ABSTRACT
In Turkey, where church and state are one to a degree now unknown in Western countries, there was no real national holiday until 1909. Then the first anniversary of the re-establishment of the constitution was celebrated on the 23d of July. The true holidays of Islam are connected with the life and teachings of its founder. These are seven in number. They commemorate the birth of the Prophet; his conception; his ascension; the revelation and completion of his mission; the close of the fast of Ramazan; and the sacrifice of Abraham. The unofficial side of Bairam is quite as full of colour in its scattered way. Then every man who can afford it puts on a new suit of clothes. He at least dons something new, if only a gay handkerchief about his fez or neck. It is interesting to stand at some busy corner in a Turkish quarter and watch the crowd in its party-coloured holiday finery.
