1822. Oct¼r. 3¼d.

Tripoli. Account of

?.5. Religious Establishment

Q. Any gradation of rank among the Imans?

?.5. Religious Establishment.

Of the Chief of the Religious Establishment, the official name is¼+

The personal name of the functionary now in Office is á³á á³á

In Tripoli as in every other country in which the established religion is Mahometanism, the Edifices in which religious service is performed are called Mosques /Jami/. Number of Mosques in the whole territory, Fezzan included,about 3,000. The several districts in each of which a Mosque is situated may be considered as so many Sub districts, with reference to the several districts belonging to the respective Judicatories.

Of the whole territory of the State there is not any part that is not included in the field of authority belonging to some Mosque, and thereby belonging to some Judicatory. In the language of Christian Religion and English Law there are therefore no Extra©parochial places. With as much etymological propriety as in the case of a Christian Church, the field of authority of a Mosque may be stiled a Parish.

Attached to each Mosque is a Minister of Religious Worship: one and no more. His official name is Iman¼.¼+¼+

Under the Iman are certain functionaries who are known by several names: viz. 1. Mazeen. 2 Monwakit. 3. Mouathen: 4 Kaim: 5. Mosammen and between twenty and thirty others

In the absence of the Iman, the eldest of these Assistants takes his place.

Names by which the field of the authority of the Iman is designated © or as we say the Parish © are 1. Homa. 2. Hara.

They are chosen by the Parishioners.

These Electors choose one another: i.e. each vacancy is filled up by those who are already in office.

The Iman is elected by the Parishioners as above: and must be confirmed by the Cadi he belongs to. But in the case of an alledged improper Election, Appeal goes to the Cadi of the Capital.

¼+¼ Quere what?

¼+¼+ Q. what substitutes in case of sickness etc. his several functions.