Page 709 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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(b) Oman.—The Sultan’s influence has undoubtedly increased in Oman as &
result of his policy of peaceful penetration which takes the form of encouraging
visits from important Sheikhs and strict observance of the tenets of the Abadi
faith. The process must necessarily be a long one and it will not be possible to
estimate the extent to which the Sultan’s influence has increased until the present
Imam either dies or is forced to abdicate.
The Sultan’s relations with the two principal supporters of the Imam, Sheikh
Isa bin Saleh al Ilartlii of the Sharqiah and Sheikh Suleiman bin Hamiyar of Jebel
Akhdar, have remained good. The Imam receives the support of these two Sheikhs
from very different motives. Sheikh ’Isa bin Saleh is a bigoted Abadhi and his
antipathy to tho Sultan and his regime is a religious one and therefore all the more
difficult to overcome. It is unlikely that this Sheikh will ever be on really friendly
terms with His Highness or his successors. Sheikh Suleiman bin Hamiyar’s alliance
with the Imam is from personal motives. In order to ensure his continued support
the Imam has permitted him to acquire more influence and power than would ever
have been his had he remained loyal to tlicAl Bu Said family. Suleiman bin
Hamiyar well knows that the Sultan would be willing to grant him the privileges
of an important Sheikh and any serious threat to the power of the Imam would
probably result in his deserting his patron and making his peace with Muscat.
The most important political event of the year was the visit of Sheikh ’Isa bin
Saleh al Harthi to Muscat. . He arrived with several members of his family on the
27th of February and remained in Muscat until the 3rd of April when he went to
Bahrain for medical treatment. He returned to Muscat in the middle of May and
remained until the 13th of June when he left for Oman. A fortnight after Sheikh
’Isa bin Saleh arrived from Oman, that is about the 15th of March, he became serious­
ly ill with pneumonia and was attended by the Agency Assistant Surgeon and Dr.
W. W. Thoms of the American South Arabian Mission. Due entirely to the efforts
of these two doctors Sheikh ’Isa bin Saleh recovered and with his usual lack of breed­
ing and good manners refrained from in any way expressing either his thanks or his
gratitude to them for saving his life.
Sheikh Suleiman bin Sinan of Yankul spent three months in Muscat towards the
end of the year and a number of other important tribal Sheikhs paid visits, some of
these for the first time. Most of the important Sheikhs who visited the Sultan
during the course of the year have also called at the Agency. Even Sheikh ’Isa
bin Saleh al Harthi found it convenient to call.
The Persians invaded Muscat in 1737 and remained in possession until they
were forced to withdraw in 1744 by Ahmad bin Said the founder of the Al Bu Said
dynasty. Fear of a Persian invasion is always present in the hearts of the Omanis,
normally dormant it is awakened to their realisation by any major world crises news
of which penetrates into their country. In November the Sultan received a letter
from Sheikh ’Isa bin Saleh al Harthi which amounted to an offer of services in the
event of any aggressive action by Iran and of course a request for arms and ammuni­
tion which was very properly ignored. At the same time the Imam indicated in a
letter from one of his principal satellites that he proposed to send a representa-
tive to discuss the situation with the Sultan after the Ramazan and Sheikh Suleiman
bin Hamiyar indicated in a letter that he himself would like an invitation to Muscat
for the same purpose.
(c) Local—The two Ministers who were appointed last year continued to hold
office but their actual power has not increased and all matters of the slightest
importance are referred to the Sultan. The Director of Customs has been*busy
during the year examining the economic situation and considering methods for
increasing the State income. He has also compiled comprehensive Customs Regu­
lations in which task he received considerable aid from the Agency. The Regula­
tions although complete will not be introduced until January 1941.
There have been one or two changes in the officials, the most important of which
was the appointment in December of Saivid Mahmood bin Mohammad bin Turki
a first cousin once removed of tho Sultan, to the Governorship of Birkah.
Two members of the Ruling Family gave trouble during the year. One was
Saiyid Mahmood bin Mohammad bin Turki who became intoxicated and created
a disturbance in Muscat town in January, and the other was Saud bin Ali bin Salim,
a maternal uncle, who insulted Saiyid Nadir bin Faisal in February. They both
spent the remainder of the year in Jalali Fort.