THE HOLY CARPET.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 15 September 1924, Page 10

THE HOLY CARPET.

PILGRIMAGE TO BE RESUMED

ine dispute between Egypt an! the x, ; M°ly. Gaipet, the Mahnial, and tuen escort left on June 26 for Mecca A dispute arose last year ownm to King Husern’s refusal to grant pennission to lancl to the medical fusion which the Egyptian Government had sent with the Egyptian pilgrims. This resuked in the withdrawal of the Mahb,y fi h n Government of Cairo > which also withheld the customarv contribution of grain and money. A deaulock ensued.

~lhe Kiswa is the Holy Carpet of bi ack-embroidei ed black brocade which t s sent by the King of Egypt to- be used as a covering for the K;-.’ Aga at Mecca, for the greater part of the year. The Ma-hmal, which is often used loosely to include the Kiswa as well, is an empty camel-TTowdah decocted with the monogram of the King b cr.vpt_ and equipped with two copies of the Koran, one l in scroll form and one bound as a hook. It- is borne by a magnificent camel n.nd accompanies the Kiswa as a. mark’ of respect on the part.of the King. Before the war another Malimal, sent bv the Sultan n f Turkey, used ta proceed an ini ally to Mecca from Damascus.