Page 105 - Records of Bahrain (5) (i)_Neat

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Baharnah agitation for reform, 1935 93

2.
Shi'ah faith, date garden troubles due to the fall in prices which
has seriously affected the tenancy system in vogue, a feeling that
they are not sufficiently provided with educational facilities, the

depredations cuused by camels belonging to the Shaikh, alleged
unfair Judgments by Shaikh Salman bln Hamad in the Bahrain Court
and other smaller matters.

4. The improvement in their position and the impact of modern

ideas in Bahrain has rendered the Baharinah less ready to accept
their lot and has given them aspirations, some of whioh are under­
standable and reasonable, but has also, unfortunately, caused them
to make political demands of an extravagant nature and by intemper­
ate methods.

5. You will remember that in November 1934 we discussed with

the Adviser to the Bahrain Government certain demands which the
Baharinah were thinking of making, including a request for the
introduction of a Code in the Bahrain Courts. It was decided that,
if the matter was brought up, a start should be made by collecting
all the Proclamations of the Bahrain Government and appointing a

Committee to go into the possibility of drawing up a Code, It was
further decided that it would be in-appropriate for the Adviser to
serve on the Committee, though he would (as would the Political
Agent) be ready to help and advise from the background.

6. On the 20th December 1934 eight leaders of the Baharinah,
who held what purported to be an authority signed by the leading

men of all the villages, were permitted by His Excellency Shaikh
Sir Humad bln 1 Isa A1 Khallfah to submit to him a petition (couched,
as the result of advice from the Adviser and others, in temperate
language) making three demands:-

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