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Chapter Two

recent history the catalyst for a general re-arrangement of spheres of
influence between the Trucial Shaikhs. For instance, in the Wadi
Hatta dispute of 1905, of the two villages in the Wadi Malta, Masfut
and Hajarain, the latter had become a virtual dependency of Dubai
while the former was under the protection of the Na'im of Buraimi.100
With the consent of the people of Masfut, the Bani Qilab built a fort
at the head of the wadi and slopped passing caravans. The Na'im of
Buraimi and the Ruler of Dubai understandably objected to this
interference, while the young Ruler of Umm al Qaiwain, Shaikh
Rashid bin Ahmad, saw his opportunity to gain a voice in the beduin
matters of the Trucial Coast’s hinterland. Al a meeting of the Rulers
in September 1905 in Dubai the actions of the Bani Qilab were
condemned by the participants, but Shaikh Rashid bin Ahmad’s
challenge of the venerable Shaikh Zayid bin Khalifah’s leadership in
beduin affairs continued and flared up again at the next outbreak of
hostilities in the region. This also involved the Bani Qitab, and it was
their previously-mentioned dispute with the Balush of Mazam which
led to the written agreement, between the Rulers, of April 1906 in
which the Bani Qitab were among the tribes assigned to the Ruler of
Umm al Qaiwain. But the contest between the Rulers of Umm al
Qaiwain and Abu Dhabi smouldered on. The British Government of
India, contrary to its general policy, let itself be drawn into this
dispute, which had its roots in the hinterland; in February of 1907 the
Political Resident in Bushire, Major Cox, arrived off Sharjah in HMS
Lawrence and mediated between the two parties, who were by then
once again at daggers drawn near Umm al Qaiwain’s oasis of Falaj
al 'Ali.
In more recent years the northern section of the Bani Qitab
established its headquarters near Daid, and for a lime Shaikh
Muhammad bin 'Ali bin Huwaidin obtained an allowance of 2,500
Rupees from the Ruler of Sharjah. The Ruler of Dubai also
endeavoured to establish friendly relations with the northern section
of the Bani Qitab, which shows that even during the 1940s a strength
of 200 to 250 armed and mounted beduin was still an important
factor in the reckoning of each of the established local powers. The
Bani Qitab section in Dhahirah was usually on friendly terms with
the Sultan, but did not obtain an allowance from him during the
1940s and seemed to have been more closely connected with the
Imam of Inner Oman, who maintained a wali at 'Ibri.
The wife of the President Shaikh Zayid and First Lady of the UAE
is from the Bani Qitab.

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