Note 139 — PART I THE LEGEND OF THE NOCTURNAL JOURNEY AND ASCENSION OF MAHOMET COMPARED WITH THE DIVINE COMEDY (continued 2)

The festivity of the Miraj is celebrated on the 27th day of the month of Recheb, the seventh of the Moslem calendar. At Constantinople the Sultan attended with his court at the services held at night in the mosque of the Seraglio. Lane, on p. 430 of his book, An account of the manners and customs of the modern Egyptians, describes the processions and festivals held in honour of the Miraj at Cairo. Throughout Morocco, the Miraj is celebrated in the same manner; it is a day of fast and almsgiving for the stricter Moslems, and the Government offices are closed.