of Arabic publishers these basic truths, and to draw to their attention
specific instances where the Arabic Linotype is gradually bringing into
application in the Arabic printing industry those modern, efficient
methods which made the Western printing industry so highly advanced.
To this end, concrete statistical information will be given in a series of
advertisements in this publication which should call for serious consideration on the part of Arabic publishers everywhere.
MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY
Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A.
Cable: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK
Representatives in the Principal Cities of the World
(LINOTYPE^
An illustrated descriptive catalog
of the Arabic Linotype sent free
upon request.
LINOTYPE METRO SERIES
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�THE SYRIAN WORLD
64
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NEEDS AND HAPPINESS
INTEREST
4 .%
"Per zAnnum
ON TIME DEPOSITS
FROM
$10.00
UP
Checking accounts may be opened with $200.00 or more
FAOUR BANK
D. J. FAOUR & BROS.
Established 1891
Under Supervision of New York State Banking
Department.
Capital and Surplus Over $500,000.00
85
WASHINGTON ST.,
NEW YORK CITY
��
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
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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
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Processed by Claire A. Kempa, 2015-2017. Collection Guide written by Claire A. Kempa, 2017.
Collection Guide updated by Laura Lethers, 2023 August.
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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
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NS 0002
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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
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TSW1931_10reducedWM
Title
A name given to the resource
The Syrian World Volume 06, Issue 02
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1931 October
Description
An account of the resource
Volume 6 Issue 02 of The Syrian World published October 1931. The issue begins with an article titled "Two Cities, Two Worlds!" by Habib I. Katibah, which discusses the differences between Damascus and Beirut. While both of these cities are in close proximity to each other, they have distinctive cultures, which Katibah explains in-depth in his article. A new feature of this issue is the section titled "New and Views," in which a staff observer discusses various headlining articles. This month focuses around the topics of Child Marriages, Starvation in the U.S.A., Um Kalthoum in Syria, and the Mayor of New York James J. Walker's meeting with King Feisal of Iraq in Nice, France. There are then a number of poetic contributions all edited by Barbara Young, followed by "The Choice of Su'ad a True Arabian Tale." There is also a new section titled "Home and Family" which discusses various domestic duties. Another work by Kahlil Gibran is also featured towards the end of the issue after a short story by Thomas Asa titled "The Mystery of Aornholt." The issue concludes with a question and answer section directed by Philip K. Hitti, an update on political developments in Syria, and the section on Syrian world news.
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
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104 Greenwich St., New York, NY
Format
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Text/pdf
Type
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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.
1930s
Barbara Young
Habib I. Katibah
Kahlil Gibran
Lebanon
New York
Philip Khuri Hitti
Syria
Thomas Asa
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/2137d3a84a235757cc81c39cd48462c8.pdf
672aed4ef51974bd8f10b7fe659fb455
PDF Text
Text
^_
L. VI
SEPTEMBER, 1931
NEW YEAR -NEW POLICY
AN EDITORIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
THE MYSTERY OF AORNHOLT
A SHORT STORY
i *
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1
THOMAS ASA
&m -J
A POET RETURNS HOME
BARBARA YOUNG
THE APPEAL OF THE EAST
H. I. KATIBAH
RIHANI AND HIS CRITICS
A TRUE ARABIAN TALE
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��SYRIAN WORffiH
Published monthly except July and August
by
THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS
104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y.
By subscription $5.00 a year.
.
Single Copies 50c.
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. VI. NO. 1,
SEPTEMBER 1931
CONTENTS
PAGE
New Year—New Policy
3
AN EDITORIAL. ANNOUNCEMENT
Our Contributors
6
Our Plans for the Future
_•
A Poet Returns Home
Farewell Ceremonies to Gibran's Body 'in America
5
9
9...
BARBARA YOUNG
Farewell, Gibran
SALLOUM
_
A.
12. .
MOKARZEL
Touching Reception of Gibran's Body in Lebanon
14
The Appeal of the East
H. I.
18
.
KATIBAH
Quatrains of Al-Mutanabbi
SALIM Y. ALKAZIN
21
�CONTENTS (Continued)
PAGE
True Arabian Tales
._
__
22
Haroun Al-Raschid and the Beautiful Wife of
His Messenger
To a Dying Tree
24
THOMAS ASA
Shiites Protest Rihani's Criticism
25
In the Month's News
Conquest of the Air
Scholar in Politics
Deceiving Names
Gandhi in London
__
Home and Family
29
30
31
32
33
BAHIA
AL-MTJSHEER
The Mystery of Aornholt (A Short Story)
35
THOMAS ASA
Song of Friendship
45
EDNA
K.
SALOOMEY
Health and Hygiene
DR.
46
F. I.
SHATARA
Sayings of Alt
__
48
Political Developments in Syria
49
The Syrian World News Section
51
�ynan
%/
SALLOUM A. M<
MOKARZEL, Editor.
VOL. VI. NO. 1.
SEPTEMBER 193
New Year - New Policy
AN EDITORIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
a }
^ITH this issue, marking the beginning of its sixth year, THE
SYRIAN WORLD embarks on a new venture. It has decided to make
a partial concession to popular demand as regards questions of policy.
This concession, to be sure, should not be taken to mean a recession
from its ideal. Rather, it is an experiment in psychology to test the
proclivities of our English-reading public of Syrian-Americans, particularly the younger generation. In this change the same ultimate
end will be sought but through different channels. Our object of
producing an organ of service and inspiration to our younger generation will be adhered to and maintained, but the means employed will
be calculated to gain a wider appeal among this particular class by
using subtler methods of approach. Thus, instead of maintaining
the high cultural standard which has been the admiration of the
select few we shall strive to provide material of a more popular nature for the masses, offering only spasmodically material of a more
solid substance which we hope would be more readily accepted as a
variety in the fare. Practically, we are employing methods designed
to induce our younger generation to first read, and once that end is
achieved the educational results sought will prove more susceptible
of attainment. Our aim, so to speak, is to achieve the beneficial and
practical through the medium of entertaining and easy reading.
Those of our readers who have been following THE SYRIAN
WORLD during the five years of its publication and expressed satisfaction with its policy and standard might well regret our present
decision. They, like ourselves, viewed the publication in the light
of the dual role it was designed to play, both as an educational organ
for our younger generation and a cultural organ of our race among
the general English-reading public. But they will realize that the
�-.
4
, .-,,_.,,. _..
THE SYRIAN WORLD
compromise was made imperative by the stress of economic necessity.
The truth must be admitted and we might as well confess it without
equivocation. We tried to assume for ever so long the brave attitude
of enjoying sufficient support from our people to keep the enterprise
going, but the fact was really otherwise, and but for the considerable
personal sacrifices on the part of the editor the project would have
foundered on the rock of adversity. Equally important of admission
is our desire and determination not to give up the enterprise, especially at this stage. And to make its continuation possible some
radical step had to be taken. This is now being done in the form
of a compromise on the question of editorial'policy
It is our earnest hope that with the proposed change there will
be evidenced more popular support of the magazine. At least we are
determined to give the new policy a fair trial, and only if this also
should fail will we be willing to admit that there is no room in the
Syrian-American field for a publication of the nature of THE SYRIAN WORLD.
Our plans call not only for a wider range in the selection of material but also for a different method in treatment and presentation.
A detailed discussion of this phase of our new policy appears elsewhere in this issue.
In the determination to continue the enterprise we face the new
year with the hope of winning for THE SYRIAN WORLD the popular
support which we trust will be forthcoming both through the appreciation of a new class of readers as well as by the approval and cooperation of our old and steady friends.
We have so far refrained from any allusion in the pages of the
Syrian World to delinquent subscribers. Delay in the payment of
subscriptions is cause for constant complaint on the part of our
Arabic-language press, and it would seem that, to a large extent,
our English-reading public is similarly disposed in the question of
payment. Repeated statements are ignored, and once the delinquents are stricken off the active list they complain they were not
trusted! These should realize that the Syrian World has no intention of imposing itself on anyone, and wili recognize the subsrriber's
willingness to continue his subscription by his actual payment. This
public mention of delinquencies we now make for the first and last
time, and it is our hope that subscribers will realize that in the interest of economy in management as well as in our desire not to
impose the publication on anyone we shall discontinue sending the
magazine to every subscriber who fails to respond to the second
statement.
�SEPTEMBER, 1931
Our Plans for the Future
Since the SYRIAN WORLD was
created to endure, and because
we are firmly determined to
leave nothing undone in order to
assure its continuity, it has been
decided to effect a change in
the editorial policy in the hope
of insuring for it a more popular
appeal.
We had frequently heard
complaints that the general tenor
of the magazine was too scholarly, that its language too technical and far beyond the understanding of the average youth.
And, since it was designed to
serve this youth, its very standard was defeating its purpose.
Now, as set forth in the editorial announcement in this issue,
we1 are conceding a point to what
appears to be public demand, although not swerving from our
main purpose. We shall make
a bid for popularity along the
lines, we believe compatible with
public demand and consistent
with our educational aims.
More and Varied Fiction
We shall provide a veritable
feast of fiction. An Arabian
Nights' story will be published
in every issue of the kind that
will savor not only of the celebrated original tales but imply
either a moral lesson or carry
a certain educational value by
depicting some phase of Oriental
life. Fiction of a general nature
will also be offered as well as
true stories bearing on SyrianAmerican life. These latter we
feel confident will be not only
entertainingly interesting but
provocative in many ways. Added to this will be a series of
short stories based on the best
known novels whose scene was
laid in Syria and other parts of
the East or dealing with Syrian
events and personalities.
Syrian-American Affairs.
_ Realizing the,necessity of forging a stronger link of relationship between the widely scattered
Syrian-American
communities,
especially among the younger
generation of our people whose
relations have been so far confined to their particular localities,
special effort will be made to
give detailed news of the various activities of the different
communities. Also, when possible, historical sketches will be
given of individuals and groups
in our Syrian-American life that
will shed light on the past and
present and give a possible
glimpse as to prospects in the
future-.
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
Our Young GenerHion
We are particularly interested
in the young generation and for
that reason a standing department shall be devoted to the
discussion of their affairs. Not
that other departments of the
magazine will not be of interest
to them. Rather, this particular
department will deal directly
with them and discuss their various problems. And particularly
in this department there will be
speaking of the frankest nature.
No words will be minced in calling things by their right names
or facing frankly the various situations. W7here praise is due it
shall be given, and when criticism is necessary it shall be dealt
out honestly and unreservedly.
Full liberty of expression will
be permitted all shades of opinions by our readers, and our
young public is invited to avail
themselves of this free forum.
Cross Word Puzzles.
Beginning with an early issue,
we shall publish original cross
word puzzles that we trust will
have more than a passing entertainment value. They will be
designed especially to provoke
thought and study about Syrian
history, geography and general
affairs. They are meant to teach
as they entertain and should
prove a test of, as well as an incentive to, knowledge of things
Syrian.
Our Contributors:
Cover Design.
Assad Ghosn, formerly of
New York and now a resident of
Richmond, Va., is one of our
best known native artists in the
United States, specializing in
portrait painting. His art studies
took him' to Italy, Spain and
other countries of Europe where
he spent a considerable number
of years. The cover design he
has drawn for the SYRIAN
WORLD will be fully appreciated
in its distinctiveness. It is symbolic throughout. One can read
in it the whole history of Syria
it a glance. The Phoenician ship,
symbolic of the great enterprise
of our famous ancestors, appears at the base as marking the
rise of our importance in history.
The figures of Jesus and Moses
indicate the two great religions
which Syria has given the world.
An outline of the ruins of Palmyra and Baalbek appear on
either side of the panel portraying Syria's great seats of power
and civilization. Arabian influence is symbolized by the Arab
i
i
I
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SEPTEMBER, 1931
on his dromedary crossing the
desert, while the spread of
Islam's influence is symbolized
by the immense mosque. Lebanon, with its famous Cedars, is
outlined on jthe opposite side.
And because Egypt is Arabicspeaking and its people bear a
close blood and cultural relation
with that of Syria, the artist has
it represented by the Pyramids.
The two drawings for TRUE
ARABIAN TALES and HOME AND
FAMILY DEPARTMENTS are byAlfred Eadeh, a budding young
Syrian artist of New York, whose
efforts seem to hold excellent
promise.
An Invitation
We wish to encourage and
draw out our latent native talent
whether in literature or in the
field of art. Consequently we
invite
submission
of
title
sketches for our various departments, and would like to hear
particularly from those who can
execute illustrations in pen and
ink or crayon.
Editors of Departments
yhe regular departments we
have inaugurated will be added in future upon maturity of
plans now under consideration.
HOME AND FAMILY is
bound to be most useful and
constructive. It will appear regularly under the editorship of
one of our ablest Syrian women
:V-ir-rnr«
r
of American birth, who has cultivated not only a genuine appreciation of our better traditions
but a well-grounded knowledge
of the fundamentals of our culture and home life. She is a wife
and a mother and her subject
will encompass all home activities, from the training of children, and decoration and appointment of the home, to the conduct of the cuisine and the preparation of our special Syrian
dishes.
HEALTH JAND
HYGIENE will be under the editorship of our well-known physician and surgeon, Dr. F. Shatara of New York. The recurrence of infantile paralysis makes
his discussion of this subject
most timely. We have the promise of Dr. Shatara that he will
gladly answer questions submitted to him by SYRIAN WORLD
readers.
Habib I, Katibah will again
contribute regularly. Our readers will recall him as our associate
during the first year of THE
SYRIAN WORLD. Since then he
has returned to the Near East
where he spent nearly two years
traveling through Syria, Palestine and Egypt acting as special
correspondent to several American papers. He will give readers of THE SYRIAN WORLD the
benefit of his impressions and
studies on a variety of subjects.
�,1"
#,
8
THE SYRUN WORLD
A. HAKIM, who had once con- quent messages through the
tributed the series of provocative pages of THE SYRIAN WORLD.
discussions appearing under the
EDNA K. SALOOMEY will contitle of "The Sage of Washingtinue her liberal contributions in
ton Street," will be in charge of
the versatile and entertaining
the department of "Our Young
manner she has so far displayed.
Generation." The widest latitude
LABEEBEE A. J.HANNA will
has been given the editors in the
conduct of their particular de- return as a regular contributor
partments and we feel sure that in a special department now unevery one of them will be der consideration and which we
pleased to hear from his readers are sure will prove helpful.
on any question bearing on his
Contributions from talent yet
department.
unknown to us will be gladly
considered.
We plan to make
DR. PHILIP K. HITTI stands
ready to answer any question on THE SYRIAN WORLD not only
Syrian history and will contri- truly representative of our talent
bute special articles occasionally. but complete in all helpful ways.
Amin Beder, translator of AlREV. W. A. MANSUR will
Mutanabbi,will
continue to concontinue his inspirational and uptribute in poetical form the gems
lifting contributions.
of Arabic wisdom found in Al"
Mutanabbi as in no other single
THOMAS ASA will not only regale us with his charming poetry Arab poet.
but will branch out into the field
Andrew Ghar/eeb still has
of fiction, of which he is capable considerable translations of Gibof producing the finest type, as ran's Arabic works which will
can be judged by his mystery appear in the Syrian World for
story beginning in this issue.
the first time in English.
DR. SALIM Y. ALKAZIN will
have a great deal more to offer
of the charming poetry he has
been contributing since the inception of the magazine.
RIHANI, although retired to the peace of his native
town in the valley of Freike, will
not forget the host of [admirers
and friends he has left behind in
America and will send them freAMEEN
NOTICE
This being the first issue appearing since the two months'
summer suspension, several new
departments under consideration
could not be included owing to
accumulation of other important
material.
�SEPTEMBER, 1931
A Poet Returns Home
Touching Ceremonies Attending the Departure of Gibran's body
From America and Its Reception in the hand of His Birth
Farewell Ceremonies to Gibran s Body
in America
By
BARBARA YOUNG
"Come for leave-taking, O sons of my mother.
Bi-ing now the children with their finger-tips
of lily and of rose.
Let the aged come to bless my forehead with
their withered hands.
And call the daughters of the meadow and
the field.
That they may behold the shadows of the
unknown pass beneath my brows,
And hear in my last breath the echo of
infinity.
Lo, I have reached the summit;
I have outstripped the cries of men,
And I hear naught save the vast hymn of
this eternity."
Gibran
^)N the morning of July 23rd, the silent homeward journey of
Gibran Kahlil Gibran began. Following a dawn veiled with the
mist which he loved so well, his body was borne from the tomb in
Boston to the pier at Providence, there to embark for the last time
upon any earthly travel.
Through the gentle gray rain a long line of cars drove in the
early morning to take farewell of the poet-painter and of his sister
Marrianna, and her cousins, Mr. & Mrs. Assaf George who were
making their journey also with Gibran to Beirut and Becharri. And
one could not but remember his passion for the rain and the snow
and for "all that comes down from the sky," and how he has said a
thousand times when the wind and the tempests would beat upon
his high window, "How I thank God for this! It releases something
.
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"J
»i"r
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
in me." And it seemed fitting that the rain should fall upon him
now, when all that had been within him was released.
Upon the road the cortege was met by the Rev. Philip J.
Nagem of Providence with an escort of a score of cars from that city,
come to conduct the family and friends of Gibran to the ship; wdth
them came also a special police car, which preceded the funeral
procession and halted all traffic so that the progress was unimpeded.
With Miss Gibran and Mr. and Mrs. George were the Rt.
Rev. Mgr. Stephen Douaihy, the writer, and Mrs. Zakia Gibran
Diab. And in the cars following, Mr. and Mrs. N'oula Gibran, Mr.
George's aged mother and his sister, Mrs. Amelia Gibran Parrant
and Mr. Parrant, and a great number of friends of many years.
At the pier where hundreds of both known and unknown
friends had gathered, a farewell service was held. The casket had
been placed upon a bier, and hung with t he American and the
Lebanese flags. Mr. N. A. Mokarzel, the editor of Al-Hoda, had
come from New York with a group of devoted men, among them
the Rev. Mansour Stephen of Brooklyn, S. A. Mokarzel, editor of
the Syrian World, A. K. Hitti, an agent of the Fabre Line, and J.
G. Raphael, editor of the magazine "Character."
Mr. N. A. Mokarzel presided at the ceremonies, voicing a
tribute to the genius and power of this countryman who had so earlymet with death. He was followed by Mgr. Douaihy who expressed
for himself as well as for the Syrians of Boston, and especially of
the Church of Our Lady of the Cedars, immeasurable remembrance and appreciation of all that this simple great man had been
in their midst as friend and brother for many a day; and to Mananna Gibran their endless love and devotion, and their readiness to
serve her loneliness and need in every human fashion.
Mgr. Douaihy and Rev. Stephen who came after him spoke in
Arabic, and with a fervor and sorrow that made it seem a pity that
those who did not know the tongue could do little more than
gather the sense of supreme eulogy and great bereavement . But
there were constantly recurring the words "Gibran" "Lebanon"
"Becharri," and these words made a ringing in every listening heart.
The Rev. Father Nagem of Providence spoke in English and
his words carried deep conviction of the exalted place that Gibran's
work will take among the poets and painters of the world, and his
assurance of the deathless power and beauty of Gibran's influence
upon the thought and life of the race.
Mrs. Mary Kahwaji read a poem in Arabic, paying her sorrowing tribute. Then the words of Gibran himself, a portion of THE
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SEPTEMBER, 1931
11
Prophet taken from the opening pages, was read by the writer,
where it says:
"Almustafa, the chosen and the beloved, he who was a dawn
unto his own day, had waited twelve years in the city of Orphalese
for his ship that was to return and bear him back to the isle of his
birth...And he beheld his ship coming with the mist... And he
thought in his heart, 'How shall I go in peace and without sorrow? Nay, not without a wound in the spirit shall I leave this city...
Yet I cannot tarry longer. The sea that calls all things unto her
calls me, and I must embark!....' Now, when he reached the foot of
the hill, he saw his ship approaching the harbor, and upon her prow
the mariners, the men of his own land...And his soul cried out to
them, 'Sons of my ancient mother, you riders of the tides, how often
have you sailed in my dreams, and now you come in my awakening
which is my deeper dream. Ready am I to go, and my eagerness
with full sails awaits the wind. Only another breath will 1 breathe
in this still air, only another loving look cast backward, and then I
shall stand among you, a seafarer among seafarers. And you, vast
sea, sleepless mother, who alone are peace and freedom to the river
and the stream, only another murmur in this glade, only another
winding will this stream make, and then I shall come to you, a
boundless drop to to a boundless ocean.' "
After this reading Mr. Salloum A. Mokarzel spoke with deep
feeling and fine appreciation of the achievements of Gibran, and of
the intense pride and joy that the Lebanese take in that this man was
one of themselves, and that his immortal name is irrevocably bound
up with the Syrian people; that the little mountain country has
given to this age one of its greatest spirits, and one whose incomparable worth is acclaimed around the world. He alluded to Gibran
as Almustafa, the prophet, the chosen and the beloved, in whom
dwelt knowledge of "those things which are between birth and
death."
After a brief word from Mr. Elias Shamon, a lawyer of Boston,
Mgr. Douaihy pronounced a final word of benediction and farewell,
and the casket was lowered into the ship, while the wind instruments
played the "Funeral March" from Tannhauser, "Asa's Tod" from
the Peer Gynt Suite, and "Nearer, My God to Thee."
At two in the afternoon the ship put out from the pier, and the
earthly chapter of a great life in this western land of steel and
stone, came to an end, leaving a silence and an emptiness in the
hearts, and in the places that knew him, and shall know him no
more. But leaving also a living memory of his words: "Forget not
. ..£?- :,.T
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:
�„,. i
12
ii..!. !»•!
Mlll^'l
THE SYRIAN WORLD
that I shall come back to you. A little while and my longing shall
gather dust and foam for another body."
Farewell, Gibranl
Text of the address delivered by the editor of The Syrian World
at the farewell ceremonies to Gibran's body at Providence, R. /.,
on July 23.
TORTY-EIGHT years ago a boy was born in a small town in Lebanon whose parents and their friends wished for him what is
commonly wished by simple peasant mountaineers for their children
a long life, vigorous health, independent means and a family.
They could not wish for him more than their imagination could encompass. And the good people of Lebanon, content with little of
nature's gifts, could express themselves in no other terms than those
dictated by the circumscription of their environment and conditions.
But that boy grew to immensely greater proportions than his
most sanguine well-wishers could imagine. He not only broke down
the restrictions of his environment, but s0 expanded as to broaden
materially by his influence the whole horizon of human vision, and
before passing leave an indelible impression on the universal soul
and mind. A small seed planted in the soil of Lebanon, he grew
into a tree whose ramifications covered the world. Although his
life was short, it was replete. His name became one that gives honor
to his people and his age. He is proclaimed universal in his influence,
so that his own people must be satisfied to claim him only by origin.
Indeed, they are proud to have given him to the world.
The boy wandered into strange lands. He had the happy faculty of blending most artistically the old and the new. But his predominant trait was his ability to tap the sources of the mystic past
and bring to mankind the realization that their spirit is eternal. The
mysticism of the ancient East found in him a most happy medium
of expression.
Today, after an absence of three decades in which he contrived
ably to deliver his message to the world, Al-Mustapha returns
home to be laid at rest with his ancestors. He returns in the closing
--———
—
—'-"
�SEPTEMBER, 1931
13
days of the month of Tammouz, when the crops of his homeland are
at the ripening stage ready for the gatherer. His friends of his
earthly sojourn had long and earnestly entreated him to tarry.
But his ship had come, and he could not ignore the call of his first
homeland. The prophet has delivered his message and now his
friends are gathered on the shore to see him borne into the mist.
Becharri, the town in Lebanon nestling in the shadow of the
Cedars, will now receive the mortal remains of her beloved son.
Becharri's distinction henceforth will be not that of being the district
capital, but of being the birthplace of Gibran. It shall not be known
only locally but universally. Gibran's shrine will convert it into a
place of pilgrimage, a converging point for the spirits of her immortal son's admirers throughout the world.
In such a manner will Becharri now receive the body of the
boy who left it a nonentity and became a world celebrity. Gibran
will now rest with his ancestors on the slopes of Lebanon, in the
shadow of the Cedars, and his name will add glory to that already
glorious land, while his fame will be as firmly rooted and virile
as the famous Cedars, despite the passage of time.
The Syrians and Lebanese of America are grateful to Gibran for
the glory he has added to their name, and in no uncertain terms do
they wish to proclaim this gratitude.
Farewell, beloved son of Lebanon, on this your last journey.
And may God speed your mortal remains to the land of your fathers.
But your brothers who tarry in this wonderful land of wonderful
opportunities in which you had chosen to live will keep your spirit
in their hearts, nourishing your memory with that undying devotion
that partakes of the very nature of your own work of pen and brush,
that which has rendered you immortal.
�14
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Touching Receptwn of Gibran s Body
in Lebanon
AT last the sea gave up its precious trust to mother earth. Gibran's
body was delivered again to a new life in the hearts of his countrymen in the land where he had seen his first birth. The Poet of the
Cedars is now to rest forever among the sacred hills where his eyes
were first opened to light and beauty. And his last homecoming
was attended by such a display of grief as can be shown only by a
highly sentimental people like the Lebanese, still adhering to their
traditions of unrestrained emotional outpourings whether in joy or
in sorrow. Nor was the reception of Gibran's body an emotional
outburst of his fellow townsmen alone. It was attended by such ,
ceremony as the ancient hills of Lebanon never before witnessed in :
their hoary history.
Both government and people outdid themselves to do honor
to this beloved son who had himself done his native country such
great honor. Clergy and laity vied with each other to render him
reverence and respect. Fraternal and benevolent organizations of
all religious denominations sank their differences in the spontaneous
and overwheming desire to swell the sweeping patriotic movement
to honor the great genius whom the common motherland had produced.
Gibran's ship arrived in Beirut harbor on the morning of August 21. An official delegation immediately went on board to act as
guard of honor during the landing ceremonies. The casket was
draped with a Lebanese flag and transferred to a government steam
launch. And at the moment the body was laid for the first time on
native soil and the coffin opened for inspection, Gibran Twainy,
Minister of Education, pinned 0n the breast of the poet the decoration of Fine Arts conferred on him posthumously by the government by special decree. Gibran was then ready to enter the port of
his homeland.
In describing the funeral procession from the port landing to
the Maronite Cathedral, the newspapers of Beirut stated that the
whole city turned out to greet Gibran on his homecoming. And
judging by photographs reproduced in some Egyptain illustrated
papers there was no exaggeration in the statement. The honor paid
Gibran by his countrymen was genuine and unparalleled in the
history of the city.
�-m I
SEPTEMBER, 1931
15
Walking in the procession were the Minister of the Interior
and representatives of the High Commissariat, the French Admiralty and the army of occupation. Following them wrere representatives of the consular corps, the benevolent societies of all creeds,
Christians, Moslems and Jews, and thousands of school children
of both sexes. A company of militia gave salute when the cortege
passed the Saraya and the police band furnished the music all along
the way.
At the Maronite Cathedral of St. George Archbishop Ignatius
Mobarak received the body with blessed water and incense, chanting lugubrious dirges in Syriac, the ritual language-of the MaronIites. After prayers for the dead were said the body was left in the
cathedral for the night under vigil of a guard drawn from among
the young men of Becharri who had come to Beirut for the "Wel:ome home."
But it was in the evening that the great "civic" memorial
meeting was held in honor of Gibran. The committee in charge had
engaged for the occasion the principal theatre in the city and not
pnly was the meeting under the official auspices of the government
but President Charles Dabbas of the Republic of Lebanon presided
Dver it in person. The speakers were the leading men of the land
md included Ameen Rihani, well known traveler and author;
KJialil Mutran, famous poet; Kalil Kussayyeb, President of the
Press Association; Gameel Baihum, President of the Young Men's
Moslem Society; Representative Michel Zakkour, poet and editor;
\ Kmeen Taki ed-Deen poet and statesman, and many others repesenting civic bodies and religious denominations. The services
vere punctuated with Arabic songs of Gibran's composition put
o music by Wadih Sabra and other outstanding composers for the
ccasion.
But what were perhaps the most touching demonstrations were
hose attending the passage of the cortege through the towns and
/illages of Lebanon, all along the coastal route and up the steep
mountain until Becharri. At prearranged stations the procession was
ibrought to a halt that the natives may pay their tributes and contribute their expression of love to the memory of Gibran. Some of
the demonstrations were not only touching in their spontaneity but
deeply mystical in their traditional allusions. People descended
from the "higher villages to gather in the coast towns where the
Concession was to pass and followed it to the confines of the town.
k'jbis was repeated almost twenty times over the route of about fifty
!es between Beirut and Becharri.
WMMMMMMM*
�1
1
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16
f
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Were Gibran only alive to witness the display of the characteristic Lebanese customs which he so much loved and that were now
being staged in his honor! At various stages along the route young
men in their colorful native costumes would engage in spirited
sword phy before the slowly moving hearse. Others would follow
singing martial songs or improvising eulogies for the beloved dead
in that peculiar form of the vernacular poetry known only tD the
Lebanese. While as a climax to the display of sorrow would conic
women mourners who, also 'extemporaneously, would sing the
praise of the departed to the rhythmic accompaniment of beating
their breasts.
But at one point in the march of the procession there was a radical departure from this general fromula. At a town near Gebail
ancient Byblus and the seat of the worship of the Syrian goddes
Astarte, a company of maidens came out to meet the body. The
wore loose, flowing gowns and their long locks fell in heavy wave
over their shoulders. And they also sang the praise of Gibran bu
did so in the sense of one who is living and not dead. They wel
corned him as "the beautiful bridegroom of our dreams" now re
turned and scattered flowers along the the road before him, am
sprinkled perfume on his casket. They danced before him as the
would in a wedding and their appearance seemed to bring back to lif
scenes that must have been enacted thousands of years back by th
virgins of the temple of the Syrian goddess on these very shore;
Many towns also contributed substantial quotas to the pre
cession, so that by the time it reached Al-Bahsas, which marks th ,
parting of the ways between the coastal and the mountain roads,
had swelled to more than two hundred automobiles and over 01
hundred horsemen. At Al-Bahsas, the governor of the northern di;f
trict of Lebanon, in which Becharri is situated, received the moun I
ers officially and accompanied them to their destination. And
the confines of Becharri practically every man, woman and chi.
who could walk massed on the road to march in Gibran's grei
homecoming procession.
As in Beirut, two distinct services were also held in Becharr
over the remains of Gibran. The body was laid in state in the churcl
of St. John where the clergy again conducted the .services for th
dead, while on Sunday, August 23, a memorial meeting was hel
in- the theatre, of the town presided over by Moussa Nammour
Minister of the-Interior.. Scores of poems and speeches were als
delivered on this occasion.
The thousands of visitors who came to Gibran's native to'
1
�.... --._.233
SEPTEMBER, 1931
F«*W o/ /A, i^o^ ^^ *,W>W tf,
to'
/**&«£ of Gibran's body in Beirut
17
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
18
The Appeal of the East
FIRST OF A SERIES OF SPECIAL ARTICLES ON FIRSTHAND OBSERVATIONS IN SYRIA, PALESTINE
AND EGYPT
By H. I.
KATIBAH
Cor days before the bow of our ship turned eastward, plowing its
way across the Atlantic in one more routine trip to the East, my
imagination had conjured all sorts of fantastic visions, scenes and
memories, a mental cyclorama in which I was wrapt around by an
Oriental world of my own creation while walking the busy streets
and thoroughfares of New York.
It is strange what a grip the East, particularly the East of the
Arabian Nights, has on the soul of the Westerner or even a Westernized individual born and reared in the very lap of this same East,
a stone's throw, so to speak, from Damascus, the "City of Delight"
and the scene of many an adventure in the world's most fantastic
and, perhaps, the most favoured tales in the world.
Sixteen years of disillusionment, spent mostly in the truly
magical city of our day and generation, had not expunged my golden
dream of the East. For where in the world do pinnacled palaces
rear themselves high into the sky by the rub of the modern Aladdin's lamp of science more truly than in New York? And where dc
the marids of mechanics bow more obsequiously to do. the bidding
of their capricious masters as in this city of the world's dreams '
come truer
And we of the East, the land of dreamers and poets, fail not
to detect beauty's gesture in the heart of the dinning confusion of
steel and mortar, of roaring engines and screeching wheels;_ nor
fail to appreciate true romance and magic under whatever guise it
appears. On the other hand, our long contact with an extreme
part of the West, a world so unlike our own, has so sharpened out
senses of contrast and discrimination that we begin to distinguis^
readily between cheap yellow lustre and true gold, between th.g
tinsel of romance and romance itself. Appearances do not decen
us so much as'they; do men and women who are confined to or
world of experience. Beneath the bizarre, uncouth garments of th
«pw
..JlffJUJiUlMI
�SEPTEMBER, 1931
I
Oriental; beneath the turban, jubbah and jullabiyyah, the souls of
the Orientals stand naked before our gaze, and we make mental
comparisons between individuals as far apart in environment, language, and traditions as the antipodes, yet as much alike as two peas
in a pod.
Yet, in spite of this, the East retained its appeal to me, its
charm and illusion, as truly as to any roving dweller on the befogged Thames, born with a surging wanderlust in his soul.
True, it was a more realistic and enlightened East that presented
itself to my recollection and imagination, an East with which I had
never completely been out of touch, an East whose social, political
and religious development I had followed with avidity in the press
and in current books and magazines, as well as through first-hand
contact with Eastern leaders whose missions and fancies carried them
to the shores of the United States. But it was a romantic East,
nevertheless.
Coming to this country before the War as a fresh graduate
from the Syrian Protestant College, now the American University
of Beirut, my impression of the East, even of my own Syria, was
rather hazy and desultory. Outside of my home district in the
anti-Libanus I had known only two cities of the Near East, Damascus and Beirut. I knew them, however, as a child who had been
brought up in a Protestant puritan home. Somehow, they belonged
to that heathen world of which we had been so apprehensive in
the Sunday school. As children who migrated from our home in
Yabrud to the missionary boarding school in Damascus or to College
in Beirut, and back home for the summer vacation, we were like
Christian travelling through Vanity Fair. We were strangers to
the big city which always held a fascinating and tantalizing curiosity
for us, and hence was always wrapt with a gossamer of romance
and strange beauty. To me Damascus of the fairy tales was as real,
more real, than the prosaic city of narrow, winding streets, stray
dogs, and ugly frame houses.
That is why my heart fluttered with boyish joy as I thought of
my pending voyage to the East in spite of all the realism and enlightenment which I had acquired about it.
And now, after a stay of about twenty months in which I covered part of Egypt, all of Syria and Palestine and part of Mesopotamia, I find, strangely perhaps, that I am still enamoured of
vhe East, -and th-e illusion of romance with which I always viewed
t had not vanished away.
This mental phenomenon, so unlike that of many of my coun-
�11
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Q
trymen who came back from a visit to the homeland disappointed
xZ disgruntled, may be partly explained by the consideration
hat I did not go there with any too exaggerated notions of what
to find there, I much as by the fact that I looked for romance
LD
5T-
^^^itttXSn Cairo who had the distinction of being
the only one to succeed in interviewing the late Clemenceau on his
ast v it to Egypt, told me that he asked the great *£***£
man and humanist what it was that impressed him most in Cairo^
Was it the pyramids, the Nile or the mosques? And Clemenceau
ePLd: "It i none of these; it is suk Musky. .And here in a nutshell you have the secret of all proper travelling abroad, whethe * its
in the'orient, in Europe or in darkest Africa and here also you my
have the genuine source of true romance in the East.
and
Thafvou could penetrate the teeming masses of humanity in r an
suk Musky in Cairo, or al-Hamidiyyah in Damascus, or any> ofhe eets
picturesque bazaars in any of the cities of the East adds more^zest
Ld significance, it seems to me, to this undifferent.aed, orb dding, the
distant romance. It brings you nearer to the subtle, yet simple, jrno na e yTcharming, workings of the Oriental mind which when
we giveallowance to the peculiar way it expresses itself, we.findI to
>
be surprisingly like that of any other people in the West or in any ^
section of our little globe.
Some people think of romance as something different, some- -uly
thing strange and unlike our daily routine of experience, and it is den
hesf people who are so disheartened when they discover that the aces
East islScoming more and more like the West; who moan at the ladAppearance ofthe fez and the harem from modern Turkey; who e u
dc
are so anxious to preserve the idyllic and georgic appearance of the din
Holy L" d And" with a world so swiftly changing as ours in our ^
modern days these people are bound to be ^J^
*J%&
nointed The trouble with them is that they have not discovered not
STt ue iTature of romance in humanity, the unity that underlies of
and subvenes all the fascinating varieties of life-expressions. They or
^looking
£-«
it
were loosing for
IUI thrills
uuu« for
w their£W
— J— - nerves—*[f
r^ v^t
and adventure; they were skimming the surface of the East
.ne
u.
once they found out that under the surface life was much alike
d ou,n
world over their interest faded, and, like a giddy butterfly
guis
moved to another flower of new scenes and untrodden land
n th
For the student of life the East, the Near East is of pec t• ecen ls
1
interest and appeal because life there is more natural, the> em
o on
more sincere and expressive than one is likly to find in New
\f th
'""""
�21
SEPTEMBER, 1931
or London, or even on the continent of Europe. One finds the
reactions that one is entitled to find, the response that naturally follows from a given mental or emotional stimulus. Only, some people who are not acquainted with the poetical nature of the Easterner
mistake the picturesque, metaphorical and aphoristic manner in
which he expresses himself for tortuous and evasive subtlety. The
Easterner above all is an inborn and incurable conversationalist. Instead of finding his esthetic release and expression in paintings, or
the florid language of the printed page, he develops it and exercises it in his daily talk.
I have met many Westerners in my recent travels abroad, and
many since, whose genuine interest in the East did not differ much
from mine, or from that of any other who goes to the East with ar
open heart and a sense of universal sympathy and understanding.
And invariably the enthusiasm of those enlightened visitors to
lands hoary with traditions and genuine culture, was due more to
the discovery of likenesses, under the surface of strange customs
and appearances, than to differences and peculiarities.
$ht"
istic
-uly
den
aces
laddc!
Quatrains of Al-Mutanabbi
Translated from the Arabic by
DR. SALIM
Y.
ALKAZIN
And even I have always found that he
Who hath a sickly mouth and taste of gall,
Will foul and bitter Crystal Waters call,
Tho fresh and sweet as Nectar they may be.
And he who spendeth life in massing Gold,
To ward off poverty and naught besides,
• Towards the Gulf is making mighty strides,
And unto Poverty his soul hath sold.
�22
THE SYRIAN WORLD _
,
OWE
ARABIAN
TALES
'"
) ORIGINAL TRANSLATIONS
HAROUN AL-RASCHID AND THE BEAUTIFUL WIFE
OF HIS MESSENGER
A RAB chroniclers relate a story about Haroun Al-Raschid much
similar to that of King David's episode with Bath-sheba, the
wife of Uriah the Hittite, and mother of King Solomon, but with
very different and much more wholesome results.
While walking in the gardens of his palace, Al-Raschid saw on
the roof of a house close by a young woman whose beauty eclipsed
the full moon, having the large, dreamy eyes of a gazelle and the
graceful form of a houriat from Al-Jannat. To his question, "Who
may the fair creature be:" his chamberlain informed him that she
was the wife of his attendant and messenger Fairuz. Whereupon
Al-Raschid returned immediately to his palace consumed with the
fire of desire to gain possession of her.
That same day Al-Raschid called Fairuz and entrusted him
with an apparently important letter which he bade him deliver to
one of his agents in a distant city. Fairuz, unsuspecting, repaired directly to his house and retired for rest in preparation for an early
start on the morrow.
Early on the morning of the following day Fairuz departed on
his mission, and had no sooner left than the caliph made a clandestine call to his wife. Seeing the caliph at the door the woman could
not help remarking in her surprise, "May Allah guard us against
such a visit. It portends only evil." But the caliph thought she had
not seen through his disguise and hastened to explain: "I am AlRaschid. You may not have recognized me!"
"Yes, my master," replied the woman. "I fully recognize the
illustrious Prince of the Faithful and am surprised that he should
come to drink at the same fountain with his own dog."
This frank rejoinder had its effect on the caliph who lost no time
in making his exit, overlooking in his haste one of his sandals which
he had shed by the door.
�^n
irly
EPTEMBER, 193-1
23
*
Meanwhile Fairuz, after having proceeded some distance, dis\ered that he had forgotten the caliph's letter under his pillow
id returned to seek it. His arrival followed immediately upon the
.parture of Al-Raschid whose sandal he discovered by the door and
-alized that he was sent on this errand only for an evil purpose.
He refrained, however, from making any remark and after regaining the letter proceeded on his journey.
Upon his return he went first to the court of the caliph who
appeared pleased with his dispatch and rewarded him with one hundred gold pieces. This he used to purchase some pieces of jewelry
and other appropriate gifts for his wife.
But upon returning home he bid his wife make immediate prepj arations for a visit to her parents, and upon her inquiring the reason
f for this sudden decision, he told her, with seeming cheerfulness, that
1
the caliph had liberally rewarded him and it was but meet and
proper that they should share their good fortune with her parents.
Having left his wife at her paternal abode, Fairuz departed and
never returned. The brothers of the woman became suspicious and
sought of the husband an explanation of his action, but he would
neither consent to taking back his wife nor give a reason for his
strange behavior, and when they threatened to bring action against
him before the caliph he readily consented to a trial.
It so happened that at the time Fairuz and his brothers-in-law
appeared in court the cadi and the caliph were both present. The
elder brother of Fairuz's wife thus put forth his case:
"Know, O learned judge, that I have given unto the keeping
|of this man a well-kept orchard having full-bearing fruit trees, and
a well of clear water, and surrounded by a high protective wall. He
ate the fruit, damaged the well and destroyed the walls and now
wishes to return the orchard to me without a logical explanation."
Complying with the judge's request for an explanation Fairuz
"Know further, O learned judge, that I have returned the
j orchard to its original guardian even in better condition than when
I received it. My only reason for returning it is that I have discovered traces of the lion's visit to it, and fearing the consequences and
out of deference to the majesty of the lion, I have preferred to
waive my right to the orchard."
At this point Haroun Al-Raschid, who had appeared to be following the progress of the proceedings only casually, straightened in
bis seat and thus addressed Fairuz: "You may return to your orchard
W perfect safety and peace of mind. By Allah, the lion sought your
�-Jam
SE
THE SYRIAN WORLD
24
orchard but touched not its fruit nor its trees and left after only r
brief visit. By Allah I assure you that I have found none other simi
lar to your orchard in the strength of its walls and in the protectioi
of its fruit."
Fairuz understood and readily consented to take back his wife,
while of all those present none but he and the caliph were aware of
the earlier developments of the case.
To a Dying Tree
By
THOMAS ASA
Thou lone sentinel of the open plain,
A hundred years hast thou in silence kept
A faithful watch,—thy solitary reign
Is ended, and too soon wilt thou have wept.
No more shalt thou in utter freedom fling
Thy leafy bowers to the scented air;
No more, no more, thou mute, majestic thing,
For thou art bare, and ever-more be bare.
Cold as the driven snow hast thou become,
Insensate to the breathing atmosphere.
Thy flutt'ring friends of yesterday wilt drum
Their sad lament, but this thou cannot hear.
Nature hast not anything so dear to me
Than thou, O dying monarch of the plain.
Had'st I the pow'r, soon would I bring to thee
The sunlight's glory, the sweet taste of rain.
J
A wayward hand, long hence, had'st planted thee,
That thou some day may offer thy cool shade;
;
And rear thy noble height that all may see
What God in his most happy mood hast made.
�25
SI SEPTEMBER, 1931
Shiites Protest Rihani's Criticism
\
ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THE SYRIAN WORLD
CAUSES A STORM IN SYRIA
HE article by Ameen Rihani published in the March issue of
TTHE
SYRIAN WORLD on the Passion Play of the Near East was
unique in that it was the first description by a foreign observer of the
annual rituals held by the Shiites in commemoration of the death
of Al-Hussain, son of Ali. Undeniably, Mr. Rihani has given the
world the first authentic account of an Eastern religious observance
that has been thriving for over twelve centuries with the same religious fervor characterizing its early beginning, but almost unnoticed by the outside world. The actual photographs he was able
to take helped materially to visualize his vivid description.
Appreciating the unusual news and historical value of this article, Lisan Ul-Hal, a daily newspaper of Beirut, translated it into
Arabic. Once its contents were brought to the attention of the
Arabic-reading public it created a sensation and immediately drew
;a storm of protest from Shiite sources. There was a hint in some
replies of the possibility of physical violence being visited on the
author. What the objectors resented most was the author's reference
ko the unsanitary condition of what is commonly known as Howdhul Kurr, a basin found in the court of almost every house in Kerpala and used for a multiplicity of purposes.
All this took place while Mr. Rihani was on his way back to
iyria from the United States apparently unaware of the storm his
rticle had raised. It was perhaps fortunate that his critics should
jave spent their fury unchallenged up to the time when he could
nake a blanket reply to all their attacks. And this he did in his
:haracteristic manner—briefly and to the point. He did not retract
a word of what he had said but claimed that he was prompted to
his criticism by his love for the Arabs and his desire to have them
mend some of their ways. Prime responsibility rests on the friend
and not the foe in pointing out the weak spots in a nation's social
institutions, he said, and he was that friend who criticized to reform
in a spirit of utmost fairness. He was happy, finally, to see that
his criticism had found its mark and aroused the interest which is
the harbinger of reform.
P Since then the storm of protests has abated, as apparently there
,..f..i. n.n, .,i
i
,„,,..
,i m
�>
r.f Mr "Rihani's predilections for the Arabs. Even
f
° ^Th^piy published herewith, received» Batglish ft-Sdoa
whieh is eonsidered the; stronghold of ^ Stae d.s net ,
,
embodies the principal object,ons, ofthe Shutes to
^
h
observations Be it sa.d to *e«tarf « «^Arabic replies of his
indu ge . the J»- stSg "the Arabic literary world is
StHEl - Merits and |viS denied It
rather »
Stdin^n SMS pa-tpa^dlo^ore sympathetic
interpretation of thdra*»- ^ ^^ of fair play and
m\
W .<£££Stt2&i of ^e conditions which gave
rise to the controversy.
RIHANl'S JOURNEY TO KARBELA
I
Editor, The Syrian World
AMEEN R-hani's article appearing in the March issue of-your
^cation
is a remarkable piece, but not a «ay'
one
s
p,,Pyto find that the ^pected ph.losopher of F e k s e- <
g
52 well-known realit.es .and mdu^hbag m
t,cler
^ ^
Was it for the purpose of reform: ££•£*£•£
blisn
l^eople thought, was to write ^^^^ £££
"" I^yT^etSbSrwhat he Ld seen, but what a great
difference there is between seeing and understandmg!
"
�mm.
27
SEPTEMBER, 1931
I
I am not writing in criticism of his illustrious P^onalrty or
his interesting ideas, but only to discuss some of the tag mistakes
:that
O„haplg0eTiine'9 he said "How would he and his Christian
frie, "be^eived in Karbela which is to the Shiah Moslems what
A
.'s
ot
lis
is
an
.n:tic
nd
ive
;M
C<Clgain " line 4, "And at Musaiyeh we beheld the first
vvuf ^ Rmam^rH^eigner we would kg?***
France of the differences between Shntes and Sunmtes. But he is
Cental an Arabian, who was 'brought up among the Moslems,
^ ^tslied a'good deal about their religion. It -£*
i
*n rppH that he calls the visitors to Karbela pilgrims,
i Se everybody kn -that Mecca and only Mecca is the place to
rh the MosUs-no matter if they be Shntes or Sunnites-go
f^rt and only its visitors are -lied pilgrims a,rd taown in
Tratar as "Haii." On the other hand, visiting Karbela I\ajel, OT
Izmiyain "optional and not prescribed religiously as is the case
lifhTe visit of Mecca. Even the visitors of such places do not get
-' S^TS called these visitors "p,lKS^thTfiSh^CW, on page 8 line 7, he
L The Huiwh Canal, which flows from the Euphrates near
ays, itie nusamiy
,
comparatively recent.
Musaiyah fo, atou 2!mik to• ***^
*£ &
£ SltT^oT the* pilgrims were bathing m its turtad
yrour
is i
>rgei
nngs I
that?;
; and
n arsome
iblish
se, as
merirends.
great
fnters
A
, paragraphsu M.
Mr R.ham
Uihani g«*
rives ' .oof of his misunderIn" this
^^
T ; 2^L Bu th'a,
otTh: pit. The thing is that theMos-
f^ZS£t£S£ -red water, i, ,s nought but a
^ T„eVa« that"the water is turbid is because it is drawn from the
VuphTates whkh everybody knows is muddy. And to see a persoa
In Karbela that cana1 .stnion > p
^.^ ^ ^
teSola'S t Recently for irrigation, bur not as a
Ganges to the Shiahs.
�28
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Anyone who hears our philosopher speaking about Howdh-Ul
Kurr thinks that the inhabitants of Karbela are a specie of cannibals
or the remnant of an uncivilized tribe. All his description of
Howdh-Ul Kurr is quite unreal and unreasonable. Certainly, somebody had told him about Howdh-Ul Kurr, and the teller is either
a fool or a liar.
Howdh-Ul Kurr is like any other usual basin used in hoiion
Its volume must be at least 27 cubic feet. Its water may be cfaanW
any period without the advice or the prayer of any mullah, i's
water may remain as long as the following three conditions prev;0t
(1) No change in color (2) in taste (3) in smell. This, as can'us
readily seen, is impossible in any basin without frequent change is
water, so it is usually changed many times during the month to
even during the day.
L_
If Mr. Rihani had seen a Howdh with the descriptions that lie
gave, it must be an exceptional case, and the house of one citize,
does not mean that the same conditions obtain in the houses of ai\
citizens of a city counting more than 50 thousand persons.
e
Contrary to Mr. Rihani's imputations, Karbela is in many ways
modern and clean, but Mr. Rihani looked only at the reprehensible
and black side. And is it strange to find some incongruities in a
big city? Take New York, the greatest and the richest city of the
world, do you not find that many of its inhabitants are living in
filthy and unsanitary residences, Yes, it is so, but Mr. Rihani saw
only the small, black spot in Karbela and overlooked all else.
Mr. Rihani concludes by giving a historical outline of the enmity between Omaiyah and Hashem, relating three stories about th,ur
burial of Husain. It is an established fact that the head and bod, .
of the martyr were buried in Karbela and only few historians coiQ
3
test this point.
\
His description of Ashourah was on the whole correct, bu.^t
somewhat exaggerated.
,
In asking the editor of the SYRIAN WORLD to give space in his
magazine for the publication of my reply, I am but appealing to._
his senses of fair dealing and to his disinterested spirit of service to
Arabian culture which gave rise to his publication.
V
Sidon
Kamel MorowaaS
'Sis ~<lf-Z> ni'/^fZ' •^—!+J*'<7''V^-^7?\ T v,', '"{££& Kd&\<.'s'<r-
—nmt».iw>
s.
at
�SEPTEMBER, 1931
29
In the Month's News
CONQUEST OF THE AIR
\
ie
;h
ya
aS
is.
at
^HATEVER can be imagined
can be done. The truth of
this axiom is being forcefully
demonstrated every day. Consider aviation. It seems things are
now being done in the field of
aeronautics that; appeared wrellnigh impossible a tew years back.
From the modest beginnings of
simply demonstrating that flying
in heavier-than-air machines is
feasible it has been given our generation to see marvelous strides
in man's march towards air conquest. Two airmen flew around
the world in seventeen days 5 a
Zeppelin has discovered new
lands in the arctic region in an
expedition of a few days; and
for the first time on record two
American airmen have made a
non-stop flight from America to
Turkey in Asia.
All this took place within the
month of July. Transatlantic
flights have become so common
that they have almost ceased to
be news.
Russell Boardman and John
Polando made their epic flight
from New York to Istanbul, a
iistance of over 5,000 miles, in
Jess than fifty hours. Within the
limits of two days they saw three
continents — America, Europe,
and Asia. Simply to cover three
continents would not be in itself
such a wonderful achievement
had the continents been other
than the three named above. An
airman , leaving Europe could
easily fly over Asia Minor and
reach Africa in less than a day.
But the fact that America is separated from Europe by 3,000
miles of ocean makes the feat of
the American airmen an outstanding one.
Turkey is contiguous to Syria,
and but a few hundred miles
more would have brought the
American airmen to the city of
Aleppo. This should place a
non-stop flight between America
and Syria within the limits of
possibility, and would surely
bring Syria to the attention of
the world as nothing else could.
Perhaps some Syrian aviators
might yet undertake it as did the
two Hungarian-American airmen
who flew from New York to
Budapest /in a plane they named
"Justice to Hungary" for the
avowed purpose of calling the
attention of the world to the
injustice they claim is being dealt
to their mother country.
�=5
50
To our knowledge, there are
at least half a dozen Syrian aviators in the United States, four of
whom have already been mentioned in the THE SYRIAN
WORLD on various occasions. Of
this number two are young women who appear to be great enthusiasts—Mrs. Maloof, of California, who is said to have ordered a speed plane for a transcontinental flight, and Miss Alice
B. Coury of West Virginia
whom we mentioned recently as
being the pride of her home town
of Hopewell. The men aviators
are Fouad Mokarzel of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and Joseph Musleh of Jacksonville, Fla. Who
knows that any one of these
might not yet bring great honor
to himself and his race and place
the name of his country of origin prominently on the map.
In Syria and other countries
of the Near East, aviation is making rapid strides. A Lebanese,
Lt. Akar, made a flight from
Paris to Beirut. Egypt is rapidly
building an air force, manned
exclusively by natives. The
same may be said of Arabia
and Iraq. Recently, on the occasion of the return of the Iraquian Minister from Europe, he
was met at Aleppo, in northern
Syria, by an air squadron from
Bagdad which crossed the desert
in less than half a day.
After all, the East is not
standing still.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
SCHOLAR IN POLITICS
MEWTON D. Baker, Secretary*
of War in President Wilson's,
administration, is; now being_
prominently mentioned as a.pos'
sible Presidential candidate foi
the Democratic Party in the com
ing elections. Describing hi
singular qualifications as a scholar, a writer for an American news
syndicate told how Mr. Baker
can, among other things, recite
by heart a whole Arabic poem
or quote from the Scriptures in
Hebrew. Naturally, when a
scholar has so far advanced in
his quest of knowledge in original sources, Latin and Greek, as
well as many of the modern
languages, may be taken for
granted.
To those of us who appreciate
the difficulties of learning literary Arabic, Mr. Baker's apparent
proficiency in the language seems
indeed to be an achievement. We
take it for granted that he does
not repeat his Arabic poems without understanding, and to understand the advanced Arabic of
poetry means years of study of
the complicated grammar. One
would expect such painstaking
study of Orientalists and University professors but not of
practicing lawyers and men in the
position of Mr. Baker who have
so much to claim their time and
attention. The account seems almost unbelievable and we only
hope it is true.
Be the case what it may, there
�!f
SEPTEMBER, 1931
1
%
r
31
quired the services of fifty carpet layers to move it on "dollies"
into the building. The rug is
said to be the largest hand-tufted
rug ever woven in a single piece.
And it was described as a Persian
rug whose 'finely woven design
represents a voluptuous Oriental
garden.
So far, so good. To the writer
there was something of unusual
interest in a rug of such exceptional qualities especially that it
wras of Persian make and had a
direct bearing on the progress of
a celebrated Eastern industry. It
was with avidity that he pursued
reading further details, of the
piece which had claimed no little
space in one of the principal metropolitan dailies. While following the account, visions arose in
his imagination of how deft Persian hands had executed the
dainty designs of the rug; how it
was shipped across vast stretches
of land and sea to its final destination; how it is bound to.prove
the admiration of thousands of
Westerners who will marvel .at
the masterly craftsmanship of the
East. There was that element of
DECEIVING NAMES
pride rising within his breast that
IT ARL Y this month a rug of ex- swells at every thought of someceptional size was delivered to thing done well by people of
the new Waldorf Astoria hotel his own section of the world.
in New York, which, among But this emotion was short-lived.
other things, caused a traffic snag There was no ground for it exthat gave the police some uneasy cept in his own fancy. For the
moments. The rug measures exceptional Persian rug in ques70x50 ft. and weighs more than tion was not made in Persia, nor
two and one-half tons. It re- by Persian hands, nor was its
is in this enlightening piece of
news on the erudition of Mr.
Baker an object lesson for our
Syrian-American generation who
should find it 4nuch easier to
learn the language than does an
American. They could at least
acquire a speaking knowledge by
a little practice in their home environment if not master the language to the point of reciting
poems. Mr. Baker and scholars
of his fclass take, up foreign languages simply to satisfy their insatiable thirst for knowledge,
while those of our children who
can- take up spoken Arabic as a
matter of course with apparently
no extreme effort on their part
should realize also the utilitarian
advantages that are bound to accrue from linguistic versatility.
At least, those of our younger
generation who would cut loose
from every relationship with
their .ancestry should find in the
example of Mr. Baker something
to think about in the value and
pride In knowing a foreign language.
�*
11
1
llfi 1
THE SYRIAN WORLD
32
manufacture related in any way
to the country of which it bore
the proud name. Who made it
then, and where:
It was made in Maffersdorf,
in Czechoslovakia! Thirty weavers worked on it for ten months,
tying 12,600;,000 knots by hand.
The Czechoslovaks, that new,
small, enterprising nation of
middle Europe who came into
being only after the World War,
were able to best the old Persians
of the East who had been following the rug weaving industry
for centuries, at their own game.
Surely it's time the people of the
East took means to guard their
industries, or whatever remains
of them.
GANDHI IN LONDON
""THE East remains not only
mystical but compelling in
its mysticism. There is that something in its ancient civilization
that at once defies description
and elicits awe and admiration.
It has the distinction of possessing a spiritual quality that seems
to come only with mature age.
The East is old and wise, and
its age and wisdom are bound to
command attention and respect
in due time.
Gandhi today is the acknowledged symbol of the aestheticism
of the East. Nor should he he
considered as standing alone on
his high spiritual pinnacle. For
were it not for his people's ap-
)
preciation of his qualities he ,
could not find the millions oiyx
followers who are willing to do Sr
his bidding to the limit of human sacrifice.
What a refreshing and heartening spectacle it must be when
a man who comes to represent
one-fifth of the whole human
race at an epoch-making political
conference defies all accepted
conventions and acts only on his
own convictions to the extent of
braving ridicule! His is the
strength of the spirit against the
might of the greatest colonial
power the world has ever known.
And the struggle is worth following not alone because of the
great stakes involved, but primarily because of the spiritual
forces that are now brought to
play on the most extensive scale
known in history.
Gandhi comes to London in a
loin cloth and home-spun shawl.
He may even see the King in
this attire, oblivious of the rigorous formalities of the court
of St. James. He takes passage
third class from India to England , and when in London
chooses to live in the poorer section, subsisting on a simple fare
of goat milk and dates. In Marseilles he is mobbed by admirers
but still stops at the servants'
quarters of a modest hotel.
Truly there is something in
this man of the East than can
be admired but cannot be fathomed.
'
1 | ; ||
)1
i
�•?-*—
SEPTEMBER, 1931
33
HOME AND FAMILY*
BAHIA AL-MUSHEER,
Editor
J HAD occasion recently to travel through one of the fairest sections of this fair country, following trails over mountains and
paths through forests practically primeval, skirting lakes and ponds
ol the purest azure framed in greens of every imaginable shade.
livery now and then, neglected and overgrown roads led to a
clearing in the woods, where a deserted homestead or the remains of
a homestead stood; and in every case those men who cleared the
trees plowed the ground, planted the orchard and established a home
lor their families, had an eye for beauty, for every site selected for
a homestead commanded a view of passing loveliness.
But turning the eyes from hills and valleys they would fall on
a house in ruins, or the outline of a garden once carefully tended but
now overgrown with weeds, or once-verdant fields now covered with
brush and in orchards all but swallowed up by the forest.
Indeed a sorry sight!
It is not my purpose to speculate about the causes that brought
about these conditions. They may be logical and reasonable. I want
simply to say that my respect is deep and my admiration is profound
lor the pioneer—the pioneer of every race and in every country,
who dreamed and hoped and toiled and sweated to make things possible for himself and his loved ones, and who blazed the trail for
others. Then for one to turn around and find that the house he built
is m ruins, the ground he cured produces nothing, the efforts he
made are come to naught, the hopes he cherished are shattered,
cannot but touch one's heart deeply.
Now, the reader will ask, and with reason, why did I choose
to preface my efforts in this department in this manner? Why
did I select for a frontispiece such a gloomy picture?
This is my answer. As a race, our love of home and devotion
to our families are surpassed by no other race. We or our parents
migrated to this and other parts of the world and like all pioneers
toiled and sweated to establish homes in which they intended to live
�li
34
THE SYRIAN WORLD
happily and which they hoped would prosper and flourish and multiply. This being the case, is it not our sacred duty to cherish the r
efforts of the founders, to strengthen the foundations they have laid
down for us, to improve and beautify that which they have builded,
and above everything else to guard it against neglect and ruin? And
on the other hand, is it not our sacred duty also to provide for those
who will succeed us ? In other words, how are we to use our inheritance, and what are we to leave to our heirs, and at the same time"
try to have every one contented and happy?
No, I am not an alarmist.
But if you will give ear to the deepest thinkers of our time and
the keenest observers you will find that their concern about the
present day home and family is great and you will not censure me
too strongly for my concern.
We have traditions and customs for which I have very deep respect, but not to such an extent as to hold them inviolable and ignore the demands of the times and environment! And I have a weakness for innovations and modifications, but not to an extent as to look
upon traditions and customs with contempt. I would that we should
not cast off the one unless for a good reason, and select from the
other only that which serves best our needs.
It will perhaps sound trite to point out that the home is not
merely the walls and the roof to which one repairs betimes, nor is
the happiness of the family dependent on the sumptuousness of the
dwelling and the magnificance of its appointment;—that things subjective rather than things objective should be considered essential in
the building of home and family. One can discourse on this subject
endlessly and become exceedingly didatic and consequently tiresome. But, things being equal, can one deny the fact that certain
wise modifications, improvements, changes in policies and habits and
the point of view, changes here and there will make a pleasant home
more pleasant, and a happy family more happy?
Let there be no mistake about it, the person conducting this
department is neither an arbiter nor a Solomon. Neither does she
presume to teach anyone how to live her life or run her home. She
has her home problems just like every other housewife and mother
and expects to receive more than she gives by the exchange of ideas
and experiences. As a matter of fact, this department is intended to
be a forum on which questions pertaining to the home, deemed to .
be of interest and benefit, will be discussed. She invites questions
and promises to do her utmost to be of service,
�I"
SEPTEMBER, 1931
le
35
The Mystery of Aornholt
A THRILLING STORY OF MYSTERY AND BRILLIANT
DETECTIVE WORK
By
THOMAS ASA
yHE morning dawned extremely cold. The incessant blanketing
of early snow had transformed the bare earth into strange, fantastic forms.
The snow fell all morning and afternoon, muffling the winter
solitude of Aornholt with a monotonous silence. The last of the
lingering vacationists, with the exception of Captain Geoffrey Forsyth and his invalid wife, had departed some weeks previously.
Fate, in a capricious moment, had surely imposed on Captain
Forsyth, an officer in the British army on indefinite leave. His wife
had found the therapeutic tranquility of the simple Swiss hamlet
very agreeable to her. The improvement in her condition had induced them to protract their stay, with the result that, with the sudden and unexpected recurrence of her ailment, they had been compelled to remain until her condition had sufficiently improved to
permit travelling.
The prolonged twilight, peculiar to that region, enshrouded,
the surrounding mountain peaks with a deceiving canopy that made
them seem to tower at a much greater distance. The falling snow
had partly subsided, and a sweeping wind began to make inroads
among the snow-laden branches of a small forest of deciduous trees
which grew at the southern extremity of the village.
The grizzled village doctor, Monsieur Andre Sardou, who
derived a moderate income in attending to the medical requirements
of the summer dwellers, had just left the picturesque villa which the
Forsyths had rented from an annual summer resident. Geoffrey
Forsyth was seated at his wife's bedside reading to her. His cheerful countenance and pleasantly modulated voice indicated a disposition resigned to their forced confinement.
"Geoffrey," interrupted his wife, Cynthia, "I feel much better
now, and really believe I can sleep. I am sure that you are tired of
reading, and a visit to the tavern will be more congenial to you."
"I will go if you want to sleep, dear; but I'm not certain that
you are comfortable?"
�...,-raai r
3S
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Marie
here to attend
really
*« I
really^JKVF'
think that funny^V^J
little doctor has ®given me some relief."
Is there anything that you may need at the inn?" Cantain
^dtppl^^
clear ^Zt
be
»
i-Mr-L' Cynthia
£* "f^8^ Captain Forsyth stepped into the
^^I^SS*tOWard
thC gl
?mi^ ***£ marked
tW hUnd6rd
U
the »cteSdtS^ ^^^^ °
*** P
fnl Zt T°dQStlJ fPP°inted "Monte Tavern" presented a cheer
ful sigh from the bitter cold outside. GeoffreyForsyth stamped
went bTf ^^ "^
bmShed th£ Sn W from his
the din ly° visible villaboot
whichH
IT^tnltlZTT
1°^ ^5
?
of hiJ L andT
C
Sloped him!
Pl6aSant Wa
^23
0pened the
th fr m
°
eyet
brass-bound door
Within
Mediately en-
fwr^f *?' ^ood-natured Proprietor, Maitre Pierre, as he was
f^mliarly known, greeted him effusively in painstaking EnglS
Ah, good-evening, Monsieur Capitaine, good-evening I hoofvou
enjoy the best of health;-and madame" monsieur^ £c 2K?
and ,!!IhankiT'
Pie
7e'
U
ShG IS betten
a
" Forsyth removed his hat
ie b0 0m
Sep£^±2*
T r monsieur
- " ^before the &££
Y
cigarette:
assistant" °rder W"
"* "^
SCrVed Wkh alaCrky
>" ** ordered, lighting f
^ Jea">
the
inn-keeper's
Captain Forsyth drank the stimulating liquid slowlv and
matlv iii Z£? r°°m- A "^ who 'were talking" £
mately in undertones, were seated at a table in the corner oonosite
??
him; but what they were saying, he could not understand
ine minutes passed monotonously. Geoffrey Forsvth soon
confessed the soothing languor that stole over him, his rest had been
8m
anXi£ty Ver his f
tw^ed
fr
°
* i3ff
Al
arowsed, butTwk
but awakened
almost instantly.
A*
woman's
vnire I«n
mg softly from the second floor of the tavern, hXoued^m He"
glanced inquiringly at Maitre Pierre, and that worthy crossed'over
to his table from the diminutive bar
"Travellers, Monsieur Forsyth—Monsieur and Madame
Raoul de Challons," he enlightened. "De Challons is artist he
will paint winter scene, I think you name it "
' C
�SEPTEMBER, 1931
37
hn^I\hl inn-keePer Pause4 wiped his thick lips with a lanre
handkerchief, and resumed in French, as if he found the alifn
tongue inadequate. "Madame de Challons is very beautiful and
quite young monsieur, a native of Vienna if I mistake not »
Forsyth smiled at the proprietor's enthusiasm, and then arose
from his chair and walked over to the balcony that overlooked the
immense valley below. He now understood "the causof the vU
W n ered Wkh
MallrrChajT° fbeautiful
', as "»
Madame de Challons ^
was as
Maitre"^
Pierre wttnt
had deCaptain Forsyth turned his head at the sound of some one
descending the enclosed stairway. What he saw was unexpected
The inn-keeper's praise of Madame de Challons' beauty Z^superla'
tive indeed, but the loveliness he beheld caused him L st^e in col
vert surprise. He recovered his composure, and perceived that De
Challons was of distinguished appearance
1W MStreuKen? PrfCeded his Suests t0 the table that was placed
before the huge fireplace. They were then served liqueurs by he
throve l^X^^^J^^S cct^r
C0 erSatl0n
drifted to him. Then he heard himself addressed
^
Monsieur Capitaine," said the proprietor, coming forward and
continuing, ceremoniously in French,-"Monsieur and M^d me de
Challons have instructed me to inform you they would be Teatlv
g
Y
honored to have the pleasure of your company »
Captain Forsyth felt a momentary embarrassment at this un
expected invitat.on He readily appreciated however, th w vmg
of formality intended by the courteous request. He therefore IS
nCret re gladl
bowed his assent and followed the inn-keeper
°
y
Monsieur Raoul de Challons arose from his chair
Captain Forsyth was presented. He bowed gravely to Madame
, f^ undihen b°Wed in
tUrn to Mo
« de Gallons who
extended his hand in the English form of salutation
'
You are exceedingly kind to give us your company, Captain
speaking the Gaii
astr
d
~ £%*sz
"Thank you monsieur, but surely I am equally indebted for
The proprietor now served a small flagon of chilled Cham-
�38
THE SYRIAN WORLD
pagne de Regnault, the finest of his ample reserve stock, imported
Turkish cigarettes, and delicate servings of sweet confections and
salted pistachio.
"The inn-keeper has just informed me that Madame Forsyth
is suffering from some serious indisposition, monsieur," said Madame de Challons in French.
"That is true, madame," Coptain Forsyth confirmed in the
same language. "My wife is troubled with a more or less chrome
nervous prostration, and its unfortunate reappearance at this time
is responsible for our stay here past the usual season."
"Oh, that is indeed unfortunate, Monsieur Forsyth," said madame, sympathetically; and then added: "It has undoubtedly been
very trying for her to be confined here all this time without some
feminine companionship."
"That has been her greatest discomfort, I believe, madame,"
Forsyth agreed: and then suddenly changing the conversation, he
addressed Monseiur de Challons: "Your commission is evidently
urgent to compel you to travel at this season, monsieur."
"I confess that such energy in the pursuance of art seldom
troubles me, captain. In fact, it was only at the earnest request of
a very dear friend and patron of mine that I put myself to this inconvenience." De Challons attended this brief explanation with a peculiar smile.
"It would be of great interest to me to see some of your work,
monsieur," Forsyth remarked, with polite solicitation. "Though I
know but little of art, I yet derive considerable enjoyment from it."
"Thank you, monsieur; I shall be pleased to have you examine
the canvas I have contemplated when it is in the stage of completion.
An obscure artist is always grateful when any interest is aroused in
his work."
As Monsieur de Challons finished this acknowledgment, a carelessly attired man, who was apparently of advanced age, emerged
almost noiselessly from the enclosed stairway and, after a furtive
glance about the large room, which was now vacant of native patrons,
proceeded slowly to a table in a corner of the tavern. The aged man
seated himself with the deliberate care characteristic of senility. A
heavy, grizzled beard covered his face, and the sharp nose and
piercing grey eyes beneath shaggy brows gave him an unusually
austere appearance. Despite his plain and somewhat frayed attire
and rough aspect, the stamp of rusticity did not cling to him. It
was evident that he was a stranger in the community.
