170 EVENING PRAYEE. 



every person rises at its appearance. Those 

 who have learned the enth-e Koran by heart 

 are entitled to the distinction of " Hafiz ; " but 

 many, who so assume the honorary title, can- 

 not expound a chapter of the work. Pilgrim- 

 ages to the shrines of the departed saints are 

 considered acceptable to God, and accordingly, 

 such zearuts are frequent, and the offering of 

 the "faithful" bring great wealth to i\iQ 3Iooja- 

 zvirs, or custodians of the holy shrines. The 

 Mahomedans of Sindh are great formalists, and 

 those perhaps who the least conscientiously act 

 up to the faith they profess, make the greatest 

 show of doing so. There is something, however, 

 very touching in their evening prayer, which 

 is scrupulously observed by every Mahomedan. 

 In cities the sound of the Moouzzun's voice 

 announces that the sun has set ; but wherever 

 tbe good Moosulmaun may be, or however 

 occupied, he watches for the disappearance of 

 the orb of day, to prostrate himself in the atti- 

 tude of adoration, and, facing towards Mecca, 

 recites his prayer to the Almighty. This cere- 

 mon}^ is most scrupulously attended to. Dis- 

 mounting from his camel, or his horse, the 

 traveller, ay, even the freebooter, throws him- 



