Page 106 - Records of Bahrain (5) (i)_Neat

94 Records oj Bahrain

3.
a) that a Code for the Bahrain Courts should bo drawn
up,
(u) that proportionate representation on the Majlis al
Tujjarah and on the Baladlyahs (Municipalities)
should be accorded to them, and
(iii) that certain alleged rights in connection with
Education should be restored to them.

At the same time, however, they started to hold excited

meetings in the Matams (religious centres) and formulated further
demands, some of which were most extravagant. The villagers,
among whom are many unemployed and who have suffered much from the
fall in prices, were enticed into Manamah on the plea that if they

came to the meetings and paid two bezahs (half an anna), work would
be obtained for them on the Oil Field.

7. The position regarding the three points mentioned in the
petition and the action taken on them may be summarized as follows

(a) The Code. The Sunni and Shi'oh Qadhis were consulted
in writing and welcomed the principle of a Code, with certain
reasonable reservations by the Sunni Qadhis about the use of
Shara* laws in certain matters (marriage and so on).
(b) . Proportionate representation on the Majlis al Tujjarnh

and the Baladlvahs. His Excellency Shaikh Sir Hamad approved of a
substantially increased representation of the Baharinah in both
bodies; indeed, increases on the Baladlyahs had already received

his sanction - in Manamah up to equality with the Arabs.
(c). Education. Three or four years ago a so-called Board of
Education had to be abolished owing to dissensions and inefficiency
and control of Education placed in the hands of Shaikh ’Abdullah

bin ’Isa. The schools are all open to the Shi*ah Baharinah
(indeed, one at Suq al Khamls is entirely Shi*ah) as we 11 as to the
:
/Sunnis