"A remarkable looking person, monsieur," commented De
�SEPTEMBER, 1931
39
Challons in a low voice, addressing Captain Forsyth. "He is no
native of this village, I am certain."
"Maitre Pierre told me that the man, on his arrival several
days ago, gave his name as Gaston Benoit, and that he had come from
the district of Neuchatel to visit a married daughter, who lives in
a village called Traunfelwald, which is about thirty miles distant by
post from here, I believe the inn-keeper said. He was forced to
stop in Aornholt because of a severe attack of rheumatism."
"The man is evidently displeased with the curiosity we show
in him," Madame de Challons said, breaking the silence she had
maintained for several minutes.
"He is an unusually fine character type for the artist's palette,"
added De Challons. "Were I disposed, and had the necessary time,
I believe that I would approach him as a prospective sitter."
"Fortunately for you, my dear Raoul, you are not so disposed,"
Madame de Challons said, with a smile. "I am doubtful whether
Monsieur Benoit would favor you with a sitting. Art does not retain
its charm to an aged rheumatic, I should judge."
"His retiring disposition certainly does not encourage any
intimacy," Captain Forsyth remarked, finding but slight interest in
the old man.
During the conversation, Monsieur Benoit was served a large
pewter of Wurttemberg ale which he had ordered, and which he
now drank with avid haste. He had seemed to peer with myopic focusing of the eyes about him, and now seemed to have merged within
himself, completely oblivious of his surroundings.
The early winter evening advanced until the staccato beat of
the tavern clock indicated the hour of ten. Geoffrey Forsyth arose
from the table, excusing himself with apparent reluctancy.
Monsieur de Challons also arose. "Much as we desire, we will
not ask you to remain longer, captain," the artist said, with a friendly
smile. "You are naturally anxious about your wife, who, I hope,
will forgive us for detaining you to this hour."
Assisted in his ulster by Jean, who, prior to this attentive assistance, had been nodding sleepily behind the bar, and standing
with hat and gloves in hand, Captain Forsyth addressed his new acquaintances before departing.
"Allow me to thank you for a very pleasant evening," he said,
with a slight bow; "and may I be permitted the pleasure of returning this courtesy by inviting you to our temporary home tomorrow."
"Trusting you will excuse fne, monsieur, I shall defer the
great pleasure of meeting Madame Forsyth until later, my com-
�40
THE SYRIAN WORLD
mission allowing me so little leisure," acknowledged the artist j "but
my wife will be very much pleased to avail herself of this opportunity, I am sure."
"Indeed, Monsieur Forsyth, it will give me the greatest pleasure to make youn wife's acquaintance," Madame de Challons acquiesced, in her charming manner.
"Then kindly expect me here at ten tomorrow morning, madame."
Captain Forsyth quitted the warm atmosphere of "Monte Tavern" and walked briskly down the steps. The night was extremely
cold, and the sky exhibited a festive splendor with its starlit firmament, which was only occasionally obscured by a sudden flurry of the
wind. The snow-covered objects near the roadway were sharply
delineated against the frosty background of darkness, and the deeply
rutted tracks of a horse-drawn sled that had passed over the road
during the early part of the evening were still plainly visible.
Geoffrey Forsyth was in a very pleasant mood, and thoroughly
enjoyed the chilly stillness about him. The unexpected evening's
entertainment at the inn had dispelled the feeling of discontentment
that had filled the slowly passing days. He had never, in all the
varied phases of his army life at home and abroad, quite met the
equal of Madame de Challons in beauty and charm of personality.
The artist impressed him as a man of considerable culture and
eclectic experience, and possessing that bonhomie characteristically
French.
Occupied with these pleasant meditations, and forgetful of a
sharp turn in the roadway just ahead of him, Captain Forsyth
incautiously stepped into a snow-drift, which immediately brought
him back to active perceptions. Brushing the fine snow from his
coat, he quickened his strides, and presently entered the lighted
interior of his temporary residence.
He removed his hat and ulster, and then walked lightly up
the carpeted stairs. A warm, mellow light issued through the partly
open door of his wife's chamber. She was awake, awaiting his belated return.
"The deuce!" exclaimed Forsyth, closing the door and going
to her. "Rather bearish of me to have stayed so long, dear." He
seated himself near the bed and took her delicate hands in his and
tenderly kissed them.
"Listen, Geoffrey," interrupted his wife, with a wan smile.
"What is it, dear?"
"I feel that you are wearied of this place. You know, Geoffrey,
�SEPTEMBER, 1931
41
you can go south for a few days "
dToette todayand are *w5*£^* *
inquiSgly"
FOTSyth remainCd Silent
'
bW l0
*d * her husband
Cynth,a, but L sure £^ffiZ^K** *»"
can und'e^ £££** "^ to ^.p^K*
writelo^et"' Iff T E"F* "** f°
his
one
°m> ""-ding to
The proprietor turned and called in French to his assistant
J
d
e tHat M SiCUr F r th has
"How
I"
T
T,
r
°^
-ted" "
How long has Monsieur de Challons been out, Pierre?" nues
honed Forsyth, as he removed his felt hat and gloves
Q
and t^°mAAr eftTf^ eady' caPitaine," the inn-keeper answeredand then suddenly added: "Ah I forget, I have letters wh cTcome
by the morning post for you, monsieur."
l and then
the se^erlTlSf n ^^ ^T^T *«
>
P*-«d
«fJfcA let.ters,m an inner pocket of his coat. He advanced towards the enclosed stairway as he heard some one descending!
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
"Good morning, monsieur," said Madame de Challons as she
reached the bottom step. She extended her gloved hand and smiled '
warmly.
"Good morning, madame. I hope that I have not kept you
waiting," Captain Forsyth greeted in return, slightly preceding
her to the door.
"Indeed not, monsieur; we Viennese are not early risers, you
know."
Madame de Challons nodded pleasantly to the inn-keeper as
they passed out.
"It is unfortunate that there is no public conveyance other than
the daily mail coach which passes through, madame."
"Walking is a favorite pastime in Vienna, Captain Forsyth; and
the distance is trifling," said the youthful Madame de Challons,
taking his proffered arm.
They went along for a few moments in silence. Madame de
Challons drew closer to Captain Forsyth, for she found the roadway
slippery with the snow that had slightly melted with the rising temture of the morning.
"I pray that your dear wife is better this morning, monsieur,"
said Madame de Challons, breaking the short silence.
"She is much improved, madame; and I am quite sure that
your intended visit is wholly responsible for the improvement."
Madame de Challons smiled with pleasure, but remained silent.
"You have been in England, Madame?" Captain Forsyth
asked, observing his beautiful companion with something of the
connoisseur's critical appreciation.
"I made a brief visit there with my parents several years ago,
monsieur; though I have yet to enjoy my first London season."
"The pleasure that one can derive from the social rounds in
London is quite negligible, madame; your Vienna is superior in
many ways, and certainly in the respect of ideal living."
"You are exceedingly kind to say so, Captain Forsyth; but your
metropolis retains a certain glamour that is almost irresistible to the
continental."
This pleasant exchange of commendations was abruptly ended,
for they now approached the stone walk that led to the cloister-like
entrance of the villa.
In the low-ceilinged hall, they were met by the maid, Marie,
who, with a smiling courtesy to Madame de Challons, relieved them
of their outer garments, and then ushered them into the comfortable
drawing-room ,where, much to Captain Forsyth's surprise and joy,
.. .
�SEPTEMBER, 1931
43
he found his wife occupied with some embroidery work before the
glowing warmth of a wood fire.
"Cynthia!" he exclaimed, going to her and clasping her delicate hands; "your presence here below is the greatest happiness I've
had for days."
His wife's attention immediately centered on Madame de Challons, who was regarding them with charming diffidence.
Captain Forsyth drew back from the chair in which his wife
was sitting.
"Madame, this is my wife," he said with a bow, introducing
them; "Cynthia, this is Madame Raoul de Challons, who was kind
enough to visit us."
With the expiration of ten minutes or more, during which Mrs.
Forsyth and her visitor chatted animatedly in French, Captain Forsyth, his spirits considerably heightened by the evident pleasure
his invalid wife felt in the company of Madame de Challons, excused himself and retired to the study on the second floor to attend
to his mail.
In the study, which was partitioned off from the bed-chamber,
Forsyth seated himself at the black-walnut escritoire, and drew the
curtains of the window near him. For a few moments, he gazed
abstractedly^at the panorama of snow-clad mountains that stretched
in endless vista before him. Then, with a shrug of his broad shoulders, he withdrew the letters from his pocket and began to examine
them.
For over a half hour, he alternately read and answered the
letters, one of which was from his elder brother, Sir Richard Elwart
Forsyth, who resided at Marmount Castle, the home of the Grenville-Forsyths for twelve generations.
With a sigh of relief, as if the obligations he had just finished
had been accomplished with but little relish, he placed the letters to
be forwarded in his coat pocket. He then arose from the chair, and,
passing through his bed-chamber, descended the carpeted steps.
Entering the drawing-room, his immediate gaze was directed
at the somewhat antiquated concert grand piano at which Madame
de Challons was now seated. His unobtrusive entrance was greeted
by a smile from his wife.
"Madame de Challons has kindly consented to play for us,
Geoffrey; although I am uncertain of its condition, having no inclination to try it."
"It is a Beckstein, of celebrated make, as you know," said Madame de Challons, who was examining a considerable quantity of
�44
THE SYRIANWORLD
sheet music in the rack; and then, as if dissatisfied with what she
found, she turned to the piano, and with an almost imperceptible
motion ran her fingers over the mellowed keys in pearly arpeggios.
"Why, it is in perfect condition!" Madame de Challons exclaimed, with some surprise, for the tone had sounded clear and
brilliant.
"I thought that you would find it so, madame," said Captain
Forsyth, who had seated himself near his wife. "Monsieur Claude
Viaud, from whom we rented this villa, is a very enthusiastic amateur of music, and it was quite unlikely that he would neglect the
instrument."
"I hope that my selection will please you, for it is a great favorite of mine," Madame de Challons said, as she commenced to
play with a forte stroke of bass and treble in the lower octaves.
"Geoffrey! that is the Sonata Pathetique of Beethoven," Mrs.
Forsyth exclaimed, in a voice of commingled surprise and delight.
Captain Forsyth sat spellbound. He had expected the usual
performance of an accomplished lady of fashion, and not this artistic rendition of which he was a delighted witness.
The first movement of the sonata, with its inspiring chord passages and charming oriental color, was followed by the adagio cantabile, the second movement, and this in turn was succeeded by the
graceful rondo, the concluding part.
With the accented quarter note that ended the composition still
faintly vibrating, Madame de Challons turned about on the piano
bench to smilingly face the warm expressions of praise from her
hosts.
"My dear madame!" Cynthia Forsyth said, her pale-blue eyes
aglow with excitement; "I now recall you as the youthful prodigy
who astonished London audiences with your wonderful talent several seasons ago. You were then known as Charlotte Brunne, if I
am not mistaken."
"Indeed, madame, we had no idea that genius had condescended to share our hospitality," remarked Captain Forsyth, who
fully shared his wife's admiration for their visitor.
"My dear friends, you overwhelm me with your kindness.
This talent you praise so highly is nothing."
"Oh, you are too modest, madame," Mrs. Forsyth added;
and then, as an afterthought she continued: "Did you not give a recital at the Imperial Opera in Vienna last winter?"
"I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity," Madame de Challons confirmed, smiling with slight embarrassment at
——
mm
�SEPTEMBER, 1931
45
the friendly inquiry from her well-informed hostess.'
"And called a second Ertman by all critics for your fine playing of Beethoven's sonatas?" continued Cynthia Forsyth, answering her own question, for her memory was sharpened by personal
contact with the object of her interest.
"Critics are far too generous in their comments, Madame Forsyth."
On being urged, Madame de Challons played several classical
selections, and continued to delight her English hosts until luncheon
was announced by Marie, who, needless to say, was very much impressed with the personality of the beautiful visitor.
(To be continued next month.)
Song of Friendship
By
EDNA
K.
SALOOMEY
Be still, my heart. This song shall end
Which rings this day jubilantly.
The silv'ry chords of sound, the blend
Of colours weaving harmony;
These joys which pierce you to the depth,
Fade like days on the wings of flight.
The song ended—as bleak as death
Are the hours of a songless night.
Weep not, my heart. Be now attuned
To the dull tunes of loneliness.
Their strident echoes are a wound
For which earth has no recompense.
And, when friend from friend must depart
And vast vacuity is left,—
In all the world the saddest heart
Is that which is of love bereft.
• '•"*• -
�Infantile Paralysis
By
DR.
F. I.
SHATARA
THE recurrence of infantile paralysis this summer makes a brief
discussion of this disease both interesting and important.
Infantile paralysis, known medically as Poliomyelitis, was
introduced into this country from northern Europe in 1906. Since
that unhappy year it has never been absent, but has prevailed in
some parts of the country every summer. In 1916, it swept the
country in epidemic from. This year it again assumed epidemic,
though less extensive, proportions.
The exact cause or germ of this disease is still not definitely
known and, until that problem is conclusively solved, our knowledge
of, and means of combatting, the disease necessarily remains inade- .
quate.
It is probable that the disease is caused by a germ described
by Flexner and Noguchi in 1913 as the "globoid bodies." Certain
strains of streptococci have been claimed to be experimentally capable of producing the disease. In 1916 and 1917, the writer, in
association with Dr. Charles Norris, carried out some research work
at Bellevue Hospital to determine the cause of this disease. A streptococcus was found in the brain and spinal cord substance of patients
who died of this disease, but a similar organism was found in other
patients who died from other causes.
It seems determined that there is a very considerable natural
or acquired immunity to infantile paralysis. Thus, infants under six
months of age, and most adults have a low susceptibility to the disease. The period of greatest susceptibility is during the third and
fourth years. After the seventh year, natural immunity seems to
be rapidly acquired.
The germ lodges in the mucous membrane of the nose and
throat, and later attacks the central nervous system, particularly the
anterior horns of the spinal cord. These are the seat of muscle control and when destroyed there is loss of motor power in the muscles
.
WSHBmmtmmimmMmmm r i
�SEPTEMBER, 1931
47
controlled by that particular segment of the cord.
Dr. Amos of the Rockefeller Institute, and Dr. Taylor of the
Vermont State Board of Health, made the interesting observation
that when the germ is brought into contact with the secretions of the
nose and mouth, the secretions, in many persons, have the power of
destroying the germ.
Infantile paralysis is a communicable disease. It may be transmitted by a third person. It is, however, only slightly contagious by
direct contact. This is a great blessing, otherwise the disease would
be far more prevalent, and it explains why it is rare to have more
than one case in one family. This knowledge has rendered burdensome quarantine restrictions unnecessary.
The early symptoms of the disease are drowsiness, fever, headache, irritability, especially when moved, vomiting, and stiffness of
the neck, followed usually in a few days by inability to move some
set of muscles. These symptoms may all be present, or only a few
may be manifest, and it is better for the parents not to attempt tc
make a diagnosis, but to call the doctor immediately, put the child
to bed, and keep the other children away. If the family is unable to
pay for the services of a physician, the Health Department will
send a physician gratis.
Once the diagnosis is established, the case should remain under
medical supervision, not only until the acute symptoms subside, but
also until the resultant paralysis has been improved or cured. This
is necessarily a slow process, and usually takes months and
sometimes years. Supporting braces and various surgical procedure
are often necessary. Convalescent serum, or the serum of patients
who have had the disease, when used early, is of some value. The
Health Department has available a supply of such serum donated
by volunteers. Governor Roosevelt of New York was one of the
first who donated some blood to fight this scourge.
In conclusion, the following are quotations from a leaflet
issued by Dr. Shirley W. Wynne, Health Commissioner of New
York City.
"What should be done to avoid infantile -paralysis?
Follow the well-known and accepted rules that always
protect one during outbreaks of infectious (catching) disease.
Avoid crowds or groups, whether public or private.
Avoid all sick children as well as older persons who are ill.
�48
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Mothers should see to it that children:
Wash their hands frequently during the day and always
before eating.
Don't let your children be kissed by any one.
Are bathed daily.
What foods should be given to children?
Clean, wholesome food suitable for this time of the year.
Plenty of milk, fruit, fresh vegetables and eggs.
Keep food, especially milk, in the refrigerator.
Avoid fried foods or foods liable to upset the stomach.
Do not give money to your children to buy drink or food.
Buy them for your children.
Raw fruit and other foods eaten uncooked should be
carefully washed.
Bathing at beaches or swimming fools is safe if the water is
clean.
Sayings of Ali
pORBEARANCE is a covering shield, and mind a trenchant
sword. Cover, therefore, thy natural defects with the shield of
sword. Cover, therefore, thy natural defects with the shield of
restraint, and attack the morbidness of thy passion with the sword
of intellect.
CPEAK and thou shalt be known, for every man is hidden under
his tongue.
A VARICE is the breeder of all the vices. It is a halter by which
one may be led to all form of evil.
MEVER have I beheld a tyrant more like one who is oppressed
than he who harbors envy. He is ever the victim of a brooding
depression, a Wandering mindj and constant grief.
�SEPTEMBER, 1931
49
Political Developments in Syria
WILL FRANCE RENOUNCE
ITS SYRIAN MANDATE?
The Paris office of the Havas Agency on August 28 gave out a report
from Geneva that the French Government intended to renounce its inundate over Syria. Later this report
was declared premature and explained
by France's willingness to introduce
changes in the form of government in
Syria that she hopes will solve the
Syrian problem.
Political rumors have been thick
and varied during the past few
months because summer seems to be
the favorite season for political activities in Syria. The logical reason
is that High Commissioner Ponsot
would be in Paris and matters coming
up for consideration could be dealt
with definitely with the Ministry
of Foreign affairs.
Out of the maze of rumors afloat
one thing seems to stand out distinctly as being contemplated by the
French, and that is their conviction
that the Syrians must be given additional political rights than what
they now enjoy. But just what form
the solution of the problem will take
has not been yet determined. There
are those who insist that Syria will
be made a monarchy with former
King Ali of Arabia as King, while
others maintain that nothing short
of a regular republic will satisfy
the Nationalists who still are considered the strongest single bloc in
the country. Recently rumors would
have it that Emir Ali of Transjordania is being considered for the
proposed Syrian throne instead of his
brother Ali. King Feisal of Iraq,
another son of the late King Hussain,
''
-
-
-
-r*£x
'
is said to have taken up with the
French the question of the Syrian
throne while on his recent visit to
Paris.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
OCCUPYING THE LEBANESE
What created a sensation in political circles in Lebanon was a report in one of the Syrian papers that
Emil Eddy, former Premier and one
of those most prominently mentioned
for the Presidency in the 1932 elections, had advanced the suggestion
while in Paris that Lebanon cede the
city of Tripoli to Syria as a sea outlet and because of the fact that the
majority of the population of the
city are Moslems. The true object of
this move is ascribed to the desire
of Mr. Eddy to insure for Lebanon
an overwhelming Christian majority
and eliminate religion as a political
factor in the affairs of the country.
The rumor was dismissed as ridiculous by the Lebanese press which
insisted that not only is the religious
question definitely divorced from politics in Lebanon but that the Lebanese
will never permit the loss of any part
of their present territory.
The Lebanese Government continues
to face a grave deficit in the budget.
Michel Zakkour, a progressive journalist and a member of the Legislative Assembly, advanced the tentative proposal that members of that
body agree to a reduction in their
salaries, but, as would be expected,
his radical suggestion met with very
little favor. The idea of reducing
materially the membership of the
Legislative Assembly in the interest
of economy is consequently gaining
ground.
�-
50
UNREST IN PALESTINE
During the summer months, particularly August, there was fear of
grave disturbance in Palestine arising
from the government's decision to
permit the erection of sealed arsenals
in Jewish settlements with a view
to allowing the Jews access to them
in emergencies. This natural'y incensed the Arabs who planned to stag 3
demonstrations of protest which the
government, however, took measures
to prevent. Owing to these precau
tions the month of August, which
witnessed the bloody massacres of
1929, passed uneventfully with the
exception of a minor encounter in
Nablus.
The apparent determination of the
Arabs to protest the government's
action, however, had an unnerving effect on the Jews. A large number of
them were reported to have taken an
extended holiday in Damascus and
other parts of Syria to escape possible strife, according to Syrian press
reports.
While conditions in Palestine are
quiet on the surface, there seems to
be nothing to indicate a permanent
solution of the racial problem between
the Arabs and the Jews. Joseph Levy,
in his dispatches to the New York
Times, reports that the Arab nationalist movement in Palestine is assuming tremendous proportions to the
extent of arousing the strongest political consciousness even among the
fellaheen. This would indicate that
tflie hopes of the Zionists for the
establishment of a truly national Jewish home in the country may never
be fully realized. Even were the Jews
to become a majority in the country,
according to this correspondent, such
a majority would be as a drop in
the ocean in comparison with the
millions of surrounding Arabs. And
these Arabs are now becoming fully
politically conscious. A strong element in Palestine is now agitating
THE SYRIAN WORLD
for a pan-Arab movement as against
a pan-Islamic movement with the
object of demonstrating Arab solidarity free from religious stigma.
Among the Jews, on the other hand,
there are those who oppose a political
Jewish homeland and urge an amicable understanding with the Arabs
for the mutual advantage of both
peoples. This the Arabs would only
be too willing to consider once they
are satisiied the Jews have renounced
all political ambitions. Arab leaders
have time and again declared they
would welcome the Jews as settlers
in reasonable numbers, and sanction
their establishment of a national cultural home in Palestine, providing
their activities are confined to this
idea alone.
SULTAN PASHA ATRASH
COMING TO AMERICA?
What some Syrian papers claim as
authentic, reliable information, is that
Sultan Pasha Atrash, leader of the
Syrian revolution of 1925-6 is coming
to the United States in person in
view of the gravity of the conditions
of the Syrian war refugees now in
the Arabian desert. The plight of
these brave Druze warriors who have
preferred voluntary exile to surrender
has aroused the pity and the admiration of the world. They have undergone the severest privations and hardships and for the past several years
have been subsisting mainly on contributions sent them from sympathizers in America. Lately, however,
contributions have been slow and
meager, reducing the refugees almost
to the point of starvation. Hence the
reported decision of their leader to
come to the United States.
The New Syria Party has started
a campaign for raising sufficient funds
to care for the refugees during the
coming winter, proposing regular donations of $1.00 a month by every
Syrian family in America.
�SEPTEMBER, 1931
51
TTTF
SYRIAN WORLD
NEWS SECTION
VOL. VI. NO. 1.
SECOND MAHRAJAN
HELD IN DETROIT
Syrians and Lebanese of Michigan and
Neighboring States Flock in
Thousands to Paris Park.
The Mahrajan has definitely become
a national institution for the Syrians
and Lebanese of the United States.
The growing success attending its
celebration on the first and second
years leaves no doubt of the popularity of the idea. The celebration has
been given also the official name of
Mahrajan since it denotes the spirit
of a national festival. -And such has
been the spirit characterizing the two
celebrations so far held on two successive years.
The Detroit Mahrajan was held at
Paris Park, a thirty five-acre picnic
grounds on the outskirts of the city
fully equipped for such purposes. The
celebration lasted the two days of
Sept. 6 and 7 and was replete with
enjoyable activities during every minute of the time.
The Mahrajan idea originated with
tht Lebanon League of Progress of
New York, a national organization of
the Lebanese in the United States.
The Detroit celebration was held under the joint auspices of the national
organization and a local committee of
St. Maron Society.
Sunday afternoon the formal opening exercises were held in the vast
open air auditorium of the park and
were presided over by Mr. Antoun
i-V-Xii
SEPTEMBER 1931.
Azoury of the local committee. Madame Fedora Kurban and John Fayyad sang the Star Spangled Banner
while the brothers Paul and George
Nasr sang the Lebanese anthem.
Speeches on this occasion were restricted to Arabic inasmuch as the
English function was set for the following day. The speakers included
Elias Gastin, President of St. Maron
Society for the Detroit committee;
Salloum A. Mokarzel, editor of the
Syrian World, representing his brother
N. A. Mokarzel, editor of Al-Hoda
and President of the Lebanon League
of Progress of New York; Rev. Elias
Asmar, pastor of St. Maron church
of Detroit; Rt. Rev. Antony Bashir,
editor of the magazine Al~Khalidat;
and Abbas Aboo Shakra of Detroit,
Emir Joseph Bellamah of Montreal,
Canada, Salim George of Detroit, John
Hindy of Detroit, William Farran of
Toledo, Ohio, and Philip Abraham of
Wheeling, W. Va., each of whom recited an original poem composed for
the occasion.
The American speakers on the following day were highly eulogistic of
the civic virtues of the Syrians and
Lebanese of Detroit. They included
Judge Joseph Gillis, representing the
Governor of Michigan; Miss Emilia
Schaub, representing the Mayor of
Detroit; State Representative J. Callahan; Clem Woodbury of the American Legion and others. Salloum A.
Mokarzel who presided at this meeting, responded and urged the Syrians
and Lebanese to maintain the high
�52
reputation they have acquired as law
abiding and industrious citizens.
Other speakers at this meeting were
Mrs. K. Ghosn, President of the Syrian-Lebanese Ladies' Society of Detroit, Joseph Youakim, editor of the
local Arabic paper Al-Ittehad, and
Sassin Roukos.
A fair-complexioned girl of about
eight years was led to the platform
with the request that she be permitted
to say a few words. Her name was
Gloria Abu Slaiman and was represented as an American child adopted
by a Lebanese family. She did speak,
but in such fluent Arabic as to put
to shame many a child of native Syrian and Lebanese parents.
During the two days the four thousand persons or more who entered the
park engaged in their favorite pastimes such as is possible to them only
on very rare opportunifiies. There
were the native dances, songs, sword
play, poetical improvisation and the
like. It was a festive occasion fully
enjoyed by all and one that afforded
many friends the only opportunity
they had of meeting each other in
years. Some of those attending came
from Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Lansing,
Flint, and many places in Canada.
SYRIAN TEXAS CLUB
DOING SPLENDID WORK.
Spirit Displayed Deserves Emulation
by all Syrian Clubs Throughout
the Country.
The actions of the Young Men's
Amusement Club of Port Arthur, Tex.,
belie its name. This society of young
Syrians may be given up to amusement activities, which is perfectlynatural and receives our hearty encouragement. But judging by the souvenir program of the convention of
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Syrian societies of the Southwest held
under its auspices July 4 and 5, its
amusements run along extremely serious lines. The spirit it shows is
worthy of emulation by any body of
mature adults and deserves the highest commendation. We not only are in
hearty accord with this society, but
are frankly proud of its spirit.
This Syrian Club of Port Arthur is
working towards a splendid ideal,
that of forming a federation of Syrian societies in the Southwest which
eventually would be merged into a
national federation. This is in complete accord with the proposition of
the Syrian World, advanced some
years ago, for a federation of Syrian
societies in the country. We would be
happy to consider the proposed regional federation of the Southwest
the cornerstone of the national structure. We are indeed heartened by
this renewal of interest in this all
important project. May the spirit
prove infectious.
We also take pleasure in reproducing from the program of the Young
Men's Amusement Club of Port Arthur, Texas, an editorial appearing
under the title "Pioneers" which indicates deep feeling and true understanding of the American social structure and of the Syrians' special position as compared to earlier comers.
The editorial follows:
PIONEERS
We who live in this country are
constantly reminded of the debt we
owe our pioneer fathers. As this is
a new nation we are forever commemorating some historical incident
and the persons connected with it.
All these things are commonplace to
the citizens of a young country as
ours, but none the less, praise and
credit will never cease to be poured
into the coffers of those who blazed
the trail for our comforts, convenj-
�SEPTEMBER, 1931
ences, and all that goes with our
modern America.
When we think of pioneers, we associate them with those rugged souls
who helped build our country. But
there is another pioneer to whom
we Syrian Americans have let pass
"unhonored and unsung." His name
is not shouted from the hill tops nor
praised in books. Unconciously, we
have relegated him to oblivion. He
is not a master of our rich civilization,
nor a certain individual that contributed to the enrichment of our lives
He lives with us today in America
Our fathers! They came here unaccustomed to the tempo of the new
life; the merits or demerits of their
heritage were buried in the quicksands
of a different land. They started life
over again; they dwelt in privation of
the necessities of life. By bundled
knapsacks they started business that
we, their children, might enjoy a
right to a comfortable life. Today,
some are merchant princes or high
in their professions, and some are
not, but their successes or failures
cannot be measured by commercial
standards, for the opportunities they
made possible for us are beyond our
fondest hopes to repay.
As members of the new generation
we can perpetuate their ideas and
ideals, tempered with our American
traits. It is through young Syrian
clubs that we can acknowledge the
debt we owe our fathers. Those who
serve the Syrian-American spirit also
serve their fathers. Ours can be no
ordinary venture, for via these clubs
we may let the world know who we
are and what we propose to do, for
we are but the products of our inheritance.
We also take the liberty of reproducing their appraisal of the Syrian
World as published in their program.
While we would hold up their friendly
attitude as the proper one to be taken
53
by every Syrian-American, we wish
to extend the Young Men's Amusement Club our hearty thanks for their
expressions of good wishes.
The following is their published
appraisal of the Syrian World and
its mission:
THE SYRIAN WORLD
If you were a merchant, doctor or
housekeeper, and were engrossed in
>our work, you would doubtless be
muchly interested in reading every!
thing pertaining to your trade, profession or vocation. Through the
Printed word you would find much to
add to your knowledge and interest
oi the game.
To fill such a need for h
generation of Syrian-Americans, the
wr„T
I ', 3 m°nthly m»Wzine
written in English dealing with Syrian
affairs and Arabic literature, was
launched in 1926 by S. A. Mokarzel or
New York City, ft therefore furnishes the young man or woman with
the same line of reading matter in
English which their parents have in
Arabic.
By virtue of it being the only magazine of its kind printed
i
«J
the Synan World becomes the official
organ of young Syrians in America.
Anyone having an iota of regard for
his race would grasp the first opportunity of becoming posted on things
Synan through this magazine.
Many have become ardent readers
of the periodical merely by the interest aroused in reading their first
issue. It is our magazine and it is
therefore our responsibility to see
that it continues in its publication,
for it reflects the very things we are
nghmg for.
The Y M. A. C. is interested in the
Syrian World and hopes that it will
overcome its present difficulties which
are due to insufficient support through
subscriptions.
�54
SYRIAN-AMERICAN SOCIETY
PLANS A FEDERATION
The Syrian-American Citizens' Society of Lawrence, Mass., has started
an active campaign to form a Syrian American Federation of the Syrian
societies of New England. It has invited all societies of the section to a
convention it has called for October
22, 23 and 24 to be held at the Lawrence State Aimory. In conjunction
with the launching of this movement
it has decided to conduct an Oriental
bazaar for the primary purpose of
raising funds to defray the expense
of the visiting delegates.
The Syrian World welcomes the
cumulative signs of the racial consciousness displayed by the growing
inclination for collective action. Regional federations of Syrian soeietes
in particular sections are the logical
first steps in the direction of forming
the national federation. We sincerely
trust the undertaking of the SyrianAmerican Citizens' Society of Lawrence will be attended with complete
success.
SYRIAN GIRL ACHIEVES
SUCCESS AS TYPIST.
Hailed as the world's most versatile
stenographer, Miss Olga Elkouri has
been engaged by the Remington-Rand
Company as a demonstrator of their
typewriter under a contract running
for a number of years. She is now
touring the country displaying not
only the responsiveness of the typewriter but her own extensive versatility.
Miss Elkouri is capable of writing
135 words a minute with music, a
feat that places her in a class by
herself. During the first week of September she was featured by Paramount Sound News under the significant caption "The Keys to Success."
She also has gone on the air teaching
THE SYRIAN WORLD
VERSATILE TYPIST
Miss Olga Elkouri
the touch system in operating the
typewriter in eight simple lessons of
an exclusive method she has devised.
Her versatility is carried to the point
where she can maintain her record
of writing 135 words a minute from
a given copy while singing in any
of the three languages she knows—
English, Arabic and Spanish.
Miss Elkouri was born in Jedaidat
Marj'youn but was brought to the
United States by her parents when
still in her infancy. She was brought
up in Oklahoma but now makes her
residence in Detroit, Mich.
SYRIAN PIANIST MAKES
REGULAR BROADCASTS.
Miss Louise Yazbeck of Shreveport,
La., may be heard every Sunday over
station KWKH, 850 kilocycles, at 10:45
P. M. Central Standard Time. She
specializes in Oriental
prograi. .s
either of her own composition or se-
�SEPTEMBER, 1931
lected from the works of Oriental composers, principally those of Mr. Alexander Maloof of New York. The appreciation of her entertainment is attested by a large number of letters
received from all sections of the country.
Miss Yazbeck spent the summer
months at Washington University
completing an advanced course in
music.
55
SYRIAN FLYER
SYRIAN GIRL WINNER
IN DISTRICT AUDITION
Shreveport, La. papers announced
that Miss Olga Maroun of that city
had won the unaminous decision of
the nine judges as the winner of the
district contest held late in July for
the National Atwater Kent annual
competition to be held in November.
This is the first time, it was stated, a
contestant has been so honored.
Miss Maroun is an ideal type for
the musical profession, according to
the opinion of critics, because of her
having a beautiful, rich dramatic
voice of wide range and deep feeling,
as well as being an accomplished
linguist, singing equally as well in
French and Italian. She is 22 and
has studied under the best teachers
both in Shreveport and New York.
SYRIAN GIRL FLIER
GIVEN PILOT'S LICENSE.
Miss Alice B. Coury of Hopewell,
W. Va., was awarded a Private Pilot's
License on Aug. 12, having passed the
U. S. Government requirements pertaing to aeronautics. The Government, however, gives two other licenses, those of Limited Commercial
and Transport., and Miss Coury expects to receive these remaining two
in the course of a year, when she
hopes to have acquired sufficient ex-
Miss Alice B. Coury
perience and flying time.
Miss Coury was born in Manchester,
N. H., in 1910 and was fascinated by
flying since she was in her early teens.
She could not, however, take up the
game seriously before the age of sixteen, and this interval she used in
acquiring a liberal education. She
is now the secretary of the Retail
Merchants' Association of Hopewell,
W. Va., where she is living with her
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Assaf George
Coury.
LEBANON NATIONAL BANK
UNDERGOES LIQUIDATION
The present economic depression
has weighed heavily on the Lebanon
National Bank of New York, forcing
it into liquidation. In fairness to its
management, it should be stated that
this move was consummated without
the slightest loss to depositors. The
�56
Manufacturers Trust Company of New
York took charge of the liquidation
at the request of the Board of Directors of the Lebanon National.
It is cause for genuine regret that
this once promising Syrian financial
institution should be forced to close
its doors. It was, however, in the category of the smaller banks operating
in a tremendously expanded market
and but scantily equipped for the
battle of strong competition. Nor did
the Syrian element give it the proper
support from the viewpoint of a racial institution.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
RESEARCHER
SYRIAN WORLD EDITOR
BROADCASTS ON SYRIANS
On Thursday, Sept. 10, the editor
of the Syrian World gave a radio
talk over Station WHN in New York
on the Syrians in the United States.
The broadcast was under the auspices
of the National Y. M. C. A. and the
Fellowship of Faiths. Both the present standing of the Syrians in America and their historical background
were covered with a view to giving
the general public a better understanding of our people.
SYRIAN GIRL ENGAGED
IN RESEARCH WORK
The local papers of Calumet, Mich.,
announce the appointment of Miss
Irene Nicholas, a Syrian girl of the
city, to membership in the national
committee on international affairs of
the Young Women's Christian Association. Miss Nicholas is said to be
the only Syrian co-ed in a mid-west
university and has been for a long
time connected with university and
Y. W. C. A. activities in research and
statistical work among the foreign
born. She also has given a number
of lectures on Syria and the Syrians
Miss Irene Nicholas
and other subjects with which she is
familiar, especially those pertaining to
the East.
SYRIAN M. D. ESTABLISHES
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
There was apparently great joy in
Elk City, Okla., on Aug. 14, on the
occasion of the dedication of the Community Hospital which was hailed as
one of the major civic enterprises of
the city. Local papers devoted pages
to the description of the exercises
and the history of the undertaking.
All agreed that the enterprise was
made possible through the energy
and devotion of Dr. M. Shadid, founder of the Co-operative Health Association which is running the hospital.
It is always pleasing to hear of the
realization of an ideal of whatever
nature. Dr. Shadid has an ideal of
unselfish public service and he has
�SEPTEMBER, 1931
undertaken to realize it along the line
of his profession. He maintained that
medical fees and hospital charges
were high, far too high to be within
the reach of the average family, and
to provide adequate medical care at
reasonable rates became his obsession.
With characteristic energy he set
himself to work forming a cooperative
association for the establishment of a
community hospital where the charges
would not only be extremely moderate
but the patients assured the most expert attention. And he succeeded.
Dr. Shadid is a Lebanese from Jedaidat Marj'youn and a graduate of
Washington University in St. Louis,
Mo. Having had a succesful professional career, his love for public service prompted him to enter the field
of politics, receiving the nomination
for congress on the Farmer-Labor ticket in 1928. Later he went to Syria to
study the possibility of establishing
a hospital there or reclaiming land for
large scale farming. The community
hospital of his home town in Oklahoma, however, proved to have first
claim on his attention.
ARAB NATIONAISM
DISPLAYED IN RELIGION
For over two years the Syrian Orthodox church of Antioch was without a Patriarch because of internal
differences among its bishops. One
of the principal reasons of these differences, as stated publicly in the press
was the resentment of the Arab element of interference in Syrian church
affairs by "foreign" Orthodox influence, chiefly that coming from the
Greek element whose yoke the Syrians
had thrown off nearly thirty years
ago.
A similar state of affairs has lately
developed in the Orthodox church of
Palestine upon the recent death of its
57
Greek Patriarch. The Orthodox Palestinians are now agitating for the
e'ection of an Arab Patritrch, threatening to join another Christian body
if their wishes are disregarded. The
spirit of nationalism and independence
has been carried to the point of refusing submission to foreigners even in
church matters. The movement is
said to be general among the Orthodox of Palestine and it seems most
likely that their demands will be
granted. They have served notice on
the mandatory authorities that under
no circumstances will they afcceptj
other than an Arab Patriarch, because
of rumors that the British were favoring the status quo in the Orthodox
religious succession.
SYRIANS IN UPPER
AMAZON UNDER ATTACK
A town on the upper Amazon in
Brazil which the Syrians helped build
nearly twenty years ago, and where
they still remain the only merchants,
was recently attacked by Brazilian
outlaws and the lives of the inhabitants exposed to great danger, according to a special communication to
Al-Bayan, an Arabic newspaper of
New York, published in its issue of
September 2.
In giving the history of the town,
named Brazilia, the correspondent
stated that the Syrians first settled
it and established in it extensive rubber plantations. They remain to this
day the only element engaged in commercial activities in the town, and
their employees in various business
and industrial activities are counted
by the hundreds.
On the morning of June 14, according to the correspondent, an organized
attack by outlaws was launched on
the town and the authorities ordered
all stores closed, and hurriedly armed
�58
the citizens as best they could. The
local defenders, however, were unequal to the task of repelling the outlaws who were well armed and numbered several hundred men. Not until a strong Bolivian force came to
the rescue did the besieged inhabitants feel comparative'y safe.
The correspondent seems particularly concerned about future protection for himself and his countrymen,
especially since they have considerable
investments that excite the envy and
the greed of the lawless element which
abounds in the upper reaches of the
Amazon.
He asks if France, because of its mandate ovar Syria, would
be willing to afford the necessary
protection if it is appealed to, especially since it has consistently denied
the Syrians the right of foreign diplomatic representation.
ARABS OF THE DESERT
RENEW THEIR WARFARE
The end of hostilities between the
two powerful tribes of the Syrian
desert, the Hudaidis and the Mowalis,
does not appear to be in sight. The
Syrian papers of August report that
a new conflict has broken out in which
another emir of the Mowalis was slain
by his enemies, and but for the timely
intervention of the armed forces
which the French authorities had
stationed in the desert for the express
purpose of holding the two enemy
tribes at bay, the golden desert sand
over an extensive area would have
turned crimson.
And all this came about through
the unfortunate incident wherein a
young man of one tribe kidnaped a
girl of the other tribe and fled with
her in the trackless desert. To the
present time the pair have not been
apprehended, but the trail of blood
they have left behind them seems to
?HE SYRIAN WORLD
be endless.
And the French, who coined the
famous saying "cherchez la femme,"
are again finding justification of their
adage in the farthest ends of the
Syrian desert.
GANDHI CHAMPIONS
LEBANESE PAPER
When the Lebanesa governm:nt susTended Zah'e Al Fatat (Young Zahle)
its resourceful editor, Shukri Baccash
wrote to Gand'hi, the Indian leader, for
his support. Gandhi answered him as
follows:
"It has given me great pleasure to
receive yovr letter, and despite my
numerous dutiss imposed by my forthcoming visit to London, I hasten to
write to you that it affords me deep
satisfaction to listen to a tormented
spirit whose voice reaches me from
the Near East.
"Not only do I protest in the name
of Young India against the action of
those who caused the suspension of
Young Zahle, but I wish to declare,
and do hereby authorize you to make
declaration in my name, that life can
never be guaranteed any government
or people without the freedom of the
press."
PROMINENT SURGEON IN
THE AMERICAN NAVY
Al-Hoda of New York reports that
the surgeon of the U. S. Battleship
Wyoming, Dr. Wadih S. Rizk, is a
Syrian, the son of Mr. & Mrs. Salim
Rizk of Jacksonville, Fla.
The Wyoming is the ship that came
to the rescue of the submarine Nautilus when it was in distress while on
its way from the United States to
Europe preparatory to its projected
expedition to the North Pole under
the ice.
w
�SEPTEMBER, 1931
5g
HEILBRONN'S
5TH AVENUE AT 53RD STREET
BROOKLYN. N. Y.
| A METROPOLITAN DEPARTMENT STORE!
I
located in Bay Ridge, the most |
beautiful residential section of the §§
greater city.
g
p
| A LARGE MODERN STORE!
jj
j§
g
speedily reached by 4th Ave. Sub- 1
way (53rd St. Station) Busses and jj
several trolley lines.
a
| A FRIENDLY FAMILY STORE!
jj
jj
m
where every customer receives per- 1
sonal attention and individual ser- =
vice—making shopping here a 1
pleasurebale pastime.
j "Jsr^J'
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669814A
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
AUTHENTIC
ORIENTAL RUGS
THE A.
(S
SLEYMAN COMPANY, INC.
276 5th AVENUE
NEW YOFK CITY
|§)
Phone BOgardus 4-4345
George Haddad
Proprietor
Phone
CHickering 4-8878
ALEXANDRIA RESTAURANT
The new and beautiful uptown Syrian restaurant owned and operated
by a master chef, who summons his long experience to the
art of producing the most delectable Oriental dishes.
Small and large parties catered to
So Conveniently Located
21 WEST 31st STREET,
NEW YORK
m
IT IS YOURS
is the only Syrian publication printed
in English, and as such is the organ of the Syrians in Ajnerica.
You can help it continue and grow by subscribing to it yourself
and inducing others to subscribe.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
PUBLISHER, THE SYRIAN WORLD:
104 Greenwich Street, New York.
You may enter my name as a subscriber to "The Syrian World" for the term of one year, for which I agree to
pay the regular rate of $5.00 upon receipt of the first issue.
Address
City & State
�,
'"
".
-. -
—
:
SEPTEMBER, 1931
61
JERE J. CRONIN
FUNERAL DIRECTOR
MORTUARY CHAPEL
Local or Out of Town Funerals Personally Attended to
LADY ATTENDANT
Expense a Matter of Your Own Desire
115 ATLANTIC AVENUE
BROOKLYN, N. Y.
The large amount of business we do permits us to buy caskets
in large quantity which enables us to give the best funerals very
reasonable. We carry a complete line of the very best manufactured
caskets at $45.00 up. We pay no agents to secure funerals for us but
only give the family who has sorrow the very best of service, reverence
and economy. Our aim is to help those who are in trouble at a very
little cost. No charge for use of our services or funeral parlors.
Telephone—MAIN 1398-1399-8130-3655
SHEIK
RESTAURANT
HOW TO BREED MOTHS
Leave your rugs on the floor
with all the dirt and germs
they have collected during the
winter and which home methods cannot remove. Nature
will do the rest.
A well-appointed Syrian restaurant in the heart of the
Syrian Quarter, in lower Manhattan, where you and your
friends can enjoy the most
delectable
Oriental
meals
amidst the charm of an Oriental atmosphere.
RESTORATIVE: Call the
THE KOURI CARPET
CLEANING CORPORATION
Second Foor for Banquets and
Private Parties
RUG WASHERS
NEW YORK. N. Y.
10 West 33rd Street
Tel. LOngacre 5-2385
JERSEY CITY, N. J.
552 Johnston Avenue
Tel. BErgen 3-1085
KIRDAHY RESTAURANTS,
Inc.
65 WASHINGTON ST.,
New York
t
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'»TTT»^f>TT TtTtT<f?»»y^
�Indispensable
A,
kRABIC language publishers
in America find the Linotype indispensable and
have come to realize its great versatility. In the
United States they use it for both Arabic and
English, and in South America for Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese. The same machine could be
used for any language with the mere change of
type, and this without affecting its ability to
cast an innumerable variety of ornaments, rules,
borders and the like. The result is that all newspapers, magazines, books, pamphlets and other
such work with all borders and ornaments can
be done on the Linotype exclusively, insuring
economy in production and a clean, artistic
typographical appearance.
MERCENTHALER
J» TRADE
LINOTYPE^)
An illustrated descriptive catalog
of the Arabic Linotype sent free
upon request.
LINOTYPE METRC FAMILY
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LINOTYPE
CO.
Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A.
Cable: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK
*L,y LjJl WAux)
�,
__——.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
64
;f\3
ATTENTION!
ek>
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FORWARD!
SAFE!
MARCH ON TO PROGRESS!
START A BANK ACCOUNT
IMMEDIATELY
LET
YOUR
MONEY
Accumulate for Future
NEEDS AND HAPPINESS
INTEREST
4 .%
Per zAnnum
ON TIME DEPOSITS
FROM
$10.00 Up
Checking accounts may be opened with $200.00 or more.
FAOUR BANK
D. J. FAOUR & BROS.
Established 1891
Under Supervision of New York State Banking
Department.
Capital and Surplus Over $500,000.00
85
WASHINGTON ST.,
NEW YORK CITY
I
�
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
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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
TSW1931_09reducedWM
Title
A name given to the resource
The Syrian World Volume 06, Issue 01
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1931 September
Description
An account of the resource
Volume 6 Issue 01 of The Syrian World published September 1931. The issue opens with an editorial announcement of policy changes in the paper. The beginning of this issue primarily highlights upcoming changes, contributors, and plans for the future. What follows this introduction is more of Kahlil Gibran, including an account of the farewell ceremonies to his body in America by Barbara Young, and a farewell to Gibran from Salloum Mokarzel. While many of the same contributors are exhibited in this issue, such as Katibah, Salim Y. Alkzain, Thomas Asa, Dr. F. I. Shatara, and Salloum Mokarzel, there are also several new additions, including an entire section dedicated to the month's news. Some of the newer contributors featured are Bahia Al-Musheer and Edna K. Saloomey. The issue closes out the same as in the previous volumes by addressing political developments in Syria and other Syrian world news.
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Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals
Arabs--United States--Periodicals
Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals
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English
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Salloum A. Mokarzel
Syrian-American Press
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New York Public Library
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Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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104 Greenwich St., New York, NY
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1930s
Bahia Al-Musheer
Barbara Young
Edna K. Saloomey
F.I. Shatara
Habib I. Katibah
Kahlil Gibran
New York
Salim Alkazin
Thomas Asa
-
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OL. VI
APRIL, 1932
7ha
A GREAT SYRIAN LEADER PASSES
(N. A. MOKx\RZEL)
GIBRAN A YEAR AFTER
A CHALLENGE TO THE YOUNGER
GENERATION SYRIANS
H. I. KATIBAH
AMERICAN POET TO LIVE IN SYRIA
THE PORTRAIT
(A MODERN SHORT STORY)
THOMAS ASA
THE REWARD OF KINDNESS
(A TRUE ARABIAN TALE)
THE COPY 50c
NO. 7
��—,
i I
i
TTTR
SYRIAN WORLD
Tublished monthly except July and August
by
THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS
104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y.
By subscription $5.00 a year.
Single Copies 50c
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. VI NO. 7
APRIL, 1932
CONTENTS
PAGE
A Challenge to the Younger Generation Syrians
H. I. KATIBAH
Poetry Department, Edited by
... 3
BARBARA YOUNG
Poetry and the Stars
Song of Annaik
While the FJax Crieth
9
\Q
12
JOHN STERLING HANEY
A Lost Dream
13
ALEXANDRIA FADDOOL
A Great Syrian Leader Passes
14
A' Notable Career of Achievement
18
Tributes to a Leader
22
Pioneer and Seer
24
REV.
W. A.
MANSUR
Eternal Guidance (Poem)
ALICE MOKARZEL
?5
�CONTENTS (Continued)
i
Gibran a Year After
.
PAGE
26
On First Viewing Gibran's "The Prophet" (Poem)
GERTRUDE
33
MAGILL RUSKIN
Gibran the Artist
34
DAGNY EDWARDS
American Poet to Live in Lebanon
37
ALICE MOKARZEL
True Arabian Tales
The Reward of Kindness
Our Younger Generation, Edited by
According to Dun
We Have Been Told That
Al-Jirn
42
EDNA
The Portrait (A Modern Short Story)
K.
SALOOMEY
49
'.'...........'.............. 52
[_ S3
*
55
THOMAS ASA
Editorial Comment
N. A. Mokarzel
No March Issue
67
Political Developments in Syria
59
Syrian World News Section
73
68
NOTICE
Owing to insurmountable difficulties it was impossible
to issue the March number. The increase in the volume
of this number is intended as partial compensation. Fuller details appear in the Editorial Comments.
�ffi-
ynan
t/
MOKARZEL, Editor.
SALLOUM A.. Ml
APRIL, 1932
VOL. VI NO. 7
A Challenge
To the Younger Generation Syrians
By H. I.
KATIBAH
QINCE THE CLOSE of the World War a revival of interest in
the civilizations and cultures of the East has made its appearance among reflecting and intelligent men and women in Europe,
England and the United States. And this interest has waxed and
grown ever since. People of sensitive minds and keen perception,
whose souls rebel against the tyranny of iron-clad traditions and the
accepted authority of convention and mass orthodoxy, turned their
faces away with deep humiliation and dismay from the appalling
tragedy with its gargantuan holocaust of human lives and irreparable loss in untold millions of dollars. They turned away sadly to
examine more searchingly and thoroughly the grounds and premises on which such a civilization which would permit of such a
terrific breakdown and denouement is based.
How could these
things be in the Twentieth Century and in countries which profess
to follow the benign, peace-loving gospel of the gentle Nazarene?
Has Western civilization declared its bankruptcy to the whole
world? Has the "White Beast" in the descendants of the Vikings
and warriors of the Norsemen triumphed at last over the White
Christ? Has Western civilization proved itself to be what Sigmund
Freud bluntly declares to be a veneer to cover the deep-set animal
instincts lurking in the breast and heart of the city denizens? or is
there something essentially wanting in what we call Western Civi-
v.
�4
THE SYRIAN WORLD
lization; an element of human development that makes for stabil- \
ity, harmony and peace?
Or, to put the question in a different form, has the West had
time enough to grow and acquire a stock of human experiences that
will give it that perspective of wisdom and grace necessary for a
rounded existence? Has not its progress been lopsided and disproportionate, like that of an overgrown boy with a man's body and
a child's mentality?
These questions and many others of like nature have engrossed
the minds of hundreds of thinkers who have shown solicitous concern about the future of Western civilization. And many divergent
answers have been given.
Some of those answers, like that of Oswald Spengler, an ast
German philosopher and student of history, have been extreme
gloomy and pessimistic. Spengler, and many of his followers, ha
come to the discouraging conclusion that our Western civilizatic
has run its course, has nothing more of its cultural and spiritual n.
ture to give anymore to the world, and for any hope of a new creative culture one should turn to the East, which the German believes is making a new cycle of existence fraught with immense potentialities in the spiritual and cultural fields. The West is bankrupt, Spengler believes, and turns eastward with a dismay tempered
with hope and expectation. Others, less pessimistic, find in the West
all the elements necessary for a wholesome, well-balanced civilization, if only the right adjustment is made in time between its materialistic and idealistic forces. Science, thinkers like James Turslaw
Adams, Prof. John Dewey, Bertrand Russell and the late George
Dorsey believe, has grown way beyond our human needs, while life
itself has been neglected. There has been little attention paid to
the proper application of these sciences and the wonderful progress
in the material and economic worlds which it has evoked and made
possible to a betterment of human life and the elevation of social
conditions to the same level which science has attained.
Be that as it may, it is pertinent to our purpose to point out
here that a strong and acute interest in the East and things Eastern
has been stirred in intellectual centers of the West. And the East,
with its more mature view of life, with its instinctive emphasis on
those human values which make for happiness and contentment,
with its renewed vigor and forward-looking progressive outlook on
the future, with its determined efforts to create local cultures preserving all the good elements of progress which have carried the
�I
^fPRIL, 1932
5
West a long distance ahead of the East in material comfort and supremacy, is more and more in the minds of serious Western thinkers
and writers of our present generation. Back of that interest, we
think, is the feeling that East and West have mutually supplementary forces and elements necessary for a complete and wholesome
lire, be it social or individual.
If that is the case, and there is no doubt in our mind that it is,
then a special duty, a special moral obligation, we believe, rests on
the_ shoulders of a class of people who live amongst us in these
United States, a class of people for whom this magazine, out of all
the publications in this far-flung young continent, was specially designed, and whose particular interests it specially serves. If this
duty, this obligation, is shirked by them, then a great spiritual opportunity would have been missed by them, an opportunity which
others, perhaps less qualified, would take up and exploit. More
than that, a great chance for creative thinking and for contributing
something worthwhile to the heterogeneous and rich culture of
this country, will pass from their hands. And of them will be true
what the Gospel says of the "sons of the Kingdom of Heaven" who
were thrown out into the outward darkness, while others from the
Hast and West will come and lie in Abraham's bosom.
It is needless for me to say that I have in mind the younger
generation of Syrians born and brought up in this country. I have
in mind the second-generation Syrians of whom the late Gibran
said:
_ aI believe that you have inherited from your forefathers an
ancient dream, a song, a prophecy, which you can proudly lay as a
gift of gratitude upon the lap of America"
It is the new generation of Syrians in whose veins the blood of
the intrepid adventurous Phoenicians and proud Arabs courses
through, and whom the beloved poet of the Cedars earnestly and
pleadingly charged «/0 stand before the towers of New York
Washington, Chicago, and San Francisco saying in your heart <I
am the descendant of a people that builded Damascus, and Biblus,
and Tyre and Sidon and Antioch, and now I am here to build with
you, and with a will.' "
The once accepted view of Americanization, still prevailing in
some circles, which essayed to melt the different racial characteristics and differences into one homogeneous amalgam, and for which
the melting pot" was an appropriate symbol, is giving way to a
more natural, more vital conception, one truer to life and its laws of
i
.' <
�wmmm
0
THE SYRIAN WORLD
growth. According to this latter conception the racial differences
are not considered as undesirable elements to be eliminated, but as
desirable ones to be incorporated in the living body of the American
nation. The colorless, standardized unity gives place to a rich
variety in unity. True assimilation of the foreign groups within
the body politic of this country, which this writer has consistently
and persistently advocated, does not mean the absorption of one
racial element by another. It means, rather, the interaction of those
different elements, to produce therefrom a wholesome unity rich in
the contributions of the best and most beautiful in all the races that
threw their lot with the New World.
1
"
;
'
Hegel once predicted in his Philosophy of History that the
destiny of the world will one day be determined on the shores of
the New World. This prophecy is being fulfilled in our own days,
and before our own eyes, but not for the same reasons advanced by
the German philosopher. Instead of a bloody war contending for
the only land still available for conquest and exploitation by overcrowded nations, a new world idea, a world unity through international understanding and international amity is the one distinguishing mark of American leadership today which is holding the
only ray of hope to a distracted and haggard world. And what a
role the different nationals enrolled under the banner of the Stars
and Stripes could play in this gripping drama, in the realization of
this glorious dream, could be left to the imagination of the perspicacious reader. But it is only those who have travelled in Europe
and the different countries of the East and studied for themselves
the amazing and tremendous penetration of American influence
abroad who could fully realize the extent of that influence. Undoubtedly the lion's share in this spiritual conquest of America falls
to American citizens of foreign extraction who had returned to live
m the countries of their origin or those who have translated into
their different national languages the spirit and technique of American democracy and American culture, the spirit of youthful adventure, of buoyant optimism and undaunted courage. One of the first
things that attracted my attention in the East was "the Americanization" of the Arabic press, an Americanization which is effected
not in a semi-conscious effort of imitation, but with a fully conscious
realization of the process of adaptation and its application to local
needs and local problems. The Arabic illustrated weekly, patterned
after the popular American publications, is blazing its way, brushing
aside the cobwebs of tardy traditions, enlightening the popular mind
�14PR1L, 1932
7
to social evils, oddities and scandals, arousing the dormant conscience
of reform in serious-minded citizens, and reaching quarters of human response which the more literary organs left completely untouched.
This is a phase of the Americanization or democratization of the
world for which the younger Syrian-American generation, happily
or unhappily, is not called upon to shoulder. Most of the second
generation Syrians born in this country hardly know enough Arabic
to carry on a kitchen conversation with their grandmothers, and perhaps a limited few could pen a letter in Arabic to their cousins in
Syria or Lebanon without committing a dozen mistakes or more on
the same page.
But this does not exempt the younger Syrians from a service
which they owe to the country of their adoption, a country to which
they have pledged fealty and undivided loyalty.
Paradoxical as it may seem, this service consists in their being
better Syrians than they usually like to admit. It is in assimilating,
as they alone can admirably do, the spiritual culture of the East, in
whose subsoil their very roots are deeply imbedded, and presenting
it in their daily lives, their social intercourse, the spoken and the
written word, in such a manner that the average American can readily understand and appreciate. This is a huge task which may well
challenge every ounce of energy and creativeness in the souls and
bodies of ambitious and highly-aspiring Americans of Syrian abstraction.
Is it not pathetic that while American university students, boys
and girls of Puritan origin, or descendants of American pioneers who
trekked to the Middle West and the Pacific Coast states in their
covered wagons ransack the musty books of history to write about
Mohammed All Pasha, a Tamerlane, a Harun-ar-Rashid, our
younger Syrian generation should avoid the study of Arabic and
things Arabian from a subconscious feeling of inferiority, or lest
their Americanization be challenged? Is it not a sorry comment on
our sense of value and discrimination that while American Orientalists subscribe to the SYRIAN WORLD, as an indispensable magazine
from which they may.draw most valuable information on the current history and thought of the Arabic-speaking East, our younger
Syrians should find little to choose between it and such sensational
piffle as "the Smart Set » "Ballyhoo," and a hundred and one other
oddities temptingly exposed for sale on the magazine stalls at evervJ
street corner?
•:
�8
THE SYRIAN WORLD
A few weeks ago I happened to speak informally before a
group of second-generation Syrians in Boston. I told them sketchily
and briefly of the tremendous renaissance movement going on today
in the Arabic-speaking countries, notably Egypt. It was encouraging and inspiring to see their eyes open wide with interest and amazement as I told them of the trend in religious liberalism in Islam, of
the feminist movement in the land of harems, of the inroad of'industrialism into the ancient lands of artisan guilds and enslaved fellahin, of labour unions and agrarian cooperative societies in the Valley of the Nile, in Damascus, Beirut and Baghdad, of the introduction of the motor pump and labour-saving machineries into countries
where the human hand did all the work before. They asked intelligent questions, and took down names of books dealing with such
subjects. But what surprised me in turn was the fact that these
things had not been known to them before; that they showed as
little knowledge, or if we are inclined to be less charitable, as much
abysmal ignorance about the countries of their forefathers and ancestors as the average American boys and girls from Maine or Vermont.
Forget for the nonce that you are Syrians or of Syrian extraction. Let us assume that you are as American as George Washington and Calvin Coolidge themselves, and that there is not the least
trace of foreign accent or mannerism in your speech and behaviour,
that you are perfectly predestined and preconditioned to the American social life. Let us assume all this and keep in mind that there
is today in America, in Europe, in England, a keen interest in countries and cultures which just happened to be those of your fathers
and forefathers. Is it not the most logical thing in the world that
you should be the ones of all God's creatures to take advantage of
this interest, to exploit it to its utmost limits, to take hold of assets
which were given you as a birthright, and make something of a talent handed you by Providence instead of burying it timidly in the
soil looking furtively to the right and left as you do lest you be
caught with that talent in your hand?
This is a thought which I like to leave with readers of this
magazine which has put up such a valiant and deperate fight to keep
up interest in the East where it was most natural to look for it, but
alas, where the response has been most discouraging and disheartening.
-
�*APRILy 1932
BARBARA YOUNG,
Editor
Poetry and The Stars
J\S THIS month of April passes—the month whose name has been
more upon the lips of poets than any other, the month which
gave to the world the Bard of Avon, and Wordsworth—we turn
from the pressure and the problems of the streets, and look away to
the trees, to the hills, to the stars. The exigencies and the expediences of every day crowd our hearts beyond endurance when Nisan
returns to the earth. Our minds wander from the considerations of
t0 a lon
W.& A
,
& yesterday, and forward to a distant tomorrow.
We find ourselves thinking with streams and stars
A day or two ago a young friend asked me "What have the stars
to do with us anyway?" That question is the reason for the brief
things I shall have to say upon these pages. Needless to record, I
have no answer Who knows what or how much the stars do influence
the destinies of individuals and of nations? But this thing I have
discovered: Turning the leaves of a calendar issued by Sainf Mark's
it8:? ' ^c " T10US ^y 0f "ames ** down upon
the dates between the first of May and the first of June, great poets
Ins 1ZZX grCaf tCaChfS ua?d Philos°Phe-> teat* humanitar-'
lans. And to those of us who believe it, all these lives were an expression of the supreme poetry of the universe. Let me recount the
names: Tagore • Tschaikowsky and Brahms born upon the selfsame
day, St Stanislaus, Schiller-these five born uponfour conse cutrve
1
Florence N
ale
S^^n^r
^^
^
fcSHrn
May 12th; Dante Aliggien, Richard Wagner, Abdul Baha,
Emer-
�10
THE SYRIAN WORLD
son, Bishop Augustine of Canterbury, Venerable Bede, Voltaire and
finally Walt Whitman. Just over the line, and a little into June,
but governed by the same general zodiacal conditions were born
Schumann, Charles Kingsley and Gounod. What had the stars to do
with this bright company:
In no other forty days, I believe, can we discover such a roster
of names denoting genius and power as these. Surely in the destiny
of worlds these are not happenings. There is a pattern woven by
the "versed Fingers", and whether the pattern is indeed set in the
stars, who shall say? Certainly not I. This is but a fragment of
wonder tossed to you in passing.
From immemorial time there have been men and women who
trusted in the firmament for direction and guidance, for comfort
and for consolation, and none more than the poets of the ages. And
with reason—if reason be necessary.
. We have long heard of the "music of the spheres"; the great
composers, the masters of interpreted harmony and symphony have
lived in its ecstasy and intoxication; the masters of the golden word
have caught the words of the songs and set them down upon the
parchment and the printed page. A sound that is no sound has come
since the beginning of time from the stars to the inner ear of man,
and I do not hesitate to assert that all the greatest poetry of the planet, that which has endured and will endure, is poetry that had its
origin from among the heavenly bodies, and not from earthly stir
and circumstance. Suddenly, out of the night, out of deep sleep,
poems are born—from darkness and a strange and high excitement
of the spirit, which has not anything to do with daily round and
common task. From the day's affair we glean, perhaps, a handful
of small grain, and without knowing or intention, we sow it among
the stars when we lie down to sleep. And tomorrow—or another
tomorrow, as dawn breaks, there is a budding and a flowering, and
we say, "The little moment that we now remember has blossomed
through some heavenly magic, into a poem."
The sophisticates among modern poets require that we shall
eliminate all allusion to stars and moon (and roses) from our poems.
Do not listen to them. In a moment they will die and be forgotten
but roses, and stars and moon will endure as long as the earth stands
and poets sing.
\A
�^PRIL, 1932
11
SONG OF ANNAIK
It will not matter
When the song is ended;
It will count nothing
In the last deep stillness—
The long fearsome waiting
For you, O late-in-coming,
The calling to the sky
For you whom I knew not.
It will not matter
That youth went slipping over,
That ashen threads came weaving
My brown braided hair.
It will not matter
That April left my garden,
That now the blue leaf-smoke
Of Autumn stabs the evening.
O lover, O my lover,
The barren winds are crying,
The wild gray geese
They are southward long agone;
The bleak night is jeweled
With one star only,
Yet, I, so long aweary,
Take laughter to my pillow.
All the dark bread
My pale lone mouth has eaten,
All the bitter brew
Is forgotten in a moment;
I walk abroad in beauty
In the deep grass going;
The haw blossoms white,
And the heather-bell is clear.
�12
?HE SYRIAN WORLD
It will not matter
That all the gathered roses
Have lost their singing fragrance
And withered on the stem}
For there is a rose here
That shall not fall nor scatter,
A budding in the hedge here
To open at your bidding—
O lover, O my lover!
O head of dusk and starlight,
O eyes like woodland shadows
In brown shaken water ;
O mouth of wine and honey,
Sweeter than the clover
That's flowering in the meadows
Wherever heaven is!
BARBARA YOUNG
V
WHILE THE FLAX CRIETH
From the snow upon the height
Trickled the waters of Fulfillment,
And there walked among the people
One who burned with a voice.
And the people gathered about him
And they implored:
"Speak unto us we pray thee
Of happiness."
And he stood upon a stone
At the roadside, beyond the Outer Gate,
And he spoke:
"Ye seekers after the Lesser Things,
Ye idlers to the sunward of a wall,
Why clothe ye yourselves in cast-off garments
While the flax crieth unto thee from the fields,
And the loom mourneth in thy hearts?
�*APRIL} 1932
13
Of a truth
I say unto thee,
And my word shall prevail:
There is no happiness. . .
There is only understanding.
And there is no sorrow. .
There is only preparation."
JOHN STERLING HANEY
A LOST DREAM
I lost my dream;
The mystic web I spun
Has lifted; alike are gone
Hope in future's blank wall,
Warmth in today's sullen garb.
I fret for rosy hues.
I lost my dream;
A lonely star longed for
A thought, and seeing
Mine, drew to its solitary
Heights my fantastic notion
Of what should be.
I lost my dream;
No longer do I feel the
Throb of life roused by its
Glamorous scenes; I am become
Again a stumbling, gray-faced
Being; a planet without a sun.
'
I want my dream!
But it has flown.
Would that I too
Could follow, to make
It again my own and watch
It grow into reality.
ALEXANDRIA FADDOOL
I
�,i^^a.^,i^^;.;:v.fi,i;.^iv---v'
14
?HE SYRIAN WORLD
A Great Syrian Leader Passes
Editor of Al-Hoda, Dean of Syrian Journalists in America, Succumbs in Paris While on a Political Mission for the cause of
Better Government in the Motherland.
A WAVE OF consternation swept over the thousands of Syrian
and Lebanese communities throughout the United States at the
receipt of news from Paris that the foremost leader, reformer, literary figure, and dean of Syrian journalists in the United States, Mr.
N A Mokarzel, editor of Al-Hoda, had passed away on April 6
in the French capital whither he had gone on a political mission tor
his motherland. The news was as shocking as it was unexpected.
Upon sailing on the Olympic from New York on March 18, Mr.
Mokarzel appeared to be in the best of health. Despite his sixtyeight years, he was still as vigorous and energetic as a man half his
age. His indomitable will and energy, so manifest in all his writings, was also evident in his physical appearance. The scores oi
admirers who congregated at the pier to bid him farewell, little
realizing that they would not see him alive again, represented the
hopes of thousands of Lebanese immigrants centered on the veteran
editor in his voluntary mission to promote the cause of good government in a nation, though small in size and resources, was rich in
historical prestige, and to the service of which he had devoted his
whole life.
The Lebanese republic which claimed the life devotion culminating in the supreme sacrifice of Mr. Mokarzel is the tiny land on
the shore of the Mediterranean forming in its geographical boundaries and historical traditions what is known in history as the
land of the Phoenicians. It has given the world the great spiritual
and cultural heritage which includes the alphabet and the art of deep
sea navigation and many other basic improvements thus laying the
cornerstone of human progress. Throughout the centuries of
recorded history this small country has been the focal point of nations, forming the center of human interest and activity. As an integral geographical part of Syria and the Holy Land it was closely
associated with the rise of Christianity and played a leading part
M
�^PRIL,1932
jo the crusades.
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But owing to its numerical and geographical resWkh
CCntra Wi n in the
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msians and Turks succeeded
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br Ught ab Ut itS del
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P
-rance at the hands
r „K1 Tkf r^ °f tThe,Phoenicians was then transformed into the Reto^ther^luT
To"' and7aS given 0Ver t0 French mandate
together with the rest of Syria of which Lebanon forms an integral
^graphical.unit. For nearly twelve years Lebanon has b en mak
fas7o e?M°! r? ltse
? *&* itSdf t0 the neW SCheme of worId ****
fam Jv of
^new m the position it deserves among the
family of nations. The present republican form of government
was promulgated in 1926, and Lebanon thus became fhe firsHe
public among Arabic-speaking countries. But the legacy of ages
of subjugation with its attendant misrule could not be eradicafed
S
e g
Sa fiCe Th£re WaS eed
a"d
win
f,
7
"•"
7 -would break the
" bounds
*<* "nsdfoh
and whole-hearted devotion which
of servility and corruption characterizing former regimes
There
were men m the motherland capable of putting the new households
order if properly sustained and supported. And the Lebanese emigrants, who had tasted of the sweet fruit of orderly republican government in their lands of adoption, were most anxious to see Zs
condition brought about. N. A. Mokarzel was the mouthpiece the
leader and protagonist of this new reform movement.
'
Consequently, when the new presidential elections for the Lebanese Republic were about to take place, Mr Mokarzel iT !t
tempt t0 SUp rt Mr. Emil Eddy? Ph£ liWal j^^J » £
of a constructive program of progress and reform, waged a vigorous
11
1
brin
Al
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? nelection.
TTPer A
tlpetition
-H0d* t0
£
""fl-nce
for
Mr Eddy's
was circulated
among thefota
Leb
anese elements in the United States, Mexico and Canada"expreW
their preference for this liberal candidate as the next pre ident The
response was both immediate and generous-thousands of signatures
being secured in support of the candidate favored bv Mr MokarzeT
a fU
r
th C C3USC f g od
Lebanon
W0rt to
° °Mr. government
in
Lebanon bbyv rhe"
the election
offW
the liberal, candidate,
Mokarzel decided to carry to France in person the petitions of the LebaneseTmm grants and impress upon the mandatory power the necessity o^n
proving their interested choice.
