The spot on which now stands the Mosque of Omar was so encumbered with filth that the steps leading to the street were covered with it, and that the rubbish reached almost to the top of the vault.

'You can only get in here by crawling,' said the patriarch.

'Be it so,' answered Omar.

The patriarch went first; Omar, with his people, followed; and they arrived at the space which at this day forms the forecourt of the mosque.

There every one could stand upright.