Page 517 - PERSIAN 9 1941_1947

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restore the authority of his dynasty in Oman, With the
knowledge that the Imam could not be expected to live much
longer, ho has been anxicu3 for some time to establish
closer relations with the Shaikhs of the Beni Bu Ali, the
Beni Riyam and the Hirth croup, the three most powerful
tribes in the interior.
The first indication that an approach to the tri­
bal leaders might meet with satisfactory response, cane
in a friendly letter from Shaikh Isa bin Saleh of the Shar-
qiyah (Hirth), the Imam’s most influential supporter, in
which he stated that he intended to take no part in any
questions concerning future of the Imamate. Shortly after­
wards, the Sulten was much gratified to receive letters
from Shaikh Ali bin Abdullah of the Beni Eu Ali and Shaikh
Sulainan bin Kamiyar of the Beni Riyam asking to see him
at Sur as early as possible. On his way to l*uscat in Hay,
the Sultan met these two Shaikhs at Sur and arranged for
them to come to Muscat as his guests. The ensuing talks
at Muscat gave him great satisfaction and convinced him that
the Ghafiri confederation,of which Shaikh Ali ar.d Shaikh
Sulainan are the leaders,would support him in his aims.
Of the attitude of the rival Kinawi faction, the Sultan was
less certain; but when Shaikh Isa bin Saleh, the leader cf
the Einawis, visited him at Muscat later in the year there
was every indication that more friendly relations than had
hitherto existed, had been established between then. Though
Els Highness v.as aware that political action would be the
main stay of any success he might achieve in the unifica­
tion of his state under his rule, the need for sufficient
force to discourage opposition lea him to approach Vre Po­
litical Agent fer an indication cf the support he might
expect from His Majesty’s Government. In making the ap­
proach, His Higluiess stated that whatever advice were given
hir. in regard tc his aims by the British Government he.would
accept. He tcck the opportunity of discussing this question
with the Hon’ble the Political Resident during the latter’s
visit to Muscat in December and the matter is new under
consideration.
The events already described inevitably caused
tension between the two great political factions in the
interior, the Ghafiri and Kinawi, each being intensely
suspicious of any move by the other which might upset the
balance of power between them. In August, this tension
showed signs of developing into open hostilities in the
neighbourhood of the Kadi Eeni Khalid - an area under the
domination of the Beni Bu Ali of the Ghafiri faction. At
the request of Shaikh Ali, and with the agreement of the
Sultan, and Shaikh Sulainan, a new Qadhi was appointed to
this 77adi in September frea the Beni Riyam. On taking over
charge, this Qadhi hoisted the Icam’s flag and, at the mi­
tigation of ShAikh Isa bin Saleh, conducted his affairs
under the Imam's name. Enraged by what he considered tc
be a Hinawi intrigue to usurp his authority, Shaikh Ali
bin Abdullah of the Beni Bu Ali despatched a party to tear
down the flag and to deal suitably the erring Qadhi. The
dispute then took a more serious turn, for Shaikh Isa, con­
sidering that the Imam's authority had been infringed, oc­
cupied the Ti'adi by force and Shaikh All's men were forced
to beat an ignominious retreat. The matter was eventually
settled by the Sultan who, with his customary skill, turned

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