But alas! in his arduous pur-"
i'
�16
'
:;
*s
;
THE SYRIAN WORLD
suit of public reform he sacrificed his own life. It was indeed the
end which he would have chosen for himself, and which his whole
life of public activity presaged—that of laying down his life only
to raise aloft the standard of civic reform, and to consecrate his life
to the service of his people to the very last breath.
During his long career of public service he was as tireless in his
energy as he was sincere and ardent in the prosecution of reform
campaigns. He often expressed himself in his fiery editorials as
hoping to die like a soldier on the battlefield. And thus it was given
him to meet his end, his last illness having lasted but a single day,
following an operation for intestinal adhesions.
Mr. Mokarzel's death was announced by Al-Hoda in its issue
of April 7. And as the paper widened its circle of travel, bearing to
its readers the news of the editor's sudden demise when they had
anticipated only tidings of his success and early return, a condition
bordering on pandemonium pervaded the Syrian communities
throughout the country, expressed in the many scores of messages of
grief and condolences which daily swamped the office of Al-Hoda.
They came from civic and patriotic organizations, the clergy and representatives of the professions, as well as from thousands of personal friends and admirers. It was evident that the death of the
veteran editor and reformer formed an epochal event in the life of
the Syrian people in the United States, because he symbolized not
only the struggles and aspirations of the pioneer immigrants but
proved himself during his long career of public service the greatest
and the most spectacular, yet the most constructive leader, the Syrians have yet produced in the whole history of their immigration.
Nor were expressions of the sense of great loss in the death of
Mr. Mokarzel confined to the Syrians of the United States. Press
dispatches had carried the news to Lebanon simultaneously with the
announcement of his death to America, and the passing of the editor
was viewed in the motherland as a national loss. The President of
the republic cabled his condolences while the President of the Legislative Assembly tendered sympathy in his own name and in that of
the nation. The Maronite Patriarch and a number of church dignitaries, deputies and government officials also cabled their condolences, while public demand for the return of the body to the native land finding expression immediately upon the publication of the
news of the editor's death, gave indication of the high place he occupied in the hearts of his countrymen.
�PHOTO BY MARTAR. N. Y.
NAOUM A. MOKARZEL
1864-1932
�I
I
I
�Sftlps;
*APRIL} 1932
17
-
PK Howrani /J
N. A. MOKARZEL ON HIS DEATHBED
Sketched by Mr. Philip Mourani, a Lebanese Artist Resident in
Paris for Thirty Years
Mr. Mokarzel died without issue. Aside from his wife Rose,
nee Princess Bellamah, he is survived by a brother Salloum, editor
of the SYRIAN WORLD, and two sisters Mrs. Catherine Libbus and
Mrs. Liza Rahid of New Bern, N. C.
At the time of Mr. Mokarzel's death his wife was on her way
to Syria for a summer visit. She was reached by wireless, however,
and landed at Lisbon from whence she traveled overland to Paris
and will bring back the body to the United States on the Olympic,
the same steamer which he had taken for Europe only a month previous. The arrival of the body in New York is expected on May 3.
Direction of the funeral arrangements has been left in the
hands of the Lebanon League of Progress, the reform society which
the editor had organized twenty years ago. This sad duty was ceded
to it by the family in response to insistent public demand that the
funeral of the great leader be in keeping with his prestige, although
his expressed wish was for a simple funeral. This is further made
necessary by the fact that from present indications scores of delegations representing Syrian communities throughout the country will
come to New York on the day of the funeral.
�18
THE SYRIAN WORLD
A Notable Career of Achievement
The Life of the Late N. A. Alokarzel Was one of Distinguished
Service and Sacrifice for His Country and People
gEHIND THE daily Al-Hoda, the institution which the late Mr.
N. A. Mokarzel built and which is expected to endure as a living monument to his ideals, stands a record of achievement unparalleled in the annals of Syrian immigration in the United States.
Through long years of bitter struggle, in which he displayed a prodigious capacity for work and a passionate love for his chosen profession, this Lebanese editor was able to establish a daily paper in
Arabic that became not only the moulder of public opinion among
the Syrians abroad but a power to be reckoned with in shaping the
political destinies of the motherland. Not a campaign did he wage
but resulted in signal success, so much so that the mere fact of his
supporting a cause came to be associated in the public mind with its
ultimate triumph. For this two factors were mainly responsible,
namely his undoubted sincerity and the relentless vigor which characterized his every word and action.
This driving force in the famous editor's life was sustained till
the very end, since his fatal illness lasted but a single day. During
his life he had many narrow escapes from death, all attributed by
physicians to his indomitable will.
But almost in every case the
cause of his ailment was ascribed to overwork. Every waking hour
meant to him an opportunity for creative activity. He chose to live
near his office for no other purpose than to economize in time, but
in so doing medical opinion was agreed that he was wasting his life.
To all their pleadings and admonitions, however, he turned a deaf
ear, and no sooner would he feel strong enough to move a hand than
his uncontrollable passion for work would assert itself in feverish
activity.
Nor was this extreme devotion caused by necessity. He could
have retired from the active management of his paper apparently
without financial injury to it. But Al-Hoda was to him all that life
held worthwhile. Not content with writing the editorials, he chose
the material for translation and edited it thereafter and supervised
every detail of the production of the paper. It may sound incredi-
�<JPRIL, 1932
ble that a single man should read every line appearing in every ediY aP Cr
v I °L\
? u f*"**?*1? and ^ough choice, but this actually held true of the late editor of Al-Hoda. Not to mention the
multifarious details of management to which he attended in person
Truly the late Mr. JVJokarzel's career is one of exceptional disWkh achievement
beW to" irCP
> ^ ^ it been given him to
belong to a larger group of people than his limited own he would be
he also took phylosophically, and his expressed conviction which he
applied to his small Lebanese people may well apply to himin that
it is best to be small and independent than large^nd subse^ient
th Jthn7^ °f a Mar°nke fri6St °f a higher educational standard than
M v
f aTage Pansh pnest of Lebanon in those days, Naoum
Z
7 £nJOyed thC adVa tagC f
a^d
2
P^reSsive
su^unding"
and the
the win
willingness to spare no effort
or° expense
in giving
him the
U
e
WaS Wn in
g
Autsl
' He
F-ike,
MtgLebTn
0n
August B
15, ?S
1864, "f?
and almost
as soon as he could
formulate
sounds
was taught to read. When still in his early teens he wa'r Stered a
a boarder In Madras* Al-Hikmat in Beirut, then considered one 0|
nLant,dg",A,tKt,0nSi°;adVanCed eduCati°»
*« country He
speaalized in Arabic and French literature and was esneciaJlvLf
cent m Arabic which he studied with the foremoTArTbic"MarIf
modern t.mes, the late Abdallah Bistany who died in 1930 TJnon
graduating from this college he entered the Jesuit University orBd
rut to take up advanced studies in French. The Jesuits receded
hd rSeSi;? offercTd him the chair °f
SSBSS^
h position he filled
tneir University in Cairo. This
for over a vear
but upon being stricken with fever, his father went to Egjt to
administer unto him and induced him to return to Lebanon for re
operation, later prevailing upon him to remain there
Haying started on an educational career, the youn? professor
decided to establish a school of his own, and owingTh^pracS
methods of teaching and fame for strict disciplinf, hischoo the
first year attracted over a hundred boarders and day pupfls frl
duced the young schoolmaster to undertake tbc'jZZ££g£
I
1
�.
20
i
iiTifiTniiwmin
THE SYRIAN WORLD
them they raised a substantial capital which, in those days, was in
itself a fortune. But Naoum was anxious to raise a larger fund to
increase the capacity of his school and he welcomed the opportunity.
This ideal of establishing a native Lebanese school of higher education he consistently cherished throughout his life, and only a few
years before his death he was known to be negotiating for the purchase of a suitable site for such an institution. He also was known
to be planning to pledge all the resources of his paper to its maintenance.
The two partners left the homeland in 1887 and while in France
bought such religious articles and fancy notions represented to them
as being then in demand in the American market. But the commercial venture proved disastrous, and Naoum again reverted to his
earlier calling and was engaged by the Jesuits as French instructor in
one of their colleges in New York.
A year later saw the young professor engaged in his first journalistic venture. He issued a mimeographed sheet in Arabic under
the name of Al-'Asr, (The Age), but soon discontinued it to take up
the study of medicine. For this purpose he moved to Philadelphia
and it was there that in 1 897, and before finishing his medical course,
he established his newspaper Al-Hoda which was destined to become
under the driving force of his dynamic energy, the leading Arabiclanguage newspaper in America and one that compares favorably
with the foremost in the Arabic-speaking world.
Mr. Mokarzel from the beginning of his journalistic career waged a relentless and sustained campaign against corruption in every
form. His bitter attacks on the despotic government of Sultan Abdul Hamid caused him to be condemned to death and his property
in Lebanon confiscated. His father, the Rev. Antoun Mokarzel,
was sought by agents of the Turkish government in Lebanon, and his
life would have been held forfeit had he not taken refuge with the
Maronite Patriarch who finally convinced the government that the
father was not responsible for the actions of the son, nor was he in
sympathy with his attacks.
After five years of publication in Philadelphia, Al-Hoda was
moved to New York where it changed its frequency from semi-weekly to daily and has been so maintained ever since.
In 1922
the silver jubilee of Al-Hoda was celebrated as a milestone
in Syrian cultural progress and achievement in America at a
banquet attended by the most notable Syrian gathering ever to
come together in America, N. A. Mokarzel was hailed on that oc-
l
HI
�'^fPRIL, 1932
21
casion by common agreement of all factions as the greatest leader
the Syrians in America have yet produced.
His publication was the late editor's consuming passion. He
spared no effort to continue its improvement not only in content matter but in typographical appearance. His progressive spirit was evident from his having adopted every new device calculated to further
efficiency and typographical beauty. Al-Hoda was the first Arabic
publication in the world to use the Linotype, and the first in America
to use a webb printing press. It also was the pionerr in the liberal
use of display captions in its make-up, setting the standard which was
later followed by the Arabic press throughout the world. He often
expressed himself as anxious to prove to the Arabic-speaking world
the advantages of adopting American methods of efficiency.
When in 1912 the convention of Arabic-speaking nations was
held in Paris Mr. Mokarzel attended as the delegate of the Syrians
in the United States. During the Versailles Conference at the close
of the war he was present in the same capacity, while during the war
he helped recruit the Oriental Legion which was being raised by
France to effect the liberation of Syria. He also was instrumental in
sending to Syria through secret channels during the war hundreds of
thousands of dollars from Syrian immigrants to their starving relatives in the homeland.
The Lebanon League of Progress which he founded in 1911
was the instrument through which he sought action on political reforms. He was ever consistent in his demand for an independent
Lebanon under the protection of France, and he is credited with having been the author of the suggestion to make the French tricolor,
with the cedar appearing in the center white stripe, the official flag
of Lebanon.
His last trip to France, which resulted fatally, was also in the
interest of his beloved Lebanon. His avowed purpose was to serve
the cause of good government in that country by inducing the
French authorities to sanction the choice of a liberal candidate in
the forthcoming presidential elections. The news of his untimely
death occasioned genuine and universal sorrow both in America and
in the motherland, and almost simultaneously with the first announcement of his death came the demand from Lebanon that the
body of this illustrious son be permitted to repose permanently in
his native country which he so nobly served. In all probability, this
mandate of the nation will be gratified.
�.....
22
r_,
-immmmk
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Tributes to a Leader
EDITOR'S NOTE—
flool^trJes^lu0** md°JtHe Syrim W°Hd " li^ally
ian World feels equally%^^MZ^^ ^^ ?f ^ Syr~
number of message, rJh
Y sympathisers, only a limited
done fr^y7nglelLtuVrZd
"7*"
^ "* ** b
f eC rdand
as
^des^eadJefaroLeTbZ; ° / °
*» indication of the
editoHn Am^lr
J
*"* °f ** dhti^ished Lebanese
CABLED TRIBUTES FROM LEBANON
Rel>ublk Leh
ZZtlZfdTof theORK
°f
-
Irfhr^V
(OFFICIAL)
F
EXCEEDINGLY GRIEVFD AT TUC
TTT^
PLEASE ACCEPT MSSS "^
CHARLES DABBAS
J
Sit PTeSidem °f ^ *«***» *< *h of the ReMUc of
MOKARZEL, NEW YORK
MOHAMMAD DJISR, PRESIDENT
From
p d n of the Prsss Ass cM n B
4^
7i : L
° ° ->» ' >CEES^G^^E^ ^S^CIATION WAS EXOF OUR GREAT COLIEArnp^ S^£ OF THE DEMISE
M
WITH SSSKALIL KSEIB, PRESIDENT.
From /^ Maronite Patriarrh
SINCERE REGRETS AND CONDOLENCES
PATRIARCH ANTOUN ARIDA.
�IfPRIL, 1932
23
THE GREAT LoIsND°LENCES- * SHARE WITH
V
fhZ ^ me"ller °f «** ****>*» AssenMy Sheikh Joseph Sle-
From the editor of Ad-Dabbour, Beirut
ON CLl^fN^S^8 BEFALLEN
US
-
LEBAN
"
TRIBUTES FROM AMERICA
of Progress.
natem, Prestient of the Lebanon League
Mr MoLTe^T"?^,'he
m St C rdial
°
°
««-*» with
h S eraste
the cause of Right and Lk*y Plf'
' P
« =«<>«s in
PW
dolences.
'
^P1 "V "*» sincere con-
WSJ:CgfJrCy
SeS S,riS Siia
P
°
and the Arabic world at large
">>«- *W*» ***r i.
m
&?** °'DamM'Assis,mt Basin
^^\y served his country
U
^ of * "« r«*
:::; LTafsir^rYour brother -*"-««' <*-
�24
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Pioneer and Seer
r
IT IS WITH profound regret that I read of the death of the greatest Syrian Lebanese of our race in America: N. A. Mokarzel.
He was the symbol of our race in America. He was the prophet of
the new era of our race and the leader of the educational, moral, social, political, and philanthropic movements of the Syrian Lebanese
pioneer period in the New World.
N. A. Mokarzel's passing marks the end of the Syrian Lebanese
race pioneer period, and the beginning of the development period
of the race with America as the new homeland. His life story is the
life story of our race in America. His death marks a prominent
date in our race history. His name, place, and achievements and
dreams symbolize the name, place, achievements, and dreams of our
race.
N. A. Mokarzel is the outstanding Syrian Lebanese pioneer in
the history of the Syrian Lebanese race in America. He was the
moulder of the thought life of the younger generation. He led in
the forward movements of the period. He pointed the way to future progress through education, inspiration, and publicity. He lived
what he taught, he exemplified what he wrote, and he led where
he desired others to follow.
He founded institutions of far reaching influence in America,
in our motherland, and wherever Syrian Lebanese dwell, as well as
among the Arabic-speaking peoples. He established the foremost
Arabic newspaper in the New W7orld, the influence of which has
blessed our race. He founded the Lebanon League of Progress for
the aiding of the motherland. He organized the Educational Association for the spreading of enlightenment, culture, and progress.
He initiated the Syrian Lebanese Mahrajan for the perpetuation of
our race culture, solidarity, and progress.
N. A. Mokarzel lives, though dead. He lives in the mind of our
race, in the consciousness of our generation, and he lives in the leadership of today and the rising tomorrow. He was a dreamer of the
better dreams of our race. He was a seer of the better days ahead.
He was a shepherd of his people. He was a beacon to guide the
masses. He was a true statesman of his people. Young and old,
rich and poor, wise and ignorant, people of all classes, religions, parties, and conditions followed his benevolent leadership. He was
�^4PRIL, 1932
25
unselfish, devoted to the welfare of others, and spent his life in doing good.
N. A. Mokarzel is glorious in death, the glory of serving Lebanon: our race, our motherland, and our future. In his death he
challenges us to match ourselves with his ideals, his achievements
and his hopes We Syrian Lebanese shall dream the dreams of the
betterment of our race; we shall uphold our race legacies, and we
shall promote the Americanism, the loyalty, and the progress of our
citizenship in America. We Syrian Lebanese youth shall honor his
name place, and achievements by accepting his ideals, challenges,
ments°PeS'
C Urage
°
'
ViSi n
° ' ^
eff rt t0 greater achieve
°
"
... N- A- Mokarzel's name will live through the ages, his influence
will inspire greatness in others, and his achievements will awaken
progress in the mind, heart, and life of the present and future gcn^ZlT
A-grCatneSS WiU gr°W and glow more and
to bless,
awaken, and inspire our generation, our motherland, and our future
1
xrm^ J^gment that history> experience, and posterity will"
acclaim N. A. Mokarzel the GRAND OLD MAN of the Syrian
Lebanese pioneer period in America.
^
w.
. , __ ,
W inside, Neb.
REV.
W. A.
Eternal Guidance
TO MY UNCLE
The light that glowed a thousand years
In human benevolence, has softly gone,
And silent voices and unseen tears
Mourn this passing of a paragon
Of men and minds j this human heart
That God inspired to guide the way for men;
And now, in claiming, hath spread the glow '
He cast unto these humble children
Of a kindred world, who kneel in reverence
Their torch held high above his pallid face
To cast upon his blessed brow the eternal glow
Of love, that passing years will not efface.
ALICE MOKARZEL
MANSUR
�ua
m
26
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Gibran A Year After
The First Anniversary of the Lebanese Poet's Death Reveals Him
a Universal Figure Beloved and Honored in Every Land.
A YEAR ago this month, the month of Nisan, the month of budding blooms and running brooks, the month in which nature
stages its annual victory over death, the month of Resurrection, of
love and hope, of youthful aspirations and longings, the beloved
poet, artist, sage and mystic, Gibran Kahlil Gibran passed away.
It was, to be exact, on the 10th of April, at ten minutes to
eleven on Friday night that the great soul which had comforted
many a soul in its weary march through the Vale of Tears, that had
brought courage and hope to many a faltering step, itself had to face
the dreadful, the glorious ordeal of its own release to the Great Beyond.
There is something touching and beautiful about the last days
of Gibran's earthly life, and the last journey which his body took
before it rested in eternal peace under the shadow of the Cedars he
so much loved, and which so much mingled with his soul's dreams
and visions. Something that reminds us of the fortitude of a Socrates drinking his cup of hemlock in a dismal cell of an Athenian
prison j something that is reminiscent of the Gospel narratives about
the last days and death of the great Nazarene. For to these and all
kindred souls in whose bosoms burns the divine fire of Another
World, in whose eyes shines the light of immortality, death is but
an accident in the Larger Life. They looked at body and all the
material world that surrounds it as so much impedimenta.
Theirs is the motto which one of them, the great German poet
Goethe, enunciated: "Es ist der Geist der sich den Koerber baut",
"It is the Spirit which builds unto itself the body!" And well may
Gibran himself have sung, not only to one of his devoted friends
and followers, to whom he had ascribed the lines, but to all the
thousands of his admiring, revering readers:
"Nay, go fast, faster,
Bride of my dreams,
For the valleys and the higher hills
�^PRIL, 1932
27
That I feared but yesterday,
Now I would cross and climb."
w en Death beck ned Gibran
thiSwtidnwn,vhgf rnt,that
\
° and a11 sentien
to Hd
S mUCh a
his friends
be „« o hu rim
7
°
L ^
' ^
<
I i ^ *?<* SpaCe Were his friends), those who gathered
the ChOS£n f6W Wh
U n his
T„TA
rl kLsTed ^
° ^ P°
"
a ay mt etermt
££L /
T
°
>'' were of the ^ sex? That was
fitting and proper for one who, like the Master, had much of The
feminine in him and whose fine spiritual message found more re
MisTfiarbf* "nderStandin^ heart -d -tholic intuition of worn n
Miss Barbara! oung, poetess, Mrs. William Brown Malonev writer
e
Gibra
nT'HMlSS ^ ^^ MrS" L€0n°bel SC
Gibran, his devoted sister, Mrs. Rose Diab, a cousin, were the min
istenng angels who hovered around the deathbed of al-Musfafa
S^S^SS men present'a friend Mischa Naim^a?d a
hteV
ibran KahH1 Gibran was
to
^l^
ff ?
to Blt7ti7t
Boston, the home of
his early
dreams and struggles- thecarried
home
where he was so misunderstood, yet so loved by thosfwho were nTr
est and dearest to him; the place which he never ceased teca 1his
hi bel0 ed BeCharre
mTe
Stt-**
V
' ^d£^s£
in the world to him. For l
New ;
York which recognized
his eenius
and showered its largess of success on him was only fwo sfon
den from which he contemplated the universe and Zught ?his
houghts after his Godheart. Meticulous in his appearance dmo
like a suave diplomatist, cosmopolitan in his tastes and manners
in
SOdal aCC
aTa^tJat
herrt
°*^s, Gibran MGKS
a ascetic at heart a mystic who set on his journey for the ereat
y fr0
C
a11
£T<Sv
h H his
?° aloneness,
f^ f° *
^ his
«
m" to Only f/ew
a few shared
his ^
silence and
innermost
musings. To those alone, out of the teeming millions of the citv of
skyscrapers, subways and congested thoroughfares the ctv of^n
lofh
Sr7yVheTrned hlS. ^^ ln that ^^studJofhi"2 5 W
1 Oth Street That was his Kaaba, his haram, his retreat from th,'
efficient
^
*"*
SUCC£SS and intoxicated
with
And in Boston, where Gibran looked forward for his annual
varation, for his temporary relaxation from the round of routine and
work, he was received with heavy hearts and reminiscent tenderness
•
�..
.
..:..
.
a
;9"
28
;
THE SYRIAN WORLD
And here again we see the gentle touch and solicitude of women
which followed him wherever he went. After the bier was met by
a group of distinguished Syrians and former friends of the mystic,
headed by Msgr. Stephen al-Douaihy, it was carried to the home of
the Syrian Ladies' Aid Society on W. Newton Street; and on the
following day services were held for him at the Maronite Church
of Our Lady of the Cedars on Tyler Street, the same street where
his sister's home is, and where in his vacations he spent long hours
in informal conversation with his many friends and visitors.
Right here a word may be said about Gibran's attitude to conventional religion. For it does seem incongruous to many that this
man whose iconoclastic tirades against conventional sectarianism,
which would limit and monopolize the grace of God to an initiated
few, aroused the animosity of some religious officials in high places,
should finally receive the obsequies and approved funeral rites of a
sectarian church. But in truth there was nothing incongruous or improper about it. Like all great mystics, Gibran was intensely religious. And it was because he was intensely religious that he rebelled against all bounds and limitations which would estrange the
soul from its legitimate and free share of participation of the divine.
The same wrath that burned in Jesus who drove the traders and
money-changers from the Temple, burned in Gibran who, in one
of his parables of "the Wanderer" makes a lightning fall on the
head of a bishop who repulsed a non-Christian woman who came to
him asking if there be salvation for her from hell-fire. And as Jesus
justified the poor tax-gatherer who humbly confessed his sins before God and condemned the proud Pharisee who vaunted his righteousness, so also Gibran counted among the saved many millions of
all races, languages and creeds who had never been baptized by the
water and the spirit. Hundreds of years before him the great Arab
mystical poet, Ibn al-Farid, of whose mystical Taiyyah he was so
fond, had sung:
"And if to a stone a Buddha worshiper doth bow,
His fellowship in faith I still forsooth avow."
And with an equal majestic sweep of universal love also Ibn
al-Arabi, perhaps the greatest Arab mystic of all time, also sang:
"My heart is capable of every form;
A cloister for the monk, a fane for idols;
A pasture for gazelles, the votary's Kaaba,
The tables of the Torah, the Qoran.
Love is the faith I hold, wherever turn
His camels, still the one true faith is mine."
�-TTP—h,
:,
JtPRIL, 1932
-
.._
29
Both of those mystics were Moslem, but there was more kinship and affinity between their souls and that of Gibran than between
his and those of many Christians.
But if those mystics, Sufis, could sincerely call themselves Moslem, so could Gibran sincerely call himself a Christian, as indeed so
called themselves innumerable Christian mystics before him, like
Meister Eckhart, Boemhe, Sausa Tanler and the anonymous author
of Theologica Germanica, who were equally bold and radical in their
pronouncements, equally universal in their conception of salvation
and faith.
There can be no doubt that Gibran was truly Christian, and if
he were a xMoslem he would be truly Moslem, or a Hindu he would
be truly Hindu. For to such, and not to priests and clerics, as
it was to Jesus and not to the Pharisees and Scribes of his day, that
it is given to interpret religion properly, and transmit it sympathetically and understanding^ to their fellow men and women.
But Gibran was not only a Christian. In a beautiful sentimental way he was a Maronite. There was something in the associations and memories of that church that attracted him to it It
meant so much to him. It symbolized his early childhood, memories of his father and mother, sisters and brother, dear relatives and
friends who enveloped him with their love and tender care in the
early years of his life in that beautiful village on the edge of the
Qadisha Valley in Northern Lebanon. Its ceremonies and festivals
mingled in his treasured memories of joyous crowds in colorful
festive clothes, solemn moments, impressive processions of blackrobed priests, and an occasional visit of a bishop, or perchance the
Patriarch himself which turned the village into a veritable carnival.
Io be a Maronite, to him, meant not merely or necessarily subscription to certain definite creeds and dogmas, but to belong to an ancient and historic people who shared the same memories, the same
aspirations, the same baptism of suffering and blood, the same rejoicings and the same sorrows. The chanting of its Syriac litanies,
the smell of incense, and the elaborate rites of its priesthood conveyed a certain mystic significance to him that no literalist can understand.
In short his association with the Maronite Church was
what the American philosopher Josiah Royce called "group loyalty"
and which transcends in spiritual value all adherence to creed or
dogma.
So much then for Gibran's particular sectarian attachment. But
in truth Gibran belonged to the whole world. Some of his books
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30
THE SYRIAN WORLD
have been translated into as many as twenty languages, including the
Japanese. If it is incongruous that he was a Maronite, still more
incongruous is the fact that his writings are read by Buddhists and
Shintoists, and that his Arabic translator is a Greek-Orthodox archimandrite!
Many memorial services were held for Gibran—services which
illustrated the variety of people who held him in high esteem, who
revered his spirit, although most of them had never seen his face
in life.
The first of these memorial services was the one held in the
East Hall of Roerich Museum, 103rd Street and Riverside Drive,
New York, on April 29.
It was an intimate group of American and Syrian friends and
admirers of the great dreamer, wanderer and prophet. Dr. Charles
Fleischer introduced the various speakers who included Barbara
Young, Salloum Mokarzel, Claude Bragdon, Syud Hossain, Leonora Speyer, Mischa Naimy and others. It was a beautiful blend of
East and West coming to do honor to one who, perhaps more than
any other, succeeded in interpreting one to the other. It was also
fitting that a Christian and a Mohammedan, a Syrian and an Arab,
supplied the music for the occasion. Prince Mohiudin played "Du
bist die Ruh", on the 'cello, and Anis Fuleihan, who had set some
of Gibran's pieces to music, sat at the piano while Hubert C. Linscott sang.
About a month after, May 24, ar-Rabitah al-Qalamiyyah, the
literary circle which Gibran himself had founded, and in which he
had always been the guiding spirit, held another memorial meeting
for him in the building of the American-Syrian Federation at 123
Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn. At the same time Gibran's friends
and countrymen in Boston were holding another memorial meeting
in the Municipal Building on Shawmut Avenue. The eulogistic
articles and poems in Arabic which poured from every quarter of this
country, and for which al-Hoda had opened wide its columns, are
too numerable to mention. The local American press printed obituaries of him, some of which gave an account of his life and works
at length, and the Associated Press carried the news of his death
to all parts of the world.
Of especial interest are two memorial meetings held in two
cities separated by thousands of miles.
The first of these took place in Sydney, Australia, and was attended by the consuls of the United States and France, four mem-
\
�\APRIL,1932
\
31
bers of the Australian Parliament, and the Minister of the Interior.
m Senator in
j' r "„
'
the New South Wales Parliament,
and a fellow Syrian, was one of the speakers.
The other was held in Johannesberg, Transvaal, South Africa,
and took the form of an elaborate service in the local Maronite
church of Our Lady of Lebanon. Rt. Rev. David Orley, Bishop of
1 ransvaal, delivered the eulogy in which he declared that Gibran's
Message to Young Americans of Syrian Origin" was "of the stuff
ot immortal literature, and should apply to the younger generation
or Syrians and Lebanese in every part of the world."
Among the many American admirers and devotees of the Syrian mystic was the Rev. Dr. William Norman Guthrie, pastor of St.
Mark s on the Bouwene. Often did he read selections of the Prophet
and other works of Gibran from his pulpit, as supplementary to the
Bible reading and often did he present them in pantomime and
tableaux on the stage of his church. It was, therefore, fitting and
proper that Dr. Guthrie should hold a special memorial service for
PrnXf"1 fu4anlagain °n N0V'8- ImPressive scenes from "The
Prophet" and "The Wanderer" were presented in that historic little
church in the heart of Manhattan. The church was crowded with
American and Syrian friends of the great departed spirit
But more impressive than all was the final scene of this moving
drama which took place in the homeland of the Syrian seer and
spiritual hero-in Lebanon the home of the Cedars, where the Poet
ot the Cedars first opened his eyes to the light of day.
The steamship Sinaia, of the Fabre Line, sailed from Provihv ZTY1AgA
T u6t A
f
wL N A M r* |\
Whkh the b d
.
and °
y of
Gibran Ka
Wil Gibran
Lebanese flags. At the pier
were N. A. Mokarzel, the able editor of al-Hoda, a man of action
SinCC ined Gib
wlr fidd'r0^ hiS r^
^
J°
S?mtU
develo me
^ne
Sitor of fh/s
*t
*}
P ^ S. A. Mokarzel,
Fabre Line
^°f "J^ of
*Z "Character
^ SyHan
^ent of the
^
^abre
Line, JI fT
G. Raphael,
editor
Magazine"
Rev Mansur Stephen of New York, Barbara Young, Marfana' he
poe 's sister and many other friends and relatives from Boston as
well as a delegation of Syrians and Americans from Providence'kOn the other side of the Atlantic extensive and impressive nre
parations were being taken to receive the body in a mS fitti^
the greatness of his spirit, and the unique place whicTL occupied
in the literary and spiritual history of our little country Ddegl
�32
THE SYRIAN WORLD
tions came to Beirut from all parts of Syria, from ancient Damascus, from Aleppo, from Horns, Hama, Antioch, Sidon, Tripoli,
from the Holy Land, and from every little town and hamlet in
Lebanon. Especially prominent in their picturesque native dresses,
and the genuine expression of sorrow on their proud faces, were the
men and women who came down from Becharre, the hometown of
Gibran Kahlil Gibran in Northern Lebanon.
The body was received with official pomp and ceremony. Government representatives in official dress were present at the pier,
priests and high church dignitaries in their clerical • robes, and a
large multitude of just plain men, women and children, who were
dearest and nearest to the tender heart of the dead poet.
The body was landed in Beirut on August 21, and from there
removed in ceremony to the Maronite Cathedral of St. George,
where the Rt. Rev. Ignatius Mobarak, Maronite archbishop of Beirut, and his clergy received the body with the chanting of Syriac
songs for the dead.
On the same evening a great civic memorial meeting was held
for Gibran in one of the largest theatres of the city. Hon. Charles
Dabbas, President of the Lebanon Republic, presided in person. The
speakers who eulogized Gibran Kahlil Gibran on that memorial occasion were: Ameen Rihani, poet and scholar, Khalil Mutran, famous Arabic poet, Khalil Kussayyeb, President of the Press Association of Beirut, Mohammed Jamil Beihum, President of the Young
Men's Moslem Society, Representative Michael Zakkour, poet and
editor, Ameen Taki ud-Din, poet, and many others representing
civic and religious bodies.
And then the triumphal march to Becharre, the touching scenes
of mourning women singing sorrowful dirges before the bier, like
the old mourners we read about in the Bible j the different stops on
the way, particularly at Jubail, the ancient Byblos, where a company
of maidens with flowing hair and gowns, sang paeons in praise of
the dead hero, as though he had been alive and was received in
triumph by those who awaited his "home coming."
And when the noise of all this pomp and ceremony had died
away, the body of the mystic who was so fond of silence and solitude
was laid quietly in the little Monastry of Mar-Sarkis (St. Serjius),
of which Gibran was so fond, and in which he often expressed the
wish to Spend the last years of his life. Now his earthly remains
rest there as long as anything in this mutable world of ours may
rest. In a little crypt in the chapel of that monastery, a visitor to
�M. Fromkes, A.N.A.
Copyright 1932, by Marie el-Khoury
GIBRAN
KAHLIL GIBRAN
Collection Madame Marie el-Khoury
Who contributed the engraving in memory of our great artist and p.et and
through whose courtesy it is included in this issue of the SYRIAN WORLB
in commemoration of the first anniversary of his death.
�_j
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�cAPRIL, 1932
33
that picturesque town that overlooks the awe-inspiring Valley of
Qadisha, and lies at the foot of the serene grove of Cedars at the
top of the mountain, may read on a small tablet at the entrance
these words in Arabic:
"Here Repose the Remains of the Prophet Gibran Resting under the Wings of the Angel of Peace."
And thus the drama of the young dreamer and reformer who
as a young lad raised his voice in angry protest against the injustices
and cruelties of the social system under which he lived, who migrated to a new country where his genius could bud and develop undisturbed, whose star rose in the West, who returned in triumph like
a conquering prince to his own country and people, came to an end.
And the land which ever stoned its prophets and turned its
back against its seers received with a great display of love and appreciation one of its greatest and sweetest prophets.
ON FIRST VIEWING GIBRAN'S
"THE PROPHET"
Today I clasped God's hand
And evermore shall walk
Within the shadow of His Majesty.
It was a picture on a wall;
A bit of paper and a few drawn lines.
It was a face
Of misty outline and suggested form.
I stayed my step and gazed
And bowed my soul,
Before this shrine of genius.
Only a pictured face upon a wall,
But I well knew
That I had touched God's hand.
GERTRUDE MAGILL RUSKIN
�9HMNMNNI
34
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Gibran The Artist
Exhibition of His Works in America Attracts a Distinguished
1 hrong of Admirers—Permanent Exhibit to be in Lebanon
By
E
DAGNY EDWARDS
fHE ART OF living beautifully} being, rather than doing, was
m St es sential thin
ur> -,i
°
.
& in life to Gibran, and in his words:
Build your own ivory .tower and let the rest of the world take care
t
' \e S^a standard f°r himself, as well as for others, while
on this earth Reticent about his work he refused to exhibit publicity his countless paintings and sketches for fear that his "people"
would want to buy them". But one of his dearest dreams was that
alter his death,.some fifty or seventy-five of the paintings would be
hung m some gallery in a large city where people might see them,
and perhaps love them!" This dream has materialized under the
loving guidance and tireless effort, of his friend, Miss Barbara
Young who acting as his literary executor, has held an exhibition of
the works of;GIbran m the Studio at 51 West Tenth Street, New
York City, where he lived and worked for eighteen years.
th before the
ai penin whkh to k
TJanuary
i
,
^
° ^
° p*«* °n
anu3r9r°r.
21, all the actual work of preparation,.which included selecting, framing, and arranging the portraits, was accomplished by
a group of young people who assisted Miss Young, without thought
of recompense, but amply as a token of the honor and love thev held
lor Gibran. It had been planned to hold the exhibit open until Feb-
thTLt' thT^ *ft Uu "*i PUblidty fr°m the P-s> and ^spt
eached he S?T ^ 1^ had t0 be dimbed befo^ one
XtfX
?K ' ^.^ly.more than one thousand persons
v twed the exhibit with mingled feelings of appreciation, awe and
pleasure so that the time was,extended until April 10.
Visitors
a W
hfe
d6Claring there
if
Fd
wM
\°K
T*
> exhibition a"
it Edwin Markham who recently celebrated his eightieth birthday
stood before a portrait of himself, drawn by Gibran many years ago'
and proclaimed with spirit, "There's something in that picture tf at'
I know is in me but that no one else has ever seen!" So with the
other sketches and paintings, Gibran, with vivid imagination, vital
force, and a few deft strokes, created a beautifully vibrant picture
of poetic imagery, profound in its fundamental depth. People came
�UPRIL, 1932
35
again and again, reverently, as to a rite, seeking they knew not what,
and found spiritual contentment, emanating from the godly serenity of the silent portraits on the walls. The place had acquired the
tremendous consciousness of Gibran, and as one poorly dressed, rather uncultured woman wonderingly exclaimed, "You know thev all
mean something! They're not just pictures, are they?"
As a child, his tiny fingers modelled in snow and stone. He
needed no master, he had no master, and it is a remarkable fact creditable only to his rare genius that Gibran was entirely self-taught in
art When he painted, he drew with most unbelievable rapidity.
Uften, when he was drawing, he had a habit of standing off at a distance getting down on his knees, gazing at,his work for minutes,
then back again at the canvas, he would fly at work,until finished!
Une of his most beautiful drawings, the first "Prophet", (a face he
had carried in his mind for years, before he could give it life with
draWn
half an h Un
Gibran the artist
unlike"?'
V Wl
° inseparably
> linked in> his
waspernot
unlike Gibran
the poet, "l
the two being
sonality ; yet Gibran the man, though utterly different from other
people, was a delightfully charming, always gracious, most loving
PerS n
SeSSed Wkh a
rand seilse of
Pelrlleaving !K
' Ef at his feet, walked
S
humor?
People,
their °troubles
from him
with
light heart and step, comforted, relieved,,exalted, but left Gibran
sore at heart worried with their worries, piled before him in a heap
so high that he could see nothing else!
RvHe?-arph ^hafdt> 4? 9eorge Ru^ell, Debussy, Rodin, Albert
Sdn R^
Klet\Mar?am> Masefield, Ruth St. Denis and
Abdul Baha,are but a few of the notables whom Gibran sketched at
his Studio, and a number of these paintings will be presented to va-
r^d theH8- \he,Mr?Puolit- Museum of Arthas already ac-
S A K JVA hfd °f J°hn Masefie^> poet laureate of England j Albert Ryder, American Painter; "Toward the Infinite", (Gibran s mother in death) ; "I Have Come Down the Ages", and the
smallest pencil drawing taken from his book, "Tesus the Son of
6 LIf£ GrCle
SeVeral
2?£\
^
M^
"of his parting wm go
to the Boston Museum; two or three to the Fogg Museum at Cam
bridge, as well as one each to the Brooklyn Museum, Z Sk
Museum, and International House on Riverside Drive
The exhibition attracted many persons well known in the realm
of art and letters, including Rose O'Neill, American illustratorand
poet; Frederick Diehlman, of the National Academy and Cooper
Union; Bryson Burroughs, Curator of Art, MetropoliL Museum
�—__
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THE SYRIAN WORLD
36
Dr. Serafini, Vice-Consul of Italy; Signor Paolo Abbate, sculptor;
Edwin Markham, "dean of American poets"; Floyd Starr, Director
of Starr Commonwealth, Albion, Mich.; Dr. Fischer, Curator of
Astronomy at the Museum of Natural History; Paul Stirneman,
Eastern Mystic; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Edmunds, founders of International House; James Oppenheim, American poet; Mrs. Alice
Hunt Bartlett, American editor of the Poetry Review of London;
Dr. Douglas Wild, of Rutgers University; John S. Eland, English
painter and etcher; Mrs. James Lees Laidlaw; the Princess Matchabelli; and the Princess Sava-Goiu.
The last day of the exhibit, Sunday, April 10, also marked the
first anniversary of Gibran's passing, and an informal group of about
thirty persons paid loving tribute to his memory, with Miss Young,
at the Studio. Softly lighted candles, sprigs ,of laurel, and roses
graced the room, while the remainder of the beautiful paintings and
exquisite drawings made an appropriate setting for the occasion. The
silvery patter of dripping rain, and a grey, cloud-swept sky outside,
proved a fitting accompaniment for the opening poems read by Miss
Young who told of Gibran's innate love for the rain, which, in his
own words: "seems to release something within me."
In a brief resume of the last days and hours spent with Gibran,
Miss Young declared that he never mentioned his approaching death
to the friends about him, thus lessening their sense of loss before
the final curtain-fall. Miss Young read several of Gibran's earliest
works, written before he was fourteen, while but a student at the
Madrasat Al-Hikmat in Syria (School of Wisdom). These unpremeditated writings show fascinatingly and clearly the remarkable
philosophy, the rare genius of the true artist, unusual in one so
young, yet indicative of the genius of Gibran we know today. Following the short interlude of selected poems, parables and thoughts
of the youngster Gibran, Miss Young concluded the reading by giving a few pages of the introduction and conclusion of his last book,
"The Garden of the Prophet", and also the last few, beautiful pages
of "The Prophet".
In parting, Miss Young suggested to the group that the friends
of Gibran who join that "inner circle" of those who love him, meet
from time to time to read from his works, to discuss and to remember
Gibran, our well-beloved friend; thus to perpetuate the memory of
him who has so enriched this world with his life and works.
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�5.S«Mi*'B5»E
UPRIL, 1932
37
American Poet to Live in Leban on
'Barbara, Young, Friend of Kahlil Gibran, to Make Her H...
ome in
Becharre and Write a Biography of the Poet of the Cedai s
Plans Annual Dramatization of "The Prophet" in English for tht
Benefit of Pilgrims
By
ALICE MOKARZEL
JN HER STUDY of Kahlil Gibran, Barbara Young has written:
"In Becharre, a half a world away, near the Cedars of the Lord,
the body of Gibran is lying—he who was more than any other the
Poet of the Cedars." And it is near these hallowed elements of
Beauty and Truth that Miss Young has chosen to make her permanent home.
Although the decision to live in Lebanon was made after Gibran's death, Miss Young cherished the hope of such a thing years
before, and now, almost coincident with the first anniversary of the
poet's death, Barbara Young will take leave of these Western shores
and after a short sojourn in Europe will settle in the little town of
tfecharre There, where Gibran as a precocious child drew and modelled, and where the youthful Gibran fully determined to carry out
his artistic career, Miss Young will live, a Lebanese among Gibran's
own people.
"I feel that I am returning home to stay", she said. "The fact
that often, unconsciously, I say, 'When I go back to Lebanon,'
proves my love and desire to live there. It is absolutely the most
wonderful thing that has happened to me. In Becharre I will have
my own little Syrian home with its vineyard and olive tree The
house will have a flat roof-top, so that sleeping there on a warm
night, I can reach up and pluck a star and tuck it 'neath my pillow."
"So many people have prophesied that I will return in a few
years she continued, "but I am sure I won't. I have never been in
sympathy with the Western code of existing, with its gadgets and
devices, whereas the beautiful and simple Lebanese life has always
fascinated me."
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
'
There is a lovely Eastern warmth in Barbara Young's voice
that spells of Lebanese tranquility and contentment. What a beautiful picture she would make in Lebanon, in native robes that would
beautifully emphasize her height and stateliness.
She went on to relate how completely at ease she feels among
Syrians and Lebanese and how she loves to hear them call her Barbara in the Arabic way with the accent on the second syllable. Even
now she has a vocabulary of Arabic words which she can say with a
good accent and without the difficulty the average American experiences with Arabic. As Gibran used to say to her, "I feel that you
will burst into Arabic any moment."
It will not be as spontaneous as that, Miss Young is assured, but
will take a few years of serious and conscientious study which she
intends to proceed with as soon as she is settled in Lebanon, so that
she will be able to translate the Arabic works of Gibran into English.
(Only portions of these works have been translated but the translation is not Gibran and the lover of his English will not accept it as
being true Gibran.) What makes Barbara Young especially qualified
as the translator of Gibran is that she has the perfect conception of
his English. Gibran himself has told her, "If anyone can translate
my Arabic works into English, it is you." Even when he was dictating "Jesus, the Son of Man," in feverish ecstasy, he would pause
now and then and recite his parables in Arabic and then translate
them freely into English. Fearful at the time lest she break the
spell of his inspiration, Miss Young refrained from asking him to
repeat them so that she could make note of them. But they are remembered in her heart and wrill find expression upon the leaves of
the volumes of translation.
However, the whole time will not be spent in studying and
translating. For it is for the perpetuation of Gibran's name and the
revelation of his works to those who still do not know him that Barbara Young has so unselfishly pledged her life. To this end she
has planned, among other things, to reproduce in Becharre the Studio
in which Gibran lived and worked in New York for eighteen years.
There will also be in Mar-Sarkis a museum for the purpose of displaying his works—pencil sketches, portraits, oil paintings, woodcarvings and the wealth of art treasures and relics that Gibran collected and cherished throughout his life.
As a perpetual and beautiful tribute to the memory of the "Poet
of the Cedars", Miss Young is putting her most ardent hopes in the
future dramatization of "The Prophet". This to be performed an-
�*APRILy1932
39
BARBARA YOUNG
Friend and Literary Executor of the
Poet of the Cedars
�______£___!
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40
'.'*? '
THE SYRIAN WORLD
nually, upon his native Lebanon soil and by his own people. The
dramatization will be in English for the benefit of the pilgrims and
because of the universality of the English language. The countless
followers of Gibran all over the world will welcome the opportunity
of witnessing the "Prophet" under such auspicious circumstances.
Whatever profits accrue will go to the materialization of the hopes
and dreams that Gibran constantly cherished for his country. He
dreamed of immense agricultural improvements for Lebanon and
other developments which Barbara Young has also noted in her heart
and which will find release in their realization.
As a youth, Gibran travelled on horseback to every place in the
Holy Land that Jesus is said to have visited. Miss Young hopes to
follow the same path and to visit the favorite places that Gibran
frequented. She plans also to visit his college, "Al-Hikmat", where
Father Haddad taught and whom Gibran described as "the only
man who ever taught me anything." There is a plate in the college
proudly bearing the inscription that Gibran had been a student there.
So many of Barbara Young's numerous admirers here have expressed the fear that she would abandon her own work entirely in
the execution of her unselfish plans, and thus deny them the beauty
and inspiration that pervade her poetry and prose. But Miss Young
is sure that she will not neglect her own writing. The peculiar beauty and climate of Lebanon, she feels, will inspire her to still greater
mediums of inspiration and thought. Her recent book, "Judas, the
Man Who Could Not Die", which had its setting in Lebanon, is a
powerful and stirring dramatic poem and is particularly remarkable
because she has written so vividly of a land she has not known. How
much more then, will be her "Book of Adam" and other works that
she has in mind and which are concerned with the Holy Land.
The energy of Barbara Young is tireless and knows no satiety.
The remarkable thing is that it is always in the interest of others.
Aside from the works of Gibran and her own, she will write a
series of articles about the people, culture and traditions of Lebanon
to convey to the Western world, and about which she believes nothing informative has been written since the middle of the nineteenth
century. The discovery was made by Miss Young after thorough
research in the libraries and institutions and is appalling when one
considers that almost no subject is overlooked by the countless writers of the English language.
On May 4th, Miss Young will sail for England where she and
her daughter will be the guests of Sir Henry and Lady Japp in Lon-
�'*APRIL, 1932
41
don. The "short vacation" she will have while there will be utilized, as usual, in arranging a small exhibit of seventy-five of Gibran's pencil drawings in London. In Paris, where Gibran is known
and esteemed essentially as an artist, the drawings will also be displayed. No oils are being taken to Europe but are being shipped
directly to Lebanon.
A strange and incomplete world it will be for the many friends
of Barbara Young, some of whom have known her for many years
and others for only a short while, but all of whom have been fortunate enough to have known and to become effused by her beautiful and unselfish spirit.
"There is a richness in remembrance and an assurance of eternity that we may not question", she has written, and it is with this
beautiful consolation and the hope that we, too, may be with her in
Lebanon that we bid Barbara Young farewell, rich in the remembrance of her friendship and with the assurance of our devotion for
her which distance cannot dim or diminish.
NEW IRAQI CURRENCY
One sign of sovereignty is the power to issue national currency.
It is, therefore, not surprising to learn that the government of Iraq,
whose complete independence and sovereignty have been recognized
lately by the League of Nations and other international conventions,
has at last taken the step to issue its own legal tender.
The smallest denomination in the new Iraqi coinage is the "fils",
which corresponds to our "cent". It bears en one side the likeness'
and name of King Feisal, and on the obverse the Arabic numeral 1,
to the right of which are inscribed the words in Arabic, "The Iraqi
Kingdom", and to the left the date of issuance in the Christian and
Moslem eras.
The grades of the coins include issues of two, four, ten, twenty,
and fifty fils, the last two being of silver. The paper issues start
with a quarter of a dinar up to 100 dinars. The paper used is said
to be of the best, and the inscriptions, besides the picture of H. M.
King Feisal, are in Arabic and English.
�,. „
Hi
m-Tl--—i
42
THE SYRIAN WORLD
TRVE ARABIAN TA
IYV H-A«£
Tfe Reward of Kindness
Like so many words in the Arabic language the word ma'rouf is very
hard to translate into English. Literally it means "the thing that is known",
and signifies that a good act should be proclaimed by its recipient.
Sometimes the word jamil, or the "beautiful act", is g;ven as a synonym.
The
Druzes in Syria and Jebel-Druze call themselves Bern" Ma'rouf", or "sons
of kindness", implying that they devote themselves to kind deeds, or that
they value this virtue above all others. But the Arabic word has a wider
and subtler connotat:on than the English word "kindness". It means not
only a kind act, but one which entails some sacrifice and magnanimity on
the part of the doer, an altruistic deed wlrch may involve the doer in some
trouble or danger.
The following story is a classical illustration of the highest exemplification of ma'rouf, which was rewarded in no less magnan'mous and chivalrous manner. With some modification it is taken from a collection of Arabic wisdom literature wlrch, it is hoped, will appear in English sometime
in the near future.
Ed.
{T IS RELATED of old that in the reign of the great and noble
Caliph al-Mamoun, illustrious son of Haroun ar-Rashid and the
greatest patron of Arabic culture and literature, there was a chief of
the royal constabulary by the name of Abbas. One day this chief of
constabulary was called to the Caliph's palace, and on his arrival and
appearance before the Caliph, behold! he saw a prisoner securely
bound by hand and foot. As soon as Abbas entered and made his
obeisance to the Prince oi the Believers, the latter called out to him,
saying: "Oh Abbas!" And Abbas replied: "Behold! here I am at
your service O Prince of the Believers."
"Take this prisoner", commanded the Caliph, as he pointed to
the man lying helplessly on the, floor, "and keep him in your personal custody till tomorrow. Take special care of him, and beware lest
tht
�UPRIL, 1932
^
he escape, for I shall surely request him at your hands »
At once Abbas called for some of his men and commanded them
to carry the prisoner away, for he was so heavily bound that he could
not move. Then the chief said to himself: "Since the Caliph is so
anxious to guard this prisoner, there is no securer place for him than
m my own house", and so he gave orders that the prisoner be carried
to his own house.
When this was accomplished and tht prisoner was resting in a
LTZ
th£ Chief S h USe Abbas went to hl
' ° >
d
inquired of
him about the nature or the accusation against him and from whence
nc C3.IX1C
«I am from Damascus", replied the prisoner.
•
i 7 ^!kh r£Ward Damascu« and its people with goodness"
ejaculated Abbas. "Of what part of the city do you come and to
what people do you belong?"
'
"
The prisoner looked at the chief quizzically and saidUi whom ask you in particular?"
<|Know you so and so", inquired Abbas anxiously.
And how did you happen to know that man?" ttaB
asked
the prisoner in turn.
'
-cu- LUC Prii>
long;ISe\SSaSLWith
him Whi
* '
M1
— forget as
«he m efis::„d %£&*?guard te"of h!s—•*
"° m**t unfortunate one! a long time ago I was in the service
of the governor of Damascus when one day "a rebel! on broke out"
carious that the governor was smuggled out of al-Haj jai's Palace
Zl ajamong ^ "« "*" ^ * ^ -P-nfaid rettS
"Then while scurrying forth in one of the narrow streets of the
hidi
i
^itra T&zr - - * £=»^Help me, may Allah help you!", I cried out to him
stirringWhirsSr7 ^' * ^ U*P—bably, not even
"When I entered, the man's wife led me to the inner court of
P
g OUt PriVate
Said: <G into
"Pr^ntlv
H a 'commotion
^^^
S?had
"
Presently T^
I heard
outside. My°pursuers
�44
THE SYRIAN WORLD
entered the man's house, and he was accompanying them as they demanded in angry voices: 'By Allah he has surely taken refuge in
your house!' "
" 'Behold the house before you', the man retorted, 'go in and
search for yourselves.'
"They searched everywhere and could not find me. There
was no part of the house left save that inner room in which I was
hiding, and the man's wife was there with me. They stood at the
door hesitating, as they said to one another:
" 'Verily he must be in there, for he could not have left the
house.'
"As I heard them I trembled with fear, for I realized that my
doom had come. But as they made a motion to enter the room, the
man's wife cried out from inside that it was the harem, and commanded them to leave at once.
"They went away immediately without much ado, and the woman comforted me and told me to sit down and compose myself, for
my legs were shaking with fear, and were not able to carry me anymore. As for the man, he went out to the gate and sat watching.
After an hour's time, he returned and said to me:
"Fear not, for Allah has diverted away their evil from you,
and with Allah's permission you are in safety and security now.'
"I thanked him profusely, saying: 'May Allah reward you with
goodness.'
"Four months I stayed with this man, during which time he
treated me genially as a boon companion, setting aside one room in
the house for my use, and never suffering me to miss anything of
my daily needs, and asking after me all the time. Then when the
rebellion had subsided and conditions returned to their normal
course, I said to the man:
" 'Will you permit me to go out to see what has become of my
men?'
"He consented, but only after extracting from me a promise on
oath that I would return to him.
"I went out into the city, but found no trace of my men, and so
returned to my host, who had done all this to me without knowing
my name or asking any information regarding me, addressing me
only by my filial title (Abu so and so.) But on my return he asked
me what I had planned to do, and I told him that I had set my mind
on leaving for Baghdad. He said:
�I
lAPRIL, 1932
,ou >" 'ThC
45
CaraVan Wij] leave after three d
*ys>
be
hold, I have told
"Again I thanked him warmly, saying: 'You have been very
considerate and generous to me, and I shall never forget vour kindness which some day I hope I will be able to repay as best I can '
ihen my host called to one of his black slaves and ordered
him to groom a steed and prepare it for a long journey, and everybody in the house was set busy buying and preparing the necessary
provisions for the journey. I thought to myself that the man was
about to visit one of his villages in some neighboring district. But
when the day arrived for the Baghdad caravan to leave, my host
came to me in the early dawn and said:
" 'Arise, for the caravan will leave in an hour's time.'
"I was taken by surprise and knew not what to say, for I had
not the wherewithal to buy the necessary provisions or to hire a
mount But when I had risen, behold, I saw my host and his wife
come to me carrying a big bundle of the most gorgeous clothes, with
two new pairs of shoes, and all necessary articles for a long journey.
Then the man brought me a sword and belt and girded my waist
therewith After that he showed me a mule over-loaded with two
wooden chests and a bed. Then he delivered to my hand a bill of
the contents of the chests, which included five thousand dirhams
and leading me to a steed already saddled, he said:
'
" .'Ride and this black slave will serve you on the way and
groom your mount', apologizing at the same time for his and his
»ife s shortcomings toward me. And not content with all this, my
host rode out a long distance to bid me farewell, and I proceeded
with the caravan to Baghdad.
proceeded
renort^f lbeh°ld' t ?T* ^V haVe been on the watch for s°
maU
mSy rCdeem Part f
to him.''
° ^ debt of gratitude
When the prisoner had heard all this, his countenance brightened up, as he said: "Verily Allah has enabled you to repay andreward your man without any effort or cost on your part "
How sor" asked the chief of constabulary in surprise
ma y U are seeki
th, A- 7°' T
T °
"&"> the prisoner replied, "but
the distress I am in and the hardships I have endured have obscured
my appearance from you, so you do not recognize me "
_
Ihen the prisoner related several details which left no doubt
in the chief's mind of his prisoner's identity.
At this Abbas could no longer control himself. He rose up and
I*
i
�46
/
THE SYRIAN WORLD
kissed the head of his prisoner, saying: "What has brought you to
such a pass?"
"Another rebellion, like the one which broke out in your days",
related the prisoner, "took place in Damascus, and it was attributed
to me. The Prince of the Believers dispatched a force thither which
pacified the city, while I was arrested and beaten to the brink of
death. Then I was bound and-sent to the Prince of the Believers,
and behold, my case is a grave one, and my guilt towards him is accounted great. Surely he shall put me to death, and I had come out
of my house without making my will. If, therefore, you wish to
reward me, go to such and such a house (naming the house of a certain man in Baghdad) and fetch me my slave who has followed me
secretly from Damascus, that I may convey my will to him. If you
do so you would have discharged all your obligation towards me."
To this Abbas replied: "Allah will manage what is best."
Then when night fell he called for a blacksmith and ordered
him to remove the chains from the prisoner's hands and feet. After
that Abbas comforted the prisoner and bade him enter a bath, and
gave him suitable clothes to wear. Then he dispatched someone to
fetch the prisoner's slave. And when the latter arrived he fell at
his master's feet, and the prisoner wept, as he dictated his will to his
slave.
As for Abbas, he lost no time, but called for one of his slav«s to
prepare such and such horses and such and such mules, naming ten
of each. Then he ordered ten chests of clothes and provisions, all
that was necessary for a long journey, and when everything was
ready, Abbas brought out a bag of ten thousand dirhams and another
of five thousand dinars and delivered them to the prisoner. Then,
turning to one of his trusted men, his lieutenant in the service, he
said:
"Take this man and see him safely off to the borders of alAnbar."
But the prisoner would not have it thus. He turned to his host
and keeper and said:
"My guilt with the Prince of the Believers is great, and my
calamity is unbearable. And if you excuse yourself to the Caliph
that I have fled he will dispatch after me all the men at his gate and
they will not rest till they bring me back and I shall surely die."
"Escape with your soul", insisted Abbas, "and I will fix the
matter with the Caliph my own way."
The prisoner refused, saying:
�<APRIL} 1932
47
come?/ A1Iah'p Sha,]1 n0t kaVe Baghdad til] l know what will bewiS comeT'
^ y°U ^ m6' y°U may Send after me ««i I
Then Abbas, addressing his lieutenant, saidCarry him to a place of safety since it is his wish to stay, and
would
wTth hi
of hi
TT^V
But
' u
!??ue
ded hi
r
Wkh my life
'
1 Sha11 let him
h my own life as he
T Charge
r
uCafe *
y°U ^
>
Alkh th
know!'then
^^
*t not a dirham
^a^^dS^^ th" ^ Wil1 d° ^ *"»« » "
safety1" ^
lkutmant
Prcm''^d, and led the prisoner to a place of
On the morrow Abbas said his morning prayer scented himself
with balm and prepared for himself a shroud' m'aki>gd the "e e
sary preparations of one going to certain death.
his door^dSsaidfaWn ^
mCSSengers of the
Caliph knocked at
<avs flTlnffT-^ '^ ^^
* Y at this very hour, and
says for you to bring your man and proceed to him at once "
Abbas rose and went alone with the Caliph's messengers carrv
mg his shroud under his arm. And when they reached the Calinh's
palace behold, he was already dressed and sitting in hi usual seat
at
awaiting their arrival.
>
without WhCn
thC C
fPh
SaW that his Chief of
Xtls^urm^" ^ ^
Cnraged and Cned
constabulary came
«* "W°e * *»>
treated AbbIasy°U * ^ * ^ ° **« °f the
°
>" ~
"I pledge my word to Allah", swore the Caliph, interrupting,
your head?
n
'°
^ ^^ ^
fled ! sha11 stri
^ off
Abbas assured the Caliph that the prisoner had not fled and
proceeded to tell all that had passed, and how the prisoner had aved
his life ,n Damascus years back. Then he added in conclusion
"Behold, I and my lord the Prince of the Believers are between
two alternates: either that you pardon me, and in that case I wluld
have repaid my debt of gratitude to that man, or that you give your
command for my execution, and thus would I have defended him
with my own life as he defended me with his. Verily I have alretdv
scented my body with balm and brought mV shroud with me »Y
When al-iMamoun heard this he was greatly moved, and said:
�KB..
48
THE SYRIAN WORLD
"Woe to you, and may Allah not reward you with goodness.
Has he done all that to you, and you only reward him with that
little after having recognized him! Why have you not told me of
him that I may have rewarded him properly in your behalf, and not
have stinted in our reward."
When Abbas heard this, he replied with joy: "Lo, O Prince
of the Believers, for he has sworn that he will not move from his
Dlace till he is assured of my safety."
"Verily", exclaimed the Caliph, "this is even a greater sacrifice
than the first one. -Go to him and calm his spirits, then bring him
hither that I may take charge of his reward."
Abbas was prompt in carrying out the command of the Caliph
and proceeded directly to where the prisoner was hidden and said
to him:
"Be done with fear! The Prince of the Believers has said thus
and thus", recounting to him what the Caliph had said in pardoning
him.
/
At this the prisoner uttered a sigh of relief, as he exclaimed:
"Praised be Allah, save whom none is praised for good or evil
alike!"
Then he rose and knelt twice in prayer, after which he rose in
company with Abbas and proceeded to the Caliph's palace.
And when the two arrived there, and the man was ushered to
the presence of the Prince of the Believers, the latter went over to
him and drew him near to his own seat and engaged him in kindly
conversation. And when it was time for dinner they ate together,
and al-Mamoun bestowed on him robes of honor and offered him
the governorship of Damascus. But the man humbly declined the
honor, at which the Caliph commanded that ten steeds with their
saddles and bridles, ten equipped mules, ten bags of gold, and ten
slaves with their mounts be bestowed on the erstwhile unfortunate
prisoner. Besides, the Caliph wrote his agent in Damascus to show
him special consideration and free him from all taxations in the
future. Then, turning to the man himself, the Caliph commanded
him to write him reports of the affairs of Damascus.
And so it came to pass that whenever the bag of mail arrived
from Damascus and in it a letter from this man, al-Mamoun would
turn to his chief of constabulary and say:
"O Abbas, here is a letter from your friend of Damascus."
�\APRIL, 1932
49
EDNA
K.
SALOOMEY,
Editor
According to Dun
|^
G. DUN and Company, the nationally renowned credit research firm, has compiled some interesting facts on fundamentals of credit. Of the many vital subjects discussed, we quote two
because they are particularly important to us.
"Illiteracy is a serious handicap to overcome and while higher
education is not an essential in business life, an illiterate person cannot expect the same consideration from a credit standpoint as one
with a fair education."
On first thought it may seem unfair to base one's judgement
of an individual's merits on illiteracy. The idealists among us may
argue that a man's worth should be determined by his morals. The
materialists may contend his worth should be determined by brawn
and native talent. Both groups disregard, but cannot deny, the importance of illiteracy as a determinative of a man's worth.
Illiteracy does not indicate lack of morals, intellect, or physical endurance any more than literacy implies the possession of these'
dualities. Yet, it is true and iust to consider illiteracy as heincr a
«enous handicap to one who desires to receive hif>h consideration
from a credit standpoint. It is self-inflicted handicap. The contention is this: an illiterate nerson has a more difficult time "mitring
himself across." He may be Shakespeare for wit. or have the salary of a financier: but unless he express himself, the talent in
him is entirelv lost. The undaunted ones who nrove bv their final
success that they will not be deterred by their illiteracy, onlv prove
�50
THE SYRIAN WORLD
fi
even more vividly that their illiteracy is a handicap for it is only
after years of struggling that they receive the consideration which
was rightly theirs from the start. Success only revealed the ability
We believe the same as did Priscilla, beloved of John Alden, that
a man should speak for himself and write, too.
At present illiteracy, in any case, can scarcely be justified for
there are many opportunities of overcoming it, such as night schools,
libraries, study clubs, and home study courses offered by universities
One needs but to choose discriminatingly, and to determine to pursue as far as possible whatever course is chosen. We have used the
words illiteracy and literacy, in a wide sense. By literacy, we mean
not only the ability to read and write buf also the constant use of
that ability. We firmly believe that the darkness of ignorance be
it our own or the ignorance of others regarding our character,'can
be dispelled by knowledge.
If this problem of illiteracy is faced at the beginning, it shall
solve itself in the end. It is a river which flows in one predetermined course, whereas, literacy is a river with many branches. In the
case of illiterates circumstance in the form of a helpful townsman
or a relative usually determines the career for illiterates. Thev are
prevented from selecting the career best suited to their native ability
havag started in one path, be it factory labour or keeping shop
mav Zll
V t0 thf Cnd " * l0St Th°U^h illiterate*
may be the most exemplary persons, no one in this machine age
with its; hurrying and scurrying, is willing to take time to unearfh
the candle of fine character under the bushel of illiteracy Selfexpression in word as well as deed is a modern requirement Is not
his the age of communication? Recall the radio, telegraphy, wirelessed telephone, all of which prove that this is the age
of 7Ze
mumcation.
wh^Y mSy aSk'-^ WC wHte ab0Ut ilIiteracV
these pages
*hich shall remain a void to illiterate persons. We speak here to
those who are literate, hoping that they shall make an effort to entourage all of the younger e-eneration to take advantage of everv
yto uire
kin f knowied e which
sT^rrm
r
T
,, make
° their *days happier
^ «* on£
serve them in business, but will
June m approaching and the spring term examinations are probably working havoc this verv minute in the minds of some of the
grammar and h,rfi school pupils. Some of them are debating whether it ,s worthwhile to go on.
A word of encouragement may
h
�^APRIL, 1932
51
mean much to these students. Some of them, for lack of a more
convincing reason, will use the need of employment as an alibi for
leaving school It is usually the ones who actually leave because
of a real need for aiding the family's finances, who are spurred on
to night schools and libraries because deprivation whets their appetites for knowledge. But those who use employment as an alibi
need to be shown how the world looks on inadequate knowledge A
sympathetic understanding will show them that four years in high
school or college are not the four centuries that seem to loom on
their horizon.
We crave literacy in its fullest sense for all our people, not so
much that we may be rated highly from a credit standpoint, or a social one, but that life may be meaningful to us. For, just as the
stars reveal their secrets to the astronomer, so shall they reveal
themselves to whoever shall follow the astronomer's course.
Knowledge is a pathway leading to the stars.
"The Nationality of the members of a concern sometimes has
an important bearing on the credit
the standards of business
morality of various nations decidedly differ from ours."
During the course of several years we have known many business men, and we can truthfully say that our nationality merits
highest consideration by virtue of the conduct of the maioritvJ of
our business men.
Men of moderate means prevail among us. T'>ev have won
for themselves honorable names, if not great fortunes." Now and
then we find there is one who has amassed a fortune, but is honored
neither with respect nor confidence which many less affluent persons
k
•
As we are comparatively very few in number, the slightest
shortcoming on the part of even one individual is made to reflect on
our national standing. It behooves each individual to be careful
lest by his action he may jeopardize the welfare of all.
On the whole our people have been bearing the brunt of the
present economic distress with phenomenal strength. Thev are
keeping not only the word of business law, but also its spirit
We salute our business people. To date, in spite of the very
trying situation prevailing our business mortalitv has been as low as
our business morality has ever been high.
�52
THE SYRIAN WORLD
WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT
LONG YEARS ago when the earth was in its infancy, the donkey
was considered to be the wisest of animals.
An old sheik owned a great herd of these, beasts, and their sagacity was the joy of his old age. Other sheiks came to listen and
marvel at the intelligence of the herd.
At such a time there came the prophet himself, the most learned of all the wise men of the East. He was welcomed by the old
sheik with due respect, who immediately led him out to see the
herd, saying, "Behold, O Prophet, these wise and talented donkeys
Converse with them, and judge if they are not truly wiser than all
other animals."
Then, the Prophet addressed the donkeys, saying, "Let us
test your wisdom. Answer this question: what does a donkey require tor a three days' journey?"
They replied, "For a three days' journey, O Prophet, any
donkey should have six bundles of hay plus three bags of dates "
"Very well," said the Prophet. "That sounds like a fair price "
Whereupon, the sheik broke out into loud chuckles, and said,
iJid I not tell you they are truly wise?"
The Prophet answered him, "Wait." Again he addressed the
donkeys.
I will not give you six bundles of hay and three bags
stlnd forth!"""
C
yS
' J°Urney-
Let Wm Wh
°
Wil1
S°
for le
-
And, behold, they all stood forth and commenced to talk at
once One would go for six bundles of hay and two bags of dates:
another, for five bags of hay and one bag of dates. So they argued
until, finally one donkey, whose ears were particularly long, agreed
to go for only one bundle of hay.
Then spoke the Prophet, "Fool, you cannot live for even three
days on one bundle of hay, much less profit by the journey."
THE"oRDEReSlied ^
long earcd
~
011e
' "BUT
l
WANTED
Since that far-off day to this, when earth is no longer in its infancy donkeys have been deemed stupid, and price-cutters have
been known as donkeys.
-
�<JPRIL, 1932
53
"AL-JIRN."
A
^S^TJn t0 US ab°Ut thG
Unha
PPy kddent of the hold-
able OMT
f uY tW°y°UnS NCW Y°rkers' sons of * ^spectaS t0 the
a^ for
for'such"
^committed
^ ^ °Ur
cause
such an actM''
being
by "P
these boys, whoseP-^le
father
had tried so hard to give them the benefits of a public 2Z educa"holier ldn?h° ^igh infentAof this sort> we
* cast aside the
holier than thou" attitude. Our older generation is so proud of
acts w^h hSeymnSHhaVe ^outstanding for their infrequent conacts with the guardians of the law), and now the younger generation threatens to besmirch that record.
It is LOTLl ~
youth, regardless of nationality, has been found to be increasing
its percen age of wrongdoing. Recently reports from Great Brkan
and the New |ork City Police Department showed that delinque K"
Q
among j uveniles is greatly on the increase.
*
It is true indeed, that if the younger generation would follow
the precepts of its elders, respect traditions, and benefit by the wisdom of parents, the police records would be far different.
1 he world in which we are living is such that a parent has to
be more than a devoted and self-sacrificing father; he must be a
lawyer, doctor, sociologist, psychologist and saint... and then some
The average father, though he may be a perfect example of all
that ^excellent in manhood, can scarcely prevent the infinite harm
wrought by bad associations, trashy literature, harmful movies, and
the demoralizing present day disregard for doing the right thing
for its own sake. It is no easy task for any parent to combat the*
influences.
On the other hand, the child finds it no less easy to cope with
the times. Like these two boys, who committed a series of rob-
^Sil^dtSSrous spirit'which is greatest durmg add—>
sion 0^^' ^H ^ *" °f US these ^ is our misapprehension of the meaning of higher standards of living. It has signified
to many that one must have money, plenty of it. Some think that
the more expensive the car, the higher the standards of a person
Some want expensive clothes, a lavishly furnished home: and all
want money.
