EGYPTIAN GARB.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1926, Page 4

EGYPTIAN GARB.

ST l 1)1': .VI'S I7k VOLT AGAINST TR A Dl/JTONS. CAIRO. March I.Y Tlio recent presence in Egypt of ;i Turkish I'ootbnll team seems to have given an impetus to the propagation of the modern ideals of which Kemal Pasha has made himself the disciple. About 10 days ano wc had the spectacle of the pupils of the " Bar KI Elum ” the training college for religious cadis (judges), making their appearance in the college grounds in “ tarhush ’’ and European clothes, instead of the '• Emma, ” and "Kaftan” prescribed by the regulations. They were ordered to return home and change into their traditional garb. They refused, whereupon the .Minister of Education issued orders that no student should lie admitted to the' school unless attired in the regulation dress, and a number who presented themselves in European clothes, etc., were refused admission. The strike confined, and the Minister of Education gave orders that any student who did not immediately resume his studies in the regulation garb would be expelled. A few days later the students returned to the school, i./n! as they appeared in "Kuftan ” and “ Emma ” they were at once admitted. When, however, the masters entered the classrooms they found to their surprise all the students garbed in European clothes and ” tarbursh,” which they had concealed under their " kuftans.” The incident not unnaturally created considerable amusement, but the authorities refused to he influenced by what they rightly considered to be a deliberate (touting of authority, and they repeated their warning. At one moment it looked as if the whole school would have to he expelled. Happily wiser counsels prevailed, and the students submitted, and all is once again well! at " Bar El Ulum.”

Now it is the turn of the pupils of the various Government schools to agitate for the abolition of the " tarhush.” and its substitution by the European hat, and various committees designated “committees for the promotion of hat-wearing” have been formed. The Government has taken similar action with regard to the pupils in the ordinary schools and has forbidden the wearing of hats under pain of expulsion. The committees hoping to obtain encouragement in their fight with the authorities, appealed to the leaders of the opposition parties, including Sand Pasha. Zaghlul. The reply they received in every case was disapproval of the new movement, and a strong injunction to continue to wear the “tarbush.” which had now become the national head-gear. It is therefore likely that little more will be heard of this agitation for hats, although it must he admitted that there is a good tleal to lie said in favour of the felthat as opposed to the “ tarhush ” in the summer-time.