Page 568 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

Called on Shaikh Abdulla the Shia Kadi in the morning before breakfast to discuss with him the formation of the new
Shia school committee. He was very pleasant. He discussed the Mission. He said how much he disliked Hakkens
system of religious teaching which is to tell the Mohamedan boys that they have no religion, Mohamed is not even a
prophet etc etc. He said that the other Missionaries who have been here do not behave like that, they say that their
religion is better than Mohamedanism but they do not insult the Mohamedans. He then talked for a long time about
the differences in Christianity and Mohamedanism, and the differences between Shias and Sunnis. He said really
there was not such an enormous difference between us and them except that they rank Mohamed as the greatest of
all prophets, after all they marry both Jews and Christians and count them as the next best religions after their own.
Hakken used to be a prizefighter before he got religion and his methods are still those of a prizefighter. He really
does a great deal of harm. Shaikh Abdulla came when I got back and came up to breakfast, and then The Shaikh
came and joined us. It makes ones meal rather disturbed. Sulman and I had a court but we were very late as the
Shaikh delayed us so long. He has no consideration for ones times for meals and seems always to be surprised if one
is eating. Played tennis at the Agency in the afternoon and dined with Holmes in the evening, the Hakkens were
there. She, poor lady, seems to have come out in purple spots all over her face, prickly heat and powder causes the
queer colour. An excellent dinner but rather dull owing to the company. I always dislike Hakken so much. She is a
very vulgar common style of American, inclined to be frisky but not at all attractive. I never can imagine why she
married a missionary, she is more of the bar maid style, but they dont have them in America these days.

Tuesday [1 July]
Biladya meeting in Manama. We discussed the matter of the Shaikh's half share in the ice machine which he wants to
sell to the Biladya or to the man who owns the other half, he is a Persian living in Manchester, a big cotton goods
merchant. The Biladya said that they would be glad to buy it. Although in the interests of the Shaikh I advised them
to buy it I am very doubtful about its being a sound proposition. Jordan came in later and we went over the Budget
for the Electric. In the afternoon motored out to Mohamed Yatim's garden with Major Holmes. Discussed the
question of the other half of the oil concession, he wants to get the rest of the island in order to prevent anyone
butting in on his work. I myself think it is quite a reasonable suggestion but Prior seems not to. Stayed out there till
quite late. It was very pleasant in the garden and quite cool. The Shaikh sent for me but I asked to be excused as its a
bad idea if he starts sending for me in the afternoons which is the only time we have to get out at all. Holmes is at
times strangely dense, he had written an application for the other half but had not shown any real reason for needing
it. His assistant, Bentinct, who was coming out is not coming now, apparently he went off shooting in Abyssinia
without leave and has now been sacked by the Company. Holmes was very annoyed about it and asked me if I knew
of anyone, the salary is £1000 and the work is to be sort of go between between the Oil Company and the Company.
I thought of Gordon Reah but am not sure if he would suit the work.

Wednesday 2nd July

Called on the Shaikh before breakfast. There were a lot of people in the Meglis but I had a talk with him in the ante
room. He discussed the case of the cultured pearl which took place last year. Shaikh Mohamed has been getting at
him to allow the man to trade here again as he is Shaikh Mohamed's brother in law. I said I would send up the case
to The Shaikh for him to see himself. He was rather tiresome about it. The man had filed a suit against the Indian in