'
�54
THE SYRIAN WORLD
The father of the two Syrian boys was content in his youth
to earn his meagre living, and his chief aim was to preserve his selfrespect. The sons, blinded by false ideals—rather, we should sayideas—craved money, and being unable to earn it fast enough, did
what so many of their age have done they resorted to robbing
their fellowmen.
It is, as far as we can understand this case, just another case
where the environment outside the home was stronger in influencing
the boys than the goodness of their father.
But, we are not in despair. For every one, who is so weakwilled as were the two brothers, there are a thousand who cherish
honour and self-respect as highly as do their parents.
* * *
IN SPRING A YOUNG MAN'S FANCY
Sing a song of springtime j
In 1932.
Had to go, fall in love;
And don't know what to do.
Can't buy a Wool worth ring;
So, here's farewell to you.
It's no joke to be broke—
My heart's now broken too!
* * *
We hear and read constantly about reasons for being proud of
our ancestry. Let us put aside for awhile our ancestors' achievements, and do something ourselves.
In 1933 at the Chicago World Fair, there shall be an international exhibit of the homelife of people abroad. Other people are
preparing to take part in that program.
How, if at all, shall we be represented? Where are the leaders amongst us, and what are they doing to make Syrians better
known? Why not make a concerted effort to be represented?
We should like to hear from organizations and individuals,
who have any suggestions as to whether we should avail ourselves
of the opportunity offered by the World Fair next year.
�wmsmmm-- m
UPRIL, 1932
55
The Portrait
A MODERN SHORT STORY
By
THOMAS ASA
JN THE comfortably appointed rooms on the second floor of a
_ fashionable brown stone apartment house in the Rue Romondre,
withm short walking distance of the Quartier Latin, two students
who were in their early twenties, and both enrolled for the second
term in the Medical College, sat one evening in the utter solitude
or their study.
Maurice Barany, who was seated at the right of the long mahogany table, looked up from his tract on bacterioscopy and stared
languidly at the high ceiling.
The other student, Eugene Armand, who was somewhat shorter and less robust than Barany, did not notice his friend's lapse into
abstraction, but continued in his close application to the book before
him.
Barany's eyes drifted from the ceiling downward to his companion s face, where they rested with peculiar tenseness.
friPnH?"f^^ ^ TuT^ suddenly> "^ you know your
inend?"
he murmured, half-dreamily.
Eugene Armand started up from his book and looked in surprise across the table.
questioY11^ d° y°U
mean
'
MaUrice?
"
was the
somewhat bewildered
pearanS"6 ^ "" ^^ * ^^ *" ^'-^
my aCti ns
° - aP~
Armand's bewilderment vanished at this more lucid inquiry.
His attractive features relaxed into a pleasant smile. He was weH
acquainted with his friend's romantic moods.
hnlH Tdl' yScholarl
c\ a, T7ascom
Plete happiness seems to have taken
ir
fhT K iT
yr P ations, perhaps, or, as spring is at hand,
the absolute conquest of some pretty soubrette, so charmingly de
scribed by our French novelists," he jested, in good humor.* Y
hi
s
companion
d
TO ZL^4^
~>*^
B
With7dgtd Wty!°
Seri US
° ' ^
friend?
" **"* ^tioned,
�iirnnirririTTiiiriiirmaiifii rut i>f~irrr ,iwiinmf::
\
56
THE SYRIAN WORLD
"You have my word, Eugene," Barany affirmed, rousing himself from his dreamy stupor.
"So I am to felicitate you," Armand continued, with awakened
interest. "Who is the fortunate lady, my dear Maurice?"
"Henriette Ronsard, of good family and substantial fortune,"
was the enthusiastic reply.
"Ah! a lady of fortune,—of twice your age, perhaps. You are
mercenary, my friend; a quality I thought unknown to you," Armand added, in his jesting vein.
"Enough, enough, Eugene!" his companion protested, laughing m his joy. "Mademoiselle Henriette is not yet twenty and
the most beautiful girl in Paris. I met her at a reception given in
honor of the lately returned Countess de Camdon, who, as you
know, is a distant relative of mine. She was attended by her aunt
Madame Ferrande, with whom she is visiting, a charming lady who
seems to be well disposed towards me. Ah, you will love her yourself, Eugene," he added, relapsing in his dreams
"Don't move, Maurice!" exclaimed Armand, arising from his
chair with considerable alacrity. "In a moment I shall have the immortal lover on canvas."
He walked to a near-by closet and, opening it, withdrew an
artist s easel, a tight y drawn canvas, and a box of sketching pencils. He immediately placed the easel in position so that it faced
his companion's profile.
"Maurice, fancy that you have just come from your beloved "
he instructed, smiling at his friend, who readily adopted his sueee'stion without apparent difficulty.
With the sure stroke of the practiced draughtsman, Eugene Armand commenced to fill in the blank canvas before him with his pen' and> with the passage of ten minutes or more, the perfect likeness of Maurice Barany lay revealed on the canvas
Barany's curiosity finally compelled him to partly rise from his
chair and gaze intently at his inanimate features as created by the
truly remarkable talent of his companion.
"Eugene! you flatter me. Am I so distinguished?" he asked
simulating a gratified air. i
'
M JH°- Lif ^?U Brumn3e11 beware- No one could possibly blame
Mademoiselle Henriette for throwing herself at you " Armand
mocked inwardly pleased with his efforts at portraiture
,' Eugene' \*&« the time you waste in the morbid atmosnU
done
ffi
A extravagantly,
J
" m?dlCexamining
°- Le°nard
° Csketch
°uld have
added
the
more closely better," he
�D
UPRIL, 1932
l-
^A\ "Y«- know.my father's wishes, Maurice," Armand said, halfsadly His surviving parent, Monsieur Alphonse Armand, was the
•e
s?
son ^T P YuCmn V\C ?r°VinCe °f Norm^dy, and wished his
son to continue his established practice at Rouen, where he resided."
Honor his wishes, Eugene; but do not neglect your talent.
Capricious fate may yet turn your future in the predestined path "
Barany spoke m the manner of an elderly counsellor, which he
belome W
** •**** ^ ^^ ^
which did not
^
;„ P Y°" eXa?S.f ale m>' ability, Maurice. There are a dozen as good
InTV T S ,Ec°le,^t. Did I not see the deformed Ray
mond Bergault, who really looks as if he lived on nothing but bread
and cheese, draw a line that surpassed Martini's in its perf ectness?"
Eueene It }! Suh°rd)n^ m^lY a Piece de resistance, my dear
Eugene. It is no work of art. Your acquaintance Bergault commands more technique than heart, which is the soul of aft "
t0 ics of no les
terestbut
«tthe
I hour
h
^
f^Vf
'° the
°ther
P
interest but as
was already
late,
two friends,
a half *hour
or so later, retired for the night.
th* 'JheJ°nowfS
da
y
was Sunda
y- The slowly rising sun flooded
ltS
rayS
e^of WhfaTh H "I"
I
' f°rminS "rable patch
es of light and shade along the tree-bordered pavements As it was
still quite early, the street was almost desertedof any mting objlct
gHmmere f the sun
etrateteui^
""*"•
!! *" of
H*
£~
etrated
through the open
windows
the chamber.° His companion, who slept m the same room, was still soundly sleeping The
dressed quietly, not wishing to disturb him
The beautiful morning did not appeal in vain to Armand for
P0CketS
mergS
itT"
7°" "?
^
' ^immediately
Thortiy emerged from
the apartment
house
into "the^street. He
turned his footsteps east towards the Place de la Con orl in the
LuL^neElySCeS'
WhCre hC t0 k
°
^ «*«
baro
^e to the Bois de
Arriving at his destination, he dismissed the carriage after mv
ing the fare The section of the Bois in which hTZnT^i
wa provided with numerous benches, and one of these, which flank
ed the smooth roadway he selected with a keen sense of enjoyment
The immense park, with its forest-like stillness and placid lakTaJ'
ways reminded him of the valley of the Orne in No^mTndy which
explained the strong fascination the Bois held for hinT
For a half hour or more he sat almost motionless ^azine- il
ternately at the lucent sky and then at the crysj^^llt
�58
THE SYRIAN WORLD
rored the vast blue firmament. A heavy peace prevaded him.
y
r otte
He
hat he Was to attend
ChJu f J° #
V .
^ormng services at the
Church of St. Eustache with his friend. The boundless dome of
heaven held mute communion with him, and imbued in him a spirit
P
of sublimity that the Church could never hope to inspire.
I he staccato hoof beats of carriage horses awakened him from
ceive^Z' "K g/ancing somewhat confusedly about him he perceived that a bench near him was occupied by a grave, elderly inB^vardkr0
*
atte tlVely reading an illus
"
^ted edition of the
A gust of wind, that came with fitful suddenness, blew through
the park and passing by them greedily snatched a loose section of
the paper that the man was reading and carried it whirling
to the
s
roadway, a few feet away.
At that moment a handsome carriage, drawn by two coal-black
horses, rounded the curve in the road and swiftly approached the
th£ Sheet
^ardLTf?
^d listlessly
rTf in
• SuddenJy
'rthfBout
vardier, that stirred
the middle of the road,
was caught
It* C*{nCl0US Wn!d and whirled daringly in front of the car^T /l SU/pnsed Jorses reared in bright at the unknown menlv tn t
tUPu 'thC Camage aS they SWUn& mad]y and violently to the right the mutinous paper still supported by the breeze
against their quivering legs. Subdued gasps of nervous fear soun^
ed from the back of the vehicle as the coachman was partly
thrown
y Lnruwn
from his seat by the plunge.
Eugene Armand instantly came to life and bounded towards
the carriage. With a quick upward thrust of his arm, and at cont0 h
hmbS h
SSt aPnd Jerked
' 5 gfaSped the bHdle 0f the horseon
t L
downward
"S
s with all his strength
d Wn!
respondThi*^^ °
" h? shouted> « he felt the horse
respond to his straining arm, and almost instantly the other animal
ceased its plunging, which enabled him to pick up the sheet of nws
paper from under them and crumble it in his hand
Perceiving that the coachman had regained control of his chareS e hlS h
th£ bridle and Ste
£d back t0
men?
t he intention
t f °%
*c pavfment, ;th
with the
of resuming his seatPP
Avoice, however, from the carriage arrested him
Oh, monsieur! be so gracious as to permit us to thank von for
S^f the efe 0f *« - octants, a hfndtriad0;
tone "turn W STST '**• madame'" said A and, « an embarrassed
tone, turning to the carnage and removing his hat; "the service was
�'tAPRILy.1932
59
nothing."
"Indeed, monsieur, I am sure that you saved us from a very
likely'accident, and find myself unable to thank you enough/'
the elderly lady continued, smiling at the attractive Armand, who
bowed in a somewhat diffident manner at this further acknowledghnrJ^i/i^ monsieVr> why y°u shouted 'Guichard' at the
horse you held?" mquired the other occupant of the carriage a
young woman who was extremely lovely in her early maturity
1 own a horse by that name, and it came unconsciously to my
ma em
lk
Ww
H and
Tsmiling
', ^atanSWCred
' dwdlin
g With
^certainty on me
last
word,
the lovely
face of
the girl
sistedlf eld^y" ^ ** ^ "^ ~'" P*
returl^wlng^n * * °f *"*
t0
^ ^^'
the lady said in d
mg EZ&gsr-*
A
rd
«d
~> ° -
"Good-morning, mesdames," Armand said, with another bow
but this belied his mental agitation.
1
'
h*d nl^ f^^ Wh° °CCUpied the bench a ]ittle distance away
hk SUr rise at the swift
of
"T^
or e^entfthTf
events that almost/resulted
in ^
an accident.P He arose from^
his
seat and^proachedArmand, nervously rolling his papTr tocher
Ah! to think that it was due to my carelessness, monsieur " the
elderly gentleman said, striking the newspaper lightly again'st Ss
"You were scarcely to blame, monsieur," Armand protested
smiling in sympathy at the old man, who was evidentlyy taking'the
incident quite to heart.
<-iK.mg me
"Indeed, I hold myself responsible, monsieur. Your brave
actions alone averted a serious mishap," and nodding, with an <Z
pression of gratitude on his thin, deeply lined face, he passed
on to
P
wards the other side of the lake.
Eugene Armand immediately forgot the old man as he disappeared from view, for the beautiful features of the younger of the
two occupants of the carriage were envisioned before htdream n*
eyes, as he imagined that she was again speaking to him drCammg
�I
\
60
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Still dreaming, he withdrew the sketching pad from his pocket,
and, taking a pencil from another, he began to draw with feverish
haste, as if fearful of losing his inspiration.
It was almost midday when Eugene Armand returned to his
rooms in the Rue Romondre. Maurice Barany was out, as he expected. The excursion to the Bois had so sharpened his appetite
that he almost decided to visit the "L'Ecole," a restaurant in the
Latin quarter that catered to students exclusively, without waiting
for his companion's return. But an inner prompting dispelled this
feeling, and, as he removed his jacket and boots to employ the more
comfortable lounge-jacket and slippers, his eyes centered on the
pencil-sketch of his friend which he had not as yet removed from
the easel.
Armand replaced the finished canvas in the closet and withdrew one which was still untouched. He then withdrew an artist's
palette and a wooden case in which he kept his pigments and brushes. He adjusted the canvas on the easel and immediately began to
spread the pigments on the palette. He remembered the sketchbook in the discarded coat, but he felt that he had no need of it. His
hands trembled slightly as he applied the base to the canvas. Gradually, however, his nerves settled under the habitual instinct of the
artist, and soon he was working with the earnestness and ease of one
familiar with his medium.
At two o'clock that same afterncvn, Maurice Barany walked
into the study with a barely perceptible smile on his lips.
His
thoughts so prevailed over his perceptions that he did not at first
notice his friend, still very much immersed in his work.
"Oh! a Gargantuan worker thou art becoming, O desecrator
of the Sabbath," he greeted in his airy fashion.
Eugene Armand looked up from his canvas and gave his friend
a somewhat embarrased smile.
"Explain your running off this morning, my dear Eugene?"
demanded Barany, with assumed severity.
"Your offence was
doubly rude, for this ^norning it was my intention to introduce you
to the best and most beautiful girl in the world."
"Being ignorant of your kind intentions, I hope you will forgive me," answered Armand, smiling again, and reflecting that there
were at least two queens of beauty in the world.
"Well, being unfortunately both poet and artist, you could
hardly be blamed for succumbing to the beautiful morning, so you
are excused, my friend," Barany pronounced graciously, as he advanced towards his companion.
1
�V
^APRIL, 1932
61
«j
Not now; some other time, Maurice," Eugene Armand said,
holding his hand up as if to stop his friend's advance. His voice
quivered slightly and his face flushed uncomfortably
"Ah! something unusual, Eugene?" Barany questioned, his interest awakened.
"Yes; you shall see later," the other said, evasively, forcing
his attention to his work, and all the while uncomfortably conscious
ol the piqued curiosity of his companion.
The following week proved to be very exacting for the two
friends m the Rue Romondre. Several foreign professors and lecturers were scheduled to appear at the Medical College during the
week which necessitated extra hours of annotative work. It was
therefore not strange that Maurice Barany grew alternately despondent and djsgusted because he could not devote more of his time
to Mademoiselle Ronsard, who, to his further chagrin, did not al-
iJr '° T ,an *rr
fr m WS W rL
°,
°
His
companion, on the
other hand, developed a peculiar reticence that so differed from his
generally equable disposition that even Barany, in mental anguish
at the short separations from his betrothed, noticed the changef and
remarked about his frequent absences from the college
environs
6
during recess periods.
During these absences, Eugene Armand would either hurry to
his rooms to devote a feverish hour or two to the near-completed
canvas, or have himself driven to the Bois, where he wandered about aimlessly, peering anxiously at the numerous carriages and
witTtheyh
,T,nd' nStqUfntly' had fallen ^sperately in love
with the beautiful girl he had met under so unusual circumstances,
and visited the park with the hope of seeing her again. But in thf
teZST"" ' "** "" *"" ^^ " ^ ^Ve**^
h. m?\e/ftern°t?n' returning from ^e Bois to the lecture hall,
he met Maurice Barany m the corridor, and greeted him with foreed cheerfulness.
Barany frowned as he recalled that he had not seen his comvtn!T A°V I
^ tW° hJ°UrS °r m°re- But this sentiment instantly
vanished when he noticed the flushed features of his friend, and the
nervous movements of his lips and hands
he J^W6' T 3/e T T11'" hC Said> his uneasiness increasing as
he felt his friend's forehead, which was hot and dry. "Come with
me, he commanned, taking Eugene Armand's arm with the intention of returning to their rooms in the Rue Romondre
Oh, I am quite well, Maurice; you are mistaken," Armand
�\
62
THE SYRIAN WORLD
protested, mildly; but under the vigorous persistence of his companion he went along, without will enough to resist.
In their rooms, Maurice Barany assisted his friend in removing
his clothing, after which he gave him a mild paregoric to alleviate
the fever. He then forced Armand in bed. During all this time
he 'chattered incessantly, scolding his companion for abusing his
health with his mysterious absences, for he ascribed his condition to
that source.
"No reading, no meditating," he ordered his friend, who could
not resist a weak smile at these precise instructions. "This-will be
difficult, Eugene, for man is essentially a meditating animal," Barany
continued, in his prosy way. "Relax as our eminent countryman
Delsarte has taught us and you will be as well as ever in no time."
After Barany had left to return to his lecture periods, Armand
relaxed in bed as best as he could, but as to stop meditating, he not
only found it difficult, but impossible. For a half hour or more he
moved about restlessly, for as soon as his thoughts would dwell on
the ever-persistent memory that haunted him, he would determinedly change his position in bed in an effort to forget. Realizing the
utter futility of his intentions, he finally arose from his bed, and,
clad in his robe de chambre, he made his way slowly to the study.
He unlocked the door of the closet in which he kept his supplies
and withdrew the almost completed canvas. For several minutes
he gazed with passionate longing at the beautiful features that were
delineated in the pure lines of maidenhood. An ethereal fragrance
seemed to emanate from the lifeless face, and he trembled as he
visualized the proximity of his infatuations.
With an effort he aroused himself from the enervating stupor.
Methodically, he adjusted the canvas on the easel, and, taking the
palette and brush in his hands, he began without pause to apply the
careful sympathetic touches that mark the perfect finish.
The time passed so swiftly under the dominant influence of
the work before him that he was almost startled to hear the deskclock strike the hour of four. With a last, barely perceptible touch
of his brush, he hurriedly replaced the evidences of his labors and
returned to his bed in the next room.
He did not realize his utter exhaustion until he had pulled the
bed covers over him. A great weariness, accompanied by a benumbed sensation of his limbs, enveloped him. As he felt himself succumbing to a lethargic drowsiness, he heard the outer door open.
Maurice Barany rushed into the study, threw his books aside
on a table, and entered the bedchamber with a smile on his hand-
M
u
II
�^^/Z, 1932
63
some face.
large'^v^'fro^t"^: "If* m^"^ withdrawing a
bedsid
"Never^e
Man'rice> tjT'^
VS '"^
erT Mau
his old
spirit.
Eugene rephed,
with a touch *-of
T
? W°ndered> •*"»»
whatlZed'lr^t^^r-
tographers, wh"e 1 had eft Zt
T ff my lb r PhsSy's> the Ph°P
ment The s,Vh?nf (,
li L
'° °
« othed for enlarge0
0
he added, ncintfofa^le^J
^' > am P°sit»<'
aS he "^
hdrw
ments from the envekpe
'
<
of the enlargeuprigh? h,nbyedmiled
a8am
"
hC h3nded h
<°
his
*<=nd, who now sa,
paUorESlfffu:ed a„ird\teekPsh0tdTPh, ^ ha"dS'
ed with fever-strickXestthrplctu;: ^ "^
A d
^y
aS he
^
her Wdi
friend," excrmed%
w^hVeThelmed With
"-> Y
Kis a entio from
other photographs which he 1 """""I
"
"
*e
Do you wjsh to see the rest, Eugene ?»
Pardon, Maurice j I feel tired "
P
ed and^ef ZeotXS ^ *> ""** "* ^
fa
« -rt-
xiety"Irk"" ^ ^"^ E^>" Ba J -id, his anI
f r a m Unti f
took
L^cSk
Mdtf
Mrs
T
^
° „ ° "« »«
from him. As the hour of d
'
"8 " °"ght of rest
d,Spe,1,
I;
If
1
a
th
had become so rri al tha, he tl apP ached> Ar "d>s condition
sieur Alphonse K^£ 'Sto"^ 3 ,d**n * M°-
h
se
5
rushed from the apart
">«ttte
Si»ce
:ra
Sv^
r
I doctotoZf. Physaan.
h
summons for the
Loving a hurried
the nearest tel^aph office wheT^ P'^TT'^ PTOeeded to
to Monsieur Armand
d,spatched a detailed message
|-*&?Xtt3»JM; n
had responded somewhat to his treatment
ound th doc
P
°°r
? ;
fnend
�64
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Towards noon, Barany received a laconic telegram from Monsieur Armand to the effect that he could be expected to arrive by
motor at the earliest possible hour.
Having by this time recovered a degree of his wonted composure, and knowing that his companion was in good hands, he left
for the Medical College, where he explained his friend's absence
and obtained for himself temporary leave of absence from his lecture periods. Finding that he could spare a little time from his
friend's bedside, he paid a hurried call at Madame Ferrande's residence, where his betrothed was visiting.
Late that night, an expensive motor sedan stopped suddenly
before the apartment house in the Rue Romondre. A tall, distinguished-looking man emerged from the tonneau and immediately
ascended the short series of concrete steps that led to the apartment
entrance. Before he could ring the bell, however, the door was
opened, and to his surprise and evident pleasure he was admitted by
Maurice Barany, who had been patiently waiting for his arrival.
"My dear boy, I am indeed glad to see you," Monsieur Armand greeted, embracing Barany with fatherly affection. "But my
son—how is he?" he broke off, a worried look in his eyes.
"As well as could be expected, Sir," Barany answered, leading
his friend's father up the carpeted stairs. "The fever is checked,
and he is resting quietly."
The meeting of father and son, after the later had awakened
and with difficulty recognized his parent, was tender, and to Barany's
sentimental nature almost unbearable to witness.
Under the skillful care of his father and the local physician
who first attended him, and who was still nominally in charge of
the case, Eugene Armand was out of bed in a week's time and apparently on the way to complete convalescence.
Monsieur Armand, with the usual acumen of medical men,
had in part guessed the real cause of his son's illness, for though
Eugene seemed to improve rapidly his spirit and former jovial disposition was very evidently affected by some secret burden. To his
further enlightenment, it did not require much persuasion to get his
son to return with him to Rouen.
Maurice Barany missed his friend's presence very deeply, but
being under an even more potent influence, that of Mademoiselle
Ronsard, whose stay in Paris was drawing to a close, he did not feel
his companion's absence as he might have.
The following Sunday Maurice Barany assisted his fiancee from
Madame Ferrande's carriage, which was driven to his apartment-
i
i.
Ii
li
�g^wnwiiiiijjmi', aim xmu
-APRIL, 1932
65
house after church services, where they had gone without Madame
Merrande, who, because of a slight indisposition, had been unable
to accompany them. Getting Henriette's approval, Barany dismissed the carnage with instructions that they would follow later.
Maurice had promised his fiancee that he would show her the
penal portrait his friend had executed some time ago, and had
chosen the present occasion to fulfill the promise. They were both
relieved that the hall-ways were deserted, for both laughingly realized their utter disregard for propriety.
Reaching his rooms on the second floor, Barany unlocked the
outer door that led into the study, which they entered, leaving the
door open. After drawing a chair for his companion, he went to
the closet in which Eugene kept his supplies. He withdrew what
he thought to be the canvas he was looking for, but to his surprise
it proved to be two canvases tightly bound together. With a small
pocket knife he cut the cord as he walked back to where Mademoiselle Ronsard was seated.
As Barany parted the canvases, a sheet of folded stationary
paper dropped to the floor. He bent over and picked it up, and
seeing his name written in his friend's handwriting on the paper
knew that it was intended for him. Placing the canvases on the
mahogany table, he began to read the letter, for so it proved to be,
while his companion regarded him with questioning eyes.
A look of astonishment and pain overspread his fine features
as he continued to read, as if fascinated by the intelligence that was
being revealed in the letter.
The sheet of paper suddenly dropped from his nerveless fingers.
"What is it, Maurice?" Mademoiselle Ronsard cried, her
beautiful face becoming pale.
Without replying, Maurice took up in his hands the uppermost canvas and turned it over. His incredulous eyes stared blankly at the exquisitely painted delineation of Henriette Ronsard
Meeting the bewildered gaze of his betrothed, he handed the canvas to her without uttering a word. As she examined her portrait,
her bewildered comprehension growing on her, Barany went to the
next room and returned immediately with a recent photograph
of
to
Eugene Armand.
_
"Do you know him, Henriette?" he asked, in a voice not entirely under control.
Mademoiselle Ronsard's face tensed as she took the photograph in her hand.
�66
THE SYRIAN WORLD
"Yes, I know him, Maurice," she answered slowly, with dawning understanding. "It is the young man who bravely came to our
assistance in the park." Her breast rose gently and her eyes filled
with tears.
"Then it is to him, unknown to me all this time, that I owe
your precious life," Barany exclaimed with tender passion, taking
his sweetheart in his arms and clasping her to him.
After a while Barany regained possession of the letter from
the floor and gave it to Henriette.
_ "My dear Maurice," she read silently, her bosom still heaving
with emotion, "be not astonished when the full meaning of this
letter dawns upon you. Through a capricious turn of fortune I
was happily able to render a slight service to Madame Ferrande and
her niece Henriette Ronsard, of whose identity at the time I
was totally 111 ignorance. In a lighter mood, you will remember,
you predicted that I should fall in love with your fiancee, and so it
proved. Losing my head completely, I fell madly in love with
f Cr.'ua t°v j ?!?,nger' U"erly unknown to me, but apparently, even
to the blind Milton, an angel of goodness and beauty. It was during that chance meeting in the park that I conceived the idea of preserving her likeness on canvas, the morbid perseverance of which
was the ultimate cause of my illness. Being unable to possess the
original, I cherished, with ever-increasing passion, the form and
spirit that I had transposed to the lifeless canvas. Learning her
identity, on that fateful day, I was levelled to the earth with remorse and pain and, being already in a weakened state, succumbed
to the fever. The memory of the pure love that was inspired by
her, your future wife, has finally cleansed all taint of my passion.
It is because of the supreme joy that I now feel in the most
deserving happiness that has come to both of you, the finest of women and the best of men, my friend, whose friendship I value above
everything else, that I have written this confession to you "
Henriette was crying softly as she finished the letter, and lookSSnovS*0
C mpanion S face saw that
°
'
motion had not left him
&JS »S PlightC(i US aS ?° Priestly father could h*ve done,
Henriette," Barany said in a soft voice, clasping his sweetheart again
her hlw7 /? f°r Y°Z S!k£' Maurice>" his betrothed murmured,
ineffable
" ^^ ^^^^~^thcr^l-l
Is
I i
i
Ifi
I mon
I the <
�*4PRIL, 1932
67
EDITORIAL COMMENT
NAOUM A. MOKARZEL
The editor of the SYRIAN
V\ ORLD mourns in the editor of
AJ-Hoda not only a beloved
brother but the pioneer and dean
of the Syrian journalistic fraternity m America. His loss is irreparable. He not onlv built a
great institution but was himself
a Jiving one in the life of the SyrS18 and ^^ese immigrants.
He was first and foremost in
nnfV ^°Vrement of social and
political reform, of spiritual or
Ju
^,ckeni»g, of charity
and benevolence, of moral uplift
and guidance. He was as brave
as he was kind. If ever he succumbed to human weakness, his
readiness to make amends, even
his Augustinian humility in making public confession, constituted
sufficient atonement. The pages
of Al-Hoda, though masterpiece*
I or Lterary creations, are even
r t0 be ad
I
\
red for reflecting
II cruZdmgandunrele^nginhis
a usades against corruption, yet
t.reless_ m his prosecution and
promotion of those causes which
redounded to the benefit and
I happmess of his fellowmen.
To mourn a relative is human,
but it is equally within the sphere
or the higher human concept to
sense the loss of one who was
near and dear to the heart of the
greater humanity. N. A. Mokarzel was such a man. He be Wto
imme°Hre,t0 ^mily
?f°ple than
He toiJehis
that his public might rest: he
suffered that they might enjoy"
he exposed himself to danger
hT h
5
" is who? ,"?ight
-
d
be
P
Jiis whole life was an epic of devofcon to the public weal. Such
men are rare, and their lofty example is a guiding beacon for
those who follow in the arduous
*ay of public service. Their
Jives are an inspiration.
Thev
supply the influence that shapes
he destinies of nations and spSr
^o worthler and higher achieve
Sltuatlo
suW
»s, the family
submerges lts personal feelingl
m the greater gHef wh.ch g_
euJf a nation. There is consolaJ.on m the fact that the sense of
loss is universal.
N
ay, there can even be a
contentment and elation in the
realization of having giVen £
Wwild such
a worthy man Be
who T °f *? men' those men
ptsist
rlndSerVeandachieve
Persist on the earth by their in
s-dered ever hvmg. Such public
g«attenuates the persona" lo
of the immediate family
Perhaps it is not for the edi-
�II IIIMIIMill I
\
68
tor of this publication to acclaim
N. A. Mokarzel the greatest
public figure yet produced by the
Syrians in America, but historyis bound to render such a verdict.
Trained under his able guidance, and having served with him
for nearly two decades in the exacting and trying duties of publishing Al-Hoda, the editor of
the SYRIAN WORLD shall ever
cherish the memory of N. A.
Mokarzel, not only as a beloved
and only brother, but as a guide
and mentor in the bitter-sweet
duty of public service. The
means might be varied but the
goal is' the same. That which is
planted in the heart early in life
will continue as the controlling
motive throughout the years.
Self-dedication to public service,
in the cause of which the late editor of Al-Hoda laid down his
life, a voluntary martyr to selfimposed duty, should be the most
fitting testimonial to the love and
admiration for the unselfish patriot, the able leader, and the beloved brother.
?
B
THE SYRIAN WORLD
NO MARCH ISSUE
Insurmountable difficulties rendered
impossible the publication of the
March number of The Syrian World
on time. Under the circumstances we
had planned to issue a double number
combining these of March and April,
but it was discovered that Post Office
regulat;ons did not permit if such an
arrangement for publications enjoying second-class postal privileges,
and in conformity with these regulations the March issue had to be omitted, and the serial number of that issue "made applicable to the April issue, thus insuring the proper sequence.
For the loss of the March number
we have made an attempt to compensate subscribers by an increase in
the volume of the present number,
with the further intention of making
whatever additional compensation in
the future condit;ons will permit.
Our readers will realize that we are
straining every effort to live up to
our obligations despite adverse conditions. But we feel that in this there
must be some display of reciprocity.
We would be in a much better position to fulfill their highest expectations of punctuality were they equally
punctual in living up to their obligations. Even the stronger publications
are feeling the weight of the depression, and with a class publication like
The Syrian World, having only a limited appeal, conditions must be proportionately harder. But it is up to
A SAD DUTY
It was our intention to make this that class to vindicate its public spirit
issue a memorial number to Gibran and culture by adequately supporting
on the occasion of the first anniver- its public institutions in times of
Surely no public enterprise
sary of his death. Fate, however, or- stress.
dained that the same issue should can forever be maintained by the limserve as double memorial to the two ited resources of an individual, and if
distinguished Syrians who died with- the Syrians in America look upon
in a year of each other. We trust The Syrian World as a worthy pubthat the two portraits in color in- lic enterprise, they will realize that it
cluded in this issue will be especially cannot thrive on mere lip approbation.
appreciated by our readers.
�*APRIL,1932
69
Political Developments in Syria
SYRIAN NATIONALISTS
WIN DEFERRED ELECTIONS.
Conflicting reports have reached this
country about the Syrian elections
which took place on the 31st of March.
According to an Associated Press dispatch, riots broke out in Damascus,
several persons being killed and many
more wounded. But this seems to be
unfounded, or else must have referred
to later events, following on the fateful elections.
On the contrary, from the Damascus
correspondent of Lisan-ul-Hal (Beirut) it appears that the elections were
carried on peacefully, with no disquieting incidents to disturb the election day, despite the military precautions taken by the Mandatory government. Indeed, it seems that the government in control had anticipated
riots and bloodshed, as actually took
place on the deferred elections on the
20th of Dec. Soldiers in full arms
were stationed in groups at short distances in the different streets and
quarters of the ancient city; machine
gun detachments, mounted on armorplated cars moved through the crowded thoroughfares and bazaars, and
heavy guards surrounded the election
booths to protect the election officers
and prevent any violent interference
with the balloting.
Whether these extreme precautions
in themselves were an effective deterrent of violence and bloody disturbances, or were altogether exaggerated, if not unnecessary, cannot be determined at this distance. It should
be said, however, that M. Henri Pon-
sot, French High Commissioner in
Syria, declared more than once
through 'his representatives, and in an
official communique several days before the election, that the French authorities have no intention whatsoever
of interfering in the pending elections,
which it was solemnly promised will
be allowed to proceed freely, to determine the true wishes of the Syrian people.
The result was that, with the exception of five candidates, one of them a
thorcugh-going Nationalist on an independent ticket, the winners of the
Syrian election were all candidates of
the "Nationalist Block". The three
independent candidates who also won
are: Haqqi Bey al-Azm, Mohammed
All Bey al-Abed, Nazih Bey al-Muayyad, Farid Effendi al-Hajjar and
Fawzi Bey al-Bakri. Of these Nazih
Bey al-Muayyad was until less than
two years ago an exile in Cairo,
Egypt, being one of the leaders of the
revolution which raged in Syria for
two full years before it was finally
put down. He is also a brother-inlaw of Dr. Abdul-Rahman al-Shahbandar, the foremost civilian revolutionary leader often referred to as the
"brains of the Syrian revolution."
This in itself is evidence that the
French authorities were earnest in
their promise of impartiality.
Although there is also ample evidence
that representatives of the Mandatory
held numerous conferences, negotiations and pourparlers with leaders of
the Nationalist Block before such a
promise of impartiality was given out
in an unmistakable manner.
�70
-
-
A few days before the elections, a
Damascus correspondent of a Beirut
daily, announced "the good news" to
his paper that final and definite agreement between leaders of the Nationalist Block and representatives of the
Mandatory representatives in Damascus had been reached on the candidates
to be put in the field. On the basis of
this "agreement" the Nationalist
Block decided finally "to enter the
elections", and some of them at once
declared their candidacy publicly.
With nr'sunderstandings and difficulties thus removed, the candidates of
the Nationalist Block sailed into an
easy and triumphant victory.
One result of the elections wh'ch
occasioned some surprise was the ignominious defeat of Shaykh Taj-udDin al-Hasani, son of the influencial
religious leader of Damascus, Shaykh
Badr-ud-Din al-Hasani, sometimes
styled "the pope of the Moslems", a
title he has won as the foremost Muhaddith,
or
traditionist
and
authority on Moslem jurisprudence.
Shaykh Taj-ud-Din himself was chosen
by the French authorities, with the
supposed approval of the Syrian Nationalists, as head of the Syrian Government after the revolution. But his
equivocal position caused him to be
accused by the Nationalists as an opportunist anxious to be always on the
safe side with the French authorities.
It is almost unbelievable that this influential citizen of Damascus, whose
star of ascendancy was so 'high in the
political sky of Syria up to six months
ago, d:d not receive a single vote, not
even in his own electoral district. But
such 1S the report from Damascus,
which, it is said, "attracted attention
and amazed many."
Another who failed of election was
Riza Pasha al-Rikabi, a dubious character in Syrian politics, who, it was
declared on several occasions, was
THE SYRIAN WORLD
working for the monarchist cause, and
the placing of a member of the Sharifian family, presumably ex-King AH,
son of King Husein and brother of
King Feisal and Emir Abdullah, on
the Syrian throne. At one time it was
rumored that the French authorities
themselves were in favor of such a
solution to the Syrian question, but
later reports contradicted this rumor.
It is, however, quite poss:ble that the
French were and are still in favor of
such a solution which would win them
the powerful sentiment of pan-Arabism throughout the Arabic-speaking
world. But the Syrian Nationalists
have so far steered clear of monarchical entanglements, and declared emphatically for a republican form of
government in Syria. Even in Aleppo,
where the monarchical sentiment is
said to be strong, the Syrian monarchists are in a decided m'nority.
Now it remains to be seen what the
Nationalists will make out of their
victory in the secondary elections.
Will they come to another impasse
with the Mandatory Power, resulting
in another dissolution of the Syrian
parliament, or will they continue their
friendly understanding with it? Much
of the latter alternative depends as
much on the attitude of the French
Foreign Ministry in Paris as on the
attitude of the Syrian Nationalists
themselves. For the latter have not
renounced their fundamental purpose
of attaining complete independence for
Syria, on the basis of substituting the
mandatory form of control for an amicable treaty between independent Syria and the French Nation, a status
which is already in existence and operation in neighboring Iraq, formerly
under British mandate and now an independent state, recognized as such by
the League of Nations, with British
interests and prerogatives in Iraq
guaranteed by an iron-clad treaty.
�'<JPRIL, 1932
LEBANESE POLITICS CENTER
ON THE PRESIDENCY
71
group in that country and claim that
it is only right that a president should
be
chosen from among them. For alThe race for the presidency is monothough
church and state are supposed
polizing the field in Lebanese politics
to
be
separated
in that mandated rethese days. There are agitated, ferpublic,
sectarianism
still constitutes a
vous, almost frenzied activities which
center on one single idea, one single large and important factor in the fashand undivided purpose: Who shall be ioning and direction of political opinion where for untold generations polithe next president of the Republic?
tics
was recognized as a sectarian isSince its creation in 1926, the Lebsue,
and
where officials were chosen to
anese Republic has had one president,
Hon. Charles Dabbas, who has ful- represent their different sectarian confilled the functions of his office as stituencies instead of the people at
large.
best as can be done within the numerBesides these three in the circles of
ous hedges and limitations imposed on
Lebanese
politics there are others who
him from inside and outside—from a
might
be
termed
as "dark horses," and
constitution patterned on that of the
who,
in
case
of
a
deadlock, may turn
French which leaves little for the chief
the
balance
in
the
favor
of one if them.
executive to do, and from the ManTwo
of
these
dark
horses
whose names
datory Power which has not completehave
been
mentioned
oftenest
in the
ly relinquished its authority on that
1
little republic even in internal matters. press are Hon. Mohammed al-Jisr,
The original presidential term of the President of the Chamber of Deputies,
Lebanese Republic was three years, and Dr. Ayoub Thabit. The first is a'
in accordance with which Hon. Charles' Moslem with a powerful backing of
Dabbas was reelected in 1929. Now, the Moslem constituency in Beirut,
an amendment has been made in the Sidcn, Tripoli and other centers where
constitution extending the president- the Moslem population is large or preial term to six years, and the prem- dominates. The latter is a Protestant,
ium for that office has consequently representing minority groups in Lebrisen in the market of politics in a anon, an intelligent and progressive
country where "the office" has always gentleman who spent a number of
meant so much, and where a govern- years in the United States working for
ment official is vested with a halo of the cause of Lebanon and the French
dignity and importance foreign to our mandate during the war. As soon as
conceptions and ideas in this country the war was over he left for Lebanon
where business leads and politics fol- where he played an important role as
iov.'.
a minister of the interior a few years
ago.
According to the welter of political
And while the chances of Dr. Ayoub
articles incessantly pouring out from
ThaMt may be called at this writing
the editorial offices of the Beirut press,
only nebulous, those of Shaykh Mothree names loom out as those of the
hammed al-Jisr are taking more and
loading candidates. These are: Hon
more definite shape, which fact has
Emil Eddy, Hon. Bishara Khoury and
given much apprehension to the three
Habib Pasha al-Saad, all former premoriginal candidates.
iers and members of the Chamber of
That is how the situation stands
Deputies. All also happen to belong
among the Lebanese politicians themto one sect in Lebanon, the Maronites,
selves, and within the circles of the
who constitute the largest sectarian
members of the Lebanese Assembly
�I
If
I!
Si-
I
7.2
One may legitimately ask, "But what
is the popular opinion of the people
themselves?" And since the election
rests not on popular choice but on
that of the Assembly, following the
French system where the Chamber and
Senate choose the president, the question is merely an idle one. However,
one ingenious and progressive newspaper, al-Ahrar, taking a clue from
cur illustrious Literary Digest, undertook a popular or straw-vote campaign
in Lebanon to determine the degree of
popularity of the different candidates
among the Lebanese people themselves, with the following tabulated
results:
Candidates:
Number of Votes:
3781
Emile Eddy
1936
George Bey Thabit
139
Shaykh Mohammed al-Jisr
Dr. Aycub Thabit
279
Habib Pasha al-Saad
167
Shaykh Bishara al-Khoury
67
Jibran al-Tweiny
282
Scattered Votes
399
From which it is only fair to deduce that were it left to the people's
choice Hon. Emile Eddy would most
likely be the next president of the
Lebanon Republic. He has been the
choice of progressives not only in Lebanon but here in the United States
among the Lebanese immigrants who
still feel a strong attachment to, and
sympathy with, the little home of
their origin on the other side of the
Atlantic.
His candidacy was ably
championed by the late Naoum Mokarzel, lamented editor of al-Hoda,
who had never ceased up to the last
minute of his life to wage a bitter war
in his widely read paper against the
reign of chicanery, nepotism, unjustified extravagance and shameless graft
and favouritism that have held the
historic home of the "Maradites" in
the grip of their hands.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
An insight into the honest minds of
the poor tax-payers of Lebanon who,
like Atlas of old, carry the pompous
and onerous burden of what has rightly been called a farcical republic on
their bent shoulders, may be surmised from a casual conversation
which Shikri Bakhash, a progressive
journalist of Zahle and formerly a
resident of New York City, with a
former of al-Buka'.
"And who is your choice for president?", inquired the editor of the
Lebanese farmer.
The latter looked up quizzically and
said: "What have we poor farmers
to do with the choice of a president.
This is a matter in the hands of the
Assembly in Beirut."
"But suppose you were given a voice
in the coming elections, whom would
you vote for," insisted the editor.
"I will vote for the man who will
ease the burden of our heavy taxation, the man who has already demonstrated his solicitous interest for
the common farmer and labourer in
this Mountain, and who firmly carried
out a program of administrative reform and economy when he occupied
the office of premier—and who is this
man save Emile Eddy."
,
FRENCH BARGAIN FOR VOTES?
A Damascus correspondent of a
Beirut newspaper reports on what he
terms a "knowing authority," that the
French authorities have come to a preliminary agreement with the Syrian
nationalists of Damascus to allow the '
latter putting six candidates in the
field for the coming elections, one of
whom would be a Greek Orthodox
candidate, and that the French authorities themselves would name
four candidates, one of whom would
be the other Greek Orthodox candidate!
�tAPRIL, 1932
73
THE
SYRIAN WORLD
NEWS SECTION
VOL. VI NO. 7
SYRIANS RESPOND TO
APPEALS FOR CHARITY
It has been truly said that the present severe depression has been a
blessing in disguise. It has brought
out to the surface our charitable and
brotherly qualities, and made us feel
more keenly and intimately the sufferings of others. Everywhere we go we
see signs and manifestations of this
splendid spirit with which true Americans are combating depression, and
driving the hungry wolves from the
doors of unfortunate ones.
To this general showing of a truly
humanitarian and Christian spirit the
Syrians have made admirable response.
Several Syrian affairs and entertainments whose receipts were designated
for charity and relief purposes have
been held lately all over the United
States, two cf which were held last
month in Brooklyn.
Charity Ball of
American Syrian Federation
The principal affair in the interest
of charity and the creation of a Syrian relief fund, was that held under
the auspices of the American-Syran
Federation at the Elks Club, Brooklyn
on April 16. It was a charity ball and
entertainment, generously supported
by complimentary advertisements to
its souvenir program, and well attended by Syrians of Brooklyn, New York
APRIL, 1932
and the Metropolitan area. The sum
realized by this gala affair for Syrian charity has not been announced,
but it is expected to be commensurate
with the generous donation of time
and labor by the volunteer workers of
the organization.
St. Vincent Holds Dance
On May 1st the Virgin Mary's Conference of St. Vincent de Paul Society
will give a dance and entertainment
in the auditorium of the Knights of
Columbus building. An elaborate program of Syrian music will be supplied,
featuring the talented young singer of
Boston, Miss Najeebee Morad.
Al-Kalimat Entertainment
On the 10th of April al-Kalimat Society, Inc., held an entertainment and
dance at the ballroom of the Knights
of Columbus headquarters on 1 Prospect Park West. The affair was well
attended, the proceeds going to alKal-mat charitable projects in Aleppo.
SYRIAN POLITICIAN HONORED
Our friend George Dagher is a wellknown figure among the Republican
workers and politicians of the city.
He is recognized as a man of ability
and promise. He is the leader of the
1st. Assembly District, Brooklyn, a
high position in local ploitics, and re-
�74
THE SYRIAN WORLD
cently his Assembly District gave a
brilliant affair in Irs honor at the Elks
Club Auditorium in Brooklyn. But
more singular still was the honor tendered him by Republican electors of
his district when it was announced
lately that he has been appointed a
delegate to the Republican National
Convention to be held in Chicago for
the presidential nomination.
A SYRIAN SCIENTIST
-
Among the Syrians who distinguished themselves in the United
States is one who only a few years
ago came to the country as a simple
seeker of knowledge in its many institutions of higher learning. Today
he is a dispenser of knowledge in one
of its principal universities, a promising authority in his field of endeavor,
although still in his thirties.
Michael G. Malti, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at Cornell University, is an unassuming,
noiseless busy man, like most members of his scientific clan. That is why
little has been heard about him. And
we are happy to tell of some of his
achievements.
Chief of these is a book which he
had published in November of 1930,
called "Electric Circuit Analysis,"
and which in this short time has already been adopted as a text-book by
ten colleges and universities, including his own, Cornell. One authority
calles it "one of the best things in its
line that has ever come out."
It is not for us to tell of the contents of this bcok, for it is a technical one dealing with every phase of
electricity. But it has been well received by various reviewers and authorities in the field of electrical engineering, and is declared especially
adaptable to the needs of students.
DRUZE GIRL STUDENT
WINS FELLOWSHIP
Among announcements of the Vassar College faculty, published recently in the New York Times, is one in
which the name of Najla Izzeddin appears as the recipient of an Alumnae
Fellowship of that famous college for
women.
Although Miss Izzeddin is listed as
an Egyptian, she is known to us as a
Syrian by descent. She is the daughter of a Syrian official in the Interior
Department of the Egyptian Government at Cairo. A few years ago,
when she came to this country to continue her studies, American newspapers featured her as "the first Druze
girl to seek a college education." She
made a good record at Vassar, where
she was popular in the social and academic activities of the college. By
her accomplishments, Miss Izzeddin
has helped to dispel a lot of mollycoddle nonsense about the backwardness and helplessness of the women of
the East!
ARABS BOYCOTT
ZIONIST EXPOSITION
A proclamation addressed to "all the
Arabic-speaking peoples in East and
West,': appears in Filistin, an Arabic
paper published in Jaffa, and in other
papers of Palestine and Syria. It is
signed by Rasim al-Khalidi as President of the First Congress of Arab
Youth in Palestine, and contains an
appeal to Arabs everywhere to boycott a proposed exposition to be held
by Zionists in Tel-Aviv. Arab merchants and manufacturers in particular are urged not to enter samples of
their products in the anticipated exposition, nor visit it or hire any space
in it.
�f
-APRIL, 1932
CHARLIE CHAPLIN CAN'T
MAKE SPHINX LAUGH!
On March 10 Charlie Chaplin, dean
of the fun-makers in the movies, paid
his first visit to Egypt., and was "as
'happy as a child," according to his
statement to the newspaper reporters
who met him at Alexandria.
Wherever Charlie went he attracted
big crowds of Egyptian admirers and
curious on-lookers. So much so, the
^gyptian press reports, that he had
to enter Shepherd Hotel, where he
stopped in Cairo, by a ruse, through
-e bac*-door, after climbing a fence.
Somebody told Charlie that there
was one feUow in Egypt who had
never laughed at his jokes, and never
WiH. Charlie did not believe it, and
75
The tragic note in this bankruptcy
;s that investors of large sums had
their loans to the bank secured by
heavy liens, while small investors
had placed implicit trust solely in the
integrity and business ability of the
bankers.
INDUSTRIAL, AGRICULTURAL
EXPOSITION IN BAGHDAD
The Iraq Government contemplates
holding in Baghdad during April according to press reports, an extensive
exposition said to be the largest ever
held m the Near East.
The proposition is said to have been
received with enthusiasm by native
k
v Zas„made- Then th*y t«ok merchants, industrialists and proCnarhe to Giza, made him ride a docile camel, as all tourists do, and ducers, and extensive preparations
were made to insure its success. As
brought him in front of the Sphinx!
an
encouraging sign, of cooperation
Moral: Charlie lost his bet'
among Arabic-speaking countries, it
is further stated that the agriculturists and industrialists of DamasSYRIAN BANK BANKRUPT
cus have given hearty approval of
the Baghdad exposition, and announcWhat is regarded as the "biggest
ed their intention to participate in it.
bankruptcy in Beirut in a long timeOne interesting feature of this exhas been disclosed lately in reports
position will be a baby parade to
coming from that city.
choose the most handsome and healMore than 900 depositors, a large thy specimen of Iraqite babyhood and
proportion of whom of limited means,
crown it "King of Iraqite Babies."
are involved in the sensational bankWho said that Iraq is behind in the
ruptcy of Kiryakos and Zuhair a
race of progressiveness and modernnative bank which had enjoyed the ization ?
confidence and trust of the business
And if Iraq holds a Baby Health
circles of Beirut and other Syrian
Contest, it still has some distance to
cities.
go to catch up with Turkey, nominally
Many of these investors are Syrian
a Moslem country, but which last year
emigrants who had amassed what held a ueauty contest to determine the
would be considered in Syria modest most beautiful girl in the country for
fortunes, and were confident that the
entry in the International beauty conincome from the native bank will en- test.
able them to spend the rest of their
There is no telling what the East
Jives m comparative affluence and secL
is capable of doing now that it has*
urity.
started on its forward march
�76
THE SYRIAN WORLD
gpawaBnaajs^^
Gibran's Message
To Young Americans of SyrianOrigin
By G. K.
GIERAN
Author of "The Trofftel,"
"Jnus ike icn of JSian"
1 believe in you. and I bcliei'e in your destiny.
I believe that you are contributors to this new civilization.
I believe that you have inherited from your forefathers an ancient dream, a song, a prophecy, which you can proudly lay as a gift of gratitude upon the lap of America.
1 believe you can say to the founders of this great nation. 'Here I am. a youth, a young
tree, whose roots were plucked from the hills of Lebanon, yet I am deeply rooted here, and I would
be fruitful."
And I believe that you can say to Abraham Lincoln, the blessed. "Jesus of Nazareth
touched your lips when you spoke, and guided your hand when you wrote; and I shall uphold
all that you have said and all that you have written."
I believe that you can say to Emerson and Whitman and James. "In my veins runs the
blood of the poets and wise men of old, and it is my desire to come to you and receive, but I shall
not come with empty hands."
I believe that even as your fathers came to this land to produce riches, you were born
here to produce riches by intelligence, by labor.
And I believe that it is in you to be good citizens.
And what is it to be a good citizen?
It is to acknowledge the other person's rights before asserting your own. but always to be
conscious of your own.
It is to be free in thought and deed, but it is also to know that your freedom is subject
to the other person's freedom.
It is to create the useful and the beautiful with your own hands, and to admire what others
have created in love and with faith.
It is to produce wealth by labor and only by labor, and to spend less than you have produced th3t your children may not be dependent on the state for support when you are no more.
It is to stand before the towers of New York, Washington. Chicago ?nd San Francisco
saying in your heart. "I am the descendant of a people that builded Damascus, and Biblus, and
Tyre and Sidon. and Antioch, and now I am here to build with you. and with a will."
It is to be proud of being an American, but it is also to be proud that your fathers and
mothers came from a land upon which God laid His gracious hand and raised His messengers.
Young Americans of Syrian origin. I believe in you.
:>/. «•«!
FREE TO SYRIAN WORLD SUBSCRIBERS. This beautiful message by
Gibran 13x17 inches, printed in large type on heavy paper with ornamental border suitable for framing. Every PAID subscriber whose term begins
with Sept. 1931 is entitled to a copy, mailed in heavy cardboard tube. Subscribers whose term begins before Sept. 1931 may secure a copy by renewal.
1
/
�^PRIL, 1932
77
w
AUTH ENTIC
ORIENTAL RUGS
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73
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9—9873
�THE LINOTYPE
IN TURKEY
The spirit of progress that is permeating the thought and action of
modern Turkey is nowhere better illustrated than in the decision of the
Turkish government to use the Linotype for type composition. The government's lead in installing two Linotype machines in its printing office
was quickly followed by the leading publishers of the country, so that
within the course of a year, twelve Linotypes were put in operation in
four of the principal printing establishments in Istanbul. In one particular instance, a battery of eight machines are now in operation, the
first unit having been bought in 1928, followed by the addition of four
machines in 1929, and three in 1930-eloquent proof of the thorough
satisfaction of the publishers with the operation of the Linotype.
The following is the significantly imposing list of Linotypes now in
operation in Istanbul, which is a sure indication of the Eastern nations'
awakening to the most potent means of accelerating progress by the
spread of culture through the printed word:
Government Printing Office
Yunus Nadi Bey, "Cumhuriyet"
Journal D'Orient
Kazim Chinassi Bey and Necmettin Sadik Bey "Journal
Akcham"
Hamit Matbaasi
2 Linotypes
8 Linotypes
2 Linotypes
i Linotype
l Linotype
^TRADE ^| f^ DTYPE MARK*)
r
MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY
if i
Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A.
An illustrated descriptive catalog
Cable: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK
of the Ambjc Unotype Mnf
Representatives in the Principal Cities of the World
Set in Metro No. 2 Family
upon request.
^
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t-l« /«jl c--lT
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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
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English
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Processed by Claire A. Kempa, 2015-2017. Collection Guide written by Claire A. Kempa, 2017.
Collection Guide updated by Laura Lethers, 2023 August.
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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.
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NS 0002
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This digital material is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law.
Dublin Core
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Identifier
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TSW1932_04reducedWM
Title
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The Syrian World Volume 06, Issue 07
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1932 April
Description
An account of the resource
Volume 6 Issue 07 of the Syrian World published April 1932. The issue opens with an apology for the absence of a March issue, and an explanation that as a result the April issue is longer. The first article featured is by H. I. Katibah in which he discusses the challenge to the younger generation, specifically in relation to Western ideals and philosophies. This is followed by poetry edited by Barbara Young. This issue specifically features several articles related to the death of Al-Hoda editor Naoum A. Mokarzel, who is described as a great Syrian leader for his literary and political accomplishments. Following a number of tributes and a poem by Alice Mokarzel dedicated to her uncle, N. A. Mokarzel, there is an article that discusses the anniversary of Kahlil Gibran's death, followed by a number of other articles that discuss Gibran and his works. Following a classic Arab tale, there is more of Edna K. Saloomey's discussion about the younger generation. Thomas Asa closes out the issue with a short story titled "The Portrait." The issue concludes with more on political developments in Syria and excerpts from Syrian world news.
Subject
The topic of the resource
Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals
Arabs--United States--Periodicals
Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals
Language
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English
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Salloum A. Mokarzel
Syrian-American Press
Source
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New York Public Library
Publisher
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Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
Coverage
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104 Greenwich St., New York, NY
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Text/pdf
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Text
Rights
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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.
1930s
Alice Mokarzel
Barbara Young
Edna K. Saloomey
Habib I. Katibah
Kahlil Gibran
kk
New York
Poetry-English
Thomas Asa
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/a075a21267ffe42e1041437683c9d85d.pdf
a2b0bea9449fc1c4b80bab869b1675a5
PDF Text
Text
VOL. VI
HH
FEBRUARY, 1932
OUR PRIDE IN OUR ANCESTRY
REV. W. A. MANSUR
SEiJ
BLUE BLOOD
A TRAGEDY OF ARAB TRADITIONS
H. I. KATIBAH
POETRY
BARBARA YOUNG
OUR YOUNGER GENERATION
W-.
EDNA K. SALOOMEY
A CHANCE MEETING IN THE OASIS
*&
A TRUE ARABIAN TALE
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA
THE COPY 50c
NO. 6
��=3=
I
THE
SYRIAN WORLD
Tublished monthly except July and August
by
THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS
104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y.
By subscription $5.00 a year.
Single Copies 50c
Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New York,
Xj. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879.
FEBRUARY, 1932
VOL. VI NO. 6
CONTENTS
PAGE
...3
Our Pride in Our Ancestry
REV.
W. A.
MANSUR
12
She Is Not Dead (Poem)
ALICE MOKARZEL
13
Ya Baity (Syrian Folk Song)
DR. SALIM
Poetry, Edited by
B
Y.
ALKAZIN
BARBARA YOUNG
The Poetry of Labor
14
A Man Bereaved
17
PADRIAC COLUM
17
Scarcity
LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE
Sonnet
18
JOHN MASEFIELD
onaBMMIBBBBSBiS
�CONTENTS (Continued)Our Younger Generation, Edited by
Do You Agree?
EDNA
K.
A New Era
SALOOMEY
PAGE
19
21
Al-Jirn
22
Blue Blood
23
H. I.
KATIBAH
Water and Flowers (Poem)
27
AMEEN RIHANI
Excavations in Syria and Iraq
28
DR. HAROLD INGHOLT
Syria in Romandxey The Brethren
36
RIDER HAGGARD
Condensed by
DAGNY EDWARDS
True Arabian Tales
40
A Chance Meeting in the Oasis
Freedom and Slavery
43
KHALIL GIBRAN
Editorial Comment
Apology
Hard Times
Which Shall Survive?
And Now Our Case
Departments
Political Developments in Syria
Syrian World News Section
44
ft
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4
'
47
�&%>
ynan
«/
Editor.
SALLOUM A. MOKARZEL,
Mi
FEBRUARY, 1932
VOL. VI NO. 6
Our Pride in Our Ancestry
HIGHLIGHTS IN OUR RACIAL HISTORY WHICH
EVERY SYRIAN AND LEBANESE BOY AND GIRL
OUGHT TO KNOW
By
REV.
W. A.
MANSOUR
"One of our chief objects," said S. A. Mokarzel, "in helping
Syrian-Americans discover themselves is to breed in them a consciousness of appreciation for their racial qualities and inheritances
so that they may comport themselves with a befitting sense of honor
as citizens of this great American nation.
It is, then, in such a spirit of service that this publication was
conceived, and it is with a sense of reverence that we dedicate it to
the memory of a race whose contributions to the progress and wellbeing of mankind shall ever be valued as of paramount importance,
and whose descendants should feel proud of keeping forever alive
their sacred memory." (Syrian World, Vol. I, No. 1, Page 3).
I write deliberately to awaken Syrian Lebanese boys and girls
to the appreciation of their racial ancestors—the Phoenicians. I
wish to keep alive through them the sacred memory of their forefathers—the Phoenicians. I hope to create a realization of their inherited racial talents from their illustrious ancestors—the Phoenicians.
When Syrian Lebanese boys and girls know of their race greatness, they will be thrilled from within. It will open the springs of
their racial soul. They will understand the call to become foremost among modern races. They will assert with confidence their
place, pride, prosperity, and progress in the world.
J
�4
THE SYRIAN WORLD
I write that you may know the greatness of your blood, the
power of your abilities, and the far reaching importance of your race
in modern times. When you appreciate your racial qualities and
inheritances you will then be better able to comport yourselves with
a befitting sense of honor as citizens of this great American nation,
or any nation on earth. It is for these reasons that I thought it
good to write of some things every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl
ought to know about their Phoenician ancestors.
I.
PHOENICIAN ORIGIN OF SYRIANS AND LEBANESE.
It is very important that every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl
ought to know that they are descended from the Phoenician race.
They will find the Phoenicians to be Semitic, Caucasian, white.
They will discover the independent character, progressive nature,
and cosmopolitan type of people to which they belong. They will
realize their ancestors were foremost among the civilizing races of
ancient times.
"Now to what race belonged these -first Lebanese at the dawn
of recorded history?" Philip K. Hitti asks. He answers, "Undoubtedly they belonged to the Semitic race. Some unquestionablyy
were Canaanites who were akin to the Arameans,—both being of the
same Semitic stock. As regards the Phoenicians, they are none other
than the Canaanites who lived on the sea coast and who were called
Phoenician {blood red) by the Greeks who knew the Phoenicians
as traders in purple. The history of the Phoenicians began in
Lebanon about 2000 B. C. Traces of the Phoenician temples, tombs
and forts are still evidenced not only in Tyre, Sidon, By bios, Amrit
and the rest of the coast cities, but also in Afqa, Samar Jubail, Bait
Miri, Hermon and other localities situated far in the interior of
the country." (Syrian World, Feb. 1931, Page 9).
The Phoenicians were a hardy, resourceful, and adaptable
people to conditions and times. They maintained the spirit of independence, while situated in a land which was a thoroughfare of
conquering armies. They were talented in improving things. Their
alphabet has become almost the alphabet of the whole world. Although one of the smallest nations of antiquity, the Phoenicians became the most illustrious people of ancient times. Every Syrian
Lebanese boy and girl ought to know they are descended from the
Phoenicians—a foremost race of ancient times.
�FEBRUARY', 1932
5
//. THE GEOGRAPHICAL HOMELAND OF THE PHOENICIANS.
To understand the character, the nature of their movements
in history, and their relation to the surrounding nations, it is absolutely necessary to know the geographical location of the homeland of our Phoenician ancestors. Their physical environment partly explains the reason for their independent character.
Their
mountainous country partly reveals their interest in navigation.
Their central location partly shows the reason for their developed
adaptability in their relation to adjoining nations, races, and cultures.
S. A. Mokarzel says, "Old Phoenicia is none other than the
Lebanese^ Republic of today. Syria contains within its natural geographical bounderies Palestine, which we know as the Holy Land,
and Phoenicia, the home of the great navigators of old and the
land whose people have given us that great instrument of knowledge and progress, namely the alphabet." (Syrian World, May
1930, Page 37).
Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to locate and study
the geographical position of Phoenicia on the world map. It will
reveal the amazing smallness of the land of Phoenicia. It will
magnify the importance of Phoenicia and Phoenicians in the history
of mankind. It will emphasize the degree to which the Phoenicians,
though small in number, have served the progress of mankind. It
will establish the importance not of numbers, militarism, or bigness,
but of talent, achievement, and progress of a people in its service
to humanity.
Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know that Phoenicia is a foremost motherland of the progressive urges for the betterment of the nations, races, and cultures of earth.
III.
THE PHOENICIANS WERE THE FOREMOST NAVIGATORS OF ANCIENT TIMES.
Our Phoenician ancestors were the foremost navigators of
ancient times. Hemmed in between desert and sea, they developed
the art of navigation. The forests of Lebanon provided them with
lumber for ships. Without chart or compass Phoenician navigators
followed the Pole Star.
"Along the eastern end of the Mediterranean," says H. G.
Wells, "the Phoenicians, a Semitic people, set up a string of independent harbour towns of which Acre, Tyre, and Sidon were the
�I
II
6
THE SYRIAN WORLD
chief; and later they pushed their voyages westward and founded
Carthage and Utica in North Africa. They were great seamen because they were great traders." (The Outline of History, page 157)
The exploits of the Phoenicians are celebrated in the annals of
navigation. They were the first to push out far beyond the mainland. They passed the pillars of Hercules down the coasts of
Africa, circumnavigating it; along coasts of Europe; and possibly
crossed the Atlantic to the New World. Their navigation took them
to India, Ceylon, even China, and the Far East. These seafaring
people brought the peoples of the earth together through their inter-oceanic navigation and commerce.
Arthur Brisbane says, "Inscriptions found on rocks in the valley of the Amazon revive the belief that the seafaring Phoenicians
from the far end of the Mediterranean discovered America long
before Columbus and the earlier Lief Ericson. Archaeologists think
the Phoenicians went up the great Amazon with their ships and
founded a South American city 4,000 years ago." (See Associated
Press dispatch from Rio de Janeiro, Jan., 1, 1930. Given in full
in Syrian World, Dec. 1929, Page 53).
Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know that their
Phoenician ancestors were the greatest mariners of antiquity They
ought to know that it was Phoenician galleys that taught the nations
the importance of sea travel and sea commerce. They ought to
know that Phoenician ships carried the goods of the nations which
proved oi civilizing influence upon all. They ought to know that
1 hoemcian genius in ship building laid the foundations of interoceanic travel and commerce of all nations and times.
IV. THE PHOENICIAN ANCESTORS AS THE GREATEST
PEACEFUL COLONIZERS OF ANCIENT TIMES.
Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know that their
Phoenician ancestors were the greatest peaceful colonizers of the
ancients. The Phoenicians, because of their small number, made
it impossible to extend their possessions by conquest. They secured
their possessions by more peaceful means than any of the ancientsthrough mutual trade and benefit.
"The colonies and foreign possessions of the Phoenicians," says
the author of T^ RE, "were most extensive and valuable, far exceeding those of any other state in ancient or modern times, possessing m its original territory no larger amount of the world's surface
than ancient Phoenicia. These colonies were not obtained by con-
�FEBRUARY, 1932
i
7
quest, or, as in the case of many other nations, by the forcible removal of the original inhabitants; and the settlement of others from
a distance in the vacant territory; but thei-e were peaceful emigrations
of enter-prising traders to such localities as were discovered from
time to time by bold navigators, and which were considered to present opportunities for originating and maintaining commerce"
Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know the romantic story of the colonies of the Phoenicians among the Islands
of the Mediterranean, the coasts of the Mediterranean countries,
the west coast of Africa, the western coast of Europe, Ireland, England, on the Persian Gulf, the Far East, and possibly along the
Amazon.
I write that Syrian Lebanese boys and girls may be thrilled by
the greatness of their Phoenician ancestors; that they may comport
themselves as worthy descendants of a great people.
V.
THE PHOENICIANS GAVE THE WORLD THE ALPHABET.
Every Syrian boy and girl ought to know that the alphabet
was the gift of the Phoenicians to the world. It is the alphabet of
the Phoenicians which makes possible modern intercourse; the
mediation for the highest type of written language for science, art,
literature and what not; and the possibility of international characters everywhere.
The Phoenician alphabet is the greatest secular gift which any
people has ever made for the progress of mankind.
William A. Masson says in "A HISTORY OF THE ART
OF WRITING," of the Phoenicians, "They carried with them
their wonderful alphabet as -a necessary part of their civilization,
using it in conjunction with their trading enterprises and imparting
it to the Hellenic people among whom they sojourned. No tradition seems ever more thoroughly substantiated, both by internal
evidence and external fact, than that recorded by the Greek authors
that the alphabet used in Hellas came from the Phoenicians.
"The classic authors differed in their opinions as to the origin
of the Phoenician letters. Herodotus the Greek, and Pliny the
Roman, believed that the Phoenicians invented the letters; while
Brosius attributed them to the Babylonians and Tacitus to the Egyptians. But practically all the world now believes that it was the
Phoenicians who introduced the letters into Greece proper."
"What an honor," exclaims Masson, "it confers upon this little
�-
8
THE SYRIAN WORLD
nationality of Phoenicia, nestling along the shore of the Mediterranean Sea twenty-five centuries ago, that her written and spoken
alphabet, modified to the extent that we have indicated, is used today practically the world over, up to the wall of China and the land
of the Rising Sun."
Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know that the
Phoenician alphabet marks one of the greatest eras in the development and evolution of the human mind. It is the greatest instrument for the human mind. It is the greatest enlargement for the
range of thought and intercourse for humanity. It is the finest
means for the continuity and preservation of man's thought by
writing.
Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know that measured by its effect upon the human mind, human history, and human
progress, the alphabet of our Phoenician ancestors marks an achievement without any superior in the progress of man and mankind.
VI.
THE PHOENICIANS' GENIUS FOR TRADE.
_ Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know of the
genius of their Phoenician ancestors for trade. They were a great
seafaring people because they were great traders. They developed
trade routes, sea navigation, and inter-oceanic commerce to extend
their trade. Their country, centrally located between great empires
of the Mediterranean, became a market place for sale and exchange.
Their ships carried their wares, and those of other nations, to every
part of the world.
"The genius of the Phoenicians was for trade," says W. Warde
Fowler, "and the splendid position of Carthage, near the modern
Tunis, with a rich corn-growing country in the rear, had helped
her merchant princes to establish by degrees what may loosely be
called an empire of trading settlements extending not only along
the African coast, but over that of Sardinia and southern and eastern
Spain, and including Sicily, as we have seen." (W. Warde Fowler
in ROME).
Cunningham Geike says in "HOURS WITH THE BIBLE,"
"—Phoenicia lay in the centre of the Old World, and was thus the
natural entrepot for commerce between the East and the West. The
trading routes from all Asia converged on the Phoenician coast;
and the centres of the commerce on the Euphrates and Tigris forwarding their goods by way of Tyre to the Nile, to Arabia, and the
West; and, on the other hand, the productions of the vast regions
�FEBRUARY, 1932
9
bordering the Mediterranean, passing through the Canaanite capital
to the eastern world." (Vol. Ill, page 344).
I hereby challenge Syrian Lebanese boys and girls with the
genius of their glorious Phoenician ancestors—for trade. I challenge them with the heritage which is in their minds and hearts
and destiny. I challenge them toward achievement in trade, commerce, mutual welfare among modern nations.
Let every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl be thrilled by the
glory of our ancestors to create pride in our ancestry, appreciation
of our genius, and the will to move forward to the forefront among
the nations.
VII. INDUSTRIES OF THE PHOENICIANS.
Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know of the industries of their Phoenician ancestors. They developed their own
materials through manufacture. They drew raw materials from
other peoples and manufactured them into fine luxuries, or food,
or clothing. They improved many things so that their products became popular objects of desire. The Phoenicians at home and abroad became builders and organizers employing vast numbers of
people in their industries.
George Adam Smith says, "Her armour, bowls and webs are
sung by Homer.. Hebrew and Greek writers acclaim the wealth of
Phoenician industries and the size and the range of Phoenician ships.
—The Phoenician markets drew ivory, scented woods, silk and
other stuffs from India and China, and passed them to the West.
Conversely Chinese writings of an early time rate the products of
Syria, which they call Ta-tsin, above even those of Babylon. The
incense of southern Arabia reached the temples of Greece and Italy
through the port of Gaza."
The Phoenicians brought silver and gold from Spain, tin from
England, incense from the east, corn from Egypt and Syria; they
brought the products of all countries to their land and from their
country to every other.
The Phoenicians had productions and inventions of their own:
the celebrated Tyrian purple, glass, ornaments, utensils, toys and
things for the bazaars, inlayings with ivory, and hundreds of luxuries were made and sold to luxury loving people everywhere.
Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know that Phoenicia and Phoenicians and their colonies became centers of industries
to the peoples of ancient times.
�^..
