KING AMUNALLAH AS PREACHER

Evening Star, Issue 19795, 20 February 1928, Page 8

KING AMUNALLAH AS PREACHER

SERMON IN BOMBAY MOSQUE

PLEA FOR TOLERANCE

There was great enthusiasm at the principal mosque ol Bombay "hen a great concourse assembled to hear the King of Afghanistan preach a sermon. First came a reception in the heart of Ihe native city, later one in the Moslem quarter, where every type of Moslem is to be found. Hero various addresses were presented to the royal visitor. Tho address of the Moslems of Bombay expressed appreciation of the educational and other developments in Afghanistan “ related to us by tho twofold tie of faith and ncighborliness.” The Caliphate Committee’s address said that the Caliphate was in th© hands ol the future; Moslems should join hands together and occupy themselves with the reconciliation of differences and the reform of evils, “Kut the Jazirat ul Arab is the cradle of Islan, and our organisation can never relinquish its wardenship.” King Amanullah made a joint t'eply to these two, expressing his gratitude. He said that he never distinguished between hie Moslem and Hindu subjects, both being equally clear to him.

The proceedings were inaudible in the greater part of the vast concourse of people, who after a time lost patience, and some of them rushed on to the platform, front which they could not be dislodged. 'The King, grasping the situation, curtailed his speech, came forward, and shook hands with come of the excited people. His Majesty then proceeded to the mosque, in tho neighborhood of which the police had tho utmost difficulty in regulating tho traffic and maintaining order.

At the request ol' the congregation ihe king ascended the pulpit, and, as Imam, himself led the prayers and ended with a spirited sermon in Persian which was translated to the congregation. The king spoke on tolerance of other faiths in a way which some of the listeners subsequently confessed no preacher had ever adopted in any mosque in India. “If you respect the religious susceptibilities of the Hindus they will respect yours,” said the king. “ By ridiculing the religions beliefs of other people you invite ridicule of your own. Nay, more, you show disrespect of the teachings of your own Prophet by your own spirit of intolerance.” That passage fairly illustrates the spirit of this remarkable sermon.

King Amanullah subsequently led the prayers for a second time, and after conversing with some of those assembled in the mosque returned to Government House.

In the afternoon His Majesty received the municipal address, and, in replying, again preached brotherly love and the advantages ol education, and urged the encouragement of home industries and arts whether good or had. Later he received yet another address from the Aniuman Islam.

While King Amanullah was thus husily occupied his queen attendee! a party given by ladies of all communities in the Princess Mary Victoria gymkhana, where an address was presented-