Page 95 - Records of Bahrain (5) (i)_Neat

Baharnah agitation Jor reform, 1935 83

GOVERNMENT OF BAHRAIN.

against Shaikh lea and tho Bahama are aware that at that time Shaikh
formally agreed to put an end to this nuioanco.
In October one of Shaikh Homed's camels was found with ito
at cut in the open country between SAAR and Jessra. Footprints of
were found near it and one of Shaikh limned's camel men identified the
,tc as belonging to two men of Saar. One of the men was a Shia servant
Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdel Rahman, who became a Shia, for some years
ms lived mostly at Saar. The case was dealt with by Shaikh Sulman
no precise judgment was made, the village if Saar whs ordered to
u fino of Ro 200/- and the two mexwere kept in custody for about
«c weeks. This case brought the general agitation to a head. A
Lcr of lending Bahama came to me complaining that the two men and the
(Lagers had been unfairly punished and that no proof existed that they
fkilled the camel, they also complained of various other matters.
[ir complaint was reported to Shaikh Homed and after several more
brviews Shaikh Homed ordered me to tell them that ar. the camel belonged
him personally he would waive the fine arid releane the men. The
utation however asked various things from the Government, I suggested
bhaikh llnmed that it would be better if he would see them himself end
>r v/hat they had to sny. He appointed a time and uay for a meeting and
i Bahama were informed, but at the last moment he change i his mind and
Jided not pofthem. Two of the men, Abdulla Ale wit and Mahsen A1
anr hadAb(Ten moot insulting to Shaikh Homed in his own Meglie and he
fught that they would repeat the performance. Shaikh Homed ordered me
;toll tr.em to put in writing whatever they had to 6oy. Public petitions
l’oroiddcn out in tills case Shaikh Hnincd allowed a petition, The
ibers of the delegation then obtained signatures from all the leading
arna in Bahrain authorising them to act ns spokesmen in order to
■resent certain matters to the Government. I saw, but had no time to
■mine carefully, tho document which they obtained from the Shiaa, it
erred to include all the people of note from all tho towns and villages
.or some delay the petition was presented to Shaikh HnineJ, it was
;ned only by the men who had originally taken up the matter of the
•r case. A copy of it . £->***> /z -7
The first four men arc from Manama, the rest from country
-lages. They are all well known people.
isoor Al Areth.
A pearl merchant and landowner, now one of the richest and most
luentinl Shias in Manama. He has travelled much in India and is
Sensible and broad minded man v/itli rather advanced views. His family
/c intermarried with Indians, lie is very interested in Education and
•i-a nephew Y/ho is headmaster of n private Shia school in Manama. The
?hew is a conceited young man and permanently aggrieved at not being
umaoter of the Manama .school, he was offered a post as master but
fused it. llaji Mansoor was involved in a case about water rights with
rious Khalifah shaikhs during the summer and considers that he was not
!-ated fairly.
lel Rasool bln Re.1ab.
A very stupid illiterate Id man who is almost bankrupt but has
uo influence among the Manama Bahama, he is head of a Matcm, a
Uitlon of Abdu All bin Rejab, the latter has kept studiously in the
-kground,
lu All Alewnt.
A Monnmo shopkeeper, notorious as an anti-Government agitator,
war once on the Manama Municipal Council but v/as expelled by order of
3lkh Homed owii.g to his behaviour some years ago. He has taken an
tivo part in all disturbances which have ocurred during the last five
six years as for example the question of Wakfs and Education.
Ijfahgen Al Tn.laa.
A similar type to Abdu All Alewat but better educated and more
jelligont. He is nn oxtenoive landowner and a man of wealth. He is
toriouely ill-diopoced towards the Khalifoh.
Hid bln Naor
The head man of the village of Berber, the people of this
*age, who are very poor, have a grievance because recently Shaikh :
•v'.