M. III..-——„, „„—
10
THE SYRIAN WORLD
VIII._ THE PHOENICIANS AS AGENTS OF CIVILIZATION.
Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know that among
those who laid foundations for international civilization in ancient
times were their Phoenician ancestors. Their trade, through exchange of products of every nation, became a means of civilizing
influence. Their language, their alphabet, became a bond of union
between their colonies and their peoples. Their ships transported
peoples of all nations to one; another's land. The Phoenicians became great agents of civilization.
C. F. Keary says, "But of course the Phoenicians must still be
reckoned as the great transporters of civilization from Egypt and
from Asia to the rest of the world. They could hardly be said to
possess a country} but they possessed cities of vast importance and
no small significance along the coast of Palestine—Lamyra, Aradus,
Byblos, Sydon, Tyre. From these centers went out that boundless
maritime enterprise which made the Phoenicians the trading people
of the world. Very early—in pre-historic ages—the Phoenicians
had possesseed themselves of Cyprus. From that point to the
Grecian coast of Asia Minor, or to the coasts and islands on either
side of the Aegean, was an easy transition} then on to the Mediterranean, to Sicily and Italy, but more especially to the island of
Sardinia} or again to Egypt and the farther coasts of Africa on to
Spain, and finally, through the pillars of Hercules, to the far-off
"tin islands" of the west, which were, it is likely enough, the British
Isles. This is, in brief, the picture of the doings of the Phoenicians long before the days of history had begun to dawn upon the
Aryan nations of the Mediterranean." (The Dawn of History,
pages 315-316)
Herein lies one supreme glory of our Phoenician ancestors,
their civilizing influence upon the world. They are entitled to rank
forever as the greatest of all civilizers. Their influence upon the
world of the ancients marked the beginning of a new trend in the
history of mankind. Their influence opened new thoughts, new
cultures, new modes of writing, new commerce, new principles, new
navigation, and new international relations.
IX.
THE PHOENICIANS AS THE DISSEMINATORS OF
THE SUPREME ETHICAL PRINCIPLE.
Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know that their
Phoenician ancestors developed through trade the supreme ethical
�FEBRUARY, 1932
11
principle. Fair dealing, mutual gain, and abiding confidence were
essentials developed by Phoenician traders. They established trading posts on the basis of right dealing, the continued satisfaction to
buyer and seller.
"The Semitic peoples, we may point out here," says H. G.
Wells in THE OUTLINE OF HISTORY, "are to this day counting feo-ples strong in their sense of equivalents and reparation.—
Other races and peoples have imagined diverse and fitful and marvellous gods, but it was the trading Semites who first began to
think of God as a Righteous Dealer, whose promises were kept, who
failed not the humblest creditor, and called to account every spurious act."
The Semitic Phoenicians were foremost among the Semites to
plant in human thought the ethical principle of right dealing between man and man. They thought of God as a Righteous Dealer.
They spread this idea among the nations.
It is this contribution of the Semitic Phoenicians of right dealing, this supreme ethical principle, that makes faith in God, in man,
and in the universe of paramount significance to mankind.
Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know that Phoenicia and Phoenicians are the land and people whose contribution
of right dealing to civilization should awaken pride in their ancestry,
arouse self-esteem, and urge them to high achievement in modern
times.
X.
FIRST TO EMIGRATE TO THE NEW LAND.
Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl in America and the New
World ought to know that they are the descendants of the Phoenicians. They ought to feel the urge of their racial splendor. They
should discover the latent talents within them. They will be filled
with worthy sentiments about themselves and their posterity.
"From the oldest country in the world," says S. A. Mokarzel,
"to' the land known as the New World, they bring their priceless
racial distinction as heirs to the culture of the ages. They come
with the gifts of all the attributes of varied but virile blood—Phoenician, Semitic, Roman, Grecian, and Arabian. And it is a significant fact that the first of the Syrians to emigrate were the Lebanese
of the north who claim direct lineal descent from the Phoenicians.
It would seem that the law of atavism seeks to assert itself and here
finds complete vindication. The great sea-wanderers of old have
bequeathed their wanderlust to their long line of descendants."
�12
THE SYRIAN WORLD
(Syrian World, May 1930, page 39).
Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to know that again
the Phoenicians, through their descendants the Svrian-Lebanese,
are spreading themselves among the nations. The Syrian Lebanese,
the modern Phoenicians, are now establishing themselves through
trade, new homes, and new achievements in many parts of the
world. The Syrian Lebanese are proving themselves, through
leadership, achievement, and endeavor, the worthy heirs to their
illustrious ancestors the ancient Phoenicians.
I write deliberately that Syrian Lebanese boys and girls may
be awakened to appreciate their descent from the famous Phoenilans I wish every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl to feel proud of his
racial heritage. I expect them to rise to a renown similar to that
achieved by their Phoenician ancestors.
Every Syrian Lebanese boy and girl ought to keep alive the
sacred memory of our glorious ancestors the Phoenicians, should
appreciate their racial qualities and inheritances, and through race
pride comport themselves as worthy descendants through splendid
achievement.
She is Not Dead
She is not dead, who lies so silently
Where drooping flowers guard her rest;
She is not dead, beloved child,
Whom angels watched, whom God has blessed.
One muted string in quiet song
Above the mundane rafters sung;
One fallen star come home again
Where deeds in holy light are hung.
Weep not, then, child, for heaven's gain,
For peaceful rest, for ended pain;
Though tears will come and laughter go
Within each aching heart, we know '
She is not dead
ALICE MOKARZEL
)
�f
FEBRUARY, 1932
13
Ya Baity
Translation by
DR. SALIM
Y.
ALKAZIN
c^*—<# ki err"- ^
O^-J dL9j J5\ dLi
0>tt ^j ^L*
^L,
c~-->^r_5 o-*—!_j
A
i
>
- <j^*3 (y^^r &
d^
^"UJic
I
J
0.
I
(_5^,
3
J C5~?
C)_j^J dL9 j I j>o (iL9
Home, my unpretentious humble home,
To you to hide my faults I come;
In you I drink, in you I eat,
In you I rest my weary feet.
Though humble, still you fill my need.
(As dear as to my soul its creed.)
Born in you, in you I grew,
In you I'll train my tender crew.
I've built you of my heart and bone,
And mixed the mortar with my blood;
Since our souls have become one,
To glory you've become a throne.
No matter what my fate may bring,
You'll see me smile and hear me sing.
Or fair or foul, I take them both,
Embrace what joy or nurse the sting.
My own and my forefathers' toast,
My pride and my children's boast;
In you I'll live, in you I'll die,
From you in dust my bones shall fly.
�J:
Hn
14
THE SYRIAN WORLD
BARBARA YOUNG,
"Work is love made visible."
"We only live to discover beauty.
Editor
All else is a form of waiting."
Gibran
The Poetry of Labor
JN GEORGE MOORE'S "Confessions of a Young Man" we
find a paragraph which reads like a clipping from yesterday's
editorial. He says: "The world is dying of machinery; that is the
great disease; that is the plague that will sweep away and destroy
civilization. Men will have to rise against it sooner or later. . . I
say that the great revolution will come when mankind rises in revolt and smashes machinery and restores the handicraft."
In the East, Gandhi is saying the same thing. A year ago AE
George Russell, the Irish poet came from his little island to urge
upon this wide land of ours a return to the farmland and the timberland. Count Keyserling lecturing in Paris said, "The United
States is dead emotionally, because of machinery." Anne O'Hare
McCormick writing in the New York Times, asserts that "the fate
of all the present issues lies in the lap of the gods of the machine "
Will Rogers, that keen and kindly sage to whom we might
listen with great profit, has said in his own delectable fashionEvery invention during our life time has been made just to save
time, and time is the only commodity that every American both
rich and poor, has plenty of. Half our life is spent trying to find
something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying
to save. Two hundred years from now history will record- 'Amer-
J
�FEBRUARY, 1932
)
15
ica, a nation that flourished from 1900 to 1942, conceived odd notions for getting somewhere, but could think of nothing to do when
they got there.' "
In the minds of all these thinking persons there is more than
meets the eye, and the ear. They have not simply been tossing off
phrases for the sake of making copy. They have been expressing,
in one way or another, a basic principle of human existence, and an
essential tenet of the faiths of our fathers, living yet, that man
shall not live by bread nlo.ie.
Beauty if a saving grace^xnto all people, and there is beauty in
the weaving o: the cloth, in the modeling of the bowl, in the tooling of the leather. »
In a news item ofrecent date I read: "An effort to counteract
the machine-made art of the present time and to revive the old
craftsmanship of the Middle Ages is being carried on by the Greenwich House Workshops at 16 Jones Street. There under the five
hundred-year old apprenticeship system as it was practised by
Michaelangelo and other Masters, youths are being trained in the
arts of stone-cutting, wood-carving, cabinet-making and bronze
work."
Why not multiply 16 Jones Street by a thousand, in all parts
of the land and see what happens? Why not add spinning and
weaving, the making of pottery, hand-blown glass, laces, embroidery and smocking, the making and binding of fine books, the
tooling of leather and the cobbling of sandals, to a wide circle of
16 Jones Street, the country over?
And this I propose not for the employment and rehabilitation
alone of the economic man and woman, though that might very
naturally ensue, but for the quickening and refreshment of the
mind, and for the very sustenance of that element of the human
being which our forefathers were wont to call the immortal soul.
Can we not conceive that happy condition which may be attained if the man or woman who has the soul of a weaver may earn
a contented and competent livelihood beside the loom? When the
man whose fists ache to grip the handles of a plough shall have his
own small acreage and till the generous soil? And when the sandalmaker may sit at his bench and fashion the simple foot-gear of the
pilgrim? This is the poetry of labor, and it can be lived.
This can be done. Nothing is impossible to a civilization
which has achieved the diabolical material and mechanical success
of the past five decades.
�U
16
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Do not misunderstand me. I have no such absurd idea that
steel is a vice and a destroyer in itself; nor that wheels and cogs as
such, imperil the breath and sinews of the nation. The menace
lies in the destruction of balance which the unbridled multiplicity
of the essentially innocent machine has brought to pass.
We have the disease of steel, and it is the cancer of the soul.
Sometimes it is steel for steel's sake, and sometimes it is steel for
gold's sake. They are equally fatal. A sliver of the shining stuff
in the mind is as imminent a danger as the sword hanging by a
thread over our couch.
The poets have always been telling the world whither the
crafts of State.were drifting. But the world would not listen. Will
it listen now? It is extremely doubtful. But there is a fistful of
men who have the vision of the poet as well as somewhat of the
fanaticism of the prophet, and these may suffice. Let them fill the
hands of men and women with good raw products and they will
work out their simple destinies to their own pleasure and profit and
to the redemption of the Commonwealth. Put the adaptable resources of this nation into the promotion of handicraft, turn the
idle shops and factories into housing centres for instruction in these
pursuits, encourage the individual selection of the art or trade
which will excite the liveliest interest and pleasure, and in which
therefore, the artisan will the sooner acquire a deftness and skill;
and place as instructors the multitude of men and women among
us who are of the East, and who have by rightful inheritance both
the knowledge and the love of these works of the human hand.
Our education seems to be toward the suppression of this racial
endowment. We do not educate, we inculcate. It is an outsidein process when it should be an inside-out operation. We are sure
that John will make a first-class lawyer, because we are sure that
John will make a first-class lawyer. And it just as absurd as it
sounds, for John himself knows perfectly well that he wants to
farm or to garden or to forest. But we whip him through college
and law school and State Bar examinations and turn him out a very
third rate counsellor- at-law who has still a great yearning for the
soil. This is malpractice upon the human entity, and it has produced
the conditions which stagger us today.
A day or two ago a man who is in the midst of the melee
said, with great weariness, "I can forget the desperateness of the
situation only by listening to my daughteer playing Brahms or
Schubert to me, or by reading some of Masefield's sonnets." And
Hi
i
�:
n
FEBRUARY, 1932
/
17
then he said, "I envy the shepherd on a hill in Judea—if there is
such a being left as a shepherd, today."
There will always be men and women who are potters and
lace-makers at heart, and there will be always, the wheel and the
gadget men. But let us cease this thrusting of lever and throttle into the hand of the poet and the spinner and the wine-presser.Thus
has been our colossal error. All men are not born free and equal, nor
are they born with like tastes and gifts. This is the writing on the
sky, if we shall turn our eyes and read.
A Man Bereaved
My wife and my comrade
Will not come at all
Though the pine tree shall flourish,
The green rush grow tall,
And its cone to the ground
The larch tree let fall.
And I'll not hear her sounding
Songs over the din,
Where the people are crowded,
The harvest being in;
Nor see her come lilting
From the field or the fold,
Nor plaiting her long locks
In the young or old.
PADRIAC COLUM
in Old Pastures
Scarcity
Scarcity saves the world,
And by that it is fed;
Then give it hunger, God,
Not bread.
Scarce things are comely things;
In little there is power;
November measures best
Each vanished flower.
j i
(
�18
THE SYRIAN WORLD
If you dig a well,
If you sing a song,
By what you do without
You make it strong.
And life as well as art
By scarceness grows,
Not surfeit. Theirs must be
The hunger of the rose.
LlZETTE WoODWORTH
REESE
in White April
I
Sonnet
I never see the red rose crown the year.
Nor fed the young grass underneath my tread
Without the thought "This living beauty here
Is earth's remembrance of a beauty dead
Surely where all this glory is displayed
Love has been quick, like fire, to its high ends;
Here, in this, grass, an altar has been made
For some white joy, some sacrifice of friendsHere, where I stand, some leap of human brains
Has touched immortal things and left its traceThe earth is happy here, the gleam remains:'
Beauty is here, the spirit of the place
I touch the faith which nothing can destroy
I he earth, the living church of ancient joy."
JOHN MASEFIELD.
\
J
�(
•I
FEBRUARY, 1932
EDNA
19
K.
SALOOMEY,
Editor
"I will not shut me from my kind,
And lest I stiffen unto stone,
I will not eat my heart alone,
Nor feed with sighs a passing wind.
Tennyson.
With the exquisite words of Tennyson, this department
is dedicated to the younger generation, including all those
vohose hearts are young regardless of their years.
Do You Agree!
i
J
pODAY'S younger generation of Syrians is in a category all by
itself. Some reader will elaborate this statement by adding,
"in more ways than one." By all means, say that; for we are different in more ways than one, to the regret of some of our critics,
and to the joy of others.
We have in mind one fact which distinguishes us from those
who preceded us and those who shall succeed us. This fact is characteristic of this younger generation, which is composed of those
individuals who have been growing up with the twentieth century.
This distinguishing mark is our predicament.
We are wedged tightly between tradition and experiment. Always there has been a struggle between these two to conquer, but
for us, who have been transplanted into surroundings entirely new,
the battle has been keener than any before. We are at a loss whether
to succumb to tradition, or die for experiment. There are some
A
�I "I
20
THE SYRIAN WORLD
amongst us to whom the experience has been so overwhelming as
to cause their reason to be dazed; and they wander about with an
expression like that of Elihu Vedder's painting, "The Sorrowing
Soul Between Doubt and Faith."
In our case, we have been wandering in a desert partly our
own creation and partly a creation of circumstance. Though we
have much in common, as far as problems are concerned, we have
made no effort in common to solve them. We have become so disintegrated by an increasing barrenness of our social life that our
young people go to all extremes looking for a satisfaction to their
gregariousness.
Our progress, individually and collectively, is hindered immeasurably by the lack of unity. There have been occasions when we
have had to pay dearly for this deficiency.
Unlike every other nationality represented in the United
States, we have no organization, social, fraternal, or educational,
of nation-wide scope. Even a mythical unity does not exist amongst
us. We need some such unity for the- three purposes mentioned
above, for social, fraternal, and educational benefits.
Some may contend that they have found their places in the
sphere of existence. All power to them; they are to be congratulated if they have so succeeded. But, it must be remembered that
for every high diver, there are hundreds who have not learned yet
to swim.
It is these people who are groping to adjust themselves that we are thinking of, when we claim that some bond should
exist amongst us. Even those who are self-satisfied will not deny
that genius itself thrives better on sympathetic understanding.
Up to the present time in the history of Syrians in this country,
there has been only one meeting-place, figuratively, for the younger
generation; and that is "The Syrian World." Within its pages we
have learned about "the rest of our world" and what our compatriots are doing elsewhere. We have spanned the entire distance
of the globe, and communed with those in far distant lands. This
magazine is the nearest approach to a means of uniting our common
interests and, we hope, shall be the chosen voice of the younger
generation.
We give you our hand in welcome in hope that together we
may bring understanding out of the chaos engendered by our inarticulateness, passivity, and indifference. Let us be united h§re, that
whatever is noble in us, as a people, may be registered on the consciousness of all. Let us not stiffen unto stone.
r
�23
FEBRUARY, 1932
A New Era
yHE ECONOMIC disaster,vwhich has tremendously influenced
our lives during the past thref. years, needs no retelling, because all of us, more or less, have been uprooted by it from what
we had, in blind, youthful optimism, believed was permanent
security, and thrown helter-skelter into places not of our choosing.
None of us has escaped from the effects of this disaster; for those,
who may not have suffered financially, have, nevertheless, been
distressed by the flaws in the economic system which are like so
many jabs at man's sense of security.
The repetition of this discussion about depression is like poison
to some people, especially to those who think the entire matter may
be settled by psychologists. We think differently for we can not
stifle what is suffocating us, and we depend neither on pyschologists,
nor psychiatrists for that matter.
All of us, before the advent of the depression, had been
dreaming over the chapter of romance and success and joys unending, when life turned the page to the next chapter. It is this chapter in which we are now engrossed beyond our power to escape. For
the first time in our existence, we have come close to an understanding of some of our economic lessons which looked so harmless and
uninviting in the pages of text-books. We know now that our
economic system is a hundred times more vulnerable than Achilles'
heel, and that it is perfect only in so far as the natures of the individuals who create it, are perfect.
Does all this make us feel downhearted? No!
This event in our country's economic history is of immeasurable
importance to us, for its cessation in due course, shall mark the beginning of the second era in the history of Syrians in the United
States.
The immigrant period is over. Our people have no longer to
contend with problems of languages and customs. Even though
the immigration bars were to be removed entirely, which is quite
unlikely, the newcomers would never need to fare as did those who
came here first.
Our younger generation has been given ample opportunity to
avail itself of educational facilities. The opportunity-has been at
the cost of a sacrifice to some parents, but has been given unbegrudgingly. That the old order has changed is proven by the pre-
�I
20
1
THE SYRIAN WORLD
amongst us to whom the experience has been so overwhelming as
to cause their reason to be dazed; and they wander about with an
expression like that of Elihu Vedder's painting, "The Sorrowing
Soul Between Doubt and Faith."
In our case, we have been wandering in a desert partly our
own creation and partly a creation of circumstance. Though we
have much in common, as far as problems are concerned, we have
made no effort in common to solve them. We have become so disintegrated by an increasing barrenness of our social life that our
young people go to all extremes looking for a satisfaction to their
gregariousness.
Our progress, individually and collectively, is hindered immeasurably by the Jack of unity. There have been occasions when we
have had to pay clearly for this deficiency.
Unlike every other nationality represented in the United
States, we have no organization, social, fraternal, or educational,
of nation-wide scope. Even a mythical unity does not exist amongst
us. We need some such unity for the- three purposes mentioned
above, for social, fraternal, and educational benefits.
Some may contend that they have found their places in the
sphere of existence. All power to them; thev are to be congratulated if they have so succeeded. But, it must be remembered that
for every high diver, there are hundreds who have not learned yet
to swim.
It is these people who are groping to adjust themselves that we are thinking of, when we claim that some bond should
exist amongst us. Even those who are self-satisfied will not deny
that genius itself thrives better on sympathetic understanding
Up to the present time in the history of Syrians in this country,
there has been only one meeting-place, figuratively, for the younger
generation; and that is "The Syrian World." Within its pages we
have learned about "the rest of our world" and what our compatriots are doing elsewhere. We have spanned the entire distance
of the globe, and communed with those in far distant lands This
magazine is the nearest approach to a means of uniting our common
interests and, we hope, shall be the chosen voice of the younger
7
&
generation.
We give you our hand in welcome in hope that together we
may bring understanding out of the chaos engendered by our inarticulateness, passivity, and indifference. Let us be united W, that
whatever is noble m us, as a people, may be registered on the consciousness of all. Let us not stiffen unto stone
I
�FEBRUARY, 1932
A New Era
THE ECONOMIC disaster, i^which has tremendously influenced
our lives during the past three- years, needs no retelling, because all of us, more or less, have been uprooted by it from what
we had, in blind, youthful optimism, believed was permanent
security, and thrown helter-skelter into places not of our choosing.
None of us has escaped from the effects of this disaster; for those,
who may not have suffered financially, have, nevertheless, been
distressed by the flaws in the economic system which are like so
many jabs at man's sense of security.
The repetition of this discussion about depression is like poison
to some people, especially to those who think the entire matter may
be settled by psychologists. We think differently for we can not
stifle what is suffocating us, and we depend neither oh pyschologists,
nor psychiatrists for that matter.
All of us, before the advent of the depression, had been
dreaming over the chapter of romance and success and joys unending, when life turned the page to the next chapter. It is this chapter in which we are now engrossed beyond our power to escape. For
the first time in our existence, we have come close to an understanding of some of our economic lessons which looked so harmless and
uninviting in the pages of text-books. We know now that our
economic system is a hundred times more vulnerable than Achilles'
heel, and that it is perfect only in so far as the natures of the individuals who create it, are perfect.
Does all this make us feel downhearted? No!
This event in our country's economic history is of immeasurable
importance to us, for its cessation in due course, shall mark the beginning of the second era in the history of Syrians in the United
States.
The immigrant period is over. Our people have no longer to
contend with problems of languages and customs. Even though
the immigration bars were to be removed entirely, which is quite
unlikely, the newcomers wrould never need to fare as did those who
came here first.
Our younger generation has been given ample opportunity to
avail itself of educational facilities. The opportunity has been at
the cost of a sacrifice to some parents, but has been given unbegrudgingly. That the old order has changed is proven by the pre-
�_
__
,
THE SYRIAN WORLD
oi families in our midst, where one or both parents are ili-ate, whose children are college graduates. In some families,
i.nere are as many as four or five children who hold degrees from
colleges.
What significance has the comparison? It means that we have
not been idle j that we are better fitted for the life here.
The second era shall find us more largely represented in the
field of professional activities. The benefits derived in this field
are computed not so much in terms of money, as in the benefits
which accrue to mankind's welfare. Those engaged in this field
shall deserve unbounded appreciation, for our people shall inevitably reflect their glory.
When the pendulum, that symbol of the trend of the times,
reverses its movement, we shall be prepared to write the second
chapter of our! existence here. May it be as excellent in spirit as
that written by our predecessors who fought against odds, greater
even than a depression.
We know that the younger generation shall not fail. If you
wonder at our power or divination, here is the answer:
"Strange friend, past, present, and to be,
Loved deeplier, darklier understood 3
Behold, I dream a dream of good,
And mingle all the world with thee."
Tennyson.
"AL-JIRN"
In the magazine's January issue, Mr. Faris S. Malouf, who is
deservedly one of Boston's favourite sons, characterized us as being a difficult people.
Coming from Mr. Malouf, who ranks high in the field of
jurisprudence, and who sees with clarity and speaks with discrimination, that characterization merits consideration.
We challenge Mr. Malouf to prove that we are any more
difficult than the rest of God's children.
*r*
*F
T*
Aunt Mary, aged four-score plus, to grandniece: "I want to
dance at your wedding. When shall it be?"
Her grandniece: "We can't say just yet. Selim and I are
saving now for a ten-piece-walnut dining room set."
�—-
rri -r-rwm-irfiirw
23
FEBRUARY, 1932
Blue Blood
A RECENT TRAGEDY OF LOVE AND DEATH CAUSED
BY A BREACH OF A SOCIAL TRADITION AMONG
THE ARABS
By H. I.
KATIBAH
AN AMBITIOUS young man of Baghdad, wealthy and cultured
but of humble origin, who had attained through his application
and brilliancy to the high post of General Director of the Ministry of the Interior, paid with his own life the price of aspiring to
marry into a noble family much higher than his own.
He had returned from a honeymoon trip with his bride to
lovely Lebanon, a month spent with blissful oblivion to the sombre
shadow of tragedy that was dogging their steps, and was attending
to his duties at the ministry when an enraged member of the bride^s
family forced his way to the director's chamber and emptied his
pistol point-blank into the body of his unsuspecting victim.
And the report of that shot has reverberated in every Arabicspeaking land from the furthermost limits of the Land between the
Two Rivers to the furthermost limits of Somaliland and the AngloEgyptian Sudan. It has been reechoed in ever further countries, in
the United States of America, in Canada, in Argentine and Brazil,
in Chile, in Australia, in Transvaal, in Dahomey and in the Malay
Peninsula—in every place where the ubiquitous Arabic newspaper
has found its way.
For it is not an uncommon tragedy, and its implications are
very far-reaching. A great issue hangs in the balances, and the
shot that was heard three months ago was the sign of the challenge,
the challenge of the old to the new, of archaic, decadent aristocracy
to aspiring, vital democracy. Since then the challenge has been
met, and the defendant has been condemned to death for his most
daring crime. The attenuating circumstances, the appeal to the old
nomadic traditions of the desert, were brushed aside, and another
victory for democracy and progressiveness in the East has been
won.
The story of that murder would make interesting reading in
some of our sensational newspapers. It has all the elements of
�24
THE SYRIAN WORLD
violent passions, of deep-seated emotions that spring from centuries
of tribal notions and clannish traditions. It belongs properly to
the glamorous pages of the Arabian Nights and the travel books of
the Arabian Desert and Bedouin life.
The characters of the tragedy are Abdullah Ibn Falih al-Sa'doun, scion of one of the noblest families of Iraq, and Abdullah alSani', son of an ambitious commoner who had risen to wealth and
influence through his own efforts and those of his father and grandfather before him, and a young Sa'doun girl whose father was dead
and whose mother is of Turkish origin.
For over a hundred years the Sa'doun family had ruled Iraq.
From it sprang governors and viziers in the days of the Ottoman
Empire j and it had sent representatives to the Turkish parliament
when the Young Turk regime overthrew Sultan Abdul-Hamid and
introduced a constitutional form of government to Turkey. So
powerful indeed was the Sa'doun family that the Turkish Government in the days of Abdul-Hamid held some of its members as
hostages, educated them in a special school for the nobility and occupied them with government tasks in Constantinople, as it did with
princes of the Sheriffs of Mecca and other scions of noble families
from its far-flung empire. When the World War was over, and
the British succeeded the Turks in Iraq, the prestige and power of
the Sa'douns were recognized by the agents of His Britannic Majesty, and one of the premiers of Iraq a few years ago was a Sa'doun,
Muhsin Bey al-Sa'doun. He was a sincere patriot, but his effort
to reconcile between the intransigent nationalists and the demands of
the British led many to suspect him of treachery.
So heavily
did this charge weigh on the sensitive soul of this noble Arab that
he ended his own life by a shot in the head rather than stand the
stigma of a traitor.
The Sa'douns migrated to Iraq over seven hundred years ago.
They come from a pure Arabic stock, and can trace their ancestry
to the Sheriffs of Mecca. In this way they are distantly related to
the same family from which Feisal, King of Iraq, sprang.
Most of the Sa'douns still lead the nomadic life of the Bedouins in the Muntafik district, named after an ancestor of the Sa'doun family, where they have always been recognized as emirs
and shaykhs of their tribe. But many of them moved to the cities
of Baghdad, Basra etc. where they soon established their influence
and became principal characters in the checkered life of Oriental
cities. But never, neither as Bedouins nor as settled citizens, did
�FEBRUARY, 1932
25
they allow themselves to forget that they are a distinguished clan,
members of a blood nobility that never permitted the admixture of
other inferior blood with that of their family.
Marriage customs among the Arabs go back almost to the prehistoric days of the taboo and totem conceptions of religious restrictions. A Sa'doun would never dream of giving his daughter in
marriage to any but a Sa'doun. Theirs was the noble blue blood,
the pure blood of chivalrous warriors and governing rulers, and
under no condition should it be contaminated with that of other
species of the human race.
On the other hand, the family of the bridegroom in this strange
tragedy was not only of humble origin, but, as the name indicates,
menial artisans who, in the eyes of the Arab nobility, were only
a hairbreadth removed from the status of slavery. The ancestors
of the Sani' family were servants, it was claimed in the defense of
Abdullah al-Sa'doun in the Baghdad court, to the Sa'doun family.
Be that as it may, they were artisans, and in the eye of a full-blooded Sa'doun that amounted to the same thing.
True the Sani' family travelled far on the path of progress,
and many a Sani' was superior in wealth and social accomplishments
to many a Sa'doun. The grandfather of Abdullah al-Sani' was a
prosperous merchant of large means, and his descendants intermarried with the shaykhs of al-Kuweit, whose nobility cannot be
denied. He himself was offered a large capital by the Al-Ibrahim
family, rich pearl merchants on the Persian Gulf, who were also
counted among the nobility of the Arabs. Abdullah al-Sani' was
a man of undisputed worth and high ambition, and like Muhsin
al-Sa'doun had won his promotion through his friendship to the
British.
But all that did not change the situation. Al-Sa'douns were
Qubeili, a genuine tribal Arabs, and al-Sani's were Khudairis, mere
artisans, men who attached themselves to the tribe, and whose origin
was dubious.
And that's that. Abdullah al-Sani' might have succeeded so
brilliantly as to become the premier of Iraq, or he might have devoted himself to some science and distinguished himself as a great
scientist, recognized by the universities and academies of Europe
and America, thus bringing glory to himself and all the Arab race.
Still he was a Sani', and considered beneath any Sa'douni. On the
other hand a Sa'douni might so degrade himself as to become a
burden on society, or he might be a dull clout whose total life would
•or
�26-
1HE SYRIAN WORLD
amount to nil, and in his heart of heart think himself superior to
all the Sani's in existence.
This sort of mentality is not strange to those who know the
old traditions of the East. We all know of Emirs who are cab
drivers and boot-blacks in the streets of Damascus, Beirut or Baghdad.
One of the men who always attracted my attention in Beirut
was an eccentric peddler who usually stationed himself on the corner
of Bab-Edris. He sold candy and displayed a banner with queer
writings on it. I asked about him, and was told that he was an Ayyoubi, a descendant of the great Saladin! On another occasion I
was leaving Baghdad, and a beggar approached my automobile for
charity. Before I had chance to drive him away, a fairly respectable fellow came forward and chased the beggar. Then after a
minute or so he himself asked for a tip. I was surprised, and said
to him: "Only a while ago you chased that other beggar, and now
you are begging yourself, what does this mean:".
Suavely the second beggar replied: "But 1 belong to Ahl alBeit." I "understood what he meant but rebuked him and drove him
away just the same. For those who do not know what Ahl al-Beit
means, we will inform them that it means the descendants of the
Prophet Mohammed.
The blood of the Sa'douns, we are assured, is blue, very blue
indeed, and that of al-Sani's perhaps is red, or black, or whatever
the blood of slaves and artisans may be characterized.
But just here comes science to dispel another antiquated notion,
to disillusion the pride and equanimity of the master class in the
East.
For biology is positive on one point, whatever it may be on
others. It is positive that the blood of the mother has as much to
contribute to the blood constituency and color of the offspring as
that of the father.
According to the marriage customs of those aristocratic families
of the Arabs, it is not necessary for a male member of those families
to marry into the same family, or one of equal rank, not even one
of the same race. From the earliest days of Islam we have records
of marriages between noble Arabs and Greek or Persian captive women; and some of the greatest figures in Islam are children of such
unions. Even today we have members of such noble families as alBakris and Huseinis married to European ladies, and the bride's
own mother in this celebrated case is a Turk, according to account.
�27
FEBRUARY, 1932
But, according to biology, when a Sa'douni or a Bakri is married to a woman of foreign blood, or one not quite as blue, the
blood of the children is undoubtedly determined by that of the
mother and her ancestry. The old conception that a woman is
only "a vessel" for the transmission of the male's inheritable characteristics, is completely exploded and confuted by modern science;
What then becomes of the blue blood of the Sa'dounis and
others who for generations have taken for themselves the liberty
to marry wherever their fancy chose and denied that right to the
female members of their families?
A certain scholar who once undertook the fantastic task of
studying the royal family of the reigning Ottoman sultans came
out of his investigation with the assertion that not one drop in a
million in the blood of that long lineage could be called "royal."
It seems to us like a recrudescence of barbaric notions that in
this day and generation there are still people in the East who seek
to determine the destinies of half of their genre by high-handed
and arbitrarv manners that have no foundation in fact or reason.
Water and Flowers
By
AMEEN RIHANI
Here are flowers, O my Beloved,
Here are flowers;
Let us lay our hearts today
Among the flowers
Let us not be led astray
By the mirage far away;
Here is verdure, and in verdure
Love embowers.
Here are springs, O my Beloved,
Here are springs;
Let us rest and build a nest
Near the springs;
Let us cease our weary quest
For the mountains of the blest;
Here is water, and in water
Blessing sings.
�i
28
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Excavations in Syria and Iraq
Important Recent Discoveries Have Materially Added to Our
Knowledge of Origin and Progress of Civilization.
Editor's Note:—Al-Kulliyat, organ of the American University of Beirut,
summarizes in its December issue four public lectures on the progress of excavation work in Syria and Iraq delivered by Dr. Harold Ingholt, Professor
of Archaeology at the Univers;ty. The lectures epitomize almost the whole
history of these ancient lands and are here reprinted by courtesy of our esteemed Beirut contemporary with whom we heartily join in the praise of
the "generousity of the Syrian lady who established the chair of archaeology
at the American University of Beirut" and made possible the addition of
this most important subject in the University's curriculum.
By
DR. HAROLD INGHOLT
EXCAVATIONS AT PALMYRA—
JT SEEMS strange that Palmyra, now a small oasis with only
about 2000 inhabitants, once was the undisputed mistress o£
Syria, Mesopotamia, Egypt and the greater part of Asia Minor,
powerful enough under the famous queen Zenobia to give Rome
a hard fight for the supremacy of the whole of the Near East.
The abundant springs in Palmyra must early have attracted
settlers and the first mention of the city does in reality go as far
back as 1100 B. C, when it was sacked by the Assyrian king TiglatPileser. It was then called Ta-ad-mar, the exact equivalent of its
modern name, Tedmor. For many centuries nothing is heard of
the city but when it reappears in history, in Hellenistic time, it is as
a city of considerable importance. Its location between the Parthian
and Roman empires was of great political significance and during
the first three centuries of the Christian era, it became commercially
important, being one of the chief junctions for the caravans, which
brought goods from China, India and Persia to the Occident The
Palmyrene merchants were assured protection in the dangerous
desert-district by means of the famous mounted Palmyrene archers
and m return the city levied a heavy duty on all the goods which
passed through: silk, perfume, oil, etc., and also made the caravans
�to
to
>3
a>
Main Entrance to the Great Colonnaded Street in Palmyra, Once
Queen of the Syrian Desert.
.
-
.:.
.___
.
, -. -
s
�30
THE SYRIAN WORLD
pay for the right of watering their camels. As the wealth of the
city grew, magnificent buildings were erected, the ruins of which
still bear witness to Palmyra's glory. A big, colonnaded street went
through nearly the whole length of the city, the columns being
adorned with statues of prominent citizens, and the main sanctuary
of Palmyra, the temple of Bel, competed in size and splendor with
the temples of Baalbek and Damascus. The chief authority rested
with the "Senate and the People," but in the latter part of the third
century the Odainath family became more and more prominent and
finally took absolute control. When the Persians in the year 260
A. D. defeated the Roman army in Northern Syria, Palmyra's existence was also in danger, and it was the younger Odainath, who
with his Palmyrene army and the remaining Roman troops, drove
the Persians back to the other side of the Euphrates. Odainath was
later murdered in Horns (266 or 267), but at that time the whole
of Syria and Mesopotamia virtually was under Palmyrene domination, even if it nominally still belonged to Rome. Odainath's widow, Zenobia, famous for her beauty and learning, took advantage
of the next years, in which the Roman emperors had more than
enough to do in the West and having added Egypt and the greater
part of Asia Minor to the possessions of Palmyra, she felt strong
enough to declare war against Rome in the year 271.
The new Roman emperor Aurelian was a much more formidable adversary than his immediate predecessors and in spite of
heroic efforts the Palmyrene armies were defeated near Antioch
and near Horns. Palmyra was besieged and taken in March, 272,
after Zenobia herself had been taken prisoner at the end of her
audacious camel-ride across the desert.
The first excavations in Palmyra took place after the great
war when two French-Danish archaelogical missions worked there
under the direction of Durand and Ingholt (1924) and Gabriel
and Ingholt (1925).
UR OF THE CHALDEES—
A systematic excavation of this most important site, the paternal city of Abraham, was not undertaken until 1923, when an archaeological expedition, financed by the British Museum and the University Museum of Philadelphia, under the direction of the British
archaeologist, C. L. Woolley, started work on the huge mound.
The oldest layers were found in the 1929 campaign, on the
bottom of a 12 nr. deep shaft, containing flint artefacts and pottery
�FEBRUARY, 1932
31
with geometric decoration on a characteristic brown or greenish surface. Above this level lay for 2^m.a layer of homogeneous clay,
free from any foreign particles. This layer can only have been
deposited by a huge flood, which may be the same as the Biblical
deluge.
The most impressive building cleared by the excavators was
the "Ziggurat," the tower-like temple of Ur, built by king UrNammii, who lived about 2300 B. C. The building, which is all
made of brick, sundried in the core, burnt bricks on the outside, consists of three rectangular platforms with tapering walls, the lowest
black, the second red, and the top one blue. Fragments of a stele
were found in another temple representing the king, Ur-Nammu,
sacrificing to the moon-goddess, Ningal, and the moon-god, Nannar, and receiving the order from this last deity to build just that
same "Ziggurat."
The richest and most surprising finds were made in an old
necropolis, in which Woolley discovered a number of royal tombs
dating from about 3200 to 3000 B. C. A beautiful gold dagger,
the lapis-lazuli handle of which was studded with golden beads and
the hilt done in exquisite filigree-work, bore witness to the marvelous skill of the Sumerian goldsmiths, as also a golden helmet,
found in the tomb of a certain Meskalamdug. In another tomb a
beautiful mosaic came to light, mounted on two pieces of wood and
representing the Sumerian army in action and a feast at the royal
court. The most interesting tombs, however, were those of Abargi
and his queen Shub'ad, in which for the first time clear evidence
was found of human sacrifices as part of the Sumerian funeral rites.
In Abargi's tomb no less than fifty-nine skeletons were found in
definite and appropriate positions, so that one might suppose that
the soldiers, the grooms, and the court-ladies had been marshalled
in order and cut down where they stood. The ladies had very
ornate head-dresses: gold-ribbon, four wreaths of gold leaf pendants and one of lapis lazuli and gold beads were wound around
the head and at the back a large "Spanish comb" of gold, its seven
points ending in rosettes with gold and lapis centres. Beautiful
fluted gold vessels, gaming boards, harps, a silver boat for the king's
last voyage and a very naturalistic donkey and bull, respectively
of electron and silver, originally placed as mascots on the rein—ring*
of the chariots, further rewarded the careful excavators. Similar
finds were made in other tombs and as the excavations are still
going on, we may expect still many finds of importance for the
early history of Mesopotamia.
-
�*C£S •*.
**" "'
US
Co
ft
5
The Massive Sarcophagus of King Ahiram Discovered at Jebeil in
Lebanon. The Cover Bears the Oldest Known Inscription in the
Phoenician Alphabet and Dates Back to the Thirteenth Century B.C.
o
to
i
�.
to
Pa
S
Pa
Some of the Archeological Treasures of the National Museum of Beirut.
m - N WHiPI .-i*.-J»:
t*4
�I
-"
34
THE SYRIAN WORLD
BYBLOSWhen Renan arrived in Syria in 1860 the first place he chose
to excavate was Byblos, the present Djebeil, no doubt prompted by
the most important role Byblos had played in antiquity, not only
as the chief sea-port for the export of timber to Egypt, but also
as center of the Osiris and Adonis cult in Syria, the temple of Byblos being known as one of the oldest in the world.
Excavations on a larger scale were, however, not undertaken
until after the great war. From 1921 to 1924 the French Egyptologist, Montet, worked there, after him Dunand, and it is not too
much to say that no excavation in Syria has produced richer or more
important results.
Besides tomb deposits of about 3000 B. C, Montet found
what probably is the site of the old temple, and there a number of
most interesting foundation deposits containing vases, cylinders,
ivories, bronzes, scarabs, jewels, all dating from before 2000 B. C.
Several sculptures representing gods or kings of Byblos were also
found within the temple enclosure.
A landslide revealed in 1922 a royal tomb belonging to the
king Abishemu, contemporary with the Egyptian pharao Amenemhet III (1850-1800 B.C.). Even if it had been robbed in antiquity
several interesting pieces were still left: a beautiful obsidian cup
set in gold, the silver "tea-pot," a pair of silver sandals, a golden
weapon in form similar to a sickle, the so-called "harpe," etc ;
the remarkable golden jewels, which by way of Jerusalem and Chicago have come back to Syria and were acquired by the National
Museum in Beirut, probably also have come from the same tomb:
bracelets, rings, a pectoral with the sacred Hathor-cow, and a gilded
bronze bull. Other royal tombs were found near by; one belonged
to king Ypshemuabi, son of king Abishemu, and contained a beautiful obsidian casket, a golden pectoral and pendants, a magnificent
harpe inscribed with the king's name, a silver knife and a silver
mirror with papyrus-handle of gold. The fifth tomb of the group
proved to be the most important of all. It was built for king Ahiram, who lived in the first half of the 13th century B. C. and
whose sarcophagus was found unimpaired in the funeral chamber.
Represented on the sarcophagus was found the king himself, seated
on a throne and receiving homage from his servants; on the two
small sides wailing women tear their hair and beat their breasts.
On the lid the king is seen blessing his son Itoba'al. The sarcophagus in itself, with its mixtures of Assyrian, Egyptian and Phoe\
�FEBRUARY, 1932
35
nician influences, is a most important archaeological document, but
its importance is further enhanced by the Phoenician inscription
engraved on it. The oldest inscription in alphabetical letters was
until then the one on the Mesa-stone, from about 850 B. C, but the
Ahiram one goes back still 400 years and gives us the oldest
alphabetical inscription known, the prototypes of the letters, which
we use today, and with which this article is written.
MINET EL-BEIDA AND RAS SHAMRA—
A subterranean tomb, built of large stone slabs, was found in
1928 by a farmer ploughing his field at Minet el-Beida, a small
natural harbour 13 k. m. north of Lattakiah. The Cypriote vases
left in the tomb and the Cretan character of architecture seemed
to justify further researches, and in 1929 work was begun there by
the two French archaeologists, Schaeffer and Chenet. The excavations soon revealed the great importance of the site in antiquity,
when it was the chief harbour on the Syrian coast for the Cypriote
export of copper, to the Near East.
In Minet el-Beida two burial-grounds were found, one with
many animal bones, deposits of pottery, dating from the 13th centuary B. C, and near a small wall two bronze statuettes of the
Egyptian falcon, the one inlaid with silver, a statuette of a god,
may be the Phoenician weather-and-war-god Reshef, and a gold
pendant of a nude goddess, probably Astarte. In the other necropolis the excavators found tombs similar to the one brought to
light by the fellah, and in one of these a beautiful ivory lid, probably of a toilet-paint box, representing the Cretan goddess of
fertility, flanked by two goats.
On Ras Shamra, the acropolis of Minet el-Beida, the excavators cleared a temple, in and near which a number of interesting
Egyptian sculptures were found, as also two steles with representation of the Bacal and Ba'alat of Sapuna, the ancient name of the
city. But the most important find was that of the library, with
tablets written in Akkadian, Sumerian, and an enigmatic language.
These last tablets have now been deciphered (Bauer, Dhorme and
Virolleaud) and proved to be written in the Phoenician language
with twenty-eight alphabetic signs taken from the cuneiform signsyestem. An epic poem of eight hundred lines is among the texts
discovered, and it will, when published, no doubt give us most welcome information about the Phoenician civilization of the 14th
tentury B. C.
\
\
�Sa
36
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Syria in Romance
The Brethren
By
RIDER HAGGARD
Condensed by
DAGNY EDWARDS
(Continued from December)
Days went by and one hot July night the brethren sat in their
.camp gazing from the mountain top across the plains toward Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee. The next day they were to advance
across the desert plain to battle with Saladin, who lay above Tiberias. As they sat there, Godwin had a vision wherein he saw Saladin walking to and fro alone in the royal pavilion. Godwin read
his thought.
It was: "Behind me the Jordan and the Sea of Galilee,
into which, if my flanks were turned, I should be driven, I and all
my host. In front the territories of the Franks, I have no friend;
and by Nazareth their great army. Allah alone can help me. If
they sit still and force me to advance across the desert and attack
them before my army melts away, then I am lost. If they advance
upon me round the Mountain Tabor and by the watered land, I
may be lost. But if, oh! if Allah should make them mad, and they
should strike straight across the desert then, then they are lost, and
the reign of the Cross in Syria is forever at an end. I will wait
here. I will wait here."
Awaking, Godwin told his tale to the king, and all his pleading
prayers, and those of the bishop and Wulf, who saw truth in the
dream, could not change his mind to hold the army. Advancing in
war, the dream was fulfilled terribly, to the extent that one of the
most hideous rights in the history of the world took place, on the
battlefields of Hattin, which broke the power of the Christians in
the East. Wulf settled his score with Prince Hassan for the killing
of his uncle and the poisoned wine, by killing Hassan on the battlefield. But before death took him, Hassan in all friendliness toward
Wulf gave him the badge of his House, the famous star jewel,
that was to stand the brethren and Rosamund in good stead, later,
when they sought to make their escape.
�FEBRUARY, 1932
2?
Awaiting her chance, Masouda instructed the brethren how
Z?M8ht,efape.fr°m.Sakdin's camP> ^ which they were to
pay Masouda s assistant in the plot, the jewel of Hassan. Rosan0t
Slightest detai1 lest in a cas
ToliT
Z before
?Td they
°u thewere
»y Abdul
* they
should be caught
well away. ' That night,
ih°,reckei!ed ^he jewel, was captured and confessed that he
f
th£ P n
C6rtain arden 0
cal
Wh morning
°
"gcame,
?, f ?, f° awas
the
camp. When
Abdullah
dead,g he gave^
no more
of the plan away, but Godwin, Wulf, and the ladies were brought
before the wrath of Saladin, who, however, could not punish them
since there was no direct evidence against the brethren. Finallv
an imam of the Sultan consulted with him. Saladin was pleased
paving the court the imam returned presently with two small'
couTd f°jISa"dalwood tied with silk and sealed, so alike that none
ky thC JeWd kll Wn aS the Star
d
Luc rf I W aPar^ HaS
JB 0nC' m
°
the ther
a ebble of
wlh,
V
7was asked
f "j to give° a box^
P of herthe
same
weight. Rosamund
to each
cousins.
He who had the jewel should die. Beseeching Saladin to be less
cruel and spare her the task, Rosamund was forced to present the
boxes to her cousins, each taking the box nearer to him Opening
nf'w?^
Ileanu"g enchanted Star of Hassan fell to the feel
oi Wulf, as Rosamund cried out,
"Not Wulf! Not Wulfl"
Then it was that the brethren knew which she loved
Later that afternoon, Godwin offered Saladin his life as the
guilty one in place of Wulf; and though loathe to believe him, the
h S Wi8h
biddi
^a
he T^T
ThCnMasouda
"S farewdl
^ Rwho
"d
(as he
thought, for ,t' was -really
in disguise,
again
planned Rosamund's escape, and showed her love for Godwfn
t0 SPeak
Wdf Wh
the d
when'sld° Cntered
^that
vault,'
when Saladin came "in, andi°spoke to them
both saying
he
refused such sacrifice as Godwin was about to make, andfmce thev
were brave men, he would much prefer to kill them in war. Making them a gift of fine horses, he bade them go to Jerusalem where
they might meet again within its streets, in war
agai R0SamU id made her CSCape thr0U h the
of
,
> was£ brought
-genuity
J
of MSoud
Masouda. R
Rosamund; dressed
as Masouda,
by the
latter's uncle Son of the Sand, to Godwin and Wulf in Jerusalem
Ihey placed Rosamund ,n a sanctuary with the nuns of the Holv
Cross, where none would ever dare drag her. Then Godwin fear-
camo Lhefeh °\ ^TSleft behi»d> -turned to Saladin's
camp, for he felt a strange love for that fearless young woman who
\
X
�=—?m
38
THE SYRIAN WORLD
braved death for love of him. Through the trickery of the Sultan
and his imam, who led Godwin to believe that Masouda, though
their prisoner, was well and alive, he entered the prison vault, and
there to his horror and grief found Masouda dead. Then he knew
that he truly loved her, even as she had loved and died for him.
Stung by the mockery of the imam, the same who had planned the
casting of the lots, Godwin smote his eye out with a silver lamp,
then falling across the corpse of Masouda, he lay sick for a long
time.
The siege of the Holy City had begun, and slaughter waged
on both sides. As Godwin lay resting in camp, wondering what the
outcome of the struggle would be, he remembered Saladin's vision,
that through Rosamund much slaughter should be spared. Seizing
an opportunity, Godwin broached the subject to Saladin, who greatly vexed, would not listen to him, although as he left the tent, he
pondered the matter.
Several days later, Godwin by his own wish, though still in
the camp of Saladin, was ordained a priest by the hand of the Bishop
Egbert, amidst the triumphant servants of Mohamet, who rejoiced
at the approaching downfall of the Cross.
Misery and despair settled over the tens of thousands of
fugitives within Jerusalem, and finally the Sultan declared that
only on condition that Rosamund surrender to him that he might
deal with her as she deserved, would he have anything to say to
the embassy sent to discuss terms with him. Then was Rosamund's
hiding place discovered, and the men came to plead with her to return, but she staunchly refused.
The battle went on and on, the people ever suffering new terrors, fearing momentary death. Again they pleaded with Saladin;
again he refused to deal with them till Rosamund surrendered, but
even as he listened to their pleadings for mercy, did he think that
this was the massacre of which he dreamed—eighty thousand lives.
Prayers and sobs mingled with the cries of the people outside
the convent, came to Rosamund as once more they besought her
to go to Saladin. A final message came to her there, from him, telling that if she came to him willingly he would consider the question
of the sparing of Jerusalem and its inhabitants. If she refused,
everyone, save those women and children who might be kept as
slaves, would be put to the sword. Listening to the pleading all
around her, from the Queen Sybilla, the women, children, knights ;
and lords, Rosamund asked Wulf, would he have her die. "Alas!" '
�I
FEBRUARY, 1932
30
he answered, "It is hard to speak. Yet they are many, you are one."
lhen Rosamund of her own will declared that that too was her
wish, and prepared to go. But Wulf declared that he must die with
her, and thus they made confession of their sins before the priest
received absolution and the sacrament for the dying, while all in
the church knelt and prayed, as for souls that pass. So the solemn
ritual ended, and they entered the presence of the Sultan, kneeling
to
before him.
The Sultan heard them speak that Rosamund was ready to pay
the price, to fulfill his vision, and spare the city, and for its blood
he should accept hers as a token and offering. Then did Salah-eddin show his mercy. The terms of his treaty were fair; he was just
and kind, even paying out of his own treasury the ransoms of hundreds of ladies whose husbands and fathers had fallen in battle.
_ For forty days, Rosamund and Wulf lay in separate prisons
awaiting death, while the ransoms outlined in the treaty of peace
were being paid; and when it was over, Saladin took possession of
me city. 1 he Crescent had triumphed over the Cross in Jerusalem
As the camp broke up at length, Rosamund and Wulf were
summoned before the Sultan. Dressed in festive robes, Rosamund
knew not what to think as the ladies of the court clad her in fine
linen and put over it gorgeous, broidered garments and a royal
mantle of purple, and brought her to Salah-ed-din. As she stepped
within his presence, trumpets blew, and a herald cried: "Way for
the high sovereign lady and Princess of Baalbec'" And again they
med, "Way for the brave and noble Frankish knight, Sir Wulf
D Arcy!
And thus Saladin restored to Rosamund her title and
estate, and further, led them to the Convent, where stood a Christ1
P
st t0 PCrf rm the marria e servi
M u-I
°
S
ce. As the service ended the
old bishop withdrew, and another hooded monk uttered the benediction. His hood fell back, and there stood Godwin, the priest!
Once again they stood before Saladin, and this time he declared
that they had drunk the dregs of their cups; the doom which he
decreed for Rosamund had been accomplished, and now that they
were man and wife, they were free to do as they wished, whether
they desired to enjoy their rank and wealth in the East or return
to England. Bewildered and happy the pair chose to return to their
home across the sea, but Godwin, in his newly found joy in the
Cross, declared that he would stay in Jerusalem, and serve the
Cross, that was down, but not forever.
Then bidding Wulf farewell, Godwin was gone.
T-,
Ml HHM
�40
THE SYRIAN WORLD
TRVE ARABIAN TA
W. I+AM6
THE CHANCE MEETING IN THE OASIS
TRIBE of 'Uzra was renowned among the Arabs for the
THE
intensity and purity of its love. " 'Uzra love" was synonimous
with Platonic love in the highest sense. It was a sacred tradition
among the 'Uzraites to love intensely, but in a manner that would
exact the strictest abstention from physical indulgence. No other
Arab tribe had the reputation for devotion in love to equal that of
'Uzra.
The tales of love among the men of 'Uzra are many. Often
they ended in stark tragedy because of the fierce stoicism which
would countenance no weakening in the traditional abstinence. The
following tale, however, is a happy exception. It is related on the
authority of the well-known Arab traditionist 'Amru Ibn Rabi'a
and is here retold in his own words.
Said 'Amru:
Ju'd Ibn Muhje', of the tribe of 'Uzra, was a young poet who
enjoyed a wide reputation both for his intense love as well as for the
traditional reserve of his tribe. He was in the habit of making an
annual pilgrimage to Mecca, where his appearance was anxiously
awaited by a group of poetry lovers and intellectuals who formed
a steadily growing circle about him. For he was also a prolific entertainer with erudite and well authenticated Arab folk tales.
One year, during the pilgrimage season, Ju'd failed to make
an appearance and his absence was greatly felt. I took it upon myself to make inquiries about him and sought the camp of the 'Uzraites for the purpose. I made my object plain to the first group
upon whom I came, and a man from among them emitted a sigh
�FEBRUARY, 1932
41
and quote the well-known verse which signifies desperation in love:
By thy l,fe I swear that my love for Asma
Will neither drive me to die in despair,
Nor set me free to live in peace.
Alarmed I asked the man if anything had befallen Tu'd and to
"or ZTl "^ m~*a*?> he -plied in a spirit of contemptTat
±or me to be so anxious about him only meant that I was of his ilk
wandering in a trackless desert of corruption and ignorance
'
And who may you be to so condemn my friend?" I asked
1 am his brother," was his curt reply.
The year following, at the same season, I found mvself at
Urfa among a group of pilgrims from the <Uzra trite and I
noticed particularly a young man who had almost become un'cog
mzable through his emaciation. Although erect, he seemed noting
but skin and bone, a shadow of his former self. I was Tie tf
recognize him as Ju'd only through his familiar came]T When I
greeted him and asked him of his condition, he emitted uch a deen
sigh that I-thought his soul would depart with it. I hen Lght to
divert him by impressing on him the sacredness of the occasion and
the necessity of prayer. He prayed until sundown, and when he
had finished I heard him exclaim,
"O Allah, the compassionate' the mercifull Be thou mv <mn
The oL^
thC ,Md thM ta
«*«» «P0« « sint thela^f
to me tot he would confide all to IZ^T^^*
That evening, when we were alone, I again asked him £
explanation as to the cause of his exclamatic££t Itmenhat'
he unburdened his heart and recounted to me' the folWing story
my mater,Ml u
8
tribe
KjbC who,
l ^T^
**?
»*s are
tribe J
of Kalb,
aside from
being men of renuhtin,,
f of.uthe
•
them custodians f my
up zfe as?
° p p-y -dts
lay in my path. I had food and drink in sumrienrv 27 £
having partaken of my needs, I reclined to e^yfeme ^
�42
THE SYRIAN WORLD
of the hospitable palms, when from the distance rose a commotion
that attracted my attention. I looked, and there was a horseman
who was chasing a gazelle with such dash and dexterity as to excite
my admiration. For a time I watched the chase with interest, and
finally the hunter not only gained on the quarry, but felled it with
a lance thrust, as if disdaining the bow and arrow. Nor did he,
to my surprise, occupy himself with the task of recovering the carcass, as if his only interest was in the love of the sport. And to
my further surprise, the hunter, having achieved his aim, came
trotting leisurely in my direction apparently seeking the shelter of
the oasis.
"Our first meeting was most cordial. The young man, for
such he appeared to me, proved of most charming presence and conversation. He was not only erudite and conversant with Arab poetry
and folk lore, but of such captivating demeanor as to betray a
feminine charm. Thus we spent a pleasant hour until the hunter
arose to adjust the saddle of his horse, in which operation his armour
partly shifted, displaying the beauty of two breasts that put
ivory to shame in their firmness and translucency. The attempt to
a hasty concealment was abortive, and to my question if she were a
woman the reply came in the affirmative, but with the qualification
that she was one of extreme chastity, although not averse to liberal
conversation.
"And in this we indulged. The scope of the maiden's knowledge
was a revelation to me, and the charm of her manner had on me
the effect of intoxicating wine. Sometime later, overcome by the
heat of the day and the effect of her strenuous labors, she reclined
and fell into peaceful slumber. For a long time I watched over
her, drinking in her beauty with an avidity that was heightened by
the quiet of the place and the strangeness of the occasion. I want
to confess to you that often did I resolve to forswear chastity for
the strong temptation that lay before me, but recalling the tradition of my tribe, and invoking the honor of manhood, I finally
overcame the weakness.
"When she finally awoke and was preparing to leave I asked
permission to visit her, but she protested that her father and brothers were exceedingly strict and of high temper, and all I could
hope for was a chance meeting.
"She then departed, and never since have I seen her. But her
memory lingers with me and my love for her has reduced me to
a skeleton, as you see. It was because I was so weak last year that I
could not attend the pilgrimage."
" : :
.
-,:
-
'•
�FEBRUARY, 1932
43
The tale of the love-stricken young poet touched my heart
and I resolved to contrive for his salvation. I prevailed upon him
to accompany me to the tents of his uncles and there sought the
father of his beloved. I had provided myself with a thousand
dinars in money, a silk robe and a beautifully designed green tent.
The preliminary exchanges of salutations were brief and I hastened to explain to the father that the purpose of my mission was to
ask the hand of his daughter in marriage, to which he replied that I
was more than welcome.
"It is not for myself that I make the request," I protested,
"but rather in favor of your nephew whom I consider to be equally
as worthy."
"Unquestionably he is," he parried in a rather impatient manner, "but if you must insist we will leave the final choice to the
maiden."
I was about to interpose an objection when Ju'd motioned
me to acquiesce, and to my great relief and elation, the girl did express her preference for her friend.
Immediately I made a gift of the silk robe and the tent to the
father and presented the thousand dinars as the girl's dowery, insisting that the marriage ceremony be performed forthwith.
Early on the morrow I met Ju'd and asked him how he had
fared. "No man can be happier than I," he said, "because Selma
expressed towards me a reciprocal feeling that made me forget all
my past sufferings."
With this I felt that I had been amply repaid. I extended to
the young lovers my congratulations and departed.
Freedom and Slavery
By
KHALIL GIBRAN
You are free before the sun of the day,
and free before the stars of the nightj
And you are free when there is no sun
and no moon and no star.
You are even free when you close your
eyes upon all there is
Hut you are a slave to him whom you
love because you love him,
And a slave to him who loves you
because he loves you.
�44
THE SYRIAN WORLD
EDITORIAL COMMENT
APOLOGY
Although every possible effort
has been made to maintain the
regular publication schedule of
the Syrian World, unavoidable
difficulties have retarded the appearance of the February number
to the middle of March. The
lapse will be corrected with the
coming issues.
HARD TIMES
One would like not to discuss
the economic depression. It is
unpleasant to be reminded -of
such painful subjects. The effect is to depress the spirit and
undermine the energy. After
all, the wise ones will tell you,
our ills are only psychological.
The coffers of savings banks are
overflowing with money, only it
needs" to be put in circulation.
Talk prosptrity and you will
have it!
All of which is very good if it
were only practical.
Closed factories, stagnant markets, empty cupboards, with millions of unemployed and hundreds of thousands dependent
upon public charity, are all too
serious and concrete matters to
be treated lightly and delegated
to the class of the ephemereal
and psychological.
Such crises the world has experienced before and emerged
therefrom safe but wiser.
It
would be ridiculous to expect that
the result in the present case
would prove otherwise. In the
commonest way of expressing it,
the world is not coming to an
end. A solution will eventually
be found, although the world
will have to readjust itself to
new conditions. But just what
form the solution will take no
one has yet been able to tell. The
Bolsheviks claim that in their
formula lies the world's only
salvation, while the rest of the
world still hold a diametrically
opposite view. One thing is certain, and it is that such conditions as those which brought about the abnormal and unsound
prosperity which led to the correspondingly heavy depression
cannot be suffered to remain.
There was an orgy that had to
come to an end sometime, and
people who had settled down to
the snug assurance that the bubble could continue along the process of inflation without bursting
will have to face the painful task
of disillusionment.
The important question is:
What will happen in the mean-
mmem
�FEBRUARY, 1932
time?
The economic pressure is already straining heavily at family ties. Parents who cannot now
provide as was their wont, and
children who fancy themselves
deprived of what they had been
accustomed to having as a matter of course, although they
themselves are not productive,
suffer a painful present and vision a dark future. In this case
it is safe to assume that the development of a sorely needed
sturdiness in character will prove
a welcome result from the travail of the depression.
Then there are the national
governments that are sorely
pressed in the task of balancing
their budgets. Large corporate
enterprises, with national and international ramifications, who
had been looked upon as towers
of strength in the world financial
structure, are facing a similar
predicament.
But the most pathetic case is
that of the small man, the one
who through systematic savings
and self-denials accumulated a
small capital with which to open
a shop, a store, or some other industrial or commercial undertaking. He had felt the security of independence through the
individual enterprise he had
painstakingly built up. By the
assiduous cultivation of personal,
contacts and the assurance of
honest individual service he had
45
every reason to believe that he
had a claim on the constant patronage of his clientele. We may
imagine such a man's distress
when through the forced curtailment in expenditures on the part
of his customers, he is reduced
to a position of utter helplessness. For he is neither fit by
training nor capable by former
connections to find other means
of earning a livelihood.
The Syrians in America fall
mostly in the latter category.
Their native initiative prompted
them to seek independent means
of gain which in the majority of
cases were confined to individual
enterprises. That they have not
suffered severely so far may be
attributed principally to their
sense of thrift and their mutual
helpfulness.
During the past few months
a score or more public affairs
were held by the Syrians of New
1 ork City for purposes of charity, and many more are planned.
Similar activities are being constantly reported from almost all
sections of the country.
This constitutes about the only
cheerful news in the otherwise
dark situation. But people would
much prefer to give work in exchange for money than be the
recipients of charity. It may be
said for the Syrians that their
pride would prevent them from
appealing for charity except at
the last extremity.
The fact
�mam..
46
that public affairs are being held
so frequently with the avowed
purpose of alleviating the distress of needy Syrians would indicate that that point of desperation has already been reached.
WHICH SHALL SURVIVE
THE SYRIAN WORLD
tion, edited by Miss Najla Bellamah of Canada, and the only
Arabic feminist publication in
North America, was forced to
suspend before it could run out
the cycle of a full year. It must
be said to its credit that it reimbursed paid subscribers for the
difference due them, but this act
of extreme honesty is poor consolation for the lack of adequate
support for a worthy publication.
Character, a literary Arabic magazine of New York, now in its
tenth year, will suspend "until
such time as conditions warrant
resumption."
During the past few months
the scythe of the depression has
mowed down several worthy and,
in some instances, long established Arabic publications, both
in America and abroad. By virThe daily papers so far have
tue of long and meritorious ser- not been affected except in that
vice some of the defunct period- they are issuing continuous apicals had come to be looked peals, which alternate between
upon as established institutions. threats and pleadings, for the
Most of them, however, had the collection of subscriptions. One
misfortune of being serious or- of them has set a premium of
gans of opinion or scholarly re- 10% discount for payment of
search.
back accounts within a given perLughat-Al-Arab - (The Arabic iod. Another is willing to give
Tongue) of Baghdad, announced as much as 50%.
its suspension because of lack of
When, on the other hand, one
support, although it was consi- reads that such old and supposeddered over a long period one of ly popular publications in the
the foremost sources of authority American field such as Judge and
on Arabic phylology.
The Police Gazette are forced inAl-Khalidat, of New York, to bankruptcy, one is surprised
could not weather the economic that the ratio of mortality among
storm although its editor, Rev. Arabic publications is not higher
Archimandrite Antony Bashir, as than what it has proved to be so
a prolific writer and itinerant far. But we have not yet reachmissionary, was considered to en- ed the end, as the wise ones who
joy exceptional advantages.
view the depression dispassionAl-Fajr, a bi-lingual publica- ately will tell you.
n
�FEBRUARY, 1932
47
AND NOW OUR CASE
DEPARTMENTS
Perhaps it would not be malThe Poetry Department has
apropos to make an allusion here been as regular in its appearance
to^the predicament of the Syrian as the great nocturnal luminary
World. We seem to fare none which is the poet's inspiration.
better than the publications pre- Ever since Miss Barbara Young
viously mentioned. As a pioneer assumed editorship of the departin its field, The Syrian World ment not a single issue has apmay even be going through a peared but had the beautiful faharder struggle than all the miliar heading and the varied
others, owing to the necessity of but consistently excellent materconducting virgin missionary ial. And may we not reiterate
work. Some day we might give that this is a labor of love that
out the full secret of -how we Miss Young has imposed upon
manage to keep the flickering herself and adheres to faithfullight of life burning. That day ly? In plain words, she who commight come either when we reg- mands a handsome price for her
ister a decisive triumph or have literary work has been willing
to lay down our arms in defeat. to make this regular and sustainWe are now navigating the tur- ed contribution free out of her
bulent, eddies of the midstream, deep feeling of friendship for
—the exact middle of our year
the Lebanese and Syrians whom
and between now and the end of she came to know and appreciate
the year we should know how the through our great Gibran of
tide will flow.
whom she was the devoted
One thing is certain. It is that friend . In a future issue, we
we shall never give up if only we expect to make an important anare shown reasonable support. nouncement relative to Miss
Not, to be sure, to make the con- } oung's forthcoming trip to Betinued publication profitable, but charre, Gibran's native town in
only to make the loss bearable. Lebanon.
Delinquent subscribers can ease
the task by prompt remittance,
With this issue the editorship
and those of our enthusiastic
of "Our Younger Generation"
friends who were shocked at the
department will change hands.
possibility
of | discontinuance
To the former editor, Mr. A.
when we put the question to a
Hakim, is due our sincere expublic referendum last year,
pression of thanks for his connow have occasion to validate
scientious and able efforts during
their promises of effective supthe period of his. incumbency,
port.
and it is with reluctance that we
-
' f-'-
HHH
�48
have to concede to his wish to relinquish his self-imposed task.
He has been a constant and loyal friend of the Syrian World,
and there could be no reason to
doubt the validity of the reasons
prompting his resignation.
We are happy to announce,
however, the substitution of an
equally able editor in charge of
this department in the person of
Miss Edna K. Saloomey. To
hear each laud the qualifications
of the other when the two met
in the office of the Syrian World,
one would have difficulty in
choosing between them. What
we consider the more weighty
argument is the one advanced by
the retiring editor in favor of his
successor. Miss Saloom'ey, he
pointed out, is the more logical
person to conduct the department because she is American
born and retains nevertheless all
those finer racial qualities that
are characteristically Syrian.
With a deep understanding of
and appreciation for our wholesome traditions, combined with
her natural sympathy for her
generation and her keen insight
into their problems, her personal advantages as well as her
greater possibilities for service in
the department become obvious.
We can appreciate the reasons
which have caused some irregularity in the Home and Family
Department. We are glad, how-
THE SYRIAN WORLD
ever, to communicate to our
readers the promise of the editor,
Sitt Bahia-Al-Musheer, to be not
only punctual in future, but even
more generous with her excellent
material.
Rev. W. A. Mansur lives up
to his reputation of mentor of
the Syrian-American youth. In
his article published in this issue,
the first he has contributed for
our current year, he brings out
the high lights of Phoenician history which he points out as a
rich heritage of which our younger generation should feel proud
and which it behooves them to
remember. Neither the learned
divine writes, nor do we publish,
such material in a spirit of boastfulness. It is authentic history
that has a direct bearing on our
racial status, and of which we
should be reminded for the very
excellent raesons given by the
author.
The poet in Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin will not be downed. His
inspiration this time is the popular Arabic song which corresponds to the English "Home,
Sweet Home." In rendering it
into English verse, Dr. Alkazin
has succeeded not only in making
almost a verbatim translation, but
has also preserved the exact
rhythm of the original so that
the English version may be sung
to the tune of the Arabic with
the same melodious effect.
n
�MB
FEBRUARY, 1932
ELECTIONS IN SYRIA
LEAD TO BLOODSHED
The general elections which High
Commissioner Ponsot ordered held in
Syria following his return from Europe with a view to the establishment
of a stable government able to enter
into negotiations with France for the
definite stttlement of the Syrian question, and which resulted in bitter and
bloody struggles between the National;sts and the Moderates, were postponed in Damascus and other Syrian
cities pending the return of order.
According to reports in the latest
Syrian mail, the resumption of the
elections was tentatively set for the
early part of March, but so far the
French H-'gh Commissioner has not
committed himself to any definite date.
The troublesome question is whether
the Nationalists will concede the legality of the returns if the elections
are conducted by the present government, inasmuch as they claim that
undue influence is being exercised by
the authorities to support the government t;cket. Apparently reliable reports from Damascus indicate that
the Nationalists have finally decided
to take part in the elections because
the three principal cities where the
elections have been deferred, namely
Damascus, Hama and Duma, are their
conceded strongholds.
That the Nationalists have reached
such a decision is an indication that
they have conceded defeat in the elections, as the general results cannot be
materially altered by the returns of
the three remaining cities. But on
49
what conditions they have agreed to
participate remains unknown.
Disturbances cont;nue to be reported in various parts of the country
as a result of the elections, especially
in Aleppo. Demonstrations of a violent nature are reported to have taken
place in the latter city resulting in a
score of casualties. The Nationalists
are said to have reciuited school
children of tender age to stage antigovernment demonstrations.
