Page 133 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat

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While the work of the past year has greatly increased, my confidence in
improved trading activity has been justified ; and although I do not anticipate
an equal increase for the year 1357, yot I think this year can be regarded with
confidence, except in the pearling industry.

The Zubara Dispute.
During the months of May, June and July incidents occurred in Qatar which
caused resentment in Bahrain and resulted in the Bahrain Government breaking off
all commercial relations and intercourse with Qatar.
A quarrel took place between the Shaikh of Qatar and the Naim tribe who
normally resided in the neighbourhood of Zubara. The Naim tribe have always
regarded themselves and have been considered by the Ruler of Bahrain to be subjects
of the Shaikhs of Bahrain. The chiefs of the tribe receive allowances in the Civil
List from the Bahrain Government and many of the tribe own houses in Muharraq
and in Halat al Naim, one of the islands beyond Hedd, in which they live during
part of the year.
Zubara, on the north coast of Qatar, is the original home of theAl-Khalifah
who created a flourishing settlement there and a town of political and commercial
importance in about 1717, when, with other Arab tribes, they moved south from
Kuwait. Zubara was then of sufficient importance for the Persians to send several
expeditions against it, which were repulsed by the Khalifah. In 1783 the Khalifah
conquered Bahrain but they did not abandon Zubara but continued to occupy it for
a considerable time. When in the early 10th century Bahrain was for a short time
in the occupation of Oman, the Khalifah retired to Zubara.
In 1811 Zubara was conquered by Muscat and the town was destroyed. It
was rebuilt by the Khalifah. In 1868 Doha and Wakrah were sacked by the
Khalifah and their allies. Partly owing to this Shaikh Mohamad bin Khalifah was
forced to leave Bahrain and was succeeded by his brother Shaikh Ali who was killed
after reigning for one year and was succeeded by Shaikh Isa, the father of the
present Ruler.
In 1874 the Beni Hajar tribe besieged the Naim tribe in Zubara but were
driven off. During the following year there was more fighting. The Naira, who
were regarded by Shaikh Isa as his own subjects, obtained support from Bahrain.
In 1895 the Bin Ali tribe crossed from Bahrain to Zubara preparatory to making an
attack on Bahrain, they were supported by the Turks. British ships were
sent to Zubara and the Arabs and Turks capitulated. From that time until the
present day Zubara remained uninhabited. The town, which is on the sea shore, is
now entirely in ruins. The fort, which is about a mile inland, is partly ruined
although much of the outer walls are standing and the large mosque within the walls
is still in fairly good condition.
In April 1937 there was a quarrel between the Nairn tribe and the
“Al Ramazin ", the latter complained to the Shaikh of Qatar who appointed certain
Arabs as customs inspectors on the north coast of Qatar. The Naim complained to
the Ruler of Bahrain that the Shaikh of Qatar was infringing the rights of Bahrain
in the Zubara area. The chief of the Naim wrote to the Ruler of Bahrain assuring
him that he would defend the territory of the Ruler of Bahrain in Qatar, i.e. Zubara.
The Arabs in the Zubara area registered their land rights in the Bahrain
Government’s Land Department and petitions containing several hundreds of
signatures from Naira tribe and others living in the Zubara area affirming that they
were subjects of Bahrain, were sent to the Ruler of Bahrain.
The Shaikh of Bahrain, when the quarrel first began, protested against the
Shaikh of Qatar’s interference with the Naim tribe whom he claimed as his own
subjects living within Bahrain territory.
Negotiations were begun in Bahrain early in May. Shaikh Abdulla bin
Isa, His Highness’s brother, and Shaikh Sulman, His Highness’s eldest son,
represented Bahrain. The Shaikh of Qatar’s delegates were Nasir bin Attiah of the
Mosallam tribe and Saleh bin Mana, a Nejdi. The choice of Qatar representatives