Page 1240 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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Went down as usual to see the procession. M & Dr M went to see it too, first to the Persian womens
matem & then to the roof of the same building. A lot of fuss & confusion as the people decided to avoid
the square where crowds of Europeans were waiting to see the show. A certain amount of disorder -
apparently, as people objected to photos being taken. M & Dr M had a very interesting time & saw it all
well but most people saw nothing - rather a sign of the times.

Very heavy rain & stormy in afternoon, my fence with jasmine on by the tennis court blew down. When it
stopped we went out for a few minutes but all the town very wet & muddy.

I sat at Syd Ahmed's matem with him & Sh Abdul Hussein & I watched the procession which we saw very
well - no disorder there.

Friday 3rd March

A day of happenings. Didn't go out to the Challenger, went down the bazaar with Dr M in the morning. A

rumour about some men being murdered in a boat, quite unconfirmed, it appeared that three men were
wrecked and drowned near Budeya. A lot of talk about incidents during the Muharram procession, some of
the Americans were threatened & some were actually hit, but nothing definite to deal with. The people
evidently objected to the cameras. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla died - presumably of drink, he was one
of the worst offenders.

A reported murder in the afternoon of a boy, in a garden close by, turned out to be a false alarm, he was
only stunned. Went to the cinema but there was no performance so drove down to the Refinery, picked up

Mrs Van P. Went along to see the diver at work on the causeway, he is getting a sample of stone from
below sea for the bridge contractors.

Saw a Muharram procession near Sehlah on the way back, sword men & all the regular show - unusual for
the villages to go in for such a thing. HH at Rumaitha.

Saturday 4th March

Stormy day, a lot of thunder & rain at night. Fort. Office all the morning. M went to Girls School where
there was a great scene & a demonstration against the young teacher who is the cause of the Nather's
departure, saw him also. Sonya & her sister. Boat expected but put off till tomorrow. I shall be glad when

they get away. Dr McDowall left after lunch, to the Law Courts flat. We looked in on her in the evening.