Because political demonstrations
often are organized after religious
services in the mosques, where agitators take advantage of unrestricted
right of congregation and speach to
arouse the crowds, police have taken
unusual precautions to deal with this
kind of disturbances. Some police
units have been fitted out with helmets and breast-plates to ward off
missiles such as clubs and stones, but
to further enchance their effectiveness, they have been supplied with
overshoes which they are required to
carry as a part of their regular equipment. To those unacquainted with
the traditions of the East this action
may seem puzzling, but the purpose
becomes obvious when it is recalled
that Moslems, upon entering the
mosques, are required to shed off
their shoes, and in the case of visiting strangers, they are required to do
likewise or to don overshoes. Naturally it is quicker and more convenient for the police to sl;p on their
overshoes when forcing entry into the
courts of the mosques to quell disturbances. Hence the regulation of
carrying this apparently indispens-
�1 <
50
THE SYRIAN WORLD
able adjunct to the maintenance of
peace and order in the East.
Conditions in Aleppo have taken
such a serious turn that French military authorities have had to take over
the handling of the s4tuation. A state
akin to martial law now exists in the
city with military detachments patrolling the streets and tanks and machine
guns stationed at strategic positions.
The commercial activities in the cityare at almost a standstill and men of
all classes are said not to dare to venture out except armed.
Each of the so-called moderate and
extreme Nationalists have protested
to the authorities against the alleged
provocative actions of the other, and
what was expected to be the free
expression cf the will of the people
at the polls threatens to develop into
bloody partisan feuds.
A regrettable incident which threatens to cause international complications was the murder of a Franciscan
monk of Italian nationality, who was
set upon unawares and felled by a
dagger thrust in the back. The Italian consul immediately lodged a protest with the mandatory authorities.
POLITICAL FUTURE
M. Lavastre, accredited representative of M. Ponsot in Aleppo, is reported to have declared in a speech he
made to a political assemblage in
that city that France entertains only
the friendliest feelings for Syria;
that it proposes to have it enjoy much
more than the degree of national independence granted to Iraq, and that
only the stubborn obduracy of the intransigent Nationalists for the past
ten years has stood in the way of
France carrying out sooner its benevolent intentions. As proof of France's
sincere intentions he cited the fact
that she had actually effected the
liberation of many nations, including
Poland. He expressed the belief that
the time for the execution of France's
plans in Syria cannot now be far distant since the moderate' Nationalists,
who were victors in the elections, have
displayed a better understanding of
the only policy which will redound to
Syria's interest and be compatible at
the same time with that of France.
COMING PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTIONS IN LEBANON
Cond;tions in Lebanon seem to be
dragging along in the same manner
existing ever since the establ-'shment
of the republic. During the past six
years the people have come to realize
the benefits of the republican form of
government and to rest on it the:r
pclitical future. About the only serious reason for complaint has been
the excessive taxation necessary to
support a top-heavy administrative
structure wh'ch seems out of keeping
with the size and the resources of the
country. For a country of less than
a million population there is a Representative Assembly composed of fortysix members, a full-sized cabinet patterned on the order of those of the
great powers, a nr'litary organization
and an army of employees most of
whom are admittedly sinecures. The
pressing problem of Lebanon at present would seem to effect the administrative reforms necessary to bring
about the sorely needed economy. This
issue is figuring prominently in the
platforms of the fispirants to the
Presidency, with all indications pointing to the success of M. Enrle Eddy,
a former Premier Who had devised
such a program and was defeated by a
coalition of deputies who had much
to lose by the success of his policies.
It must be remembered that the Lebanese constitution follows closely that
of France in that the Chamber elects
the President. This circumstance, in
�FEBRUARY, 1932
51
the case of Lebanon, would give the
official summer residence.
mandatory authorities the decid-ng
During the stress and uncertainties
voice in the choice of the President
of
the World War, however, the late
inasmuch as half the deputies are
Patriarch
Howayek was forcibly reappointed by the mandatory power
moved
from
his official residence by
and it may be taken for granted that
Jamal
Pasha,
then Turkish military
those deputies follow instructions.
governor
of
Syria,
and was about to
The elections will be held about
be
sent
to
exile
but
for the timely
May 20 at the close of the second
intervention
of
the
Pope
and the
term of President Chas. Dabbas. The
Austrian Emperor.
constitution has been amended so that
At the close of the war Patriarch
m future the President's term will be
Howayek
deliberately broke the tradisix instead of three years.
tion of confinement and seclusion by
going in person to attend the VerPATRIARCH VISITS BEIRUT
sailles negotiations for peace land
there plead for Lebanon's secession
The newly elected Maronite Patfrom Turkey and its placing under
riarch followed the precedent esta- French mandate.
blished by his predecessor in making
When, later, upon the appointment
personally an official visit to the
of
Gen. Gouraud first French High
French High Commissioner at the capital. The visit was made on Feb. 11 Commissioner for Syria and Lebanon,
and was attended by a great popular Patrarch Howayek considered the dedemonstration. While in the city, velopment a triumph of his political
the Patr-arch also returned the visits program, he further broke the tradiof the Christian Patriarchs and digni- tion by proceeding to Beirut to extaries Who had personally offered him tend in person his felicitations to the
their felicitations upon his accession High Commissioner. Thus he established for Irmself a precedent
to the Patriarchate.
whien he consistently followed upon
Although in the strictest sense the
the appointment of each succeeding
visit of the Pariarch is a denominaHigh Commissioner.
tional gesture, much political signiAn incident worthy of note in this
ficance is attached to it in view of
respect was the attitude of Gen. Sarthe fact that the Maronites are the
rail, who was a professed anti-cleric.
largest single religious unit in LeThe Patriarch visited Irm as he had
banon and have been the traditional
vis-ted the others, but the General was
friends of France in the East and
reluctant in returning the visit, and
those most responsible for France's
did so only after heavy pressure from
presence in the country. The move
Par^s. His reception by the Patriarch
assumes further importance in that it
on that occasion was as frigid as that
constitutes a definite break in a tradihe had given him upon his visit. Only
tion long held inviolable for Maronite
the tact of de Jouvenel, Sarrail's sucPatriarchs.
The Patriarch occupies
cessor, prevented a complete break.
m his own sphere a position similar
Upon the death of the late Patrito that of the Pope of Rome, and at
arch Howayek, the question arose as
no time was it known that any into whether the old tradition should be
cumbent of the high office has ever
maintained or the precedent establishleft the confines of his see except to
ed by the late Patriarch followed. The
make the annual journey from BekerFrench High Commissioner had come
ky to Al-Diman, the latter being the
in person to extend his felicitations to
�HP
THE SYRIAN WORLD
52
the new Patriarch, and the country
was all set aguessing as to whether
the Patriarch would return the visit
in person. There was a division of
opinion, according to reports, among
the college of bishops on the question, but the Patriarch finally decided
in favor of the course set by his predecessor. The great popular reception he received in Beirut gave proof
of the popularity of his move.
trip he had taken to Palestine by
special invitation. Openly, no political object is admitted for the visit,
but the extraordinary interest displayed by both the British and French
mandatory authorities in receiving the
Egyptian Prime Minister with state
honors is being generally interpreted
as indicating the existence of a deep
political purpose.
EDITOR OF AL-HODA
ON POLITICAL MISSION
SYRIAN NATIONALISTS
PUNISH FAIZ KOURI
N. A. Mokarzel, editor of Al-Hoda,
the Arabic daily of New York and
founder of the Lebanon League of
Progress, was to sail for Paris sometime in March supposedly on a political mission, the exact nature of
Which was not disclosed. Our readers
will recall that Mr. Mokarzel has been
most active in Lebanese politics, and
through the political organization
which he founded was responsible for
many noteworthy reforms in the home
government. It is conjectured that
his present mission must have some
bearing on the coming presidential
elections. It can be positively stated,
however, that the veteran editor has
no personal ambitions inasmuch as he
has repeatedly and publicly rejected
the proposals put forth by his many
admirers respecting his candidacy for
the presidency.
Reports from Damascus coming
with the late mail indicate the continuance of the bitterness resulting
from the national elections. Subhi
Bey Barakat, leader of the victorious
Moderates and their candidate for the
presidency, arrived in Damascus on
a political mission and there met Faiz
Bey Kouri, formerly an outspoken
Nationalist, and brother of the wellknown leader Faris Bey Kouri, who
was at one time suggested for president of the Syrian State. The action
of Faiz aroused the Nationalists to a
high pitch of indignation and it was
decided at a party caucus to strike
his name from the ballots in the supplemental elections. Faris Bey Kouri
is said to have taken part in the meeting at which his brother Faiz was impeached and banished from the party.
SUDKY PASHA IN SYRIA
Sudky Pasha, the Prime Minister of
Egypt, arrived in Beirut Feb. 11 and
was ofncially received by the French
High Commissioner, who gave a state
dinner in his honor, and by the Lebanese government. His visit to Syria
and Lebanon was an extension of a
Subhi Bey Barakat is a former
governor of Syria and the one Charged by the Nationalists with having
advised the French to bombard Damascus during the 1925 rebellion. The
Nationalists are said to be bitterly opposed to his candidacy, and failing
the election of their leader Hashim
Bey Al-Atasi, they are said to be
willing to throw the weight of their
support to Ahmad Nami Pasha the
Damad, another Moderate.
IWWWWB—MMBlimHIMWirilBW"T
�. FEBRUARY, 1932
SB
THE
SYRIAN WORLD
NEWS SECTION
VOL. VI NO. 6
GIBRAN NOW RESTS
IN PERMANENT TOMB
Remains Removed with Great Ceremony to the Monastery of Mar
Sarkis Which Will Serve as
Permanent Shrine.
Gibran's remains repose at last in
the ideal spot which he had long
hoped to make his home. To many
of his friends he had expressed the
wish to return to his native land and
there acquire ownership of the monastery of Mar Sarkis, located below
the famous Cedars and overlooking
the Sacred Valley of Kadisha, a spot
which even in his early boyhood he
had come to admire and love, and
where he had hoped to spend the closing days of his life.
That wish has been gratified only
to the extent that the monastery of
Mar Sarkis now serves as Gibran's
permanent home, only it was not given him to again see the beauty of the
place with his mortal eyes.
Gibran's remains had reposed temporarily in the church of St. John, in
his native town of Becharre, pending
arrangements for the acquisition of
the monastery. Issaf George Rahme,
Gibran's cousin and devoted companion, who had accompanied the body
from the United States, finally bought
the monastery from the Maronite Carmelite Missionary Order and converted
I
FEBRUARY, 1932
it into a shrine for the great poet.
The tomb, as described in the Lebanese
papers, is a natural grotto opening
on the chapel, the interior of which
was permitted to remain in its natural state, with exquisitely shaped stalactites pending from the domed roof,
reflecting a myriad of dancing colors'
from the bright electric lights. A view
of the interior is permitted through
a large plate glass encased in a frame
of cedar and olive wood, revealing
Gibran's coffin resting on two Corinthian pillars. Atop the chapel, overlooking Becharre and the Sacred Valley, the large cross bears the following inscription:
"Here Repose the Remains of the"
"Prophet Gibran Resting Under the"
"Wings of the Angel of Peace."
The removal of Gibran's remains
took place on Sunday, January 10.
with almost as much ceremony as that
attending the reception of the body
upon its arrival from America. Seven
thousand mourners marched in the
procession, and again there were the
poetical improvisations in the vernacular as well as recitations of original
literary poems and speeches. Both
the government and the clergy were
well represented.
GIBRAN'S SPIRIT
Writing apparently with the utmost
conviction, Emil Zaidan, editor of AlHilal, one of the oldest and most re-
�f
54
spected monthly magazines of Egypt,
claims to have had communicat;on
with Gibran's spirit during a spiritualistic seance he attended this summer while visiting Syria. The editor
admits that he had been indifferent
to the claims of the spiritualists until he was induced by one of his
friends to attend one of their meetings
from which he emerged fully convinced of ail their claims. The spirit of
his father, the famous Arabic scholar
and historian, spoke to him and gave
him much practical advice concerning
the policy of the paper. He was also
able to communicate with the spirit
of Gibran who dictated a message
which the editor published as being
in Gibran's accepted style, but which
literary critics take as a poor imitation. Gibran is said to be happy, in
the "higher spheres", but he wants
his sister Mariana to put a check to
her grief. Gibran also mentioned the
celebrated Syrian writer who uses the
pen name of "May" with whom he
had been in correspondence but whom
he had never met. "May" is a resident of Egypt and at the time of
Gibran's death published a personal
letter which he had written to her.
Hence the natural association between
Gibran's spirit and this lady.
Strange as it may seem, Gibran
has forgotten all his friends of a lifet;me in America. Mrs. Mary Haskel
Minas to whom he willed all Irs art
works he did not choose to mention
(obviously because the medium did not
know of his relationship with her),
nor did the sensitive and generous
spirit of Gibran remember Barbara
Young, his most loyal and devoted
friend, and the host of other friends
he had come to know and love during
the long years, comprising all his
adult life, he had spent in America.
Gibran also referred to the reception
given his body upon its arrival in
Syria, but not a word did his grate-
THE SYRIAN WORLD
ful spirit mention of the memorial
meetings, the church services and the
many other signs of affection shown
him in America.
Truly, for such a respected organ
as Al-Hilal, founded by the practical
and discriminating scholar George Zaidan, to have espoused the cause of
spiritualism and attempted to prove
it in such fash;on, is a sign of decadence from its former high scholarly
standard.
SYRIAN JUNIOR LEAGUE
PRESENTS FINE PLAY
No one who attended "The First
Year", presented by the Syrian Junior
League at the Booth Theatre in New
York Feb. 21, had cause to regret the
time or the money spent on the occasion. The cause was for charity, it's
true, and all those contributing to
the program or investing in tickets
would feel amply repa;d considering the purpose alone. But there was
a good deal more than this spiritual
compensation: the play itself was well
worth seeing and the actors acquitted
themselves like veteran professionals.
To some visiting Syrians who were
not aware that all the actors in the
play were Syrian amateurs, members
of the League and their friends, it
was almost inconceivable that the
young men and women who displayed
such talent were not actually Broadway old timers.
Madeleine Malouf, Nedda Uniss and
John S. Macksoud did full justice to
their roles, although the other actors
acquitted themselves most creditably.
The cast, besides these mentioned,
was composed of Fred Shamas, Adele
F. Macksoud, Victor Hamati, Fred
Zrike, Alfred Zrike and Lyla J. Mabarak.
The attendance was not up to expectations, which is through no fault
of the organization giving the play.
N
i
a
c:
�FEBRUARY, 1932
We venture to predict, however, that
if the League were to make a second
presentation of the same play, the attendance would be more than doubled
in view of the general approval expressed by those who witnessed the
first performance.
Miss Selma Milkie, president of the
Syrian League, made a short appearance before opening of the play to
outline the purpose for which it was
being given and to welcome those supporting the cause.
The League, in its elaborate program, made special acknowledgment
for helpful advice and assistance to
the following: Mr. Nicholas Macsoud,
the artist; Miss Gertrude Wainwright,
the dramatic director of the play;
and Messers. Elias Aboarab, Suhail
Hermos, Basil Couri and George Mabarak for assistance given the program committee.
The Dramatic Committee was composed of Mrs. George Saliba, chairman, and the Misses Lou'se Dibbs,
Mary Mokarzel, Louise Mussawir and
Selma Uniss.
The Program Committee was composed of Miss Madeleine Zaloom,
chairman, and the Misses Alice Diab,
Lyla Mabarak, Najla Macksoud, Mary
L. Milkie, Mary Trabulsi and Selma
Uniss.
LEAGUE OF PROGRESS
HOLDS CHARITY BAZAAR
The Lebanon League of Progress of
New York held its charity bazaar at
the Knights of Columbus Hall on
Clinton St., Brooklyn during the three
days of Feb. 27, 28, and 29. The admission was $1.00 for the three nights
and the varied program of entertainment provided for each night was enthus;astically received by the large
attendance.
The bazaar was especially sponsored by Al-Hoda, whose editor, N. A.
55
Mokarzel, is the founder and the president emeritus of the Lebanon
League. The proceeds of the bazaar,
according to announcement, will be
distributed to the Syrian and Lebanese
needy of the city through the agency
of the various churches irrespective
of denominations.
__
SYRIAN FEDERATION TO
GIVE CHARITY BALL
The American Syrian Federation
of Brooklyn will give a Charity Ball
and Entertainment at the Grand Ballroom of the Elks Club in Brooklyn on
the evening of April 16. The affair
promises to be the most brilliant Syrian social affair of the season. The
proceeds will be devoted to charity.
The Federation carried out th;s
Year its annual practice of distributing Christmas baskets although primarily it is not a charitable organization. Realizing, however, the extent
of distress prevalent this year, it has
decided to extend its char;table activities and is planning the entertainment and ball. The pcsit-on of leadership Which the Federation occupies
in the community insures full success
for any of its undertakings.
The chairman of the committee on
arrangements is Mr. Jos. W. Ferris,
the well known Syrian lawyer and a
former president of the Federation.
A souvenir program is planned for the
occasion and should be well patronized.
Earlier this month, the Federation'
gave a special entertainment at its
clubrooms for the members and their
families, and in honor of the retiring
president, Mr. S. J. Akel, who took
occasion to remind the gathering in
his brief remarks that the Federation
building has actually become the civic
center of the Syrian community in
the city. President George Dagher
was master of ceremonies.
�ill
56
THE SYRIAN WORLD
MME. FADWA KURBAN
MAKES FORMAL DEBUT
SYRIAN COLORATURA
By Alice Mokarzel
Fadwa Kurban, "The Syrian Nightingale" and coloratura soprano of merit,
gave a New York recital in the Roerich Hall of the Roerich Museum on
Saturday evening, February 27.
Miss Sumeyeh Attiyeh, the wellknown Syrian lecturer, formally introduced Mme. Kurban.
The program consisted mainly of
difficult and technical numbers that
were performed with beautiful and
exacting skill.
The famous Mad
Scene from Lucia de Lammermcor, a
favorite of Mussolini and of operalovers, gave Mme. Kurban an opportunity to prove the exceptional
quality of her voice. The other numbers were exceedingly pleasing because of their variety and served to
demonstrate the versatility and range
of Mme. Kurban's vocal powers. Some
had the del:cate and appealing accompaniment of the flute. Included among the numbers were Liebestraum
by Lizt, the Japanese Love Song by
Brahe and The Bell Song from Lakme.
Mr. Alexander Maloof, who was in
the audience, was asked to accompany
Mme. Kurban in two Arabic songs
which were requested after the recital.
In these numbers, sung in her own arrangement, she is very much at ease
especially in the melancholy and languid strains of Wailee Min al Ghoramy.
This recital served to introduce
Mme. Kurban formally to the American public as well as to give her
many friends further opportunity to
hear her. It was indeed an appreciative audience that applauded her efforts, requesting encore after encore
which she rendered graciously, convincing them that' she is justified in
seeking an operatic career.
Mme. Fadwa Kurban
ALEFPIAN FRATERNITY
GIVING ENTERTAINMENT
The Aleppian Fraternity of New
York will give an entertainment at
the Knights of Columbus Hall on the
evening of Sunday, April 10, for the
benefit of Al-Kalimat charities in
Aleppo which extend from maintaining an orphanage and a home for the
aged to the distribution of food and
clothing to the needy of the city without discrimination as to religious denominations. The program is expected to be exceptionally entertanrng as
has been that of all other affairs arranged by this society, which has
command of a large variety of native
talent.
i
<i
�FEBRUARY, 1932
SYRIAN BOY MAKES
MUSICAL DEBUT
Although less than three years ago
he could not distinguish one musical
note from another, Sam Kiami, a Syrian boy of sixteen whose talent was
discovered and trained by Prof. Alexander Maloof, gave a recital on Sunday, March 20, at the Maloof Studio
in Carnegie Hall, which thrilled the
large audience of critics and lovers of
classical music.
Young Kiami played selections from
well known composers like Chopin,
Dilibes and others. H;s teacher feels
certain that the boy has all the qualities necessary to become a concert
virtuoso.
At the concert Mme. Fadwa Kurban sang several operatic selections.
Mme. Adele McCormick, a Syrian by
birth and a noted singer, also rendered
several pleasing numbers.
The three-score or more who were
present at the concert, mostly Syrians, were agreed that the formation
of a Syrian musical club would be
well received by the community to
foster the love of good music and
hold regular private concerts fortnightly and one or two public concerts once or twice a year.
SYRIANS OF BOSTON
CELEBRATE BICENTENNIAL
From a Correspondent
The Syrian-American Club of Boston celebrated George Washington's
bicentennial anniversary, on Sunday
Feb. 28, in the Hall of the Municipal
Building, at the corner of Shawmut
Avenue and West Brookline Street.
Over twelve hundred were present.
Mr. Louis A. George, prominent
Syrian attorney of Boston, was the
master of ceremonies. The invited
guests were, Governor Joseph B. Ely
of Massachusetts, Honorable U. S.
57
Senator David I. Walsh, Mayor James
M. Curley of Boston, Mayor Michael
C. O'Nieil, Jr. of Everett, and ex- congressman, Joseph Conry. The following Syrian organizations were represented by two official delegates:
The Syrian-American Club of Worcester, The Syrian-American Association
of Lawrence, The Syrian Young Men's
Association of Pittsfield, The Mount
Lebanon Society of Fall River, The
Syrian-American Society of Brockton,
The Sons of Lebanon of Quincy, and
The Syrian-American Society of New
London, Connecticut.
Senator Walsh was the principal
speaker of the afternoon. He emphasized the fact that liberty, equality,
and justice is what Washington fought
for, and a government which does not
permit these is not a good government
but a tyranny. The meet;ng was opened by the president T. N. Maloof. A
short talk on Washington's life was
given in Arabic by Mr. Faris Maloof,
prominent Boston attorney.
The musical program was lead by
our well known singer Madhat Serbajy, ass-'sted by Miss Josephine Latturny of Boston. An orchestra of
local Syrian talent furnished the music to an appreciative audience. A
very attractive feature was the appearance on the platform of Bessie
P. Edwards Post American Legion
Drum and Bugle Corp, dressed in
beautiful uniforms. This is a ladies
unit.
One special instance deserves particular mention. In introducing the
Senator, Mr. George suggested that
he was well qualified to be the president of the United States. This remark created quite a stir in the local
press which featured it under this caption "The Syrian-American Club nominates Walsh for President". Unquestionably, this was one of the most
outstanding events in recent years
among the Syrians of Boston.
�JC
58
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Gibran's Message
To Young Americans of Syrian Origin
By G. K.
GIBRAN
Author of I'-The Trophel,"
"Jesut the Son of d4an,"
I believe in you. and I believe in your destiny.
1 believe that you are contributors to this new civilization.
1 believe that you have inherited from your forefathers an ancient dream, a song, a prophecy, which you can proudly lay as a gift of gratitude upon the lap of America.
I believe you can say to the founders of this great nation. 'Here I am. a youth, a young
tree, whose roots were plucked from the hills of Lebanon, yet I am deeply rooted here, and I would
be fruitful."
And 1 believe that you can say to Abraham Lincoln, the blessed. "Jesus of Nazareth
touched your lips when you spoke, and guided your hand when you wrote: and I shall uphold
ail that you have said and all that you nave written."
I believe that you can say to Emerson and Whitman and James. "In my veins runs the
blood of the poets and wise men of old. and it is my desire to come to you and receive, but I shall
not come with empty hands."
I believe that even as your fathers came to this land to produce riches, you were born
here to produce riches by intelligence, by labor.
And 1 believe that it is in you to be good citizens.
And what is it to be a good citizen?
It is to acknowledge the other person's rights before asserting your own. but always to be
conscious of your own.
It is to be free in thought and deed, but it is also to know that your freedom is subject
to the other person's freedom.
It is to create the useful and the beautiful with your own hands, and to admire what others
have created in love and with faith.
It is to produce wealth by labor and only by labor, and to spend less than you have produced that yonr children may not be dependent on the state for support when you are no more.
It is to stand before the towers of New York, Washington. Chicago and San Francisco
saying in your heart, "I am the descendant of a people that builded Damascus, and Biblus. and
Tyre and Sidon. and Antioch. and now I am here to build with you, and with a will."
It is to be proud of being an American, bur it is also to be proud that your fathers and
mothers came from a land upon which God laid His gracious hand and raised His messengers.
Young Americans of Syrian origin. I believe in you.
vmmnmtmmmmmmmmms^mimmmsmmmmvmimimmmmmm^^m^m^^^mm
FREE TO SYRIAN WORLD SUBSCRIBERS. This beautiful message by
Gibran 13x17 inches, printed in large type on heavy paper with ornamental border suitable for framing. Every PAID subscriber whose term begins
with Sept. 1931 is entitled to a copy, mailed in heavy cardboard tube. Subscribers whose term begins before Sept. 1931 may secure a copy by renewal.
jmm
'4
�FEBRUARY, 1932
59
A STUDY
of
KAHLIL GIBRAN
THIS MAN FROM LEBANON
Barbara Young, the American poet who is now Kahlil Gibran's literary executor, speaks with authority in a 48 page
brochure concerning his life and work, illustrated with
several hitherto unpublished protraits of the Poet of the
Cedars, and a reproduction of one pen and ink drawing and
one page of original manuscript.
A few copies of the limited first edition, serially numbered and autographed by the author, are still available.
The price for this edition is $2.50.
Owing to the wide interest in the brochure, a second
printing will be necessary. These will not be numbered nor
autographed, and will be procurable at $1.50 the copy.
Checks may be made payable to the Gibran Studio 51
West 10th Street, New York City.
WorldC°PieS
arC
aiS
°
f r Sak at the
°
°ffice °f
the S rian
^
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
60
KlS0Sei^KaS®S^^!!SKSSSS^i§
AUTHENTIC
ORIENTAL RUGS
THE A. SLEYMAN COMPANY. INC.
276 5th AVENUE
NEW YORK CITY
i
Phone BOgardus 4-4345
George Haddad
Proprietor
Phone
CHickering 4-8878
ALEXANDRIA RESTAURANT
The new and beautiful uptown Syrian restaurant owned and operated
by a master chef, who summons his long experience to the
art of producing the most delectable Oriental dishes.
Small and large parties catered to
So Conveniently Located
21 WEST 31st STREET,
NEW YORK
IT IS YOURS
is the only Syrian publication printed
in English, and as such is the organ of the Syrians in America.
You can help it continue and grow by subscribing to it yourself
and inducing others to subscribe.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
PUBLISHER, THE SYRIAN WORLD:
104 Greenwich Street, New York.
You may enter my name as a subscriber to "The Syrian World" for the term of one year, for which I agree to
fay the regular rate of $5.00 ufon receift of the first issue.
Address
City & State
.
MBMBMasutBM^is*!^^
'-fmmm
BCWSMMMnMSmiHiMMMB
�JERE J. CRONIN
FUNERAL DIRECTOR
MORTUARY CHAPEL
Local or Out of Town Funerals Personally Attended to
LADY ATTENDANT
Expense a Matter of Your Own Desire
115 ATLANTIC AVENUE
BROOKLYN, N. Y.
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The large amount of business we do permits us to buy caskets
in large quantity which enables us to give the best funerals very
reasonable. We carry a complete line of the very best manufactured
caskets at $45.00 up. We pay no agents to secure funerals for us but
only give the family who has sorrow the very best of service, reverence
and economy. Our aim is to help those who are in trouble at a very
little cost. No charge for use of our services or funeral parlors.
Telephone—MAIN 1398-1399-8130-3655
L
i
'
!
i
HOW TO BREED MOTHS
Leave your rugs on the floor
with all the dirt and germs
they have collected during the
winter and which home methods cannot remove. Nature
will do the rest.
RESTORATIVE: Call the
THE KOURI CARPET
CLEANING CORPORATION
RUG WASHERS
NEW YORK, N. Y.
10 West 33rd Street
Tel. LOngacre 5-2385
JERSEY CITY, N. J.
552 Johnston Avenue
Tel. BErgen 3-1085
SHEIK
RESTAURANT
A well-appointed Syrian restaurant in the heart of the
Syrian Quarter, in lower Manhattan, where you and your
friends can enjoy the molt
delectable
Oriental
meals
amidst the charm of an Oriental atmosphere.
Second Foor for Banquets and
Private Parties
KIRDAHY RESTAURANTS,
Inc.
65 WASHINGTON ST.,
New York
?99**
�fc rcioE ^| fr| QT YP E M'' Q
The Arabic
LINOTYPE
in Beirut
T^OIXOWING
the World War the
*- American Press of Beirut de->
cided to refit its plant with modern equipment. The Arabic
Linotype was the first and principal item in its consideration.
And now for over ten years the Arabic Linotype has been in
practical and profitable operation in the plant of the American Press in Beirut in a variety of uses. It is utilized to set
j
type not only in Arabic but also in English and in other
languages using the Latin characters. Ornamental borders,
plain borders, rules and other material indispensable to
every printing plant are also cast on the machine.
MERGENTHALER
LINOTYPE
Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A.
Cable: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK
Representatives in the Principal Cities of the World
COMPANY
An illustrated descriptive
catalog of the Arabic Linotype sent free upon request
m
�(•-"LINOTYPE^
°^. ^> ^y.^Vl i^kJ! Sjbl c~~^ Lr^ftl
u*ai i^i
U^LJI OO-IXS
c.o».
0u*~
0j^Ji
*\&\ JUC
i^.k= j=4>»-
lg.
J^ or" r^ J^ oJw -uij .Ulji* c-»ji1 ^Jl "^Vlj JjYl
to
MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY
Brooklyn, New York, U. S. A.
\J^SA if^i-ir j^
j
<Ok > ,l0 l;U.
\
Cable: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK
Representatives in the Principal Cities of the World
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
64
ATTENTION!
FORWARD!
SAFE!
MARCH ON TO PROGRESS!
START A BANK ACCOUNT
IMMEDIATELY
LET
YOUR
MONEY
•
Accumulate for Future
NEEDS AND HAPPINESS
INTEREST
3/2 %
Ter ^4nnum
ON TIME DEPOSITS
FROM
$10.00
UP
Checking accounts may be opened with $200.00 or more.
FAOUR BANK
D. J. FAOUR & BROS.
Established 1891
Under Supervision of New York State Banking
Department.
Capital and Surplus Over $500,000.00
85
WASHINGTON ST.,
NEW YORK CITY
�
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
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English
Contributor
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Processed by Claire A. Kempa, 2015-2017. Collection Guide written by Claire A. Kempa, 2017.
Collection Guide updated by Laura Lethers, 2023 August.
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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
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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/.
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TSW1932_02reducedWM
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The Syrian World Volume 06, Issue 06
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1932 February
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Volume 6 Issue 06 of The Syrian World published February 1932. The issue opens with an article by Rev. W. A. Mansur that discusses the racial pride Syrian and Lebanese people should have as a result of the historical accomplishments of their ancestors. Following it is a somber poem by Alice Mokarzel titled "She is Not Dead," which discusses how even though the subject of the poem has passed she lives on in spirit. This is followed by a Syrian folk song translated by Dr. Salim Y. Alkazin as well as another collection of poems edited by Barbara Young. Edna K. Saloomey opens her discussion on the younger generation with Tennyson's poetic words. H. I. Katibah then discusses how a breach in social tradition caused a recent tragedy of love and death in his article titled "Blue Blood." Within its pages he recounts the murder of a man who married outside of his social class. Dr. Harold Ingholt then discusses excavations in Syria and Iraq, which have materially added to knowledge of past civilizations and their origins and progress. After two classic Arab stories there is a poem by the late Kahlil Gibran titled "Freedom and Slavery." Following the editorial comment on the tardiness of the February issue, it concludes with more on the political developments of Syria and excerpts from Syrian world news.
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Arabic literature--History and criticism--Periodicals
Arabs--United States--Periodicals
Lebanese-Americans--United States--Periodicals
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English
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Salloum A. Mokarzel
Syrian-American Press
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New York Public Library
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Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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104 Greenwich St., New York, NY
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Text
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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.
1930s
Alice Mokarzel
Barbara Young
Edna K. Saloomey
Habib I. Katibah
Kahlil Gibran
New York
Poetry-English
Reverend W.A. Mansur
Salim Alkazin
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/bb339b721721392304e4195fa9481a93.pdf
c8b476d624a25fcf17e37bd67a2da09b
PDF Text
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THE
SYRIAN WORLD
"Published monthly except July and August
by
THE SYRIAN-AMERICAN PRESS
104 Greenwich St., New York, N. Y.
By subscription $5.00 a year.
Single Copies 50c
Entered as second class matter June 25, 1926, at the post office at New \ ork,
J
N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879.
=£
VOL. VI NO. 5
JANUARY, 1932
CONTENTS
Aden as Seen by a Syrian Traveler
3
AMEEN RIHANI
The Prophet (a Poem)
\
6
THOMAS ASA
A rab Contributions to World Civilization
DR.
Poetry, Edited by
F. I.
SHATARA
BARBARA YOUNG
Love is Enough
Issa, a Poem, by
Frontiers, by
7
14
15
ROBERT NORWOOD
16
ALICE HUNT BARTLETT
17
Islam Faces the Challenge of Liberalism
H. I.
KATIBAH
18
�CONTENTS (Continued)
PAGE
A Legal Opinion
22
FARIS
S.
MALOOF
Death of the Maronite Patriarch
23
Who Are the Maronites
27
MICHAEL ABOUSSLEMAN
Syria in Romance
32
The Brethren
RIDER HAGGARD
Sayings of Alt
".
3g
True Arabian Tales
39
The Lajdy Prisoner Who Enslaved Her Captor
Book Reviews
The Wanderer, by
/
42
KAHLIL GIBRAN
To Bagdad and Back,
By JOE MITCHELL
The Maronites of Lebanon,
By REV. PAUL
43
CHAPPLE
45
ABRAHAM
Political Developments in Syria
45
Syrian World News Section
49
�yrian
«/
SALLOUM A. M<
MOKARZEL, Editor.
JANUARY, 1932
Aden as Seen by a Syrian Traveler
The Once Beautiful and Hospitable Arab City Has Lost its Charms
Despite the Century of English Occupation.
By
/
AMEEN RIHANI
WE approach Aden in the morning and turn into the harbor,
the city is seen crouching at the foot of Mt. Shamsa, which is
like Gibraltar in form, and which rises sheer, abrupt, behind a half
circle of buildings in the heart of Steamer Point. Black masses, coal
piles, are in the foreground; the forts on the hilltops are conspicuous; the harbor-light rises in the center of the picture, and all
around is a scene as dull and drab as any port in the British Isles
But to our left, when the clouds are completely dispelled, another
skyline looms behind the first, a little higher, but similar in form;
and the two mountain summits, a sort of duet, rise together and fall
rhythmically, harmoniously, and vanish in the north. It is a compensation for the commonplace of Steamer Point.
The distance from Steamer Point to Aden proper, or Aden
Camp is about five miles along the coast. We go through the
Somali village of Ma'alla, past the custom-house there, and up a
winding road to what seems like, a blind wall. But soon we reach
the tunnel, which is an opening in the mountain, wide enough at the
bottom for a carriage road and almost closing at a height of about
sixty feet where it is spanned by a bridge. This is the gate of
Aden, and suddenly, as we go through it with a crash, we come upon
the city which is set in the midst of a circle of hills, in the very
crater of a long extinguished volcano.
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
The crater, thanks to Time, is now habitable. The heat is
not as it was before the deluge or many thousand years before the
"before." For since then the volcano had some geological reverses,
was in fact dissipating its fortune; and having eventually gone bankrupt, it is now enjoying a temperature of one hundred degrees Fahrenheit (in summer) and a mixed population of thirty thousand
souls. Some of these souls—the Bunias—are reincarnated in dogs,
cats and peacocks; others—the Parsis—return to the primal fire;
still others—the Moslems—await the Paradise where the houri is
ever a virgin and the garden of each man's happiness is ever filled
with houris; and there are those who care not what becomes of
their souls so long as their capital is safe, and others who pretend
to have charted the whole sea of the Hereafter and found therein
isles of eternal bliss—for themselves alone. They all live in the
crater in peace; but they are as barren of sympathy for each other
as the hills around them.
What abodes of eternal hope and joy are in the crater. The
Bunias have a cremation station; the Parsis have a temple of silence;
the Mohammedans have a mosque and dervish circle; the Jews
have a synagogue and a fellow Jew who is worth thirty million
pounds; the Capuchins have a shop and a confessional; the Episcopals have a church on the hilltop, to which the soldiers march
every Sunday headed by a brass band; and Tommy Atkins has a
dance hall, a cinema and a football field. The hospitable crater!
In the bazaar the town dozes under a canopy of calm. Considerable business is nevertheless transacted; and in spite of the
rivalry, commercial and religious, between four of the shrewdest
and most self-righteous people in the world, the Bunia, the Parsi,
the Bohra and the Jew, nothing ever disturbs the even tenor of security and peace. God save the King! I do not know who of these
four Orientals is the shrewdest!
As a servant the Arab is faithful and trustworthy; but he is
lazy. As a merchant he is honest and reliable; but he has not the
energy of the Parsi or the Bunia. As a man of means or a man of
learning, he is modest and unassuming; but he lacks the curiosity
of the Bohra and the ambition of the Jew. But whatever he is, he
is seldom wanting in dignity and poise.
Many things are done in the crater for the good of the soul,
among them the performance {haiaqali) of the Rashidiyah cult.
We attended this halaqah, which was run at that time by an Egyptian who survived many scandals in Aden. The choir of boys, who
/
�JANUARY, 1932
stood in line facing the men, clapped their hands while singing
melodiously the lines of the Sun poet Al-Fared.
"Thou hast taken but my heart—a part of me;
Is there any harm if 1 were all with thee?"
t
The men cried, Allah, Allah! while swinging their bodies
violently and swiftly to and fro; some of them swooned with devotion—their eyes were all white with ecstasy; and everyone seemed
but a senseless vibrating unit in a mystically animated group. But
there was nothing mystical in the singing, which was all about love.
Hence, I think, the scandals.
On our way back we passed through a narrow lane which was
dimly lighted by a few rays from the electrics in the square; and
I was startled by a figure seated on the ground, against the wall,
and pulling at something with his hand. It was a rope which hung
from a window on the third-top-floor of the house, and the figure
was a punkah boy fanning his master, up in that room, to sleep.
We were passing by the house, under the window, of the Jewish
millionaire, who lived in fear of being assassinated. Besides, he,
a man of eighty-five, had recently taken unto himself a young wife,
a girl of fifteen, who had pinned her hope, it was said, upon the
smallpox epidemic, and he would trust no man, not even the punkah boy, within the house.
The punkah is not the only antiquated thing in this outwardly
modern and progressive city; for in spite of the fact that the
English have now been in Aden eighty-seven years, the streets are
still sprinkled by a man carrying a skin of water on his back, and
the drinking water is still distributed in barrels on carts drawn
by camels. Now, we are told by an Arab historian, who does not
kowtow to the Jinn, that one of the governors of Aden in the 15th
century, Abd'ul-Wahhab by name, had aqueducts built for the conveyance of water to the city from a well ten miles away, where now
is the town of Sheikh Othman. But there are the reservoirs, a
superb monument to the enterprising spirit of the ancient Arabs.
Even in modern history, a hundred years before the English
occupation, Aden was a flourishing and attractive city, a city of
wealth, refinement, hospitality, and picturesque beauty. In 1709
a French expedition, sailing around the Cape, stopped at Aden on
its way to Mokha, to negotiate a treaty for the importation of coffee
into France. A gentleman named La Roque accompanied the expedition and left a record of its voyage and its experiences in an
interesting little volume.
�6
THE SYRIAN WORLD
They remained two weeks in Aden, and the pages of Le Sieur
La Roque glow with enthusiasm. He tells of its handsome buildings, its mosques, its fortifications, and its aqueducts, about a league
from the city, which furnished all the inhabitants with excellent
water. But nothing did he admire so much as the domed public
baths, which were lined with marble or jasper, and adorned with
galleries supported by magnificent pillars.
This was the Aden of those days, an Arab city with a dash of
the splendor of ancient Bagdad. The Bunia traders had already
come from India, and La Roque speaks of them as the Jews of the
Bazaar. But the dominating manner was Arabic; the governor was
a learned Zaidi, who had written a treatise on coffee; the people
dressed in flowing elegant robes and spoke in a flowing elegant accent the language of the Prophet; and, moreover, they practiced
hospitality. But what they wear today would baffle, besides shocking a costumier; what they speak is a hodge-podge of Ordu and
Italian, Persian and English, Turkish and Gujrati, with Arabic as
a background; and hospitality is fast becoming an effete tradition.
The Prophet
Dedicated' to Kahlil Gibran
By THOMAS ASA
i
A trackless empire hearkened to thy word,—
Rose from primordial dust to dreaming spires;
Infused it with the voice of Godly lyres,—
Lead by the vision of the sacred Bird
Of Heaven, whose high message thou hast heard;
And from thy heart emerged the fusing fires,
And love divine in sodden minds inspires;—
Rule thine own people, in one nation gird.
And thou hast formed in thy short span of life.
From Sedrat's shaded desert thou hast made,
An ever-shining beacon to thy fame;
That all the world may wonder that the strife
Of thine own musing, God-like soul hast laid
The enduring wisdom of thy noble name.
This poem was originally published in a former issue of The
Syrian World. It is now reprinted by request in commemoration of
Gibran's birthday which falls on January 6.
"—"'
" " «" —
-
�I
JANUARY, 1932
7
Arab Contributions to World
Civilization
{Excerpts from an address delivered before the Baltimore Open
Forum to a distinguished audience on Dec. 13)
By
DR.
F. I.
SHATARA
THE average person in whose mind the word "Arab" conT'Ojures
up a desert, a camel, a horse, a tent, or a movie Sheik, the
discussion of "Arab Contributions to World Civilization" would
sound fantastic. To many Longfellow's lines are familiar:
"Shall fold their tents like the Arabs,
And as silently steal away
,..."
I
The story writer or the scenario author in their description of
an Arab or of Arab life must of necessity portray the odd and rather grotesque features. Who then is the real Arab? Has he ever
been civilized, and what has he contributed to the world civilization?
The first reference to Arab civilization is that of the Bible to
the visit of the Arab Queen of Sheba, who ruled Southern Arabia,
and who visited King Solomon bringing with her magnificent gifts
of "spices, very much gold, and precious stones."
As early as 800 B. C. the Yaman or Southwestern Arabia was
one of the great marts of the Eastern world. The Himyar Arabs
carried the torch of civilization through the channels of trade and
commerce. They excelled in architecture and engineering. It
will interest you to know that the skyscraper is an Arab invention.
The palace Gamdan, which was constructed for one of the Himyar
Kings, was twenty-two stories high, and was crowned with a belvedere, whose roof was covered with alabaster slates so thin and polished that one could distinguish through them the color of the
birds that flew above the palace. The Tanks in Aden are products
of their engineering skill. Various industries flourished in Yaman
such as weaving, dyeing, carving in marble, rope-making, forging
arms, and masonry.
The Arabs prior to the advent of Mohammed were pagans.
During this period, known as Al-Jahilieh, the Mualaquats were
produced. These poems, or odes, are said to have been the best
�8
THE SYRIAN WORLD
selections in the literary bazaars, and as such were then suspended
on the Ka'ba at Mecca. It is probable, however, that these Mualaquat, of which there were seven, were selected by Hammad ar
Rawiya, one of the most famous professional reciters in the 8th
century A. D.
The Hamasa and Mufaddaliyah are other poems of this period.
The Prophet Mohammed unified the scattered tribes of
Arabia, fired them with a religious zeal and national consciousness
and sent them out to conquer the world. Their conquest carried
them over Syria and Palestine, Asia Minor, Persia, Egypt, India,
China, Northern Africa, and Spain.
Mohammed hurled his followers into the face of a decadent
civilization which was stunned by the terrific blow and brought
tottering to earth. The mighty empires of Byzantium and Persia
met their speedy doom under the blows of the Arabs. The wave
of conquest went as far as India and touched the shore of the Caspian Sea. The Gates of Hercules were renamed Gibraltar, a corruption of "Jabal Tariq" the mountain of Tariq, the Arab General
who invaded Spain. Northwards the wave broke through the passes,
of the Pyrenees, and the plan to shake hands across the Bosphorus
was frustrated by Charles Martel in the Battle of Tours in the year
732 A. D.
Mohammed died in 623 A. D. leaving a united Arabia.
Let us then move on to the Islamic period. Mohammed and
Islam would furnish an immense topic, but only a passing reference
to them can be made.
Whatever the merits or demerits of Islam may be, students
of history must admit that it was a great step from paganism to the
unitarianism of Islam; that many of the tenets of Islam were wisely selected to meet the existing circumstances, that it was the religious spark of Islam which set the flame of Arab nationalism and
civilization, and that Mohammed has left an indelible impression
on world history, and that his followers today are a great force with
which one must reckon.
There is a notion commonly held that Islam was spread by
the sword. This is a false impression, for while it is true that Arab
conquests had to depend on the sword the adoption of Islam was
generally by free choice. Thus says Dorsey in his Man's Own Show:
Civilization:—"Islamism spread with dazzling speed- because the
Christians of Syria and Egypt had had a surfeit of theology and
oppression. They embraced the new religion! They could live with
and under their new masters and enjoy life as they could not under
\
�——
JANUARY, 1932
'
9
their Christian Masters. Free thought, Moslem's crowning glory
for eight centuries and to which our civilization is so greatly indebted, was destroyed by its own orthodox clergy. From the blight
of rive centuries of intellectual sterility the world of Islam is just
now beginning to try to emerge."
Among the Orthodox Caliphs, Umar, the conqueror of Jerusalem, was an outstanding figure. His conquests extended the realm
to Syria and Egypt. It is related that after appointing his governors he went out to bid them farewell. His orders to them were
as follows:
"I have not appointed you over the people of Mohammed
that you may drag them by their hair and scourge their skins,
but in order that you may lead them in prayer and judge between
them with justice, and divide the public money amongst them with
equity. I have not made you lords of their skin and hair."
This indeed would be a good motto for our twentieth century
rulers.
The student of history cannot but be impressed with Arab contributions to all branches of Medieval knowledge. They not only
served as the preservers of civilization after the decay of Rome
and Greece, but they contributed richly to human knowledge and
finally transmitted it to Europe, thus rendering possible the great
Renaissance. Let us briefly consider some of these contributions:
EDUCATION:
I
Wherever the Arab went he carried enlightenment and education. Thus Nicholson says:
"This material expansion was accompanied by an outburst of
intellectual activity such as the East had never witnessed before.
It seemed as if the whole world from the Caliph down to the
humblest of citizens suddenly became students, or at least patrons
of literature. In quest of knowledge, men traveled over three
continents and returned home, like bees laden with honey, to impart the precious stores which they had accumulated to crowds of
eager disciples, and to compile with incredible industry those works
of encyclopaedic range and erudition from which modern science,
in the widest sense of the word, has derived far more than is
generally supposed."
The Arabs built schools on a sound financial basis. Our ideas
of endowing institutions of learning must have been inspired by
the practice prevalent among the Arabs. Wherever a school was
'
�10
THE SYRIAN WORLD
founded some kind of productive investment was made for it.
Thus Saladin endowed al-Madrassah al-Suyufiyyah in Cairo with
thirty-two shops, and al-Salahyyah in Jerusalem with a whole street,
the rentals from which maintained the school.
The Educational contributions of the Arabs are thus summarized by Totah in his thesis:
1 The Arabs contributed a great deal to the content of education
during the Middle Ages.
2 They introduced the system of Arabic notation and the decimal
system. Every school child should bless them for relief from
the Roman notation.
3 They introduced textbooks.
4 If the Renaissance is a contribution to education, then the
Arabs are to be credited as educators for their share in that
movement.
5 It was a worthy contribution to education for the Arabs to
have saved the world for several centuries from ignorance
and barbarism.
6 Arabic colleges provided an example for European universities.
7 The Arabs made a substantial contribution to the social education of Europe. They taught Europe the use of fabrics and
textiles, such as cotton, damask, gauze and muslin deriving
their names from Damascus, Gaza, Mosul (respectively) and
thus made life a little less primitive.
They made the homes more attractive by the introduction of
brasswork, woodwork, rugs and mattresses. Food was enriched
and made more palatable through the introduction of sugar, coffee,
oranges, candy, spices and other delicacies. Such words as the following, which are derived from the Arabic, tell the tale: alcohol,
amber, atlas, azure, camphor, candy, carat, coffee, crimson, cumin,
divan, jar, lemon, lute, mattress, saffron, sherbet, syrup, sofa,
spinach, and sugar.
•
The baths of Cordova, street lights, and general comforts of
Arab cities provided lessons in the amelioration of the existing conditions in Europe.
Of Arab ideas of education, some of which are ultra-modern
even for the twentieth century, the following quotations are illustrations:
,33=
�JANUARY, 1932
11
"Do not impose your ideas upon your children—for
they are created for an age that is not your age."
Al-Ghazali: "The child is a trust with his parents, and his pure
heart is a precious stone, guileless and free of every
mark or form. It is receptive to whatever might be
inscribed on it."
Said Ali:
ASTRONOMY AND MATHEMATICS:
Astronomy sprang from a humble origin—astrology. The
Arabs' interest in the stars began at a very early date in their history. They understood and improved the system of Ptolemy.
They made important astronomical measurements and calculations.
They built observatories in Baghdad, Damascus, Cairo and Seville.
They used astronomical instruments, and Al-Kindi (850 A. D.)
wrote a treatise on weather predictions.
In mathematics, besides introducing the system of Arab notation and the decimal system, they did serious mathematical work
and passed it on to Europe. Algebra is an Arabic word. They developed trigonometry and introduced the sines. In the time of
Al-Ma'num mathematicians measured the degree of the earth's
circumference. Al-Khawarazmi introduced a new computation
system, the Algorist, which word is a corruption of Al-Khawarazmi.
PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY:
Al-Hazen (965—1038) wrote a work on optics enunciating
the law of reflection and making a study of spherical and parabolic
mirrors. He also devised an apparatus for studying refraction and
was the first physicist to note the magnifying power of lenses. He
gave a detailed account of the human eye, and attempted to explain
the change of the apparent shape of the sun and moon when approaching the horizon. The Arabs employed the pendulum for time
measurement and tabulated specific gravities of metals. (Wiedermann)
Their skill in chemistry enabled them to prepare new chemical
remedies and form many combinations of those already in use.
They produced the first pharmacopeia and established the first apothecaries' shops. Many of the names and many forms of medicine
now used, in fact the general outline of modern pharmacy, except
so far as modified by modern chemistry, started with the Arabs.
(Encyclopedia Brittannica).
�._ .
10
THE SYRIAN WORLD
founded some kind of productive investment was made for it.
Thus Saladin endowed al-Madrassah al-Suyufiyyah in Cairo with
thirty-two shops, and al-Salahyyah in Jerusalem with a whole street,
the rentals from which maintained the school.
The Educational contributions of the Arabs are thus summarized by Totah in his thesis:
1 The Arabs contributed a great deal to the content of education
during the Middle Ages.
2 They introduced the system of Arabic notation and the decimal
system. Every school child should bless them for relief from
the Roman notation.
3 They introduced textbooks.
4 If the Renaissance is a contribution to education, then the
Arabs are to be credited as educators for their share in that
movement.
5 It was a worthy contribution to education for the Arabs to
have saved the world for several centuries from ignorance
and barbarism.
6 Arabic colleges provided an example for European universities.
7 The Arabs made a substantial contribution to the social education of Europe. They taught Europe the use of fabrics and
textiles, such as cotton, damask, gauze and muslin deriving
their names from Damascus, Gaza, Mosul (respectively) and
thus made life a little less primitive.
They made the homes more attractive by the introduction of
brasswork, woodwork, rugs and mattresses. Food was enriched
and made more palatable through the introduction of sugar, coffee,
oranges, candy, spices and other delicacies. Such words as the following, which are derived from the Arabic, tell the tale: alcohol,
amber, atlas, azure, camphor, candy, carat, coffee, crimson, cumin,
divan, jar, lemon, lute, mattress, saffron, sherbet, syrup, sofa,
spinach, and sugar.
•
The baths of Cordova, street lights, and general comforts of
Arab cities provided lessons in the amelioration of the existing conditions in Europe.
Of Arab ideas of education, some of which are ultra-modern
even for the twentieth century, the following quotations are illustrations:
�JANUARY, 1932
11
"Do not impose your ideas upon your children—for
they are created for an age that is not your age."
Al-Ghazali: "The child is a trust with his parents, and his pure
heart is a precious stone, guileless and free of every
mark or form. It is receptive to whatever might be
inscribed on it."
Said Ali:
ASTRONOMY AND MATHEMATICS:
Astronomy sprang from a humble origin—astrology. The
Arabs' interest in the stars began at a very early date in their history. They understood and improved the system of Ptolemy.
They made important astronomical measurements and calculations.
They built observatories in Baghdad, Damascus, Cairo and Seville.
They used astronomical instruments, and Al-Kindi (850 A. D.)
wrote a treatise on weather predictions.
In mathematics, besides introducing the system of Arab notation and the decimal system, they did serious mathematical work
and passed it on to Europe. Algebra is an Arabic word. They developed trigonometry and introduced the sines. In the time of
Al-Ma'num mathematicians measured the degree of the earth's
circumference. Al-Khawarazmi introduced a new computation
system, the Algorist, which word is a corruption of Al-Khawarazmi.
PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY:
Al-Hazen (965—1038) wrote a work on optics enunciating
the law of reflection and making a study of spherical and parabolic
mirrors. He also devised an apparatus for studying refraction and
was the first physicist to note the magnifying power of lenses. He
gave a detailed account of the human eye, and attempted to explain
the change of the apparent shape of the sun and moon when approaching the horizon. The Arabs employed the pendulum for time
measurement and tabulated specific gravities of metals. (Wiedermann)
Their skill in chemistry enabled them to prepare new chemical
remedies and form many combinations of those already in use.
They produced the first pharmacopeia and established the first apothecaries' shops. Many of the names and many forms of medicine
now used, in fact the general outline of modern pharmacy, except
so far as modified by modern chemistry, started with the Arabs.
(Encyclopedia Brittannica).
�12
"THE SYRIAN WORLD
Arabic chemistry attempted to find a way for prolonging life
to which the work "Elixir" testifies.
Arab chemists experimented with the transmutation of the
baser metals into the precious ones. They discovered certain acids,
and converted poisonous minerals into soft and salutary remedies,
lhe outstanding figure in Arabic chemistry is Jabir Ibn Hayyar
known to Europe as Geber.
MEDICINE:
The subject of Arab contributions to Medicine may well occupy
an entire afternoon. It is both interesting and extensive, but time
permits only of a brief description.
When the Bedouins left the desert, their notions of medicine
were naturally crude and primitive. The early Caliphs at Damascus
and Baghdad turned to Christian and Jewish physicians. To the
medical knowledge which they borrowed from the Greeks, Hindus
and Persians, they contributed liberally. It is significant that in the
beginning of the tenth century A. D. Arab doctors had to pass an
examination and possess a license before they were permitted to
practice Sinan was the chairman of the Board of Examiners in
Baghdad and that city boasted of more than one thousand physicians. Al over the Arab Empire were scattered numerous hospitals. The inhabitants of Baghdad, Mosul, Aleppo, Hamah,
Hums and Damascus enjoyed full hospital and clinic facilities.
Ibn Sina, (Avicenna) and Ar-Razi, are the shining stars in
the firmament of Arabian Medicine. Avicenna was called the
Second teacher—Aristotle being the first. His Quanon, the predecessor of Osier's Principles and Practice of Medicine, was the
guide for medical study in European Universities from the twelfth
to the seventeenth centuries. The Quanon was still used as a text
book in the universities of Louvain and Montpellier up to the year
1650.
The most striking characteristics of Arab physicians were their
keen sense of observation and their diagnostic acumen. Handicapped by the lack of X-ray, laboratory, and other modern aides
in diagnosis, they compensated by developing to the highest degree
their human senses.
PHILOSOPHY:
According to a story told in the Fihrist the Caliph Ma'mun
-earned that he saw the venerable figure of Aristotle seated on a
�JANUARY, 1932
13
throne, and in consequence of this vision he sent a deputation to
the Roman Emperor, Leo the Armenian, to obtain scientific books
for translation into Arabic. The Caliph's example was followed
by private individuals and thus the works of Aristotle, Plato, and
other Greek philosophers were translated. Later Avicenna, though
a physician, wrote extensively on philosophy. Al-Kindi and AlFarabi were other prolific writers on this subject, but the greatest
contributor and moulder of philosophy was Ibn Rushd—Averoes,
the Father of Averroism or positivism, the archskeptic and great
liberal. Rihani says: "Whatever may be the debt of the world to
the Arabs, one thing is a sun-like certainty. In the change from
the theological to the rational and historical method in philosophy,
they played the principal part."
CONCLUSION:
In summing up and assessing the contributions of the Arabs to
world civilization I can do no better than to quote from Dorsey's
"Man's Own Show: Civilization":
"Baghdad alone did more to keep the torch of learning alight
than all the churches of Christendom. Ptolemy, Archimedes, Euclid, Hippocrates and Galen, all could have found chairs waiting
them in Baghdad's eighth-century university. And while Christian
Oxford was trying to digest the first five propositions of the first
book of Euclid, Moslem Cordova and Toledo were working out
spherical trigonometry and the theory of numbers. Nor would
Oxford have had any Euclid at all had not the Rabbi, ben Ezra,
carried Greek algebra and Hindu decimal notations from Spain to
London in 1158.
"Moorish, Arabic, science slowly trickled, or rather was smuggled, into Christian Europe, and after studying, translating, and
assimilating it for five centuries, Europe began to build her own
structure on those Arabic foundations. But there is not a single
great name in science in all Christian Europe before 1600 that
cannot be matched by an Arabic precursor."
,- --.:,.
�»-»•
.r1"
14
THE SYRIAN WORLD
BARBARA YOUNG, Editor
"This day has ended.
It is closing upon us even as the water-lily upon its own tomorrow.
What was given us here we shall keep.
And if it suffices not then again must we come together
And together stretch our hands unto.the giver."
KAHLIL GIBRAN from THE PROPHET.
£S WE WRITE, the year of our Lord nineteen thirty-two is ten
days gone. It has come to us garmented with gray mist and fog
even with driving rain. The poets are disconsolate for snow. How
shall they weave the pattern of their rhymes in the winter season
it snow be wholly lacking?
Wise editors of a flock of magazines will smile. They know
that now the canny rhymster is penning verses running over with
roses noting, and a gold June moon. For the loveliest of snowy
lyrics written in mid-winter must wait a full twelve-month ere it
can be born into print upon the pages of Good Housekeeping or
bcnbner's or the Atlantic Monthly.
It is a curious and fascinating fact that regardless of wind or
weather a phrase or a word, or even a wisp of thought whose origin
we can by no means discover, may waken suddenly, in this whispering gallery that is the poet's laboratory a flood of echoes that bring
him unheralded ecstasy and a new song. The song may be of tha'
young Maid, "eternal April, wandering alone," and snow be falling
whitely outside the sill! Or it may be a gust of wild and wintry
singing, whilst the plum petals lie white upon the grass.
Poetry is a perverse and an enchanting mistress. She mav
come upon you as you sit a little drearily at vour window, gazin^
down upon the dizzy lines of traffic speeding and stopping; and sh?
may smile and shake her head a little, and whisper in your ear something like this—
ft
—- T
�JANUARY, 1932
15
"O night, O darkness, house of love and sleep,
Home of the pilgrim, keeper of the sheep,
Sower of dreams and harvester of pain—"
And something catches in your throat; your breath quickens;
you are oblivious to the cars speeding and stopping, to your window,
to your very self. 'Something has happened. That which is the
essential you is freed from the domineering senses, and you neither
hear nor do you see nor feel in the every day normal fashion. It
is a moment of divine release. Keep this moment, prolong it if you
can. It will not come often, but when it does come be sure it is the
veritable presence of some heavenly visitant taking no account of
time nor season, nor snow nor ruby-budded maple, but only of a
door of consciousness open and waiting for a guest.
Love is Enough
_
Hearken, ye people. There is a thrilling word
Borne on the wind of morning, a white message
Falling like snow upon the rusty hills
And the gray hearts of men.
It is a word
Simple and common as a wayside flower;
A word that once was clothed in childly guise,
Waxed and grew strong in beauty and in wisdom.
In Nazareth, long gone, Love walked his way,
Worked at his bench, and raised his ringing voice
Among the Syrian hills. O memory,
Fragrant with cedar, redolent with myrrh,
Shaken with starlight and a chanting choir,
And visions of young Mary and her Son,
Bring Love to earth today!
If Love shall walk again—
Or carpenter or merchant, priest or prince—
If only Love shall lift his lofty voice
Among the nations, Noel shall be kept
In very deed and truth, and all men's woe
Be salved with solace and with confidence.
Love is enough to heal a thousand worlds.
_ ,M
.
BARBARA YOUNG
Reprmted from The Times, December 23, 1931.
�r
16
"THE SYRIAN WORLD
ISSA, A Poem, by Robert Norwood.
(Scribner's, $2.50)
r,hl ^e m0rnuin£ a knight ago, a book came to my breakfast
table bearing the above title and the poet's signature. Opening it
at random my imagination was caught by the first words that met
my eyes.
r
"I see a window where
The curtained sky
Is caught, is framed, and there
A tree so high
That all the morning's gray and gold and blue
Between its web of branches filter through.
I hear the fluted call
Of hermit thrushes,
The far-off waterfall
That roars and rushes
To turn the moss-green wooden mill-wheel
slowly
As though the world sang, 'Holy, Holy, Holy!' "
These lines of simple beauty tempted me to turn page after
page unt.1 the seven cantos and ninety-five pages were completed.
*ht j*11 the autobiography of a Flame.
be ma
7kTh° Td P°etry f°r an indescribable warmth
f
TT>
blessedness, who will give the volume ready
There wU it
MAIM?
wlf
r
P etry
aS 0ne reviewer
curlZTh1
I''
r^10USpoetry
°
^marks,
curling his lip,
then religious
is"'that which, to use Dr
Norwood s own words, "celebrates" the beauty and power- of those
things which impart to life its vigor and vision and richness. Here
106
ArthUr
dema ds
noetrr"^
*T° Whidl
*»<««"And
» is°*free
true
poetry,
a sense off*exultation
and exaltation."
here
tl of magT
* lyHC *"* ^ mUSic' ** »«* a sudde»
Dr. Norwood, rector of St. Bartholomew's Church, in New
* ork was born and lived through his childhood in Nova Scotia.
m tHat N rthern W0dd is COU led w
s^rit thrti"/,
,' ^
° out of the 'ancient PEast. ^hHea
spirit
that thn Is to
a consciousness
has made a book wherein the homeliest things are revealed to be the
holiest and the fineness and fragrance, and alwavs the-power of
m a
IS SUn
Page t0
ZL^Av
;? K' we
5 fl
"°m gratitude.
P^' with the unerring
word and line "which
read
with
There is arising from this poem a gracious incense of gratitude
�,-;;--*^
JANUARY, 1932
17
to life for the wealth that the race has gathered from those men
of old.
It is the symbol of fundamental soundness, this recognition
of today's debt to yesterday. It is the flowering branch that lifts
in blessing above the dark-rooted earth.
There are many passages I would like to quote. One must
suffice j
"What folly is in man,
What thin disguise
And pretext of corban,
That holds the eyes
From visions of the Masters who have won
The light that pales the splendor of the sun!
Our learning is not worth
The heavy pains
Of study, if the earth
Regard its gains
Only as aeons doomed at last to dust—
The miracle of man, but moth and rust."
Frontiers
When the storm of life has passed from the frontiers
of the spirit,
And the clamor and the clang turned to whisper of
a dream,
And the sacrifice and splendor, the torture and the
blessing—
Is a disappearing gleam—
.
There will be a mighty quiet on the ramparts of new
measures,
There will lift the same persistenie which has stirred
in every place,
There will be the breathless hurry and the long drawn
urge of seeking—
For the light of Beauty's face.
Alice Hunt Bartlett
Mrs. Bartlett -s the distinguished American editor of the Poetrv Review
of London, and -the author of WASHINGTON PREEMINENT, a drama of
the life of the first President, which has been adopted by the government as
its bas:s for the historical pageant to be given in the National capitol early
in June.
�18
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Islam Faces the Challenge of
Liberalism
By H. I. KATIBAH
IN MY EXTENDED stay i„ Cairo I came ,0 know ma„y of the
w"fc 1^, religious dignitaries, scholars, e/ucato^
me f these were ro se
^waS
rh, orthodox
;h°Saffaway
"rS- of
'r°the
°forefathers- some
" were
"'aaves waltangin,, the
^fAteld forarefCaU8ht t ^ °f "* * ^"
8 0 Which Sp
8 ! the
f n cuiy
ury n..
{ D
' "some were nut-snot^,
' "
1^. inrtl'Lart
tne heart ofT
of the d^
desert;
"ftt';ehboteakgtinSt the,hf-hea-d> equivocal^ hSt
nrelen
"i COnClk ***"*" the dead Past and the living
present, some were altogethre indifferent to religion, holding to
the needs of the present age lie in another direction and that Xion
has brought in the past more woe than weal to the millions of3
who neglected this world and held to the illusory promises "ofThe
l ha
e h
ld pkaSUre t0 k ow
Zaki
TT a'and
" of the
Ahmed
^aJciiP^hfttT
asha, the geniali V\
Arab scholar
popular leader
nan
Arabic movement His home in Giza,a substantial Oriental"
mansion with a little garden in front, facing the Nile about three
hundred yards from the modern bridge, cabled after he orm
£tSfc IS^W^^L" a Mecca to aI] those wh' sss
Oie Arabic hast and work for the restoration of its old glorv and
Clkh
if *
i u
,°f Araby • And a she'kh in the best sense
of he word he certainly is. His hospitality is spontaneous and T,
cere ; his beaming, ruddy, round faec and sparkling eyesTonce
reveal a charming good nature and integrityof emotions that are
always ^ted in our minds with the true Arab gemkman and
without which the outward hospitality is a mocking^kits
a .nan about sixty, but his unusal exuberance and remXble^L
ity make you forget his gray, partly bald head and cl selv clmoed
moustache. At home when with friends, he prefers toapS
the comfortable and loose Jullabiyyah, always immaculLl^white
and a Persian woolen aba or white Arabic gold-br,ided burno"
�JANUARY, 1932
Jg
While on his head lies lightly a skull cap, embroidered around in
golden letters with two lines of Arabic poetry, the purport of which
is a call on the Arabic nation to arise from its slumber of indifference
and dissension. Wherever you turn in his spacious home you find
yourselr face to face with some precious souvenir from some Arab
sovereign or admiring leader, that you sometime wonder if you
are in a miniature Arab museum. The backgammon board he plays
on—and the pasha is an expert backgammon player— is the handiwork of Sultan Abdul-Hamid, exquisitely inlaid with ivory by the
hands of the late Ottoman despot, while in the dining room on the
second floor attractive bureaus and secretaries from the deft cabinet
masters of Damascus line the wall.
While Ahmed Zaki Pasha is a devout Moslem, as may be interred from his life-desire to leave for perpetuity a little mosque
of l<atimide architecture only a few paces away from his residence,
he is primarily a scholar and a genial man of the world. His library
in the Gunyyah Mosque in the city is one of the best private col'
lections of rare Arabic manuscripts and printed works. He tends
to liberalism in his religious views, but not enough to satisfy some
modern Moslem liberals, and a little too much to please the old
reactionaries. Yet to all he opens wide his hospitable arms, and all
are welcome to his home—be they liberals, radicals or dyed- inthc-wool conservatives—provided they are Arabs or lovers of the
Arabs.
t
°?Z ^I I ?amC f° my pension t0 find a telephone message
from Ahmed Zaki Pasha. I called him back and found that he
wanted me to have dinner with him at his home and spend the
evening there.
"Be sure to come", he pressed, "for there is a gentleman from
India I want you to meet, and Ismail Mazhar Bey and others will
be present."
Enquiring of the nature of the meeting, the pasha informed
me that there was going to be an old-fashioned, honest-to-goodness
catch-as-catch-can religious argument. No quarter was to be given
no deference to touchy sensibilities, no mincing of words
The opportunity was a rare one and I could not afford to miss
it for anything Besides, it was the first time I was to meet Ismail
Mazhar Bey the Bob Ingersoll of Egypt, of whom I had heard
a great deal from my Egyptian friends, and with whose published
works and current articles in his outspoken radical magazine I was
already familiar.
The gentleman from India turned out to be an Ahmadiyyah
�20
SSdnS
THE SYRIAN WORLD
aUd th Suh
%
rCt
of his
^
<« was whether the
expected Christ, as predicted in a Tradition of the Prophet, had
actually returned as the Ahmadiyyah sect holds. For the informaec inT 1C
VT b£ Sald that the Ah diyyah is a recent
sect m Islam, going back to the middle of the nineteenth century
and owes its rise to a certain Mirza Ghulam Ahmed of Qadian in
the 1 unjab who claimed that he was the expected Christ. The Ahmadiyyah claim to be strict Moslem orthodox, but discard a lot of
traditions that do not coincide with their peculiar teachings Their
zeal as missionaries is well-attested to by the many converts they
have already made not only in India, but also in London, Paris,
Berlin and our own Chicago. In the Arabic-speaking world, however, they have not been so fortunate. Their activities in Damascus
only brought about their expulsion recently and some rough maltreatment at the hands of pious, orthodox Moslems
Ahmed Zaki Pasha had prepared for the occasion. On a table
m the guest parlour facing his study, he had piled formidablelooking, yellow-leaved tomes of Moslem theology and exegisisIe-R I!""' " ?PI °f al~?aidawi's Commentary, the Traditions of
al-Bukhan and other standard works. It was the strategy of Ahmed
Zaki Pasha and his supporters to show that a certain authenticated
Iradition makes Mohammed say that Christ, the son of Mary
was the expected Messiah to return on earth, and that just preceding
the Last Day. The Ahmadiyyah missionary and his two supporters,
converts from Damascus, on the other hand, made a strenuous
effort to prove that Mirza Ghulam Ahmed of Qadian fulfilled in
his person the prophetical conditions and prerequisities of the returning Messiah.
As the argument waxed hot, Ismail Mazhar Bey grew impatient his massive, thick-built body squirming under the sultry
heat of an oppressive Spring evening in Cairo. Outside, only a few
paces away, the limpid Nile was placidly flowing on in front of the
pasha s mansion, reflecting the myriads of fluttering lights of the
gay Oriental city. But inside the mansion itself serious business
was going on. It was one instance out of countless others in which
Islam was facing the challenge of critical, devastating liberalism.
>u
rSV n \TJS this meSS °f irrelevency you are wading
through: ', finally blurted out Ismail Bey, after a few futile effort!
to make the contestants define their terms at each stage ®f the
argument before trying to prove their points by pointless quotations
He wiped the perspiration off his brow and leaned forward in his
chair.
|1
�JANUARY, 1932
21
"Why waste time", he continued, "delving into niceties of the
Traditions and interpretations of theologians who lived a thousand
or more years ago, and who talk a language we no more understand?
