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HHE ORDER of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine was instituted by the
} Mohammedan Kalif Alee (whose name be praised!), the cousin-german
and son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammed (God favor and preserve him !),
in the year of the Hegira 25 (a. d. 644), at Mecca, in Arabia, as an
Inquisition, or Vigilance Committee, to dispense justice and execute punish-
ment upon criminals who escaped their just deserts through the tardiness of
the courts, and also to promote religious toleration among cultured men of all
nations. The original intention was to form a band of men of sterling worth,
who would, without fear or favor, upon a valid accusation, try, judge, and
execute, if need be, within the hour, having taken precautions as to secrecy
and security.
The "Nobles " perfected their organization, and did such prompt and
efficient work that they excited alarm and even consternation in the hearts
of the evil doers in all countries under the Star and Crescent.
The Order is yet one of the most highly favored among the many secret
societies which abound in Oriental countries, and gathers around its shrines
a select few of the best educated and cultured classes. Their ostensible
object is to increase the faith and fidelity of all true believers in Allah
(whose name be exalted!). The secret and real purpose can only be made
known to those who have encircled the Mystic Shrine according to the
instructions in "The Book of the Constitution and the Regulations of the
Imperial Council."
Its membership in all countries includes Christians, Israelites, Moslim,
and men in high positions of learning and of power. One of the most noted
patrons of the Order was the late Khedive of Egypt (whose name be
revered!), whose inclination toward Christians is well known.
The Nobles of the Mystic Shrine are sometimes mistaken for certain
orders of the dervishes, such as those known as the Hanafeeyeh, Rufaeeyeh,
Sadireeyeh, and others, either howling, whirling, dancing or barking ; but
this is an error. The only connection the Order ever had with any sect of
dervishes was with that called the Bektash. This warlike sect undertook to
favor and protect the Nobles in a time of great peril, and have ever since
been counted among its most honored patrons.
The famous Arab known as Bektash, from a peculiar high white hat or
cap which he made from a sleeve of his gown, the founder of the sect named
in his honor, was an imam in the army of the Sultan Amurath I., the first
Mohammedan who led an army into Europe, a. d. 1360 (in the year of the
Hegira, 761). This Sultan was the founder of the military order of the
Janizaries (so called because they were freed captives who were adopted
into the faith and the army), although his father, Orkhan, began the work.
Bektash adopted a white robe and cap, and instituted the ceremony of
kissing the sleeve.
The Bektash Dervishes are numbered by many hundred thousands, and
they have several branches or offshoots, which are named after the founder
of each. Among the most noted are those which have their headquarters
in Cairo, in Egypt; Damascus and Jerusalem, in Palestine; Smyrna and
Broosa, in Asia Minor; Constantinople and Adrianople, in Turkey in
Europe; Teheran and Shiraz, in Persia; Benares and many other cities in
India; Tangier, in Morocco; Oran, in Algeria, and at Mecca, in Arabia,
at which latter city all branches and sects of Dervishes are represented at
the annual meeting, which is held during the month of pilgrimage.
The Bektasheeyeh's representative at Mecca is a Noble of the Mystic
Shrine, is the chief officer of the Alee Temple of Nobles, and in 1877 was
the Chief of the Order in Arabia. The Chief must reside either at Mecca
or Medinah, and in either case must be present in person or by deputy at
Mecca during the month of pilgrimage.
The Egyptian Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine has been inde-
pendent of the Arabian, excepting the yearly presence of the Deputy in
Mecca, since the expedition of Ibraheem Pasha, the son of Mohammed Alee,
the great Pasha of Egypt in 1818, when the Wahabees were conquered.
The "Wahabees were a fanatical sect who threatened to override all
other power in Arabia. Since Ibraheem's conquest they have continued
only as a religious sect, without direct interference with the government.
They are haters and persecutors of all other sects, and are especially bitter
against all dervishes, whom they denounce as heretics and the very essence
ot heresy and abomination. In this conduct they violate a strict and oft-
repeated saying of the Prophet Mohammed (God favor and protect him!),
which is, " He who casts on a believer the slur of infidelity is himself an
infidel."
