Page 90 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911_Neat

80 ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PER8IAN GULP POLITICAL

The Sheikhs of Doha and Wakra aro theoretically the local Agonts of their
relative and Chief, Jasim, though they possess a large measure of uncontrolled
authority, and the first-namod of tlioso two Sheikhs, to whom the Kaim-makam-
Bhip with its irksome duties of conciliating the Turkaa has been delegated
is, if a strong man, in virtue of his position as probably successor to the
Chiofship, most naturally able to acquire a position of almost equal influence
with that of his aged tribal Chief. The result has been that during the past
o
few years a certain amount of jealousy has sprung up betweon the two sons of
Muhammad bin Thani, and that Sheikh Ahmad hao not always found it
convenient to see eye to eye with his brother Jasim. The most apparent
instance of this fact is found in the relations of the two brothers with the
Wahhabi Chief of Riadh. Sheikh Jasim has always been the bitter enemy of
Sheikh Zaid-bin-Khalifa of Abu Dthabi. He is also a sincere Wahhabi, and a
•well-wisher therefore of the Amir of Riadh, to whom each year he has been
in the habit of sending pecuniary and other gifts. Sheikh Ahmad, however,
apparently distrusted the Amir, and be, therefore, of late years cultivated
friendly relations with Sheikh Zaid and formed an alliance with the Al Mom
:and Beni Hajir tribes to resist the advances of the Wahhabi who has powerful
adherents east of Hasa in the Ajman tribe. To such a degree of difference
had the policies of the two brothers arrived in 1905, that when Sheikh' Jasim
sent a letter of welcome with RS.OOO in cash and a present of rifles and rice
to Bin Saud on his arrival in Hasa in July, Sheikh Ahmad 8ent the Amir
word that if he continued his advance across the border of Katar be and
Sheikh Zaid-bin-Khalifa were prepared to meet him with an army of 25,000
men to turn him back.
During the earlier months of the year under review the internal condition
of Katar was generally tranquil though rumours were sometimes heard that
Sheikh Ali-bin*Ahmed, the absconder from Bahrain, who had taken refuge
amongst the Naim tribe, was contemplating mischief. These rumours were
fortunately falsified by the surrender of Sheikh Ali in July.
In April 1905, Sheikh Ahmad-bin-Thaui led a raid of Ail Morraand Ben
Hajir (Makhadhdbaba) tribesmen against the ’Ajman, Beni Khalid (Amavirs)
and Beni Hajir (Al Muhammad) tribes in the districts of Jafura, which divided
Hasa from Katar and Biyadh between Hasa aDd Katil After a small success
and the acquisition of some looted flocks the raiders returned to Katar with a
loss of five lives.
In September 1905, Sheikh Ahmad-bin-Thani unwittingly murdered a
Muhammadan Turkish subject, who had visited Doha lor trading purpose,
and it was anticipated that this accident would seriously embroil the Sheikh
with the Basra authorities. Sheikh Ahmad had mistaken the murdered man
for a Jew, who was his partner, aud on learning bis mistake he expressed his
Tegret to the Turkish authorities and tendered the usual blood-money of
R800, which, however, was refused by the murdered man’s relatives.
In November, the Political Agent paid a short visit to Katar by native
boat. He stayed three days in the Camp of Sheikh Jasim-bin-Thani at
Bu-Hasa, about 10 miles west of Lusail, and 24 hours with Sheikh Ahmad-bin-
Thani at Doha. Sheikh Jasim was found in remarkably good health consider­
ing his great age. He was however temporarily suffering from sore eyes, from
which complaint it is satisfactory to know that he soon afterwards recovered.
His conversation indicated that his mental qualities were stall unimpaired.
8heikh Ahmad-bin-Thani gave the impression of possessing much discretion and
intelligence. He was evidently seriously exercised at the heaviness of the
Turkish incubus at Doha, but as a patriotic Arab he did not seem much to
favour the alternative of intimate relations with the British. In the course of
this visit the evidence of Sheikh Jasim was recorded under a Commuwon
received from the High Court of Bombay, and subsequent events have shown
that the settlement of several commercial claims of British subjects and
protdgds against residents of Katar was also materially advanced.
In Sheikh Jasim’s Camp an interview was also accorded to Nttar-Wo-
Mubarak Al Abdallah, the Bahrain Pretender and son-in-law off Sheikh Jasn^
with the result that the futility of his claims waa at last recognise*
admitted.

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