Before we discuss whether Ahmed of Qadian is the expected Messiah or not, let us first see what this Messiah idea is, and whether
it has a place in our modern conception of society and religion.
Gentlemen, we are assuming too much that must first be authenticated in fact and justified by reason. We quote the Qoran and
Traditions as if they were infallible scientific axioms, when even
scientific axioms themselves stand in need of proof and demonstration
There were voices of protest. Ahmed Zaki Pasha insisted
that since the Ahmadiyyah were confessed believers in Islam, all
that was necessary was to argue the relevant point whether Ahmed
of Qadian could be the expected Messiah when an authenticated
Tradition specifies the returning Christ to be the Son of Miriam,
and whether the appearance of the founder of Ahmadiyyah did
fulfill those signs and events which prophecies associated with the
return on earth of Christ the Son of Miriam.
But the point of interest to me was that no one present seemed
to resent the remarks of Ismail Mazhar Bey, devastating as they
were of the very foundation of Islam and all revealed religions.
He was not denounced as a zindiq or mulhid (atheist), and
no voice was raised to tar and feather the brazen heretic and run
him out of Cairo.
True, this was partly due to the fact that Mazhar Bey was a
privileged character in Cairo, whose taunting tirades against ortho-'
doxy have come to be taken with a little gracious smile and a little
pinch of salt. The good-hearted, honest Mazhar Bey could mean
no serious harm by his strutting vaunts of liberalism; they are part
and parcel with the liberal convivialities and amusements of the
easy-going, pleasure-bound city of numerous cafes, vaudevilles and
theatres.
Partly, however, it was due to the fact that times have changed
considerably since the War, and momentous cataclysms which have
made the world shock-proof have had their effect on Egypt and all
other countries of the East.
What heresies could be considered surprising now to the orthodox Moslems of Egypt or Syria after the sweeping heresies of
Mustapha Kemal Pasha and his followers? What socialistic Utopian
vaguaries could be considered impractical when a former absolute
monarchy is engaged today in putting into practice the most radical
ft
�22
7HE SYRIAN WORLD
teachings of Marx and Lenin? And yet, I heard once a great
feminist leader, a prominent Moslem lady of Cairo, call Mustapha
Kemal Pasha the real saviour of Islam, and praise his reforms in
the most enthusiastic, unstinting fashion.
In every day, and in a thousand and one ways, Islam is facing
the challenge of the liberal spirit. The issue can no more be ignored
or dodged by turbaned theologians or ecclesiastical hierarchies which
claim a heavenly source of authority. The decided trend to realism among the college and university students of the East, the
frankly agnostic spirit of the literati, the insistence of the man in
the street that religion should primarily be a matter of conduct
and ethics, and the disregard or even complete discard of the trappings of creed and ritual by thousands of otherwise good churchgoers and honest religionists, are but signs of the age which ushers
in the automobile and talkies to the Lands of the Near East, the
cradle of religion and the descent-place of inspiration.
A Legal Opinion
Mr. Faris S. Malouf, a Syrian lawyer of Boston, Mass., expresses his opinion of the Syrian World as follows:
"la undertaking the publication of the Syrian World, you
have addressed yourself to the noble service of your people. You
have dedicated yourself to a difficult task among very difficult people. Yet, the loftiness of your purpose and the worthiness of your
methods as an editor and publisher have merited the respect and
admiration of your fellowmen.
"You are to be sincerely congratulated upon the literary value
and style of the Syrian World. When the history of the Syrian
people in America is written, the Syrian World and its editor and
publisher will occupy their place among the best and most beautiful achievements of our people. May your excellent publication
always be the open door between the best of what is Syrian and the
best of what is American for our young generation."
�mrawn—i
m
JANUARY, 1932
23
Death of the Maronite Patriarch
JHE DEATH en Dtecember
24, 1931, of His Beatitude Elias
J eter Howayek. the Maronite Patriarch, at his see at Bekerkv
a few miles north of Beirut in Mt. Lebanon, brings to a close a long
md extinguished career of public service both in civic leadership
and ir, presiding over the destinies of one „f the oldest Christian
churches of the East.
Patriarch Howayek was held in reverence and esteem not
alone by hi s own foil
owers but by all the people of Lebanon of
every religious denomination. He was called not simply the Maromte Patriarch, but the Lebanese Patriarch, in gratitude for the
many signal services he rendered the country out of purely patnofic motives, and without distinction for section or creed. During
the World War he was persecuted and threatened with exile by
the lurks, but despite the trying ordeals through which he passed,
he managed to bring considerable relief to the starving and suffering people of Lebanon. At the close of the war, he was unanimously chosen to represent the people of Lebanon at the Versailles
Peace Conference.
Patriarch Howayek lived to the ripe age of eighty-eight, having been born on December 20, 1843 at the village of Hilta, in
the District of Batroun, Mt. Lebanon.
The Patriarch's parents were of modest means, but managed
to give him the education he craved even at a tender age. For
years he plodded five miles on foot every day to attend the school
oi bt. John Maron, until his parents were persuaded to send him as
a boarder to the Jesuit College at Gazir.where he took up the study
of French Latin and Greek, having already mastered Arabic and
byriac. Not content, however, with the limited educational facilities available in Lebanon, he applied on his own initiative for a
scholarship at the Propaganda College'in Rome. The Cardinal
Iretect of the College ,s said to have so admired the ambition of
the young student that he wrote to the Maronite Patriarch recommending a grant of scholarship to him. He spent in Rome seven
years and graduated as a Doctor of Theology and Canon Law
His ordination to the priesthood took place in Lebanon at the
hands of Bishop Joseph Jahjah in 1870. His elevation to the
honorary bishopric of Arka was in 1889, and his choice for the
Patriarchate was reached twelve days after the death of his pre-
�24
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Patriarch Elias Howayek
December 20, 1843—December 24, 1931
Acclaimed as the "Lebanese Patriarch" by adherents of all
religious denominations.
�\\
JANUARY, 1932
25
decessor, Patriarch John Haj, on Dec. 24, 1898. For seventeen
years he had been private secretary to the Patriarch and in that
capacity gained much useful experience in the conduct of the exalted office which later he was to occupy.
While bishop he visited Europe and had private audiences
with many rulers, including Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria and
Sultan Abdul Hamid. He also raised funds for the restoration of
the Maronite College in Rome which owes its present flourishing
condition to his tireless efforts and sustained interest.
The most trying years of the Patriarch's life were those of
the World War when one hundred and fifty thousand of his people
perished through starvation said to have been purposely brought
about by the Turks in their efforts to exterminate the Christians of
the East and thereby eliminate them as a cause of the constant
meddling of Europe in the internal affairs of the Ottoman Empire
The Patriarch made every effort to stave off the disaster, donating
all the funds and selling much of the property of the Patriarchate
for relief purposes. His activities were curtailed by the relentless
persecution of Jamal Pasha, the Turkish military governor of
Syria, who had him arrested and sought to exile him to a distant
place in the Empire where he would be out of touch with his people.
The Patriarch was saved from such a fate only through the intercession of the Pope and of Emperor Franz Joseph who was his
personal friend.
At the conclusion of the war the Patriarch, despite his advanced
age, undertook the journey to Paris to claim for Lebanon the benefit
of independence which would Irft from it the heavy hand of continued Turkish rule. In this capacity he acted as the national representative of, the people of Lebanon without distinction of creed.
Surely, for a country still basing its political institutions on denominational representation, the unanimous selection of the Patriarch
of one creed as the national representative at such a momentous
occasion as that of the Peace Conference was a notable tribute to
the man's broad and high conception of patriotism. The Patriarch's
efforts culminated in the declaration of the independence of Lebanon in 1920, and the formation of the Republic of Lebanon in
1926, when he was specially invited to attend the official ceremony
on the latter occasion, being accorded a reception by the people
of Beirut, the capital, such as is given only to great national heroes.
The late Patriarch was most solicitous for the well-being of
the Maronites of America, according to the editor of the Syrian
World who published in the March, 1930 issue of the magazine
3
�26
THE SYRIAN WORLD
The Patriarch at Home
his
^^"VkC^iTTr hehadheWith
Beatitude late
TOS reported t0
exclaimed, "Is i not strai«rh °r"fTS?
h^e
have now'migrated totX^/K? « °l T, "^
\
t„:uSSSTS,^
* 'he
Ugh fifteen ce turi
redous
which has come do
P
»^cy
i» a generation."
" es should be lost
Even at that time he was rpmrt.j
j
8
other journey to Paris to TaLuard I" T^ * ,U"dertake *People, this time "against the Seed of '
" °f Ws beloved
interests who were E^^$£ZT?**»* fo gn
e Ilttle the
economic resources."
y Possessed of
1e
�JANUARY, 1932
27
Who Are the Maronites
Having received their Christian faith from the Apostles, they maintained it against all -persecution throughout the centuries They
were allies of the Crusaders and were granted special protection
by France.
By
MICHAEL ABOUSSLEMAN
PRACING BACK their history to remote times, the Maronites of
V
Lebanon can claim direct descent from the ancient Phoenicians. They came to be known by their present name, however, only
since the fifth century of our era. Of course, this should not be
taken to mean that they embraced Christianity only at that late age
because their conversion dates back to the time of the Apostles
themselves. But in the first half of the fifth century, when' the
church was torn with internal dissension, a monk-priest known then
as Maron the Hermit, and since as St. Maron, caused them to hold
steadfast to the Roman faith and formed of them a solid unit of the
Cathohe church in the East. Since then they came to be known as
his followers, otherwise Maronites.
St. Maron was an accomplished theologian, an eloquent orator
and above all, a saintly man who was held in the highest esteem
by his contemporaries among the Fathers of the Church, especially
by St. John Chrysostom with whom he exchanged correspondence.
Maron the Hermit had attracted to his monastic life a large following who established themselves on the banks of the Orontes near
Horns. The strife then rampant in the Christian church led to
severe persecution and acts of cruelty, which once resulted in the
massacre of 350 disciples of Maron and caused him to seek refuge
in the fastness of North Lebanon. There he continued his championship of the Nicean Creed, and aside from strengthening the
Christians of the mountain in their faith, he encouraged them in
their struggle for independence and became their natural leader
in all civic enterprises. From that time until our present day the
Maromte clergy has played a leading part in shaping the destinies
oi their peopk, both in their spiritual allegiance and in their political and economic affairs.
Such was the condition of the Maronites in the middle of the
seventh century, and when, shortly after the appearance of Islam,
�.&
26>
7*#£ SYRIAN WORLD
Omar Ibn Al-Kattab was proclaimed caliph (A.D.635) and the
Arab wave of conquest swept over Palestine and Syria, the Maronites, who were in occupation of a large part of the plains, retired to
the fastness of then- mountain stronghold and there resisted the
efforts of the invaders to subdue them. It may here be mentioned
»2Lf "°K
j\hlstory wras ^is proud and valiant people completely subjected by any of the many powerful foreign invaders
who dreamed of world conquest and had to travel to it over the
Syrian highway Persians, Greeks and Romans all stopped short
of the impregnable mountain, as much owing to its natural strength
as to the valor and determination of its inhabitants who in all history
S
rheerMeVer -JC
°f thdr indePenden«=- Thus the ancestors of
the Maronites were ever treated as a privileged people so that by
agreement and understanding only could conquerors continue their
march either to the north or to the south without endangering their
lines of communications.
^
h
Wkh
had
lodJc\
LAByzantine
KhS' ,h°Werulers
T' "?°
°ne miof
^ht
y stroke
dislodged the
from the plains
Syria,
did not deem
it expedient to treat the Maronites as other invaders had treated
hem before, a mistake whose enormity they realized only after
the Maromtes had resisted their onward march to the conquest of
Constantinople for forty years, rising in their way like a brass wall.
It was to be exact, forty two years later, A. D. 677, that the Umav
vad caliph Abdul Malek Ibn Marwan, becoming t^loLt Unites (Maronites of that period) raids on his newly conquered domains and fearful of the ill effects of their hampering tactics on
Islam's stabilization and further progress, contrived to arrange an
armistice with Justinian, the Byzantine Emperor, by which the Caliph engaged himself to deliver to the Emperor, daily, one thousand
dinars, one slave and one pedigreed horse, on the express condition
that he relieve him of the Meredite menace. Thus the youthful
Emperor partly through love of gold and partly through his ignor-
ubt e d
of ri al mtn
?0of cttheeh°e Moslems
M i andrr
° r ^> 3** £?« ^23.
by ruse and treachery succeeded in expatriating twelve thousand of the flower of the Meredites' warriors thus
hSI °Z\ A ^ °W»handS ?C braSS Wdl Which stood between
him and the Arabs. History does not record where this valiant
army settled or what disposition the Emperor made of it In some
accounts, they are said to have been forced to settle in Armenia
while other accounts represent them as having been removed- to
Ulicia. Some historians are positive that they were transported
to Albania, in the Balkans, where their descendants are said to be
{
») ."' ' '
�—
JANUARY, 1932
!
29
A typical scene in the Maronite country of Northern Lebanon.
1 hrtvtng villages rise on the massive shoulders of high mountains
almost on the brink of yawning valleys.
still blown as the Meredites. Whatever the case, the fact remains
hatthedeportatIon0f these warriors from Lebanon opened to the
Arabs the doors of Asia Minor and sounded the death knell of the
Byzantine Empire in the Near East.
Justinian's action had a calamitous effect not only on the
Empire but on the standing of the Maronites who composed the
most cogent unit of Christiandom in the East. Because as a consequence they had to further retrench in their mountain where
they remained for the three succeeding centuries on the defensive,
being continually harassed by Arab raids. It was only in 1098 A
D when the Crusaders invaded Syria and for a time held it against
"rr A thCrM*rTeS fdt thdr PrestiSe stored, inasmuch as they and the Crusaders were fighting for a common cause
and they acted in the country as guides and allies to their co-religionists from across the sea.
The Maronite country became a part of the Crusaders' kingdom, but the Crusaders respected its autonomy and political traditions by allowing its own emirs to remain in power. This condition of security for the Maronites lasted throughout the Crusaders'
occupation of Syria, and proved to be the foundation of the strong
�30
THE SYRIAN WORLD
historical record to'a.'vTh
K ^LoL Jxtf Fn " " 2*7 rf
became St. Louis landed with!,,
France, who later
Simaan, the X of the M, h,.sf army **<« (St. John D'Acre),
KM£SSSJS£S5S
ty of purpose h„weveerX- wl^bfe\f sunt^^ "» ^
Inis condition of persecution and unrest lasted ,,nt;i rf.
bloodiest episode in the h storv of T el
tervene in their hehoif£
Th.nrnferfi^n «f •
r?
rFrance
^T^0"/
If w
^ the
,
caused them to m> as the protector of the Eastern
/i
placing ot the Lebanon under the
the Worid War when ¥117^°" **Tt T' the 0Utbrak °f
lot with
European
•
•"? ^'i""
*<= !.Centarf
,.'? Power!
rowers, SdI
and hbeing
suspicious
of the nrn All,,
•
MMHI
,
�JANUARY, 1932
31
Waik Kadisha (Sacred Valley) where St. Mar on and his disciples
first settled when they came to Northern Lebanon. Some of their
early monasteries may still be seen faintly on the slopes.
1
ade of the Syrian coast by preventing provisions to reach them from
interior points, caused 150,000 of the population to perish from
starvation. In this the whole Lebanese population fared equally,
Moslems, Christians and Druzes, because of the Turks' suspicions
of their pro-Ally sentiments.
The heavy price the Lebanese paid in blood, however, brought
about their freedom from the Turkish yoke. During the peace
conference in Paris the Maronite Patriarch, as the delegate of the
Lebanese at large irrespective of creed, argued for the liberation
of Lebanon and its placing under the French mandate. In 1920
Greater Lebanon was declared in fulfillment of one of the demands
of the Lebanese for the return of their country to its former boundaries, and in 1926 Lebanon was declared a republic as a further grant
of national independence. The Maronites form the largest single
unit of the population of Lebanon, and the present political status
of the country is considered a triumph of their ideals.
�-
THE SYRIAN WORLD
!'
Syria in Romance
Editor s Note—As announced at the opening of our current year, it is part of
our new policy to give an cutline of all works of fiction related with Syra,
in the belief that such a step would further carry out the'policy of the magazine and enrich our readers' stoie of nformation en Syria's place in literature
Suggestions from our readers on available works for this department will be
appreciated.
The Brethren
By
RIDER HAGGARD
Condensed by Dagny Edwards
PROLOGUE
\
J
YUSUF SALAH-ED-DIN, thrice in succession dreamt that his
niece, who dwelt in England, daughter of his dead sister, Zobeide, and a Frankish lord, Sir Andrew D'Arcy, would by her presence
at Saladin's side, in a way not yet revealed to him in his dreams,
withhold him from much bloodshed, and save the world from
great misery. Upon the interpretation of this dream by his holy
Imams and Diviners, Salah-ed-din commanded a certain false
knight, Sir Hugh Lozelle, a Frankish spy who knew the Sultan's
niece, also another spy, disguised as a Christian, and one of his
most trusted and greatest Emirs, Prince Hassan, to capture the
maiden by force, if she refused to come willingly to Syria.
That her dignity be worthy of her high blood and fate, Salahed-din decreed that she become the Princess of Baalbec, ruled, before her, by her grandfather, Ayoub, and uncle, Izzedin. A stout
galley of war, under the command of Prince Hassan was purchased
and with a royal gift of jewels to the lady, his niece, and a letter
to the English lord, her. father, Sir Andrew D'Arcy, the company
set sail for England, with orders to return with the maiden or never
again dare look on the face of the Sultan.
Thus did Yusuf Salah-ed-din, ere he waited patiently till
God should fulfill the vision which He had sent him in his sleep.
1
*
�JANUARY, 1932
33
THE STORY
t
RETURNING quietly from an afternoon of gathering marsh
^ flowers along the sea wall on the coast of Essex, Rosamund
D'Arcy and the twin brethren, her cousins, pale, stately, dreamy
Godwin, and bold-fronted, blue-eyed warrior Wulf, were startled
from the calm of the peaceful ride toward their castle nine miles
away, by a band of armed men who approached them by boat, surrounded the party and barred all paths of escape.
"To the boat," shouted Godwin.
But sails and oars were gone, and mocking voices bade him
let Rosamund into the boat and save them the trouble of carrying
her there.
"Give her up now and go your way with your arms and horses,
for you are gallant young men, whose blood we do not wish to
shed."
At this, the brethren laughed together. "We will give her up
with our last breath, but not before. Who has such urgent need of
the lady Rosamund?"
The answer came, "Lozelle." Now the knight Lozelle, Essex-born and powerful, once had sought Rosamund's hand in marriage. Being rejected, he had voiced many threats, until Godwin
as the elder of the twins, had fought and wounded him. He had
then disappeared, fully a year before.
Rosamund begged them not to let her fall into Lozelle's
hands; she would rather that Godwin kill her there, then to attempt
their escape after her death. One chance remained for the lady
Rosamund, and Godwin spoke these words, "The gray horse you
ride is strong and true. Turn now and spur him into the water of
Death Creek and swim it. It is broad, but the incoming tide will
help you and perchance you will not drown. Bless us and be gone."
Rosamund made the treacherous leap and as she headed for the
bank the woman-thieves shouted in wonder for a deed such as this
they had thought a girl would never dare. Then with a rush the
band came upon the two tall twin warriors whose long swords smote
their faces as swiftly as they came toward them. Three fell and were
killed; three were pushed in the water below; two drowned; several
were wounded, and others made their escape. The battle was not
yet over, when the brethren turned about and saw Rosamund safely
near the opposite shore. Suddenly, one whom the brethren thought
dead, leapt upon Godwin with a bloody sword and smote him to the
ground. Wulf fiercely assailed the man, killing him with two
�34
d
THE SYRIAN WORLD
blows; then lifting Godwin to his saddle, made a swift dash for his
own horse, and shouted aloud the war-cry of the D'Arcy's "A D'Arcyl a D'Arcy] Contre D'Arcy! Contre Mort!" Thus in a flash
they made their way through the ranks of the foe, to safety, and
until the shouts had died away behind them, and the sound of their
horses hoofs was the only sound heard, did darkness fall upon the
minds of Wulf and Godwin.
A-month or more later when Godwin had regained his senses
and was slowly gaining his strength, the strange tale of Rosamund's
escape and their day's battle was retold to Godwin by Sir Andrew
who was so pleased with the bravery and knightly deeds of the brethren that he presented his tale to the king with the prayer that he,
the king, would grant Sir Andrew a command in writing to knight
Godwin and Wulf. This the king did.
Another month'went by, when on the last day of November,
after much preparation, ceremony and feasting, the brethren were
publicly knighted. Now, for the first time, the brethren felt the
cold grip of jealousy pulling at their hearts. Both were in love
with Rosamund, but neither knew which she preferred. Sore at
heart, they finally decided to gain Sir Andrew's permission that each
might speak to her on the same day, Godwin first, asking the lady
to give her answer within a day. To further seal the amity and
love the brethren bore each other, they swore an oath before God
and the I nor, that they would abide by Rosamund's decision, and
that as far as possible, they would suffer neither bitterness nor
jealousy to come between their love because of this woman.
After pleading their cases before Rosamund, the brethren
anxiously awaited her decision, which came the next day. Lovely
Rosamund refused both, but gave her promise that if all were living
in two years' time and if they still wanted her for wife, she would
choose one and marry him at once. She declared they were all still
young for marriage and since it was so difficult to make a choice between two such men, she might in truth learn which was the better
knight. There the matter amicably stood, while the brethren felt
their lives now had a purpose which fired them to dare, do and win
As the brethren left Rosamund, there came up the steps a tall
man clad in pilgrim's hood and carrying a palmer's staff He
sought shelter for himself and mule, also a word with Sir Andrew
1: Arcy, for whom he had a message. His name, they learned, was
JNichoJas of Salisbury, who brought from his master, Salah-ed-din,
a chest of jewels for Rosamund, and the message which told the
tale of his dream, bidding his beautiful niece, whom he had never
n
�'
JANUARY, 1932
35
seen, come to Damascus. Rosamund would not be forced into any
marriage or even to change her religion, but come she must, or
within a year from the day he received her answer, Rosamund would
be lead to him, with honor, if willingly, by force, if unwilling.
The precious gifts and titles of Princess of Baalbec were the bait
to tempt her, but in answer to her father's query, "Will you go and
queen it there?" her only word was, "nay," which answer was
written to Salah-ed-din. At the conclusion, Sir Andrew told the
story of his meeting with Zobeide; how when he was a young man
some twenty years ago, he was wounded and taken prisoner in the
capture of Harenc. Ayoub was governor, and Sir Andrew was
taken to Damascus where he was lodged in Ayoub's palace and kindly treated. There he became a friend to the young Salah-ed-din
and his sister, Zobeide, who although half Sir Andrew's age, loved
him as he loved her, changed her faith and offered to flee to England with him. Luckily, Sir Andrew had once, in battle, saved the
life of one Jebal, young chief of a terrible and cruel people. Their
castles were at Masyaf in Lebanon. Jebel swore that if ever Sir
Andrew needed help, he had but to summon him, and in token of
this oath, Jebal gave Sir Andrew a signet ring which would give
D'Arcy power in Jebal's dominion, equal to the ruler himself. True
to his word, when Sir Andrew sent word that he needed help to
escape to England, Jebal provided such swift horses for Zobeide
and D'Arcy that the cavalry of Ayoub could not overtake them.
Upon reaching Beirut, they were married, and there too, Zobeide
was baptised as a Christian. Before arriving safely in England,
however, a message was brought Sir Andrew from Ayoub and his
son, Saladin, who swore they would recapture Zobeide. Later,
upon her death, Rosamund took her mother's place in the oath in
the heart of the Sultan, Salah-ed-din.
And so the story told, they sought to question the palmer,
whom they did not trust. Early next morning, seeking to rouse him
they found the palmer gone, and though they hunted far and wide
for three hours, Nicholas could not be found.
As time passed on and nothing happened to disturb them, they
soon forgot their fears, although a guard was set every night,
twenty men slept in the Hall and they had arranged that on the
lighting of a signal fire upon the tower of Steeple Church, their
neighbors should come to their assistance.
Towards Christmas, Prior John told them he was going to
Southminster to buy wine for the Christmas feast. He had heard
that a ship laden with wine of Cyprus of wonderful quality had
�THE SYRIAN WORLD
n r
Ge rgi S dreW the wi e
horncunso?
° Rosamund
°
» > andany
filledThen
the
horn cups of all,Tpresent*' except
who refused
hftmg ha own cup, he bade them drink As he
aDDeareHL J
his beaker nil fr,!! ,^ u,
^ ne appeared to drain
meT C*VSo1h.Tn ^^ged m° *an a score of armed
par iaX d L5 Sir A,?H
I I fierce struggle with them, the
Pnnce Hassan,) assumed a^^S^SS?^^
R~
J ?,0!'thS paSSed by- and th<: brethren in their search for
of TehT, ' :h° '" th,e m?'7hile> had <« capture bva band
were in her h« use i^
P
7
Wlth Ut Masouda
°
'* aid, since they
^^,£* -]ied S°» °f the Sand, the'hne't Ped'
u iwnib, i lame and Smoke; and after assuring
4*1
�JANUARY, 1932
ft
: W
37
the Arab that the brethren could ride, and would be kind masters
their bargain was sealed.
But Godwin was troubled for it seemed to him as though in a
dream, that when they were on the treacherous trial ride, with
Masouda in back of him, and Son of the Sand on Wulf's steed, that
as they leapt through the air from one sheer cliff to another, Masouda pressed her lips close upon his cheek.
The next day being the forth day agreed upon, Godwin and
Wulf sought out Masouda, and although once again she warned
them of the danger facing them, she consented to guide them to
Sinan. Leaving at nightfall, with Masouda disguised as a servant
lad, they covered several nights and several days on the mountain
side, when one night they lay down to rest in a spot where many
lions were. Masouda and Wulf slept, while Godwin kept watch
before the fire*. Suddenly as Godwin sat musing and thinking of
the lovely Masouda, he heard an agonized cry, and springing to her
side, he found Masouda hanging from the jaws of a great yellow
lioness. He hurled a burning cedar bough at it, whereat the beast
dropped Masouda, and fought Godwin until he fell, a senseless
mass beneath the heavy weight of the lioness. When his senses
returned, Godwin found Masouda safe, cleaning his wounds. Wulf
had finally wakened from his slumber and half asleep, had smote
the beast dead with his sword. After a few days rest they finally
reached the city and castle of Al-Jebal.
Before the presence of the terrible Jebal, the brethren told
their tale, but even as they finished, messengers entered, followed
by a veiled woman. As she unveiled, the brethren stared, for there
stood Rosamund
Pretending to be her half-brothers, for thus
only could they hope to remain with her, the brethren received the
counsel and assistance of Masouda, who laid plans for their escape.
Fired by the insolence and sneers of Lozelle, Wulf challenged him
to a combat which Jebal sanctioned. After a furious fray which
took place in the moonlight on a narrow bridge, Lozelle was killed
by Wulf, and the brothers made their escape to a cave shown them
by Masouda, before any knew what they were about. Rosamund
and Masouda joined them later, and then followed a desparate
flight to Emesa, swiftly pursued by Jebal's men. All seemed lost,
as the Assassins were directly upon them, when suddenly, from in
front of a hill, rushed squadrons of turbaned cavalry, shouting
"Salah-ed-din Salah-ed-din!"
Too late did the Assassins turn to flee, and but a few lived to
tell their tale to Jebal, the furious, who was himself in love with
�aaas
38
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Rosamund, and now doubly infuriated at her escape.
It was Prince Hassan who came to the rescue, and thus they
followed him to Saladin, who kind though he was, and though he
listened well to their tale, was firm in his resolution that Rosamund
should stay with him; moreover, if the brethren should attempt to
steal her, they would die ; and should she escape from him, and
Saladin recapture her, then she should die. Thus with the greatest
of honour did Godwin and Wulf remain in peace at the palace of
Salah-ed-din. Once indeed, the brethren, thanks to Masouda's
good counsel, saved the Sultan's life from a band of Assassins who
entered his palace in disguise. Salah-ed-din gratefully offered the
brethren, each in turn, the hand of Rosamund in marriage, if they
would accept his faith, but the twins refused. Then it was that
Saladin announced they must choose between staying at the Castle
and fighting for him in the coming war between the Cross and the
Crescent or go forth to fight with the Franks... leaving the choice
to Rosamund, who bade them serve the Cross. So giving them safe
conduct to Jerusalem, the Sultan, Rosamund, Masouda and the
brethren, bade their farewells, not daring to think that they would
see each other again alive.
( To be continued in the February issue)
Sayings of Ali
Birth is but the herald of Death.
* * *
A rich miser is poorer than an open-handed pauper.
* * *
The blow is more painful coming from one's beloved.
* * *
Your gray hair is your obituary announcement.
* * *
The thirst for gold is stronger than the thirst for water.
* * *
The victor is he who escapes the iniquity of his own soul.
*
*
T1
A meeting place for the exchange of knowledge is a corner of
Paradise.
.
~.-
�*- A sm
" """'
JANUARY, 1932
-
1-IWMWIIMMIJilL.. -
39
TRVE ARABIAN TA
THE LADY PRISONER WHO ENSLAVED HER CAPTOR
WHATEVER MAY BE said of the Arabs' unscrupulous attitude
toward raiding, robbing of caravans and the murdering of men
and enslaving of women, there are any number of instances which
prove that they are exceedingly responsive to impulses of chivalry
and the grand display of the magnanimous, even when they are engaged in the very business of despoiling innocent travelers of their
property. Such an incident is recorded of Mohammad Ibn Saleh
El 'Alawi, who lived in the reign of the caliph Al-Mutwakil, and
had caused that caliph considerable anxiety by his seditious activities.
Obviously with the intention of recording only his love experience, Mohammad relates the following incident which befell him
while an outlaw and a price placed on his head. It is here recorded
as it is told, in the first person, with the exercise of but little license
in the translation wherever an elucidation of the original would
seem necessary, but with no radical divergence from the general
meaning of the text. Said Mohammad:
When I was a rebel against the caliph I sought by every possible means to rouse the country against him and cause general disturbances of the peace. While thus engaged I once intercepted the
great caravan which had gathered for the annual pilgrimage to
Mecca, and my men were anticipating an immense prize in loot.
The goods were to be distributed on the spot and I sat on a stool in
the open to supervise the division, when from the immense circle
that was drawn about me the curtains of a hawdaj (litter) on one
of the captured camels were parted and the soft voice of a woman
was heard asking about the leader of the raiding party. I looked
up and saw a sight of beauty that held me actually spellbound. For
the lady was not only beautiful but had an air of dignity and refinement which proclaimed her a person of the highest breeding.
�40
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Such an apparition could not fail but elicit a sympathetic response,
and to my answer that I was the leader of the party she thus addressed me:
"I am Hamdouniah, daughter of Issa Ibn Moussa, whose high
standing in the court of the caliph you will not fail to recognize.
I am not questioning your motives nor uttering a threat; I only wish
to ask a simple favor as an appeal to your chivalry. You may retain everything you have seized and I promise to further grant you
the sum of thirty thousand dinars, on condition that none of your
men abuse my privacy or seek to uncover my face. As an Arab I
feel sure you will protect the honor of the daughters of families."
I neither argued nor bargained, but immediately called my
men together and issued to them orders to this effect:
"Everything taken from this caravan must be returned, even
the victuals. Whosoever retains even an ighal will lay himself
open to punishment."
I respected the wish of the lady to the extent of not holding
even personal communication with her for the rest of the time she
was in my captivity. When all that had been taken from the caravan was returned to their owners my men and -I escorted them to
the nearest place of safety and departed. It had been for my men
a great disappointment, but for me it was a great triumph in that I
had been able to protect a lady in distress and save her honor.
Time passed and the wheel of fortune took a different turn.
I was taken a captive by the army of the caliph and incarcerated
in prison. Every day I expected to be hanged as the caliph was
bitter against me, and I realized that no appeal to mercy would be
heard. The days I passed in prison were full of sinister portent.
One day, however, the prison keeper came to me with the
news that three ladies were without asking to see me. They appeared, he said, to be persons of importance because one of them
had bribed him with a valuable bracelet for the privilege of admittance. He was coming to have me prepare to meet them.
Presently the ladies came, and no sooner they approached than
the one leading the way exclaimed: "By the head of my father, it
is he!" She then raised her veil and I recognized her as Hamdouniah whom I had protected on the occasion of the raid on the
pilgrimage caravan. Her tears now told an eloquent story of her
affliction at my condition. "I am grieved at thy situation," she
said, "But I dare not undertake to do anything overtly in thy behalf
because of the caliph's bitterness against thee. Thou mayest rest
assured, however, that I shall take all possible means within pru-
�JANUARY, 1932
r,
\\
4j
dence to effect thy release."
She then ordered her two attendants to leave the gifts she had
brought to me, consisting of five hundred dinars in coin, together
with excellent clothing and food and perfumes. Her messengers
continued to call on me almost every day during my imprisonment,
and through her sustained interest I Jacked of nothing in the way
or food and comfort. I was also constantly cheered bv the knowledge of the fact that she was mobilizing every influence to bring
about my pardon from the caliph.
But she herself never called afterwards, a fact I attributed to
her tear of notoriety which would defeat her efforts in effecting
my release. I became desolate because the kindness she now displayed only accentuated the love I felt for her from the moment
of our hrst meeting. Truly, the imprisonment of her love was
exceedingly harder for me to bear than any consequence I felt from
my political offense.
In time, however, the caliph granted me a pardon, partly as a
result of Hamdouniah's efforts. I again became a favorite in court
and my property which had been confiscated was restored to me
1 here remained nothing to complete my happiness except the possession of the one person who had done so much to restore me to
liberty.
What I thought would be the natural course was for me to
ask her father for her hand in marriage, but every time I was met
with positive refusal because of the notoriety the case had assumed
since it was known that I had released her and her escort from captivity Still I would not give up hope, and as a last resort I appealed directly to the caliph, explaining the circumstances of the
case and my despondency over her father's persistent refusal Now
the caliph was much touched by her devotion and the intensity of my
love and he forthwith rode in person to the house of Hamdouniah's
father and would not leave until the latter gave his consent to our
marriage, the caliph himself acting as one of the witnesses and
contributing all the expenses of the wedding festivities.
�c
THE SYRIAN WORLD
42
B00K REVIEW
QiHAjicy
A NEW BOOK BY GIBRAN
77z<? Wanderer, by Kahlil Gibran, New York, Alfred A.
Knopf, 92 pp. Illustrated with original drawings by the author.
$2.50.
The Wanderer was one of the books on which Gibran worked
feverishly when he realized the approach of the end. And he won
in the race with death. The book was finished, text and illustrations, although publication was posthumous. We understand there
are other books on which Gibran was working and which his publisher will bring out in time. Indeed, Gibran must have hastened
the end, when he realized its approach, by summoning his last reserve of energy to give expression to the word which struggled for
freedom from his inner consciousness.
The Wanderer would seem a compromise between The Prophet and Gibran's other books of parables. There is evident in The
Wanderer a desire to create a cohesion of thought and continuity of
action as in The Prophet, by presenting a single person who discourses on diverse subjects. The connection, however, is not maintained as successfully as in The Prophet, which leaves the latter
work' preeminently Gibran's masterpiece. The variety of parables,
philosophical deductions and subtle studies of life and morals as
contained in The Wanderer suggest Gibran's other works, but this
being his latest it would naturally follow that it is also the more
mature and profound. Suffice it to know that it is an addition to
Gibran's works, and one in the creation of which he summoned the
ripe experience of his later years.
The Wanderer is illustrated with reproductions of seven original drawings by the author, one of which is in colors. They are
wmm
�sea
'
.
i<i.
am
mm
JANUARY, 1932
43
all in the symbolic vein characteristic of Gbiran's art. The frontispiece is a beautiful portrait of the Wanderer "with a veil of pain
upon his face."
AS AN AMERICAN SEES THE EAST.
To Bagdad and Back, by Joe Mitchell Chappie.
lishing Co., Boston. Illustrated. 298pp.
Chappie pub-
Not to many is accorded the gift of translating their impressions into word pictures that pulsate with the activity of life. Nor
are there many whose imagination is so vivid as to conjure from the
past and set before the eyes of the reader as in a motion picture incidents of the past, whether of fact or fancy. With such who are
so gifted it is a source of constant pleasure to sit and commune, because they are forever interesting; always resourceful and full of
action and never dull.
Such a writer is Joe Mitchell Chappie, editor of the National
Weekly, who traveled extensively in the Near East and recorded
his observations and experiences in a beautifully gotten up volume
to which he gave the appropriate title "To Bagdad and Back." To
this he was prompted, as he infers in the preface, by the influence
of the immortal Arabian Nights, of which he had a copy as a prized
companion on his journey, and which he constantly read to relive
the age in which the tales were written in their very locale. The
result of .this attitude of mind is most pleasing in that the author
was able to write in a consistently romantic vein and with a true
appreciation of the color of the East. He further adds to the pleasing scheme by "curtaining" his chapters with selections of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, who, although writing in Persian, is said
to have had his inspiration for the immortal poem under the limpid
sky of Bagdad.
The reader feels as he travels with the author that he is his
actual companion on the journey, seeing with him the charms, and
sometimes the disillusionments, of the East, in a most realistic manner. Whether in Iraq, Syria, Palestine, or Egypt, the continuity of
action is invariably sustained.
Only in the description of some of his flying excursions, where
�44
THE SYRIAN WORLD
apparently he lacked the time to make a full investigation, and had
to depend wholly on the information supplied by guides, did the
author commit some discrepancies, sometimes in the recording of
facts and at others in the transliteration of names. In Chapter VII
for instance, "the mountains looming up back of Beirut" were represented to him as being the Anti-Lebanon range, when in fact
this range is invisible from the city. Further on he states that a
detour was made at Shortia (evidently Shtowra) to the famous ruins
of Baalbec, when during the ride, the party came upon some trees
which the guide declared were a few of the remaining two hundred
and fifty of the original 'Cedars of Lebanon'—the trees used in the
construction of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem". Here the guide
was doubly wrong, because the remaining original Cedars are
much more than 250, and furthe.r because the original Cedar Grove
is on the slope of Lebanon facing the Mediterranean, hence invisible
from the plain of Baalbec. So was the guide obviously wrong when
he told the party that "there was a block of stone (in the acropolis
of Baalbec) two hundred feet long", when in fact the extreme
length of the longest stone in the famous Trilithon does not exceed
sixty-four feet, a length sufficient in itself, for one block of stone
it may be judged, to cause wonderment.
There is ample compensation in that same chapter, however
to offset these trivial discrepancies. For Mr. Chappie sheds interesting light on the far-reaching influence if the people of Syria on the
spiritual life of Europe and America since the remotest times.
Speaking of "prehistoric" times, he thus epitomizes the extent of this
influence: "The worship of Baal (the Syrian god after whom Baalbec was named) was practiced in England, Ireland, and America.
I he blood altars of sacrifice at Baalbec are duplicated in Yucatan to
the god Chacmool; in the hills of Wales and in County Clare Ireland Baal's Bridge in Dublin and in Limerick City are titles imported from Lebanon. Huge Druid mounds of the Magi are found
in such places as Saltburn, England, and the Danejon inside the
very city walls of Canterbury, as well as all over Ireland, and there
are several exactly similar in Central America-all catalogued
as
c
'prehistoric' ".
The numerous and splendid illustrations of the book further
he p the reader to visualize the land which the text so well describes.
B
�i mil
JANUARY, 1932
45
A HISTORY OF THE MARONITES IN ENGLISH
The Maronites of Lebanon^ by Rev. Paul Abraham, P. P.
Wheeling, W. Va. 190 pp.
In this book the Rev. Paul Abraham, pastor of Our Lady of
Lebanon Church of Wheeling W. Va., has achieved the most noteworthy success that has so far attended any effort to produce a history of the Maronites in English. The book has all the marks of
exhaustive scholarly research, yet it is adaptable for popular reading and should find considerable appeal among the younger generation Maronites in America for whose benefit the book is obviously meant in the first place. It should also prove a source of correct
information for all those interested in studying the historical background of a people who, although few in numbers, have already
given their adopted country many prominent figures in literature,
the arts, the professions and commerce.
A pre-publication notice of the book which appeared in the
Catholic Observer, the official organ of the Wheeling Diocese, and
is reproduced in the book, contains the interesting information'that
"Father Abraham****was offered a chair of Syrio-Caldaic languages at the Catholic University of America, but this honor was
sacrificed as he preferred to remain among the Syrian people of
Wheeling and serve them in their parish needs."
Especially at this time when Lebanon, the homeland of the
Maronites, is convulsed with the interest attending the death of one
Patriarch and the election of another, should the material of this
book prove interesting to the descendants of the Maronites in America because of the light it throws not only on their past history but
on the many contemporary dignitaries of the Maronite church. A
comprehensive biography of the late Patriarch Howayek is also included.
�46
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Political Developments in Syria
ELECTIONS IN SYRIA RESULT IN
NATIONALIST
VICTORYBLOODY RIOTS ATTEND ELECTIONS IN DAMASCUS AND
OTHER LARGE CITIES.
Another blcody chapter apparently
has come to a close in the recent political annals of Syria. A wireless dispatch to the New York Times from
Beirut dated January 10 features the
fact that the Nationalists had nominated Subhi Bey Barakat, who headed
the Syrian Government in 1925, for
President of the potential Syrian republic. The despatch also mentions
that the Nationalists form an overwhelming majority of the new Parliament.
The plain inference is that the elections were resumed after that the first
balloting resulted In bloody riots in
Damascus and other large cities of
Syria, causng the French High Commissioner to take direct action and
declare martial law. No d:spatches
had previously come from Syria announcing such a development.
If the information regarding the
Nationalists' victory at the polls
proves correct, as in all likelihood it
seems to be, there would seem to be
grounds for the;r complaints that the
election officials in the first balloting
were interfering with the right of the
voters in the free exercise of the^r
franchise. This reported interference,
which led to serious rioting in Damascus during the first election, is what
L-aused their postponement.
The latest Syrian papers to reach
the United States contain no reference
to this development. They give, how-
ever, detailed accounts of the happenings during the first elections. What
tcok plafce on this occasion leaves no
room for doubt that the Syrians have
become militantly conscious of their
po!it:cal rights, and that the strong
grip held by the Nationalists on publie sentiment has not been broken.
The Nationalists complained early
during the electfon that agents of the
native government were stuffing the
ballot boxes. Public demonstrations
took place in which women and students participated. Riots in Damascus were the order of the day and the
objectors forcibly entered the polling
places and destroyed the ballot boxes. The clashes with the police and
military forces resulted in many casualties, estimated in some reports as
high as ten dead and fifty severely
wounded.
High Comm-'ssicner Ponsot, when
notified of the unfavorable turn of
affairs in Damascus, hastened to that
city from Beirut and took personal
charge of the situation. He ordered
the city placed under martial law and
soon French forces were patrolling the
streets and raising barricades, while
tanks moved about ominously in the
principal streets or took up strategic
positions. In the accounts of some
of the native papers, the situation was
compared to that of the war preparations of 1925, when Damascus was
subjected to a severe bombardment
�^H
if
I1
JANUARY, 1932
and many quarters in the city were
laid in ruins. In th;s instance, however, there was no necessity to have
recourse to such extreme measures
and the precautions taken by the
authorities resulted in the ra.nid establishment of order.
As a protest aga'nst the illegal interference of the authorities in the
free conduct of the elections the merchants (f Damascus closed their shops
for a day and the populace held popular demonstrations which, however,
passed without incident.
One of the major incidents attending the protest of the Damascenes was
that which took place at the residence
of Fakhry Bey Baroody, one of the
prominent Nationalist leaders and reputedly the guiding spirit of the youth
of Damascus. According to reports,
the opposition party sought to stage
a demonstration in front of the Baroody residence, and he appealed to
the authorities for protection. It is
cla;med that despite his repeated appeals the authorities treated him with
indifference, and as a result he was
forced to bring into the city a number
of his henchmen from Duma ostensibly for the purpose of self-prttection.
Duma is an agricu^ural town owned
exclusively by Baroody, in the manner of olcl feudal lords, and particularly all the population, inasmuch as
they are tenant farmers dependent
upon the:r landlord, are at all times
ready to comply with his bidding.
About fifty strong men came to Damascus at the call of Baroody and
were stationed at his palace ready for
eventualities. An encounter soon developed between them and the local
police *n which the latter fired several
shots and wounded a number of Baroody's adherents. A French military
detachment soon appeared on the
scene and an (fficer called upon Baroody for an explanation of the presence of the strangers on his pre-
47
mises. Baroody was bold in stating
that inasmuch as he could not secure
adequate protect'on from the authorities he had to take means to protect
himself.
He was never molested
thereafter.
Disturbances of a similar nature,
but on a smaller sca'e, took place in
almost all other cities of Syria. The
blood:est were those which occurred in
Aleppo, where many casualties were
reported to have resulted from clashes
with the police. The funerals of the
victims were witnessed by tens of
thousands of people in every city,
but passed without incident.
In the accounts of sc me papers
doubt is created as to whether the
Nationalists or the Administration
Party were victors at the polls. Subhi Bey Barakat :s said to have been a
candidate of the Opposition, and as
such his election would mean a victory for the government forces. In
all there are sixty-nine members to
be elected to the Constituent Assembly, and of this number forty-nine
candidates of the Government Party
are said to have won in Aleppo and
other districts, leaving a minority for
Damascus which if it were all to be
conceded to the Nationalists it would
not affect the election's result. Subhi Bey Barakat, whom dispatches stated as having been nominated for the
Presidency, is represented in thesa
accounts as a candidate of the Moderates, who uphold the government. The
fact that he was nominated for the
Presidency may, after all, only mean
that the v;ctorious party has commit
ted itself to the republican form of
government, in an effort to dispel
any doubt about its entertaining monarchical designs. The former Egyptian Khedive Abbas Hilmy was much
in evidence in Syria during the elections, but he emphatically denied any
ambition to the throne.
�48
PONSOT PLEDGES
TREATY WITH SYRIA.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
CONTEMPLATE AMENDING
LEBANESE CONSTITUTION.
Prior to holding the national elecWhat some usually well informed
tions, High Commissioner Ponsct consources
assert is being contemplated
voked in Damascus the Advisory
by
way
of
amendment to the Lebanese
Council composed of all former execconstitution
would seem to affect the
utives of the State cf Syr-'a and other
whole
structure
of government, leadnotables of the country. The spirit
ing
to
a
drastic
curtailment in exof the meeting was one of extreme
friendliness, especially that the High penses. The complaint has ever been
Commissioner left no room far equi- that the little Lebanese republic was
vocation as to the future relations emulating its bigger sisters to its
which France proposes to establish own detriment and irrespective of its
with Syria. He prefaced his formal resources. The whole population of
remarks by thanking those present for the country barely reaches 800,000
their past services and called for their yet it has a President, a full-sized
co-operat;on in shaping the future cabinet, and a Representative Ascourse of the country. The purpose sembly composed of 46 members The
of the new elections, he declared, was expense cf maintaining such a huge
to establish a de jure government in- adm.mstrative organization resulted
vested with authority to bring about in such increase in taxation that some
a definite solution of the Syrian ques- responsible statesmen began to question. "I need not repeat," he em- tion the wisdom cf having adopted the
phatically stated, "that the permanent republican form of government at all
solution of the relations between Some even wished for the return of
was
France and Syria shall take the form the conditions when Lebanon
:
autonomous
under
Turk
sh
rule
with
of a treaty in conformity with my
but nominal taxes to pay.
several previous statements on the
As now contemplated, the amendsubject."
ments
would reduce the number of
The High Comnr'ssioner then reRepresentatives
to sixteen, and make
minded his hearers that as far back
it
possible
for
the
President to apas Feb. 10, 1928, he made a declarapoint
his
cabinet
of
one or more
tion to that effect before holding the
mm-sters
at
his
discretion
for the
first elections to the Constituent Asconduct
of
the
whole
government;
sembly, and later, on May 14, 1930,
he also made a similar declaration the government is to be deprived of
when he submitted to Foreign Sec- the right of appoimynent to the Legretary Briand the draft of the Syrian islative bedy, and the Chamber will be
constitution. Nor was he ambiguous curtailed in ?ta privileges of interin the position he tcok on the matter ference with the Executive branch of
the government.
before the League of Nations, he said.
;
What appears to be the most wholeAll of wh ch "will prove to you that
some
change in the Constitution is the
my silence does not imply indifference
proposed
elimination of any reference
or neglect."
to
toe
right
of representation by reThe High Commissioner then urged
ligious denominations.
upon those present the necessity of
From the same source it is learned
clearing the polit;cal atmosphere so
that
the contemplated amendments are
as to pave the way for energetic acto
take
effect before the coming Pretion in the economic field and hasten
sidential
elections which fall in May
the rehabiliation of the country
of the present year.
�D
JANUARY, 1932
49
THE
SYRIAN WORLD
id
;d
ie
te
Icn
s
s
s
f
NEWS SECTION
VOL. VI NO. 5
JANUARY, 1932
PATRIARCH ELIAS HOWAYEK DIES IN LEBANON;
BISHOP ANTOUN ARIDA ELECTED SUCCESSOR
Dead Patriarch Was Great Patriot—Government Declares National Mourning and Accords Him State Funeral** Mandatory Authorities and
Neighboring States Represented.
"
Successor also Known for His Unflinching Patriotism and Leadership in
Economic Rehabilitation.
The venerable old man of Mt. Leb- the physicians' bulletins for the apanon, its leading patriot and the head proach of the end, and when the bells
df the largest single religious group of Bekerky tolled out a d-'rge to anin the country, who was lovingly call- nounce the passing of the Patriarch,
ed the Lebaneses Patriarch in ap- the message was spread in like manpreciation of the universality of his ner from the belfrys of the churches:
character, died at his see at Bekerky, of neighboring villages until it reacha short d'stance north of Beirut, on ed the farthest seetfems of the counthe evening cf December 24. As a try. The fifteen bishops of the Maronmark of universal respect a day of ite hierarchy were notified and alpublic mourning was declared and he most all reached Bekerky the followwas accorded a national funeral. ing day. Notables of the country reFlags were lowered to half mast on presenting all denominations, and deall government buildings and on these legations from every town and village,
of the foreign consulates. According swarmed to Bekerky to express the
to newspaper reports, the display of gref of the whole people. The nainterest manifested at the Patriarch's tive authorities of Damascus and other
death and the honors attending his fu- large Syrian cities sent official reneral were unprecedented in the his- presentatives to condole with the Matory of the country.
ronites over their loss. The NationThe Patriarch was in his eighty- alist Party, as an organized political
ninth year, and although he was con- body of Syria, also sent a special delescious unfr'l the end he could not sum- gate from Damascus headed by one
mon sufficient vitality to shake off his of its principal leaders Fakhry Bey
last illness. He was confined to his Baroody.
bed only for a week.
News of the Patriarch's death
The country had been prepared by reached the Legislative Assembly of
_
__
�50
THE SYRIAN WORLD
Lebanon while it was in session, and
the Pres-dent recommended a tenminute period of silence as a tribute
to the memory of the great national
figure who had passed. Upon resumption of the session it was turned
into a memorial meet;ng with the representatives cf all religious creeds
paying high tribute to the one man
whoby general consent had done more
than any other during his long and
active career for the welfare of the
country. .Sheikh Muhammad Al-Jisr,
a Sunnite Moslem and President of
the Assembly, led with a most glowing elegy to the Patriarch's patriotism and unswerving devot:on.
It was recalled that the loving
title of "Lebanese Patriarch," as distinctive frcm the Maronite Patriarch,
g:ven the dead prelate and political
leader, was first suggested by the
foremost Druze leader of his day in
Lebanon, Nassib Bey Janblatt.
Other expressions of condolences
were received frcm His Holiness the
Pope and the President of France.
The funeral was held on the following Saturday, Dec. 26 and was offic-'ally attended by the President of
the Republic and by the French High
Commissioner, as well as by the commander-in-chief of the French army
in the East and the Admiral of the
French fleet in Syrian waters. The
French authorities of occupation sent
a contingent of soldiers and marines
as a further mark of official participation.
After the Patriarch's burial, and according to the customary practice on
such occasions, the b-'shops held a conclave behind closed doors for the election of a new Patriarch. Two ranking notables of the Alkazin family,
who by ti-adition are accorded such
honor, were assigned as guards to
prevent all communication with the
outside as a safeguard against interference. They are also commissioned
lllll
"'--«-
to burn the ballots taken until a decision ;s reached by a two-third
majority.
Although the proceedings of the
council are supposed to be absolutely secret, it was rumored that several
ballots were taken which showed almost an equal division of votes between Bishop Abdullah Khouri and
Bishop Ignatius Mobarak The situation had almost come to an impasse
when the bishops realized the gravity
of the consequence of a disagreement,
in which event Rome would have the
right to intervene and appoint a regent of its own choice. A compromise was then effected whereby Bishop
Antoun Arida of Tripoli was elected
unanimously and the two leading
candidates knelt before Bishop Arida
and kissed trs hand as a sign of submission.
THE NEW PATRIARCH
A STAUNCH PATRIOT
Patriarch Antoun Arida is a native
of Becharre and had his higher education at St. Sulpice in Paris, and at
other seminaries of Europe. His record is without blemish and he is
especially noted for his enterprise,
charity and unbending patriotism.
During the war he not only mortgaged
all the property of his diocese to relieve suffering among all denominates but went to the extent of offering to pawn his episcopal cross. For
this purpose he approached a wealthy
Moslem of Tripoli who, upon discovering the bishop's intentions, advanced
him the money without security.
The new Patriarch has been active
in the economic rehabilitation of the
country. It was through his efforts
that the Kadisha Hydroelectric Co., a
purely native organization sponsored
by the people of Becharre and Northern Lebanon, was made possible. He
was elected President of its board of
1
�'
-»
mum
-
-
..._
s
>3
His Beatitude Patriarch AntounArida, the new head of the MaroniteChurch in Lebanon.. He is the
center figure with the staff. This is an official photograph taken after the ceremony of installation.
To the Patriarch's right is the French High Commissioner and thePapal Nuncio, While immediately to his left is the President of the Republic of Lebanon.
(Courtesy Al-Hoda)
Cr,
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52
'
;
THE SYRIAN WORLD
directors and had devoted much time hopes were an illusion. We now have
to its promotion. One of his other come to realize that they only want
constructive enterprises is the Leban- to exploit us for their own benefit."
on Cement Co. which operates at
Shekka and was ha-led upon its forma- LEBANESE OF U. S. A.
tion as a major step in the exploitaMOURN PATRIARCH
tion by the Lebanese of their naturThe first news of the death of Patal resources and the encouragement riarch Elias Howayek came in a cable
of industrial enterprises in the coun- dispatch to Al-Hoda of New York. It
try.
was a "beat" that Al-Hoda scored
Perhaps no better evidence can be and was much in keeping with the
g;ven of the new Patriarch's construc- journalists enterprise characterizing
tive and practical patriotism than that its whole career. The election of the
to which he personally gave utterance new Patriarch was first announced in
in an interview he granted the editor America in the same manner.
of the Syrian World duting the latThere were expressions of genuine
ter's visit to Lebanon in the summer grief among all classes of Syrians
Vf 1929. At that time Bishop Arida and Lebanese in America over the
was in his native town of Becharre death of the late Patriarch, because he
attend1 ng the annual meeting of the was held in as high esteem by the imKadisha Company, which was about migrants as by those in the hometo open its first power plant. This in- land. Very Rev. Mgr. Stephen Elterview was reported exactly two
douaihy of Boston, the Ma.roivte Vicar
years ago in the January, 1930 issue Patriarchal in the United States, isof the Syrian World and reads in part
sued a call to the Maronite priests
as follows:
in the country to hold special requiem
"We want to prove that collective masses for the Patr-arch on Sunday,
action among our people is possible, January 10. Rev. Mansur Stephen,
and to that end we are now conduct- pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon of
ing the first experiment of any mag- Brooklyn, invited to the services in
nitude. The country is ours and we his church all ministers of the Christshould have first claim to the right ians denominations in the city. Chorof exploiting its resources which are, bishop Francis Wakim, pastor of St.
at best, very meager. We are a homo- Joseph in New York, carrying out the
geneous people in this part of Leb- traditions of centuries between the
anon. We have held together for French and the MaronUes, invited the
centuries past in defense of our right French Ambassador in Washington
to life and freedom of worship. Now to the services held in his church. The
we want to prove the same solidarity Ambassador sent a telegram of re^n the face of economic danger. Our gret and delegated the consul genepeople are now awaking to the neces- ral in New York to represent him.
sity of working together for con- The eulogy on the latter occasion was
structive effort instead of mere de- delivered by Archimandrite Bernardos
fense. We are determined to prove Ghosn, pastor of St. George Melchite
both our initiative and our fitness.*** church in New York.
It was cur hope that those responsible
Reports reaching Al-Hoda from all
for the shaping of our destinies would parts of the country indicated that
be helpful to us in our constructive ef- requiem masses for the dead Patriarch
forts instead of placing all forms of were held in every one of ttie fifty
hindrances in our way.
But our or more Maronite churche».
.
.
.
....
'
:,-.'-.
�JANUARY, 1932
EXHIBIT OF GIBRAN'S WORKS;
MORE MEMORIAL SERVICES
53
anese extraction and had lately v'sited
the United States, and several others
delivered tributes to the genius of
Gibran's Studio at 51 W. 10th. St.
<Jibran.
New York, was transformed into a
In a long communication to Almuseum for an exhibition of his works
of art scheduled to last from January Hoda cf New York from Johannes21 until February 7, inclusive, for berg, Transvaal, South Africa, an acthree hours every day between 2 and count TS given of the elaborate me5 P. M. This is done by the execu- morial service held for Gibran in the
tors of Gibran's estate more for the Maromte church of Our Lady of LebOf
purpose of satisfying the many ad- anon in that city on Nov. 15
mirers of his works of pen and brush Jciating at the requiem mass was the
than for the sale of any of his sketch- Rt. Rev. Dav-d Orley, bishop of Transes and paintings, although each and vaal, who delivered a eulogy in which
all of his art works are subject to he appraised the character of Gibran
from first hand knowledge of his
purchase.
Through the loving care of Miss English works and said he was posBarbara Young, Gibran's literary ex- sessed of the true universal love which
ecutor, under whose direction the ex- is as far from the modern conception
hibition is being held, much of the of the term as heaven is from earth
work of our celebrated artist was re- During his address the bishop procovered from the dust of years and duced a copy of the Syrian World and
displayed to the proper advantage. read from it extracts from G'bran's
I* all fifty six paintings and drawings Message to Young Americans of Syrare on exhibition, including portraits ian Origin, declaring that message
of Edward Markham and Albert Ry- tc be of the stuff of immortal literader and a sketch of a sleeping child ture, and that it should apply to the
done by Gibran in 1896 when he was younger generation of Syrians and
Lebanese in every part of the world.
but fourteen years old.
Officially attending the services
Considering the interest displayed
were the consuls of the United States
in the exhibition, Miss Young said
France and Belgium, the Apostolic
that it might be extended for months Legate in South Africa, the mayor of
so as to afford all an opportunity to
Johannesberg and the presidents of
visit it. After the first three days
various chambers of commerce and ciit was open to the public.
vic organizat;ons.
Meanwhile, memorial services for
Gibran continue to be held in various
parts of the world, especially wherever the Lebanese have large settle- PRIEST SAVES CHALICES
AT RISK OF LIFE
ments. A communicat;on to Al-Bashir
(Jesuit Arabic paper of Beirut) from
Braving a raging fire that was fast
Australia gives an account of a me- consuming the frame structure of St.
morial meeting held there on Nov. 15 Joseph's Syrian Catholic church on
that was officially attended by the con- Wooster Ave., Akron, Ohio, in the
suls of France and the United States early afternoon of Sunday Jan. 24,
and four members of Parliament. Of- Rev. Agabios Riashi, the pastor, heedficially representing the government less of the great danger and despite
was the Minister of the Interior.
all efforts to restrain him, dashed
Alexander Alam, M. P. who is of Leb- through the smoke and flame and sue-
�—
'
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:.
'
-'
54
eeeded in saving the sacred vessels.
In giving an account of the fire
and the priest's act of heroism, the
Akron Beacon Journal of Jan. 25 said
that firemen were making a desperate
effort to save the building, but it
was an old frame structure and the
crash of the roof or of weakened supports seemed certain. It would be
foolhardy to risk one's life inside the
flimsy waiis.
But Rev. Riashi, continues the paper, had handled with loving touch
the sacred vessels around the altar
that same morning, and could not bear
to think that they were at the mercy
of the flames.
"Let me through, please," said the
priest quietly, and he darted suddenly toward the smoke filled doorway.
There were cries of protest and
many hands sought to detain him but
he disappeared inside—and a little
later, it seemed a long while, came
staggering out bearing the sacred
cups. He was choking with smoke
fumes but was uninjured.
A cheer broke out from those assembled near the front of the building, and as Rev. Riashi, shielding the
chalices, walked through the lane that
was formed, men removed their hats
respectfully.
Two fire companies fought the blaze
and afterwards, with the walls still
standing and the damage confined
largely to the interior, it was said the
loss might be about $1,200. The processional crosses,several beautiful pictures and other sacred fittings on the
altar were destroyed.
Placing of the incensers too close
to woodwork in the church was said
by firemen to have been responsible
for the fire.
The damage is only partly covered
by insurance, but Rev. Riashi said that
repair work will be started immediately.
THE SYRIAN WORLD
SYRAMAR GOLF CLUB
HOLDS ANNUAL DINNER.
True to the spirit of their fraternity, the members of the Syramar
Golf Club (contraption for SyrianAmerican Golf Club) are incorrigible
optimists. The year 1932 does not
hold any terrors for them, and they
ushered it in with a rousing jolly
celebration at a dinner dance held at
the Park Lane in New York on Jan.
30. There were about 230 guests and
all shared in the high spirit (s?) of
the occasion.
The golfer's philosophy of life is
essentially a buoyant one, an attitude
that was ably expounded by the President of Syramar, George A. Tadross,
in the pedantic dissertation he delivered at the opening of the speaking exercises. His remarks, however, were
interspersed with many witty comments and observations that met with
appreciative response from the sympathetic audience. And the whole affair
was carried out in conformity with
this policy. The setting, in the Louis
XIV Room of the Park Lane, lent itself admirably to the execution of the
elaborate program.
Richard A. Macksoud acted as master of ceremonies and proved himself
master of the situation. He promised
many surprises and began to unreel
them one after the other. In the
arrangement of the entertainment
program, he said, the committee in
charge, was assisted by one whom he
termed "the youngest manager on
Broadway," Miss Morse. But when
the young lady was later introduced
she corrected that impression by disclaiming the distinction of being the
the "youngest,"—quite exceptional of
a lady— and explained that she was
the only woman manager. Her ability
was amply proven.
Other distinctive features of the
program were several dance numbers
i
�JANUARY, 1932
by Papino and Rhoda, Broadway
favorites, and a number of classical
and popular songs by Gigi of the Metropolitan, all of which were rewarded
with resounding applause and necessitated several encores.
A former President, Henry Hadad,
invaded the green fields of poetry
and proved himself as able in the
manipulation of words as in the creation of ladies' dress designs. He
drew a vivid picture of the happy life
of the golfer and made a bid for membership.
The Club championship is now a tie
between George A. Ferris and Nat
Mallouf, and the final issue will be
settled in the 1932 tournament.
The Entertainment Committee is
composed of Henry Hadad, Chairman,
David G. Malhame, Cecil Saydah.
Richard E. Macksoud, George Shamyer and Nat Mallouf.
In the words of Syramar's poet,
Syramar, long may it prosper
And expand throughout the
nation.
SYRIANS OF BRAZIL
BUILD FINE HOSPITAL.
In a ceremony that was attended by
high officials of the state and city
governments, and by representatives
of civ?c, patriotic, benevolent and
athletic Syrian and Lebanese organizations of the city, the cornerstone of
the new Syrian Hospital was laid in
Sao Paulo, on November 22 and hailed as the crowning achievement of
the Syrian community in Braz'l.
The project was started in 1923
tinder the auspices of the Syrian
Ladies Society of Sao Paulo and the
active leadership of Mrs. Basil Jafet.
The initial move was in purchasing
a twenty-thousand square meter plot
of land for a sum of 350 contos,
which served to bind the project. Lat-
55
er contributions raised the total subscriptions to one thousand contos, or
the equivalent in normal exchange of
$110,000.00.
According to the architect's plans,
the building consists of three stories
and has 140 rooms. The operation
rocm will be fitted out with the most
modern equipment and there will be
a charitable ward open to the needy
of all nationalities. The 'hospital will
be a purely charitable institution not
to be operated for profit. It will be
in charge of the Sisters of Charity.
The Syrians of Braz:l, especially
the Sao Paulo community, have been
most active in civic enterprises calculated to enhance their racial prestige in our sister South American republic. On the occasion of the centenary of Brazil's independence, the
Syrians presented the national governwith a magnificent monument erected
through popular subscriptions exclusively from among themselves. The
government at that time assigned one
of the most prominent plazas of the
capital for the erection of t'he monument and the President of the republic in person officiated at the dedication.
SYRIAN ORGANIZATIONS
ACTIVE FOR CHARITY
The Syr;an Junior League of New
York will give a play at the Booth
Theatre on Sunday evening. Feb. 21,
the proceeds of which will be devoted
wholly to charity. Talent has ,been
recruited from among the members
and their friends, so that the box office receipts, together with the revenue
from the Souvenir Journal, will remain almost intact.
The Junior
League has been in the habit of making annual contribut:ons to. welfare
societies and hospitals catering, to
Syrians.
�66
The Ameriean Syrian Federation,
the largest civic organization among
the Syrians in New York, has ca led
a special meeting for Feb. 4 to discuss ways and means for raising
funds for needy Syrians.
A CHARITY BAZAAR
SPONSORED BY AL-HODA
As its contribution to the relief of
distress among the Syrians and Lebanese cf New York, the Lebanon
League of Progress will hold a bazaar
during the three days and evenings
of Feb. 27, 28 and 29, at Columbus
Hall in Brooklyn, the proceeds of
which will be distributed through the
agency of the Syrian churches of the
city of ail denominations. The Bazaar
is being actively sponsored by AlHoda, the Arab-c daily of New York,
which devotes to its promotion considerable space both in its editorial
and news columns.
CONCERT BY FEDORA KOREAN
Mme. Fedora Korban, popularly
known as the Syrian n-ghtingale, will
give a concert at the Roehric Museum, 103rd. St. and Riverside Drive,
New York, on the evening of Feb. 27.'
The concert will be under the auspices of the Museum management who
entertain great promise for the future
of our noted singer. The program
will consist of a large variety of selections, and it is to be hoped that the
Syrian attendance will be large as a
mark of appreciation and encouragement.
SYRIAN FOOTBALL STAR
The Daily Oklahoman of Oklahoma
City features as the principal attraction of the charity football game to be
THE SYRIAN WORLD
played between the University of
Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University, "Iron Mike" Massad, fullback of the Sooner team, whom the
paper describes as being a tower on
the defensive. Massad is a senior of
Oklahoma University and an American-born Syrian whose father is a
merchant in Ardmore, Okla., and a
native of Marjioun.
We 'have to
thank Miss Ruth Shadid of Elk City
for having sent us the newspaper
clipping and the additional information about this Syrian football star.
PRINCETON WILL UNEARTH
TREASURES OF ANTIOCH
Antioch, the only one cf the four
great centers of the ancient world
which can be almost completely unearthed without disturbing buildings
that have been erected above its ruins,
will be excavated by Princeton University in collaboration w-th the
Musees Nationaux of France, the
Baltimore Museum of Art and the
Worcester Art Museum, according to
an announcement in the Princeton
Herald, organ of Princeton University
on Jan. 29. Our friend and compatriot, Dr. Philip K. Hitti of Princeton,
sent us the clipping of the University
paper containing the announcement.
A five year program for the excavation has been planned and funds for
'ts consummation have been guaranteed, it is further stated. Field surveys
are now being made and the actual
digging will start in March.
Antioch ranks with Rome, Constantinople and' Alexandra as an ancient
center of culture and commerce. "The
excavation of Antioch." said Professor C. Rufus Morey, Chairman, of the
Princeton Department of Art and
Archaeology, "will be of paramount
interest and importance because
buried in its ruins is material relating
I'i
�JANUARY, 1932
to the history of Christianity and the
Seleucid Kingdom, to the solution of
the problems of the part played by
Syria in the evolution of the mediaeval culture of the Mediterranean
and the Crusades. If one adds to this
the prospect of recovering' even a minute pcrtion of the works of art for
which the luxurious city was famous
for a millenium of its existence, from
its beginning around 300 B. C. to its
final florescence just before the Arab
conquest, it is not difficult to understand why the eyes of the field archaeologists have constantly been
turned toward this little Syrian village."
Antioch was founded about 300 B.
C. by one of Alexander's generals. It
became the commercial, political, cultural and literary center of the Near
East. When Syria became a Roman
province in 64 B. C. each Roman ruler
endeavored to surpass Irs predecessor
in beautifying Antioch. . After an
earthquake in 115 A. D. it was restored by Trajan and in the sixth century Justinian repa;red the damage
done during a Persian raid.
LOCAL PUBLICATION FOR
LOS ANGELES SYRIANS
A four-page leaflet in English to
serve the Syrian community of Los
Angeles, California, published monthly and called "Community Newls,"
has made its appearance under the
editorship of Mr. Samuel M. Mamey.
In his prefatory announcement, the
editor admits that the step he has
taken is a "bold venture," and that
he intends to conduct the experiment
for a period of six months, and only
if it proves to be successful and selfsupporting will it be continued.
We believe this to be a wise policy,
but hope the response of the Los
Angeles Syrian community which the
57
editor estimates at about 10,000, will
justify the continuation of the publication,
A copy of Gibran's Message to
Young Americans of Syrian Origin
having been received as a gift from
the Syrian World by the Syrian
Young Men's Society of Los Angeles,
Community News expressed a desire
to publish it in its columns once permission is granted from the publishers.
The Syrian World hereby gladly
grants such permission. It is our aim
that the spirit of the immortal message be carried to as many readers
as possible.
The following news items are copied
from Community News owing to their
general interest:
SYRIANS IN FOOTBALL
Influence in football is being felt
everywhere and is enchanced by the
fact that Syrian students play on college teams.
Tom Kassis, student at Notre Dame,
played All-American, season of 1930.
Glen Edwards, recognized as one of
the best football men in the Pacific
Coast Conference, attends Washington State College. All-American in
1930.
George Haik's name appears on the
roster of Tulane College. Considered
one of the best passers in the Southern Conference.
FEATURED IN FILMS
George Book-Asta, 14, and Basil
Book-Asta, 12, sons of Mr. and Mrs.
Herman Book-Asta. of 8007 Highland Trail, Hollywood, are the two
youths who are prominently identified
in motion picture productions.
Basil, typifying junior parts, has
played in a number of pictures. His
brother George, feature artist, played
important parts in two recent pictures, "Hell's Harbor" and "The Unholy Garden."
�58
THE SYRIAN WORLD
STATEMENT OP THE OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT. CIRCULATION
•f The Syrian World, published monthly at New York, N. Y., Oct. 1, 1931.
STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF NEW YORK.
Before me, a Notary Public, in and for the state and county aforesaid,
personally appeared Salloum A. Mokarzel, who, having been duly sworn
according to law, deposes and says that he is the publisher of The Syrian
World, and that the following is, to the best of his knowledge and belief,
a true statement of the ownership, management (and if a da.ly paper, the
circulation), etc.. of the aforesaid publication for the date shown in the
above caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1912, embodied in section
411, Postal Laws and Regulations, printed on the reverse of this form, to wit:
1. That the names and addresses of the publisher, editor, managing
editor, and business managers are:
Name of—
Post office address—
Publisher, Salloum A. Mokarzel,
104 Greenwich Street.
Editor, Salloum A. Mokarzel,
104 Greenwich Street.
Managing Editor, Salloum A. Mokarzel
104 Greenwich Street.
Business Manager, Sailoum A. Mokarzel
104 Greenwich Street.
2. That the owner is: (If owned by a corporation, its name and address
must be stated and also immediately thereunder the names and addresses
of stockholders owning or holding one per cent, or more of total amount of
stock. If not owned by a corporation, the names and addresses of the individual owners must be given. If owned by a firm, company or other unincorporated concern, its name and address, as well as those of each individual
member, must be given.)
Salloum A. Mokarzel, 104 Greenwich Street.
3. That the known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1 per cent, or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other secur.ties are: (If there are none, so state.) None.
4. That the two paragraphs next above, giving the names of the owners, stockholders, security holders, if any, contain not only the list of
stockholders and security holders as they appear upon the books of the
company but also, in cases where the stockholder or security holder appears
upon the bocks of the company as trustee or in any other fiduciary relation,
the name of the person or corporation for whom such trustee is acting is
given; also that the said two paragraphs contain statements embracing affiant's full knowledge and belief as to the circumstances and conditions under which stockholders and security holders who do not appear upon the
books of the company as trustees, hold stock and securities in a capacity
other than that of a bona fide owner; and this affiant has no reason to believe that any other person, association, or corporation has any interest
direct or indirect in the said stock, bonds, or other securities than as so
stated by him.
5. That the average number of copies of each issue of this publication
sold or distributed, through the mails or otherwise, to paid subscribers during the six months preceding the date shown above is.
(This information is required from daily publications only.)
S. A. MOKARZEL.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 14th day" of October, 1931
[Seal.]
Edna M. Huckner.
(My
commission expires March 30, 1932.)
'
�""-"'"•"•
59
JANUARY, 1932
n
Gibran's Message
To Young Americans of SyrianOrigin
By G. K.
GIBRAN
Autijor of ilTke Prophet,"
"Jesus the Son of Man,"
I believe in you. and I believe in your destiny.
I believe that you are contributors to this new civilization.
I .believe that you have inherited from your forefathers an ancient dream, a song, a prophecy, which you can proudly lay as a gift of gratitude upon the lap of America.
I believe you can say to the founders of this great nation. "Here I am. a youth, a young
tree, whose roots were plucked from the hills of Lebanon, yet I am deeply rooted here, and I would
be fruitful."
And 1 believe that you can say to Abraham Lincoln, the blessed. "Jesus of Nazareth
touched your lips when you spoke, and guided your hand when you wrote; and I shall uphold
all that you have said and all that you have written."
I believe that you can say to Emerson and Whitman and James. "In my veins runs the
blood of the poets and wise men of old, and it is my desire to come to you and receive, but I shall
not come with empty hands."
I believe that even as your fathers came to this land to produce riches, you were born
here to produce riches by intelligence, by labor.
And I believe that it is in you to be good citizens.
And what is it to be a good citizen?
It is to acknowledge the other person's rights before asserting your own. but always to be
conscious of your own.
'
i
It is to be free in thought and deed, but it is also to know that your freedom is subject
to the other person's freedom.
It is to create the useful and the beautiful with your own hands, and to admire what others
have created in love and with faith.
It is to produce wealth by labor and only by labor, and to spend less than you have produced that your children may not be dependent on the state for support when you are no more.
It is to stand before the towers of New York, Washington, Chicago and San Francisco
saying in your heart. "I am the descendant of a people that builded Damascus, and Biblus, and
Tyre and Sidon. and Antioch, and now I am here to build with you. and with a will."
It is to be proud of being an American, but it is also to be proud that your fathers and
mothers came from a land upon which God laid His gracious hand and raised His messengers.
Young Americans of Syrian origin. I believe in you.
itrnMnvwrntommtsmisMmumti
mmmmmmtw ":• ;•
FREE TO SYRIAN WORLD SUBSC RIBERS. This beautiful message by
Gibran 13x17 indies, printed in large type on heavy paper with ornamental border suitable for framing. Every PAID subscriber whose term begins
with Sept. 1931 is entitled to a copy, mailed in heavy cardboard tube. Subscribers whose term begins before Sept. 1931 may secure a copy by renewal.
�60
THE SYRIAN WORLD
AUTHENTIC
ORIENTAL RUGS
THE A. SLEYMAN COMPANY, INC.
1276
5th AVENUE
1
NEW YORK CITY
Phone BOgardus 4-4345
George Haddad
Proprietor
,x»
j§|
S
Phone
CHickering 4-8878
ALEXANDRIA RESTAURANT
rt
* - n^F^^oX^. -
fcmall and large parties catered to
So Conveniently Located
21 WEST 31st STREET
NEW YORK
IT IS YOURS
vou T Mp.
continue and ;rb;^~
and inducing others to subscribe.
^
yourself
PUBLISHER, THE SYRIAN WORLD:
104 Greenwich Street, New York.
*• ZZwtZZZZ? " * suhsriler to "Th<^~
g W rate of $5.00 upon receipt of the first issue.
Address
-.. .• ir'SSS.KiMMiy. SHd^.gcSjjfi^a .
�**
JERE J. CRONIN
FUNERAL DIRECTOR
MORTUARY CHAPEL
Local or Out of Town Funerals Personally Attended to
LADY ATTENDANT
Expense a Matter of Your Own Desire
115 ATLANTIC AVENUE
BROOKLYN, N. Y.
\
The large amount of business we do permits us to buy caskets
in large quantity which enables us to give the best funerals very
reasonable. We carry a complete line of the very best manufactured
caskets at $45.00 up. We pay no agents to secure funerals for us but
only give the family who has sorrow the very best of service, reverence
and economy. Our aim is to help those who are in trouble at a very
little cost. No charge for use of our services or funeral parlors.
Telephone—MAIN 1338-1399-8130-3655
UAAA/
HOW TO BREED MOTHS
Leave your rugs on the floor
with all the dirt and germs
they have collected during the
winter and which home methods cannot remove. Nature
will do the rest.
RESTORATIVE: Call the
THE KOURI CARPET
CLEANING CORPORATION
RUG WASHERS
NEW YORK, N. Y.
10 West 33rd Street
Tel. LOngacre 5-2385
3
JERSEY CITY, N. J.
552 Johnston Avenue
Tel. BErgen 3-1085
SHEIK
RESTAURANT
A well-appointed Syrian reetaurant in the heart of the
Syrian Quarter, in lower Manhattan, where yon and your
friends can enjoy the moat
delectable
Oriental
meals
amidst the charm of an Oriental atmosphere.
Second Foor for Banquets and
Private Parties
KIRDAHY RESTAURANTS,
Inc.
65 WASHINGTON ST.,
New Yerk
/TTTyTt»T'»?ff»ffy<|>yyyi^
�The Arabic
LINOTYPE
...in TRIPOLI
The whole of the Northern Coast of Africa is Arabicspeaking, and as a compact unit linguistically it is bound
to rega.n its former position as a highly civilized and progressive part of the world once it awakens to the modern
requisites of progress. One of the chief requirements is the
propagation of the printed word, as otherwise there could
be no universal education. Printing cannot be called pro-
U
gressive without the use of the Linotype, which is the me-
0
chanical method of setting type with speed and economy
The Linotype has been adapted to Arabic composition and
.snowbeingusedinalmosteveryArabic-speakingcountry
-eluding a„ of North Africa. ,n Tripoli it is being operated
to complete satisfaction by
J
u
Societe EdiH-ice Arenaica Nuova, Bengosi
•ponAr^eT^ deSCnPtiVe
Cata 0gUe
'
* **
Arabi
< "**** sent free
MERCENfHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, U. S. A.
Cable: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK
(:
DE
LINOTYPED
Representatives in the Principal Cities
of the World
Linotype Metrolite and Metroblack
K
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t'^LINOTYPE"""')
>
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MERCENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY
I
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, U. S. A
Cable: LINOTYPE, NEW YORK
Representatives in the Principal Cities of the World
MSsM J* ^iy^ ^yij \s&Jh c,^ <-*^ 6* ^^! '•** ^ I* J5
�64
THE SYRIAN WORLD
ATTENTION!
FORWARD!
SAFE!
MARCH ON TO PROGRESS!
i
START A BANK ACCOUNT
IMMEDIATELY
LET
YOUR
MONEY
Accumulate for Future
NEEDS AND HAPPINESS
INTEREST
4 .%
Ter zAnnum
ON TIME DEPOSITS
FROM
$10.00
UP
Checking accounts may be opened with $200.00 or more.
FAOUR BANK
D. J. FAOUR & BROS.
Established 1891
Under Supervision of New York State Banking
Department.
Capital and Surplus Over $500,000.00
85
WASHINGTON ST.,
NEW YORK CITY
£3£
-,-..
.
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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
TSW1932_01reducedWM
Title
A name given to the resource
The Syrian World Volume 06, Issue 05
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1932 January
Description
An account of the resource
Volume 6 Issue 05 of The Syrian World published January 1932. The issue opens with a travel journal entry from Ameen Rihani detailing his experiences in Aden, which he describes as a “once beautiful and hospitable Arab city.” This piece is followed by a poem titled "The Prophet" by Thomas Asa, a regular contributor to the Syrian World. This specific poem is dedicated to Kahlil Gibran, who passed away the previous year. After an article by Dr. F. I. Shatara discussing Arab contributions to World Civilizations, there is a collection of poetry edited by Barbara Young. H. I Katibah follows with a discussion on the challenge of liberalism for Islam. There is also a focus in this issue on the Maronite Christian religion due to the death of the Maronite Patriarch Elias Peter Howayek. This topic is followed by classic pieces of Arab literature and three book reviews. The issue closes with an update on political developments in Syria and a collection of articles on Syrians world news.
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.
1930s
Ameen Rihani
Barbara Young
F.I. Shatara
Habib I. Katibah
Kahlil Gibran
Maronite Church
New York
Poetry-English
Thomas Asa
Travel
Yemen
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/ee883c3b9f31a5c1c45a2f8b8e43f078.pdf
1e26d9466e00c4793d431513c1e4184e
PDF Text
Text
�����
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 World of Kahlil Gibran Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Brochures
Drawing
Letter writing
Photographs
Poetry
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971-1973
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Processed by Nay Ackhar, 2022 and Sarah Bernstein, 2023. Collection Guide created by Sarah Bernstein, 2023 October.
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.
Language
A language of the resource
English
Arabic
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
KC 0057
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.
Digital material in this collection is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law.
Physical material in this collection is also available to researchers. For questions or to access a collection, please contact us at kcldsarchive@ncsu.edu. Please give at least 48 hours for responses to any inquiries regarding the materials.
Description
An account of the resource
<h4>Biographical/Historical note</h4>
<p>Gibran Khalil Gibran (1883-1931), or Khalil Gibran, was born on January 6, 1883 in Bsharri to a Maronite Christian Family. In 1895, he immigrated with his mother and younger siblings to the United States and his name was Anglicized to Kahlil Gibran. He attended a public school in Boston, Quincy School, and took drawing classes at Denison House. While there he eventually met the Boston artist, photographer, and publisher Fred Holland Day, who used Gibran as a subject in his photographs. Day became Gibran’s first patron, supporting his creative education.</p>
<p>Gibran returned to Lebanon to attend the Collège de la Sagesse in Beirut from 1898-1902. Following his return to Boston, Gibran’s artwork is first publicly shown in an exhibit at Wellesley College due to the efforts of Bostonian poet and dramatist Josephine Preston Peabody (1874-1922). During this time, he was supported by his sister Marianna and her work at a dressmaker’s shop.</p>
<p>At his first solo exhibition in Day’s studio in 1904, Gibran met Mary Haskell (1873-1964), an educator and principal at a girl’s school in Boston who became one of his lifelong supporters and patrons. Gibran also met Amin al-Ghurayyib that same year, who was editor of the Arab American periodical <em>Al-Mohajer</em>(The Immigrant). Gibran’s first writing, "A Profile of the Art of Music," was published in 1905 in <em>Al-Mohajer</em>. Through his work with the newspaper, Gibran developed his unique style and voice which reflected influences from the informal language of rural Lebanon, Boston’s South End, and Syriac.</p>
<p>Haskell’s financial support enabled Gibran to attend <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acad%C3%A9mie_Julian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Académie Julian</span></a> in Paris, France to study art in 1908. He left the academy the following year to study with the French Symbolist painter Pierre Marcel-Béronneau (1869–1937). While in Paris, Gibran became acquainted with Syrian politics through involvement with the New York-based journal <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/71" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Mir’āt al-Gharb</em></a> (Mirror of the West) and Lebanese American intellectual and political activist <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/104" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ameen Rihani</a>, who informed Gibran’s views on Arab Nationalism. After returning to Boston in 1910 and establishing a studio in New York, he joined the Boston chapter of the Golden Links Society, an Arab American intellectual and literary society. </p>
<p>Gibran published many books of poems, novellas, drawings, and short stories throughout his career. Gibran's best-known work, <em>The Prophet</em>, was published in 1923 and was informed by Gibran's meeting with Abdu'l-Baha (1844-1921), then leader of the Baha'i faith. He also contributed to multiple Arab American periodicals, including <em>Al-Funūn </em>and<em> Al-Mohajer</em>, as well as an Egyptian cultural and literary magazine <em>Al-Hilal</em>. In 1920, Gibran re-formed The Pen League, an Arab-American Mahjar literary group, with its original founders Nasib Arida and Abd al-Masih Haddad.</p>
<h4>Scope/Content note</h4>
<p>The World of Kahlil Gibran Collection is a selection of excerpts, drawings, and manuscripts of Kahlil Gibran that was produced and edited by Farid Salman and Elaine Gebara, and issued by the Gibran National Committee on August 13, 1971.</p>
<p>The collection includes a brochure on Gibran and his hometown of Bcharre, reproductions of his art, and letters and manuscripts written by Gibran.</p>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gibran National Committee
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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
gibran_folio_drawing_body
Title
A name given to the resource
Nude Figure Drawings by Kahlil Gibran
Description
An account of the resource
Reproduction of drawings by Kahlil Gibran featuring various nude figures. This was included with the other reproductions in the folder titled "The World of Kahlil Gibran" created by the National Committee of Gibran.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
National Committee of Gibran
Subject
The topic of the resource
Drawing
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Image
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image/pdf
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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.
1970s
Art
Kahlil Gibran
Lebanon
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/0a63850547ba97eba685f9c5d04b3f36.pdf
612317fff5fe312fedab70b910bfc20c
PDF Text
Text
�����
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 World of Kahlil Gibran Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Brochures
Drawing
Letter writing
Photographs
Poetry
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971-1973
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Processed by Nay Ackhar, 2022 and Sarah Bernstein, 2023. Collection Guide created by Sarah Bernstein, 2023 October.
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.
Language
A language of the resource
English
Arabic
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
KC 0057
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.
Digital material in this collection is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law.
Physical material in this collection is also available to researchers. For questions or to access a collection, please contact us at kcldsarchive@ncsu.edu. Please give at least 48 hours for responses to any inquiries regarding the materials.
Description
An account of the resource
<h4>Biographical/Historical note</h4>
<p>Gibran Khalil Gibran (1883-1931), or Khalil Gibran, was born on January 6, 1883 in Bsharri to a Maronite Christian Family. In 1895, he immigrated with his mother and younger siblings to the United States and his name was Anglicized to Kahlil Gibran. He attended a public school in Boston, Quincy School, and took drawing classes at Denison House. While there he eventually met the Boston artist, photographer, and publisher Fred Holland Day, who used Gibran as a subject in his photographs. Day became Gibran’s first patron, supporting his creative education.</p>
<p>Gibran returned to Lebanon to attend the Collège de la Sagesse in Beirut from 1898-1902. Following his return to Boston, Gibran’s artwork is first publicly shown in an exhibit at Wellesley College due to the efforts of Bostonian poet and dramatist Josephine Preston Peabody (1874-1922). During this time, he was supported by his sister Marianna and her work at a dressmaker’s shop.</p>
<p>At his first solo exhibition in Day’s studio in 1904, Gibran met Mary Haskell (1873-1964), an educator and principal at a girl’s school in Boston who became one of his lifelong supporters and patrons. Gibran also met Amin al-Ghurayyib that same year, who was editor of the Arab American periodical <em>Al-Mohajer</em>(The Immigrant). Gibran’s first writing, "A Profile of the Art of Music," was published in 1905 in <em>Al-Mohajer</em>. Through his work with the newspaper, Gibran developed his unique style and voice which reflected influences from the informal language of rural Lebanon, Boston’s South End, and Syriac.</p>
<p>Haskell’s financial support enabled Gibran to attend <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acad%C3%A9mie_Julian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Académie Julian</span></a> in Paris, France to study art in 1908. He left the academy the following year to study with the French Symbolist painter Pierre Marcel-Béronneau (1869–1937). While in Paris, Gibran became acquainted with Syrian politics through involvement with the New York-based journal <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/71" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Mir’āt al-Gharb</em></a> (Mirror of the West) and Lebanese American intellectual and political activist <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/104" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ameen Rihani</a>, who informed Gibran’s views on Arab Nationalism. After returning to Boston in 1910 and establishing a studio in New York, he joined the Boston chapter of the Golden Links Society, an Arab American intellectual and literary society. </p>
<p>Gibran published many books of poems, novellas, drawings, and short stories throughout his career. Gibran's best-known work, <em>The Prophet</em>, was published in 1923 and was informed by Gibran's meeting with Abdu'l-Baha (1844-1921), then leader of the Baha'i faith. He also contributed to multiple Arab American periodicals, including <em>Al-Funūn </em>and<em> Al-Mohajer</em>, as well as an Egyptian cultural and literary magazine <em>Al-Hilal</em>. In 1920, Gibran re-formed The Pen League, an Arab-American Mahjar literary group, with its original founders Nasib Arida and Abd al-Masih Haddad.</p>
<h4>Scope/Content note</h4>
<p>The World of Kahlil Gibran Collection is a selection of excerpts, drawings, and manuscripts of Kahlil Gibran that was produced and edited by Farid Salman and Elaine Gebara, and issued by the Gibran National Committee on August 13, 1971.</p>
<p>The collection includes a brochure on Gibran and his hometown of Bcharre, reproductions of his art, and letters and manuscripts written by Gibran.</p>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gibran National Committee
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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
gibran_folio_drawing_face
Title
A name given to the resource
Face Drawings by Kahlil Gibran
Description
An account of the resource
Reproduction of various drawings of faces done by Kahlil Gibran. This was included with the other reproductions in the folder titled "The World of Kahlil Gibran" created by the National Committee of Gibran.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
National Committee of Gibran
Subject
The topic of the resource
Drawing
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Image
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image/pdf
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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.
1970s
Art
Kahlil Gibran
Lebanon
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/b5c65fd6d2715039b65fca01603d3269.pdf
3316c72a8e9a08e5acad2d4a896112d3
PDF Text
Text
�
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 World of Kahlil Gibran Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Brochures
Drawing
Letter writing
Photographs
Poetry
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971-1973
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Processed by Nay Ackhar, 2022 and Sarah Bernstein, 2023. Collection Guide created by Sarah Bernstein, 2023 October.
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.
Language
A language of the resource
English
Arabic
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
KC 0057
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.
Digital material in this collection is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law.
Physical material in this collection is also available to researchers. For questions or to access a collection, please contact us at kcldsarchive@ncsu.edu. Please give at least 48 hours for responses to any inquiries regarding the materials.
Description
An account of the resource
<h4>Biographical/Historical note</h4>
<p>Gibran Khalil Gibran (1883-1931), or Khalil Gibran, was born on January 6, 1883 in Bsharri to a Maronite Christian Family. In 1895, he immigrated with his mother and younger siblings to the United States and his name was Anglicized to Kahlil Gibran. He attended a public school in Boston, Quincy School, and took drawing classes at Denison House. While there he eventually met the Boston artist, photographer, and publisher Fred Holland Day, who used Gibran as a subject in his photographs. Day became Gibran’s first patron, supporting his creative education.</p>
<p>Gibran returned to Lebanon to attend the Collège de la Sagesse in Beirut from 1898-1902. Following his return to Boston, Gibran’s artwork is first publicly shown in an exhibit at Wellesley College due to the efforts of Bostonian poet and dramatist Josephine Preston Peabody (1874-1922). During this time, he was supported by his sister Marianna and her work at a dressmaker’s shop.</p>
<p>At his first solo exhibition in Day’s studio in 1904, Gibran met Mary Haskell (1873-1964), an educator and principal at a girl’s school in Boston who became one of his lifelong supporters and patrons. Gibran also met Amin al-Ghurayyib that same year, who was editor of the Arab American periodical <em>Al-Mohajer</em>(The Immigrant). Gibran’s first writing, "A Profile of the Art of Music," was published in 1905 in <em>Al-Mohajer</em>. Through his work with the newspaper, Gibran developed his unique style and voice which reflected influences from the informal language of rural Lebanon, Boston’s South End, and Syriac.</p>
<p>Haskell’s financial support enabled Gibran to attend <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acad%C3%A9mie_Julian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Académie Julian</span></a> in Paris, France to study art in 1908. He left the academy the following year to study with the French Symbolist painter Pierre Marcel-Béronneau (1869–1937). While in Paris, Gibran became acquainted with Syrian politics through involvement with the New York-based journal <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/71" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Mir’āt al-Gharb</em></a> (Mirror of the West) and Lebanese American intellectual and political activist <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/104" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ameen Rihani</a>, who informed Gibran’s views on Arab Nationalism. After returning to Boston in 1910 and establishing a studio in New York, he joined the Boston chapter of the Golden Links Society, an Arab American intellectual and literary society. </p>
<p>Gibran published many books of poems, novellas, drawings, and short stories throughout his career. Gibran's best-known work, <em>The Prophet</em>, was published in 1923 and was informed by Gibran's meeting with Abdu'l-Baha (1844-1921), then leader of the Baha'i faith. He also contributed to multiple Arab American periodicals, including <em>Al-Funūn </em>and<em> Al-Mohajer</em>, as well as an Egyptian cultural and literary magazine <em>Al-Hilal</em>. In 1920, Gibran re-formed The Pen League, an Arab-American Mahjar literary group, with its original founders Nasib Arida and Abd al-Masih Haddad.</p>
<h4>Scope/Content note</h4>
<p>The World of Kahlil Gibran Collection is a selection of excerpts, drawings, and manuscripts of Kahlil Gibran that was produced and edited by Farid Salman and Elaine Gebara, and issued by the Gibran National Committee on August 13, 1971.</p>
<p>The collection includes a brochure on Gibran and his hometown of Bcharre, reproductions of his art, and letters and manuscripts written by Gibran.</p>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gibran National Committee
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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
gibran_folio_picture_bcharre
Title
A name given to the resource
Photograph of Kahlil Gibran's village Bisharri, Lebanon
Description
An account of the resource
A photograph of Bisharri, Lebanon, described by the National Committee of Gibran as "Gibran's village."
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
National Committee of Gibran
Subject
The topic of the resource
Photographs
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Image
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image/pdf
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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.
1970s
Kahlil Gibran
Lebanon
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/25dece169311c89f73334aad646adce4.pdf
e2d9451ce79d87e64727877144c85609
PDF Text
Text
�
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 World of Kahlil Gibran Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Brochures
Drawing
Letter writing
Photographs
Poetry
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971-1973
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Processed by Nay Ackhar, 2022 and Sarah Bernstein, 2023. Collection Guide created by Sarah Bernstein, 2023 October.
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.
Language
A language of the resource
English
Arabic
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
KC 0057
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.
Digital material in this collection is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law.
Physical material in this collection is also available to researchers. For questions or to access a collection, please contact us at kcldsarchive@ncsu.edu. Please give at least 48 hours for responses to any inquiries regarding the materials.
Description
An account of the resource
<h4>Biographical/Historical note</h4>
<p>Gibran Khalil Gibran (1883-1931), or Khalil Gibran, was born on January 6, 1883 in Bsharri to a Maronite Christian Family. In 1895, he immigrated with his mother and younger siblings to the United States and his name was Anglicized to Kahlil Gibran. He attended a public school in Boston, Quincy School, and took drawing classes at Denison House. While there he eventually met the Boston artist, photographer, and publisher Fred Holland Day, who used Gibran as a subject in his photographs. Day became Gibran’s first patron, supporting his creative education.</p>
<p>Gibran returned to Lebanon to attend the Collège de la Sagesse in Beirut from 1898-1902. Following his return to Boston, Gibran’s artwork is first publicly shown in an exhibit at Wellesley College due to the efforts of Bostonian poet and dramatist Josephine Preston Peabody (1874-1922). During this time, he was supported by his sister Marianna and her work at a dressmaker’s shop.</p>
<p>At his first solo exhibition in Day’s studio in 1904, Gibran met Mary Haskell (1873-1964), an educator and principal at a girl’s school in Boston who became one of his lifelong supporters and patrons. Gibran also met Amin al-Ghurayyib that same year, who was editor of the Arab American periodical <em>Al-Mohajer</em>(The Immigrant). Gibran’s first writing, "A Profile of the Art of Music," was published in 1905 in <em>Al-Mohajer</em>. Through his work with the newspaper, Gibran developed his unique style and voice which reflected influences from the informal language of rural Lebanon, Boston’s South End, and Syriac.</p>
<p>Haskell’s financial support enabled Gibran to attend <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acad%C3%A9mie_Julian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Académie Julian</span></a> in Paris, France to study art in 1908. He left the academy the following year to study with the French Symbolist painter Pierre Marcel-Béronneau (1869–1937). While in Paris, Gibran became acquainted with Syrian politics through involvement with the New York-based journal <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/71" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Mir’āt al-Gharb</em></a> (Mirror of the West) and Lebanese American intellectual and political activist <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/104" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ameen Rihani</a>, who informed Gibran’s views on Arab Nationalism. After returning to Boston in 1910 and establishing a studio in New York, he joined the Boston chapter of the Golden Links Society, an Arab American intellectual and literary society. </p>
<p>Gibran published many books of poems, novellas, drawings, and short stories throughout his career. Gibran's best-known work, <em>The Prophet</em>, was published in 1923 and was informed by Gibran's meeting with Abdu'l-Baha (1844-1921), then leader of the Baha'i faith. He also contributed to multiple Arab American periodicals, including <em>Al-Funūn </em>and<em> Al-Mohajer</em>, as well as an Egyptian cultural and literary magazine <em>Al-Hilal</em>. In 1920, Gibran re-formed The Pen League, an Arab-American Mahjar literary group, with its original founders Nasib Arida and Abd al-Masih Haddad.</p>
<h4>Scope/Content note</h4>
<p>The World of Kahlil Gibran Collection is a selection of excerpts, drawings, and manuscripts of Kahlil Gibran that was produced and edited by Farid Salman and Elaine Gebara, and issued by the Gibran National Committee on August 13, 1971.</p>
<p>The collection includes a brochure on Gibran and his hometown of Bcharre, reproductions of his art, and letters and manuscripts written by Gibran.</p>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gibran National Committee
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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
gibran_folio_picture_bedroom_NewYork
Title
A name given to the resource
Photograph of Kahlil Gibran's bedroom in New York
Description
An account of the resource
A photograph of Kahlil Gibran's bedroom in New York. A large tapestry of Jesus hangs on the wall along with a crucifix and some art. An armour with mirrors is in the left corner and his bed, covered in multiple pillows, is positioned near the center. Gibran's bedroom also includes a round table and chair in the center.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
National Committee of Gibran
Subject
The topic of the resource
Photographs
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Image
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image/pdf
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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.
1970s
Kahlil Gibran
New York
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/0a1f4750744f0319eb483226f96794ce.pdf
9c9279a634ea4743324f46e2e0ad8f92
PDF Text
Text
�
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 World of Kahlil Gibran Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Brochures
Drawing
Letter writing
Photographs
Poetry
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971-1973
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Processed by Nay Ackhar, 2022 and Sarah Bernstein, 2023. Collection Guide created by Sarah Bernstein, 2023 October.
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.
Language
A language of the resource
English
Arabic
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
KC 0057
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.
Digital material in this collection is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law.
Physical material in this collection is also available to researchers. For questions or to access a collection, please contact us at kcldsarchive@ncsu.edu. Please give at least 48 hours for responses to any inquiries regarding the materials.
Description
An account of the resource
<h4>Biographical/Historical note</h4>
<p>Gibran Khalil Gibran (1883-1931), or Khalil Gibran, was born on January 6, 1883 in Bsharri to a Maronite Christian Family. In 1895, he immigrated with his mother and younger siblings to the United States and his name was Anglicized to Kahlil Gibran. He attended a public school in Boston, Quincy School, and took drawing classes at Denison House. While there he eventually met the Boston artist, photographer, and publisher Fred Holland Day, who used Gibran as a subject in his photographs. Day became Gibran’s first patron, supporting his creative education.</p>
<p>Gibran returned to Lebanon to attend the Collège de la Sagesse in Beirut from 1898-1902. Following his return to Boston, Gibran’s artwork is first publicly shown in an exhibit at Wellesley College due to the efforts of Bostonian poet and dramatist Josephine Preston Peabody (1874-1922). During this time, he was supported by his sister Marianna and her work at a dressmaker’s shop.</p>
<p>At his first solo exhibition in Day’s studio in 1904, Gibran met Mary Haskell (1873-1964), an educator and principal at a girl’s school in Boston who became one of his lifelong supporters and patrons. Gibran also met Amin al-Ghurayyib that same year, who was editor of the Arab American periodical <em>Al-Mohajer</em>(The Immigrant). Gibran’s first writing, "A Profile of the Art of Music," was published in 1905 in <em>Al-Mohajer</em>. Through his work with the newspaper, Gibran developed his unique style and voice which reflected influences from the informal language of rural Lebanon, Boston’s South End, and Syriac.</p>
<p>Haskell’s financial support enabled Gibran to attend <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acad%C3%A9mie_Julian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Académie Julian</span></a> in Paris, France to study art in 1908. He left the academy the following year to study with the French Symbolist painter Pierre Marcel-Béronneau (1869–1937). While in Paris, Gibran became acquainted with Syrian politics through involvement with the New York-based journal <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/71" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Mir’āt al-Gharb</em></a> (Mirror of the West) and Lebanese American intellectual and political activist <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/104" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ameen Rihani</a>, who informed Gibran’s views on Arab Nationalism. After returning to Boston in 1910 and establishing a studio in New York, he joined the Boston chapter of the Golden Links Society, an Arab American intellectual and literary society. </p>
<p>Gibran published many books of poems, novellas, drawings, and short stories throughout his career. Gibran's best-known work, <em>The Prophet</em>, was published in 1923 and was informed by Gibran's meeting with Abdu'l-Baha (1844-1921), then leader of the Baha'i faith. He also contributed to multiple Arab American periodicals, including <em>Al-Funūn </em>and<em> Al-Mohajer</em>, as well as an Egyptian cultural and literary magazine <em>Al-Hilal</em>. In 1920, Gibran re-formed The Pen League, an Arab-American Mahjar literary group, with its original founders Nasib Arida and Abd al-Masih Haddad.</p>
<h4>Scope/Content note</h4>
<p>The World of Kahlil Gibran Collection is a selection of excerpts, drawings, and manuscripts of Kahlil Gibran that was produced and edited by Farid Salman and Elaine Gebara, and issued by the Gibran National Committee on August 13, 1971.</p>
<p>The collection includes a brochure on Gibran and his hometown of Bcharre, reproductions of his art, and letters and manuscripts written by Gibran.</p>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gibran National Committee
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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
gibran_folio_picture_birthplace
Title
A name given to the resource
Photograph of a communal space in Kahlil Gibran's birthplace in Bisharri, Lebanon
Description
An account of the resource
A photograph of inside a house in Bisharri, Lebanon, described by the National Council of Gibran as his "birthplace." The walls of the inside of the home are bare and supporting columns, which meet in arches near the ceiling, cut through the room.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
National Committee of Gibran
Subject
The topic of the resource
Photographs
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Image
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image/pdf
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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.
1970s
Kahlil Gibran
Lebanon
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/0581a104a62f30702e686ad4f4b74832.pdf
897621e8d73531ae99f715a22cca988d
PDF Text
Text
�
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 World of Kahlil Gibran Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Brochures
Drawing
Letter writing
Photographs
Poetry
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971-1973
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Processed by Nay Ackhar, 2022 and Sarah Bernstein, 2023. Collection Guide created by Sarah Bernstein, 2023 October.
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.
Language
A language of the resource
English
Arabic
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
KC 0057
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.
Digital material in this collection is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law.
Physical material in this collection is also available to researchers. For questions or to access a collection, please contact us at kcldsarchive@ncsu.edu. Please give at least 48 hours for responses to any inquiries regarding the materials.
Description
An account of the resource
<h4>Biographical/Historical note</h4>
<p>Gibran Khalil Gibran (1883-1931), or Khalil Gibran, was born on January 6, 1883 in Bsharri to a Maronite Christian Family. In 1895, he immigrated with his mother and younger siblings to the United States and his name was Anglicized to Kahlil Gibran. He attended a public school in Boston, Quincy School, and took drawing classes at Denison House. While there he eventually met the Boston artist, photographer, and publisher Fred Holland Day, who used Gibran as a subject in his photographs. Day became Gibran’s first patron, supporting his creative education.</p>
<p>Gibran returned to Lebanon to attend the Collège de la Sagesse in Beirut from 1898-1902. Following his return to Boston, Gibran’s artwork is first publicly shown in an exhibit at Wellesley College due to the efforts of Bostonian poet and dramatist Josephine Preston Peabody (1874-1922). During this time, he was supported by his sister Marianna and her work at a dressmaker’s shop.</p>
<p>At his first solo exhibition in Day’s studio in 1904, Gibran met Mary Haskell (1873-1964), an educator and principal at a girl’s school in Boston who became one of his lifelong supporters and patrons. Gibran also met Amin al-Ghurayyib that same year, who was editor of the Arab American periodical <em>Al-Mohajer</em>(The Immigrant). Gibran’s first writing, "A Profile of the Art of Music," was published in 1905 in <em>Al-Mohajer</em>. Through his work with the newspaper, Gibran developed his unique style and voice which reflected influences from the informal language of rural Lebanon, Boston’s South End, and Syriac.</p>
<p>Haskell’s financial support enabled Gibran to attend <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acad%C3%A9mie_Julian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Académie Julian</span></a> in Paris, France to study art in 1908. He left the academy the following year to study with the French Symbolist painter Pierre Marcel-Béronneau (1869–1937). While in Paris, Gibran became acquainted with Syrian politics through involvement with the New York-based journal <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/71" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Mir’āt al-Gharb</em></a> (Mirror of the West) and Lebanese American intellectual and political activist <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/104" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ameen Rihani</a>, who informed Gibran’s views on Arab Nationalism. After returning to Boston in 1910 and establishing a studio in New York, he joined the Boston chapter of the Golden Links Society, an Arab American intellectual and literary society. </p>
<p>Gibran published many books of poems, novellas, drawings, and short stories throughout his career. Gibran's best-known work, <em>The Prophet</em>, was published in 1923 and was informed by Gibran's meeting with Abdu'l-Baha (1844-1921), then leader of the Baha'i faith. He also contributed to multiple Arab American periodicals, including <em>Al-Funūn </em>and<em> Al-Mohajer</em>, as well as an Egyptian cultural and literary magazine <em>Al-Hilal</em>. In 1920, Gibran re-formed The Pen League, an Arab-American Mahjar literary group, with its original founders Nasib Arida and Abd al-Masih Haddad.</p>
<h4>Scope/Content note</h4>
<p>The World of Kahlil Gibran Collection is a selection of excerpts, drawings, and manuscripts of Kahlil Gibran that was produced and edited by Farid Salman and Elaine Gebara, and issued by the Gibran National Committee on August 13, 1971.</p>
<p>The collection includes a brochure on Gibran and his hometown of Bcharre, reproductions of his art, and letters and manuscripts written by Gibran.</p>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gibran National Committee
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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
gibran_folio_picture_birthplaceBcharre
Title
A name given to the resource
Photograph of a bedroom in Kahlil Gibran's birthplace in Bisharri, Lebanon
Description
An account of the resource
A photograph of inside a house in Bisharri, Lebanon, described by the National Council of Gibran as his "birthplace." Featured in the center of the photograph is a damaged rattan rocking chair. A metal four pole bed frame is in the right corner, and a circular woven, round, wall decor hands above a side table on the left.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
National Committee of Gibran
Subject
The topic of the resource
Photographs
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Image
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image/pdf
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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.
1970s
Kahlil Gibran
Lebanon
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/10365b8e00326074ad116203cc9aef9e.pdf
978623d14346491eb5ceaaed8301e8e1
PDF Text
Text
�
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 World of Kahlil Gibran Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Brochures
Drawing
Letter writing
Photographs
Poetry
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971-1973
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Processed by Nay Ackhar, 2022 and Sarah Bernstein, 2023. Collection Guide created by Sarah Bernstein, 2023 October.
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.
Language
A language of the resource
English
Arabic
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
KC 0057
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.
Digital material in this collection is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law.
Physical material in this collection is also available to researchers. For questions or to access a collection, please contact us at kcldsarchive@ncsu.edu. Please give at least 48 hours for responses to any inquiries regarding the materials.
Description
An account of the resource
<h4>Biographical/Historical note</h4>
<p>Gibran Khalil Gibran (1883-1931), or Khalil Gibran, was born on January 6, 1883 in Bsharri to a Maronite Christian Family. In 1895, he immigrated with his mother and younger siblings to the United States and his name was Anglicized to Kahlil Gibran. He attended a public school in Boston, Quincy School, and took drawing classes at Denison House. While there he eventually met the Boston artist, photographer, and publisher Fred Holland Day, who used Gibran as a subject in his photographs. Day became Gibran’s first patron, supporting his creative education.</p>
<p>Gibran returned to Lebanon to attend the Collège de la Sagesse in Beirut from 1898-1902. Following his return to Boston, Gibran’s artwork is first publicly shown in an exhibit at Wellesley College due to the efforts of Bostonian poet and dramatist Josephine Preston Peabody (1874-1922). During this time, he was supported by his sister Marianna and her work at a dressmaker’s shop.</p>
<p>At his first solo exhibition in Day’s studio in 1904, Gibran met Mary Haskell (1873-1964), an educator and principal at a girl’s school in Boston who became one of his lifelong supporters and patrons. Gibran also met Amin al-Ghurayyib that same year, who was editor of the Arab American periodical <em>Al-Mohajer</em>(The Immigrant). Gibran’s first writing, "A Profile of the Art of Music," was published in 1905 in <em>Al-Mohajer</em>. Through his work with the newspaper, Gibran developed his unique style and voice which reflected influences from the informal language of rural Lebanon, Boston’s South End, and Syriac.</p>
<p>Haskell’s financial support enabled Gibran to attend <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acad%C3%A9mie_Julian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Académie Julian</span></a> in Paris, France to study art in 1908. He left the academy the following year to study with the French Symbolist painter Pierre Marcel-Béronneau (1869–1937). While in Paris, Gibran became acquainted with Syrian politics through involvement with the New York-based journal <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/71" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Mir’āt al-Gharb</em></a> (Mirror of the West) and Lebanese American intellectual and political activist <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/104" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ameen Rihani</a>, who informed Gibran’s views on Arab Nationalism. After returning to Boston in 1910 and establishing a studio in New York, he joined the Boston chapter of the Golden Links Society, an Arab American intellectual and literary society. </p>
<p>Gibran published many books of poems, novellas, drawings, and short stories throughout his career. Gibran's best-known work, <em>The Prophet</em>, was published in 1923 and was informed by Gibran's meeting with Abdu'l-Baha (1844-1921), then leader of the Baha'i faith. He also contributed to multiple Arab American periodicals, including <em>Al-Funūn </em>and<em> Al-Mohajer</em>, as well as an Egyptian cultural and literary magazine <em>Al-Hilal</em>. In 1920, Gibran re-formed The Pen League, an Arab-American Mahjar literary group, with its original founders Nasib Arida and Abd al-Masih Haddad.</p>
<h4>Scope/Content note</h4>
<p>The World of Kahlil Gibran Collection is a selection of excerpts, drawings, and manuscripts of Kahlil Gibran that was produced and edited by Farid Salman and Elaine Gebara, and issued by the Gibran National Committee on August 13, 1971.</p>
<p>The collection includes a brochure on Gibran and his hometown of Bcharre, reproductions of his art, and letters and manuscripts written by Gibran.</p>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gibran National Committee
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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
gibran_folio_picture_desk
Title
A name given to the resource
Photograph of Kahlil Gibran's desk
Description
An account of the resource
A photograph of Kahlil Gibran's desk. The desk is extended open, with books and a candlestick resting on its top, and paper, an inkwell, and books on its writing surface. A wooden and leather chair is pushed away from the desk and a leather carrying case rests against the leg of the chair.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
National Committee of Gibran
Subject
The topic of the resource
Photographs
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Image
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image/pdf
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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.
1970s
Kahlil Gibran
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/e38fa8e0851f4cc9b01e5e19cd72dc22.pdf
82a58a13bc2eb922dbcf3832b2329e31
PDF Text
Text
�
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 World of Kahlil Gibran Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Brochures
Drawing
Letter writing
Photographs
Poetry
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971-1973
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Processed by Nay Ackhar, 2022 and Sarah Bernstein, 2023. Collection Guide created by Sarah Bernstein, 2023 October.
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.
Language
A language of the resource
English
Arabic
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
KC 0057
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.
Digital material in this collection is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law.
Physical material in this collection is also available to researchers. For questions or to access a collection, please contact us at kcldsarchive@ncsu.edu. Please give at least 48 hours for responses to any inquiries regarding the materials.
Description
An account of the resource
<h4>Biographical/Historical note</h4>
<p>Gibran Khalil Gibran (1883-1931), or Khalil Gibran, was born on January 6, 1883 in Bsharri to a Maronite Christian Family. In 1895, he immigrated with his mother and younger siblings to the United States and his name was Anglicized to Kahlil Gibran. He attended a public school in Boston, Quincy School, and took drawing classes at Denison House. While there he eventually met the Boston artist, photographer, and publisher Fred Holland Day, who used Gibran as a subject in his photographs. Day became Gibran’s first patron, supporting his creative education.</p>
<p>Gibran returned to Lebanon to attend the Collège de la Sagesse in Beirut from 1898-1902. Following his return to Boston, Gibran’s artwork is first publicly shown in an exhibit at Wellesley College due to the efforts of Bostonian poet and dramatist Josephine Preston Peabody (1874-1922). During this time, he was supported by his sister Marianna and her work at a dressmaker’s shop.</p>
<p>At his first solo exhibition in Day’s studio in 1904, Gibran met Mary Haskell (1873-1964), an educator and principal at a girl’s school in Boston who became one of his lifelong supporters and patrons. Gibran also met Amin al-Ghurayyib that same year, who was editor of the Arab American periodical <em>Al-Mohajer</em>(The Immigrant). Gibran’s first writing, "A Profile of the Art of Music," was published in 1905 in <em>Al-Mohajer</em>. Through his work with the newspaper, Gibran developed his unique style and voice which reflected influences from the informal language of rural Lebanon, Boston’s South End, and Syriac.</p>
<p>Haskell’s financial support enabled Gibran to attend <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acad%C3%A9mie_Julian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Académie Julian</span></a> in Paris, France to study art in 1908. He left the academy the following year to study with the French Symbolist painter Pierre Marcel-Béronneau (1869–1937). While in Paris, Gibran became acquainted with Syrian politics through involvement with the New York-based journal <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/71" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Mir’āt al-Gharb</em></a> (Mirror of the West) and Lebanese American intellectual and political activist <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/104" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ameen Rihani</a>, who informed Gibran’s views on Arab Nationalism. After returning to Boston in 1910 and establishing a studio in New York, he joined the Boston chapter of the Golden Links Society, an Arab American intellectual and literary society. </p>
<p>Gibran published many books of poems, novellas, drawings, and short stories throughout his career. Gibran's best-known work, <em>The Prophet</em>, was published in 1923 and was informed by Gibran's meeting with Abdu'l-Baha (1844-1921), then leader of the Baha'i faith. He also contributed to multiple Arab American periodicals, including <em>Al-Funūn </em>and<em> Al-Mohajer</em>, as well as an Egyptian cultural and literary magazine <em>Al-Hilal</em>. In 1920, Gibran re-formed The Pen League, an Arab-American Mahjar literary group, with its original founders Nasib Arida and Abd al-Masih Haddad.</p>
<h4>Scope/Content note</h4>
<p>The World of Kahlil Gibran Collection is a selection of excerpts, drawings, and manuscripts of Kahlil Gibran that was produced and edited by Farid Salman and Elaine Gebara, and issued by the Gibran National Committee on August 13, 1971.</p>
<p>The collection includes a brochure on Gibran and his hometown of Bcharre, reproductions of his art, and letters and manuscripts written by Gibran.</p>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gibran National Committee
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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
gibran_folio_picture_studio_NewYork
Title
A name given to the resource
Photograph of Kahlil Gibran's studio in New York
Description
An account of the resource
A photograph of Kahlil Gibran's studio in New York with his art framed and displayed around the room. Art is hung on the walls and displayed on an easel.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
National Committee of Gibran
Subject
The topic of the resource
Photographs
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Image
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image/pdf
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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.
1970s
Kahlil Gibran
New York
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/011802f1234db427ec58327788dc8228.pdf
3eddfa677c22f504d38e96929f04e206
PDF Text
Text
�
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 World of Kahlil Gibran Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Brochures
Drawing
Letter writing
Photographs
Poetry
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971-1973
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Processed by Nay Ackhar, 2022 and Sarah Bernstein, 2023. Collection Guide created by Sarah Bernstein, 2023 October.
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.
Language
A language of the resource
English
Arabic
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
KC 0057
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.
Digital material in this collection is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law.
Physical material in this collection is also available to researchers. For questions or to access a collection, please contact us at kcldsarchive@ncsu.edu. Please give at least 48 hours for responses to any inquiries regarding the materials.
Description
An account of the resource
<h4>Biographical/Historical note</h4>
<p>Gibran Khalil Gibran (1883-1931), or Khalil Gibran, was born on January 6, 1883 in Bsharri to a Maronite Christian Family. In 1895, he immigrated with his mother and younger siblings to the United States and his name was Anglicized to Kahlil Gibran. He attended a public school in Boston, Quincy School, and took drawing classes at Denison House. While there he eventually met the Boston artist, photographer, and publisher Fred Holland Day, who used Gibran as a subject in his photographs. Day became Gibran’s first patron, supporting his creative education.</p>
<p>Gibran returned to Lebanon to attend the Collège de la Sagesse in Beirut from 1898-1902. Following his return to Boston, Gibran’s artwork is first publicly shown in an exhibit at Wellesley College due to the efforts of Bostonian poet and dramatist Josephine Preston Peabody (1874-1922). During this time, he was supported by his sister Marianna and her work at a dressmaker’s shop.</p>
<p>At his first solo exhibition in Day’s studio in 1904, Gibran met Mary Haskell (1873-1964), an educator and principal at a girl’s school in Boston who became one of his lifelong supporters and patrons. Gibran also met Amin al-Ghurayyib that same year, who was editor of the Arab American periodical <em>Al-Mohajer</em>(The Immigrant). Gibran’s first writing, "A Profile of the Art of Music," was published in 1905 in <em>Al-Mohajer</em>. Through his work with the newspaper, Gibran developed his unique style and voice which reflected influences from the informal language of rural Lebanon, Boston’s South End, and Syriac.</p>
<p>Haskell’s financial support enabled Gibran to attend <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acad%C3%A9mie_Julian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Académie Julian</span></a> in Paris, France to study art in 1908. He left the academy the following year to study with the French Symbolist painter Pierre Marcel-Béronneau (1869–1937). While in Paris, Gibran became acquainted with Syrian politics through involvement with the New York-based journal <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/71" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Mir’āt al-Gharb</em></a> (Mirror of the West) and Lebanese American intellectual and political activist <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/104" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ameen Rihani</a>, who informed Gibran’s views on Arab Nationalism. After returning to Boston in 1910 and establishing a studio in New York, he joined the Boston chapter of the Golden Links Society, an Arab American intellectual and literary society. </p>
<p>Gibran published many books of poems, novellas, drawings, and short stories throughout his career. Gibran's best-known work, <em>The Prophet</em>, was published in 1923 and was informed by Gibran's meeting with Abdu'l-Baha (1844-1921), then leader of the Baha'i faith. He also contributed to multiple Arab American periodicals, including <em>Al-Funūn </em>and<em> Al-Mohajer</em>, as well as an Egyptian cultural and literary magazine <em>Al-Hilal</em>. In 1920, Gibran re-formed The Pen League, an Arab-American Mahjar literary group, with its original founders Nasib Arida and Abd al-Masih Haddad.</p>
<h4>Scope/Content note</h4>
<p>The World of Kahlil Gibran Collection is a selection of excerpts, drawings, and manuscripts of Kahlil Gibran that was produced and edited by Farid Salman and Elaine Gebara, and issued by the Gibran National Committee on August 13, 1971.</p>
<p>The collection includes a brochure on Gibran and his hometown of Bcharre, reproductions of his art, and letters and manuscripts written by Gibran.</p>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gibran National Committee
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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
gibran_folio_poem_draft
Title
A name given to the resource
Draft of poem by Kahlil Gibran
Description
An account of the resource
Draft of a poem written by Kahlil Gibran
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
National Committee of Gibran
Subject
The topic of the resource
Poetry
Language
A language of the resource
Arabic
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Text/pdf
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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.
1970s
Kahlil Gibran
Lebanon
Letters-Arabic
Poetry-Arabic
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/912262d58622f835121120073acac741.pdf
cc90315e7d4836a5470d64622be26e17
PDF Text
Text
�
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 World of Kahlil Gibran Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Brochures
Drawing
Letter writing
Photographs
Poetry
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971-1973
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Processed by Nay Ackhar, 2022 and Sarah Bernstein, 2023. Collection Guide created by Sarah Bernstein, 2023 October.
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.
Language
A language of the resource
English
Arabic
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
KC 0057
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.
Digital material in this collection is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law.
Physical material in this collection is also available to researchers. For questions or to access a collection, please contact us at kcldsarchive@ncsu.edu. Please give at least 48 hours for responses to any inquiries regarding the materials.
Description
An account of the resource
<h4>Biographical/Historical note</h4>
<p>Gibran Khalil Gibran (1883-1931), or Khalil Gibran, was born on January 6, 1883 in Bsharri to a Maronite Christian Family. In 1895, he immigrated with his mother and younger siblings to the United States and his name was Anglicized to Kahlil Gibran. He attended a public school in Boston, Quincy School, and took drawing classes at Denison House. While there he eventually met the Boston artist, photographer, and publisher Fred Holland Day, who used Gibran as a subject in his photographs. Day became Gibran’s first patron, supporting his creative education.</p>
<p>Gibran returned to Lebanon to attend the Collège de la Sagesse in Beirut from 1898-1902. Following his return to Boston, Gibran’s artwork is first publicly shown in an exhibit at Wellesley College due to the efforts of Bostonian poet and dramatist Josephine Preston Peabody (1874-1922). During this time, he was supported by his sister Marianna and her work at a dressmaker’s shop.</p>
<p>At his first solo exhibition in Day’s studio in 1904, Gibran met Mary Haskell (1873-1964), an educator and principal at a girl’s school in Boston who became one of his lifelong supporters and patrons. Gibran also met Amin al-Ghurayyib that same year, who was editor of the Arab American periodical <em>Al-Mohajer</em>(The Immigrant). Gibran’s first writing, "A Profile of the Art of Music," was published in 1905 in <em>Al-Mohajer</em>. Through his work with the newspaper, Gibran developed his unique style and voice which reflected influences from the informal language of rural Lebanon, Boston’s South End, and Syriac.</p>
<p>Haskell’s financial support enabled Gibran to attend <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acad%C3%A9mie_Julian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Académie Julian</span></a> in Paris, France to study art in 1908. He left the academy the following year to study with the French Symbolist painter Pierre Marcel-Béronneau (1869–1937). While in Paris, Gibran became acquainted with Syrian politics through involvement with the New York-based journal <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/71" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Mir’āt al-Gharb</em></a> (Mirror of the West) and Lebanese American intellectual and political activist <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/104" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ameen Rihani</a>, who informed Gibran’s views on Arab Nationalism. After returning to Boston in 1910 and establishing a studio in New York, he joined the Boston chapter of the Golden Links Society, an Arab American intellectual and literary society. </p>
<p>Gibran published many books of poems, novellas, drawings, and short stories throughout his career. Gibran's best-known work, <em>The Prophet</em>, was published in 1923 and was informed by Gibran's meeting with Abdu'l-Baha (1844-1921), then leader of the Baha'i faith. He also contributed to multiple Arab American periodicals, including <em>Al-Funūn </em>and<em> Al-Mohajer</em>, as well as an Egyptian cultural and literary magazine <em>Al-Hilal</em>. In 1920, Gibran re-formed The Pen League, an Arab-American Mahjar literary group, with its original founders Nasib Arida and Abd al-Masih Haddad.</p>
<h4>Scope/Content note</h4>
<p>The World of Kahlil Gibran Collection is a selection of excerpts, drawings, and manuscripts of Kahlil Gibran that was produced and edited by Farid Salman and Elaine Gebara, and issued by the Gibran National Committee on August 13, 1971.</p>
<p>The collection includes a brochure on Gibran and his hometown of Bcharre, reproductions of his art, and letters and manuscripts written by Gibran.</p>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gibran National Committee
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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
gibran_folio_poem
Title
A name given to the resource
Poem, "The Blind Poet," by Kahlil Gibran
Description
An account of the resource
Poem, "The Blind Poet," handwritten by Kahlil Gibran.
The Blind Poet - Kahlil
I have been blinded by light,
the very sun that gave -- -- day
Gave me my night - how dream
And yet I am a --
While you -- sit Where
life gave you birth
-- dearest either to give you
another birth.
And yet I -- seek the --
With my lyre and staff,
while you sit and tell -- least
And yet -- -- -- --
darkens
--- when you fear light.
And I -- sing
I cannot lose my way.
Even when there --- no --
-- sees -- --
And me are safe,
And though my feet obey
stumble
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
National Committee of Gibran
Subject
The topic of the resource
Poetry
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Text/pdf
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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.
1970s
Kahlil Gibran
Lebanon
Letters-English
Poetry-English
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/bcf5ccf49fa83f98d3b6de367440e795.pdf
7abe61995cb0a5b8d66c3fe24955cd06
PDF Text
Text
�,
•I
~
-
-
THIS
TO
AUDIO-VISUAL
UNITE
NUMBERED
A
• POCHETTE •
SELECTION
EDITION
OF
ISSUED
OF
EXCERPTS,
1000
COPIES,
BY
THE
AND
PRODUCED
NATIONAL
SPECIALLY
DESIGNED
COPY
IS
RESERVED
AND
FOR
THE
COMMITTEE,
MANUSCRIPTS
EDITED
GEBARA, WAS RELEASED ON THE THIRTEENTH OF AUGUST,
A
J
•
GIBRAN
DRAWINGS
•
•
BY
NINETEEN
PRESIDENT
OF
FARID
KAHLIL
SALMAN
HUNDRED
OF
THE
AND
IS
THE
FIRST
GIBRAN.
AND
THIS
ELIANE
SEVENTY-ONE.
LEBANESE
REPUBLIC.
VOICES :
NEIL BRATTON
MOUNA tsASSILI
JOHN BASSIL!
MAUREEN O'BRIEN
MUSIC AND . ORCHESTRATION :
GABRIEL YARED
THE PROPHET, THE MADMAN. SAND AND FOAM , THE GARDEN OF THE PROPHET
I
JESUS THE SON OF MAN
THE MESSAGE OF K.G. TO THE LEBANESE IN AMERICA
A LETTER TO MARY HASKEL
TWELVE DRAWINGS, SIX MANUSCRIPTS
SIX PHOTOGRAPHS OF K.G.'s INTIMATE WORLD
ORIGINAL MUSIC SPECIALLY COMPOSED BY GABRIEL YARED
�PRINTING : UNITED PRINTERS AND TRADERS
SUPERVISOR :
PHOTOGRAPHS :
RECORDS :
MEGUERDICH SINANIAN
VAZKEN
MANUFACTURED
BY S.L.D.
11
DRAWINGS AND MANUSCRIPTS USED IN THIS''POCHffiE ARE THE PROPERTY OF THE GIBRAN MUSEUM~- _.., BISHARRI THE LETTER TO MAY ZIADE (IN ARABIC) : COLLECTION JOSEPH ZIADE, M.D. (BEIRUT)
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY THE GIBRAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE .-
1971-MADE IN LEBANON
LEBANON
��
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 World of Kahlil Gibran Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Brochures
Drawing
Letter writing
Photographs
Poetry
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971-1973
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Processed by Nay Ackhar, 2022 and Sarah Bernstein, 2023. Collection Guide created by Sarah Bernstein, 2023 October.
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.
Language
A language of the resource
English
Arabic
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
KC 0057
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.
Digital material in this collection is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law.
Physical material in this collection is also available to researchers. For questions or to access a collection, please contact us at kcldsarchive@ncsu.edu. Please give at least 48 hours for responses to any inquiries regarding the materials.
Description
An account of the resource
<h4>Biographical/Historical note</h4>
<p>Gibran Khalil Gibran (1883-1931), or Khalil Gibran, was born on January 6, 1883 in Bsharri to a Maronite Christian Family. In 1895, he immigrated with his mother and younger siblings to the United States and his name was Anglicized to Kahlil Gibran. He attended a public school in Boston, Quincy School, and took drawing classes at Denison House. While there he eventually met the Boston artist, photographer, and publisher Fred Holland Day, who used Gibran as a subject in his photographs. Day became Gibran’s first patron, supporting his creative education.</p>
<p>Gibran returned to Lebanon to attend the Collège de la Sagesse in Beirut from 1898-1902. Following his return to Boston, Gibran’s artwork is first publicly shown in an exhibit at Wellesley College due to the efforts of Bostonian poet and dramatist Josephine Preston Peabody (1874-1922). During this time, he was supported by his sister Marianna and her work at a dressmaker’s shop.</p>
<p>At his first solo exhibition in Day’s studio in 1904, Gibran met Mary Haskell (1873-1964), an educator and principal at a girl’s school in Boston who became one of his lifelong supporters and patrons. Gibran also met Amin al-Ghurayyib that same year, who was editor of the Arab American periodical <em>Al-Mohajer</em>(The Immigrant). Gibran’s first writing, "A Profile of the Art of Music," was published in 1905 in <em>Al-Mohajer</em>. Through his work with the newspaper, Gibran developed his unique style and voice which reflected influences from the informal language of rural Lebanon, Boston’s South End, and Syriac.</p>
<p>Haskell’s financial support enabled Gibran to attend <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acad%C3%A9mie_Julian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Académie Julian</span></a> in Paris, France to study art in 1908. He left the academy the following year to study with the French Symbolist painter Pierre Marcel-Béronneau (1869–1937). While in Paris, Gibran became acquainted with Syrian politics through involvement with the New York-based journal <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/71" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Mir’āt al-Gharb</em></a> (Mirror of the West) and Lebanese American intellectual and political activist <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/104" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ameen Rihani</a>, who informed Gibran’s views on Arab Nationalism. After returning to Boston in 1910 and establishing a studio in New York, he joined the Boston chapter of the Golden Links Society, an Arab American intellectual and literary society. </p>
<p>Gibran published many books of poems, novellas, drawings, and short stories throughout his career. Gibran's best-known work, <em>The Prophet</em>, was published in 1923 and was informed by Gibran's meeting with Abdu'l-Baha (1844-1921), then leader of the Baha'i faith. He also contributed to multiple Arab American periodicals, including <em>Al-Funūn </em>and<em> Al-Mohajer</em>, as well as an Egyptian cultural and literary magazine <em>Al-Hilal</em>. In 1920, Gibran re-formed The Pen League, an Arab-American Mahjar literary group, with its original founders Nasib Arida and Abd al-Masih Haddad.</p>
<h4>Scope/Content note</h4>
<p>The World of Kahlil Gibran Collection is a selection of excerpts, drawings, and manuscripts of Kahlil Gibran that was produced and edited by Farid Salman and Elaine Gebara, and issued by the Gibran National Committee on August 13, 1971.</p>
<p>The collection includes a brochure on Gibran and his hometown of Bcharre, reproductions of his art, and letters and manuscripts written by Gibran.</p>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gibran National Committee
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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
gibran_folio_pouch
Title
A name given to the resource
"The World of Kahlil Gibran" folder
Description
An account of the resource
Folder titled "The World of Kahlil Gibran." created by the National Committee of Gibran in 1971. The folder was filled with reproductions of Gibran's drawing and personal writings, photographs of his New York bedroom, and photographs of his birthplace Bcharre. Written inside the folder is a description of the product, what was included inside, and production credits.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
National Committee of Gibran
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Image
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image/pdf
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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.
1970s
Kahlil Gibran
Lebanon
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/349657f3f77f22eee361c44d8705a832.pdf
84c41f2bcc8eed83b868c78b87f6fc21
PDF Text
Text
t
'
t c
JI as
a '2
•
f
lt,.,.,- ---
---
�
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 World of Kahlil Gibran Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Brochures
Drawing
Letter writing
Photographs
Poetry
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971-1973
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Processed by Nay Ackhar, 2022 and Sarah Bernstein, 2023. Collection Guide created by Sarah Bernstein, 2023 October.
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.
Language
A language of the resource
English
Arabic
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
KC 0057
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.
Digital material in this collection is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law.
Physical material in this collection is also available to researchers. For questions or to access a collection, please contact us at kcldsarchive@ncsu.edu. Please give at least 48 hours for responses to any inquiries regarding the materials.
Description
An account of the resource
<h4>Biographical/Historical note</h4>
<p>Gibran Khalil Gibran (1883-1931), or Khalil Gibran, was born on January 6, 1883 in Bsharri to a Maronite Christian Family. In 1895, he immigrated with his mother and younger siblings to the United States and his name was Anglicized to Kahlil Gibran. He attended a public school in Boston, Quincy School, and took drawing classes at Denison House. While there he eventually met the Boston artist, photographer, and publisher Fred Holland Day, who used Gibran as a subject in his photographs. Day became Gibran’s first patron, supporting his creative education.</p>
<p>Gibran returned to Lebanon to attend the Collège de la Sagesse in Beirut from 1898-1902. Following his return to Boston, Gibran’s artwork is first publicly shown in an exhibit at Wellesley College due to the efforts of Bostonian poet and dramatist Josephine Preston Peabody (1874-1922). During this time, he was supported by his sister Marianna and her work at a dressmaker’s shop.</p>
<p>At his first solo exhibition in Day’s studio in 1904, Gibran met Mary Haskell (1873-1964), an educator and principal at a girl’s school in Boston who became one of his lifelong supporters and patrons. Gibran also met Amin al-Ghurayyib that same year, who was editor of the Arab American periodical <em>Al-Mohajer</em>(The Immigrant). Gibran’s first writing, "A Profile of the Art of Music," was published in 1905 in <em>Al-Mohajer</em>. Through his work with the newspaper, Gibran developed his unique style and voice which reflected influences from the informal language of rural Lebanon, Boston’s South End, and Syriac.</p>
<p>Haskell’s financial support enabled Gibran to attend <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acad%C3%A9mie_Julian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Académie Julian</span></a> in Paris, France to study art in 1908. He left the academy the following year to study with the French Symbolist painter Pierre Marcel-Béronneau (1869–1937). While in Paris, Gibran became acquainted with Syrian politics through involvement with the New York-based journal <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/71" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Mir’āt al-Gharb</em></a> (Mirror of the West) and Lebanese American intellectual and political activist <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/104" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ameen Rihani</a>, who informed Gibran’s views on Arab Nationalism. After returning to Boston in 1910 and establishing a studio in New York, he joined the Boston chapter of the Golden Links Society, an Arab American intellectual and literary society. </p>
<p>Gibran published many books of poems, novellas, drawings, and short stories throughout his career. Gibran's best-known work, <em>The Prophet</em>, was published in 1923 and was informed by Gibran's meeting with Abdu'l-Baha (1844-1921), then leader of the Baha'i faith. He also contributed to multiple Arab American periodicals, including <em>Al-Funūn </em>and<em> Al-Mohajer</em>, as well as an Egyptian cultural and literary magazine <em>Al-Hilal</em>. In 1920, Gibran re-formed The Pen League, an Arab-American Mahjar literary group, with its original founders Nasib Arida and Abd al-Masih Haddad.</p>
<h4>Scope/Content note</h4>
<p>The World of Kahlil Gibran Collection is a selection of excerpts, drawings, and manuscripts of Kahlil Gibran that was produced and edited by Farid Salman and Elaine Gebara, and issued by the Gibran National Committee on August 13, 1971.</p>
<p>The collection includes a brochure on Gibran and his hometown of Bcharre, reproductions of his art, and letters and manuscripts written by Gibran.</p>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gibran National Committee
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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
gibran_folio_prayer
Title
A name given to the resource
Written prayer by Kahlil Gibran
Description
An account of the resource
Reproduction of a prayer written out by Kahlil Gibran reading, "We all pray. Some of us pray with -- and others pray without --- for this human heart though seemingly silent, is -- quivering with songs (is ever singing its holy song before the holy --"
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
National Committee of Gibran
Subject
The topic of the resource
Prayer
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Image
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Image/pdf
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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.
1970s
Kahlil Gibran
Lebanon
Religion
-
https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/files/original/37104955b971cbdd59601f8036accecd.pdf
893f7376b9c225abd8bc85f4eaf04d43
PDF Text
Text
�
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 World of Kahlil Gibran Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Brochures
Drawing
Letter writing
Photographs
Poetry
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971-1973
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Processed by Nay Ackhar, 2022 and Sarah Bernstein, 2023. Collection Guide created by Sarah Bernstein, 2023 October.
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.
Language
A language of the resource
English
Arabic
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
KC 0057
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.
Digital material in this collection is provided here for non-commercial research, scholarly, or other educational purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law.
Physical material in this collection is also available to researchers. For questions or to access a collection, please contact us at kcldsarchive@ncsu.edu. Please give at least 48 hours for responses to any inquiries regarding the materials.
Description
An account of the resource
<h4>Biographical/Historical note</h4>
<p>Gibran Khalil Gibran (1883-1931), or Khalil Gibran, was born on January 6, 1883 in Bsharri to a Maronite Christian Family. In 1895, he immigrated with his mother and younger siblings to the United States and his name was Anglicized to Kahlil Gibran. He attended a public school in Boston, Quincy School, and took drawing classes at Denison House. While there he eventually met the Boston artist, photographer, and publisher Fred Holland Day, who used Gibran as a subject in his photographs. Day became Gibran’s first patron, supporting his creative education.</p>
<p>Gibran returned to Lebanon to attend the Collège de la Sagesse in Beirut from 1898-1902. Following his return to Boston, Gibran’s artwork is first publicly shown in an exhibit at Wellesley College due to the efforts of Bostonian poet and dramatist Josephine Preston Peabody (1874-1922). During this time, he was supported by his sister Marianna and her work at a dressmaker’s shop.</p>
<p>At his first solo exhibition in Day’s studio in 1904, Gibran met Mary Haskell (1873-1964), an educator and principal at a girl’s school in Boston who became one of his lifelong supporters and patrons. Gibran also met Amin al-Ghurayyib that same year, who was editor of the Arab American periodical <em>Al-Mohajer</em>(The Immigrant). Gibran’s first writing, "A Profile of the Art of Music," was published in 1905 in <em>Al-Mohajer</em>. Through his work with the newspaper, Gibran developed his unique style and voice which reflected influences from the informal language of rural Lebanon, Boston’s South End, and Syriac.</p>
<p>Haskell’s financial support enabled Gibran to attend <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acad%C3%A9mie_Julian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Académie Julian</span></a> in Paris, France to study art in 1908. He left the academy the following year to study with the French Symbolist painter Pierre Marcel-Béronneau (1869–1937). While in Paris, Gibran became acquainted with Syrian politics through involvement with the New York-based journal <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/71" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Mir’āt al-Gharb</em></a> (Mirror of the West) and Lebanese American intellectual and political activist <a href="https://lebanesestudies.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/collections/show/104" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ameen Rihani</a>, who informed Gibran’s views on Arab Nationalism. After returning to Boston in 1910 and establishing a studio in New York, he joined the Boston chapter of the Golden Links Society, an Arab American intellectual and literary society. </p>
<p>Gibran published many books of poems, novellas, drawings, and short stories throughout his career. Gibran's best-known work, <em>The Prophet</em>, was published in 1923 and was informed by Gibran's meeting with Abdu'l-Baha (1844-1921), then leader of the Baha'i faith. He also contributed to multiple Arab American periodicals, including <em>Al-Funūn </em>and<em> Al-Mohajer</em>, as well as an Egyptian cultural and literary magazine <em>Al-Hilal</em>. In 1920, Gibran re-formed The Pen League, an Arab-American Mahjar literary group, with its original founders Nasib Arida and Abd al-Masih Haddad.</p>
<h4>Scope/Content note</h4>
<p>The World of Kahlil Gibran Collection is a selection of excerpts, drawings, and manuscripts of Kahlil Gibran that was produced and edited by Farid Salman and Elaine Gebara, and issued by the Gibran National Committee on August 13, 1971.</p>
<p>The collection includes a brochure on Gibran and his hometown of Bcharre, reproductions of his art, and letters and manuscripts written by Gibran.</p>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gibran National Committee
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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
gibran_folio_letter_arabic
Title
A name given to the resource
National Committee of Gibran Letter in Arabic, 1971 Aug 13
Description
An account of the resource
Letter from the National Committee of Gibran that gives context to the organization and the work, "The World of Kahlil Gibran" (a folder filled with reproductions of Gibran's art, personal writings, and photographs of his space and hometown), in Arabic.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1971 Aug 13
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
National Committee of Gibran
Subject
The topic of the resource
Letter writing
Arabic letters
Language
A language of the resource
Arabic
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Text/pdf
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Robert Sarofeen
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies
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.
1970s
Kahlil Gibran
Lebanon