Page 277 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (I)_Neat

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specially mentioned that all matters pertaining to the
Shero would be sent to the Kadis for disposal.

Shaikh Hamad expressed himself unusuolly strongly in
favour of the measure, Shaikhs Abdulla and Sulman, who
had repeatedly urged the necessity for legislation of

this nature, gr.ve it as their considered opinion that
the proclamation would not couse any excitement oi/or.po-
sition. The Sunni Kadis agreed that it was absolutely
necessary, but. wished the whole matter to be in their

own hands. ■ The Shia Kadis expressed unqualified appro-
val. On December 26th 1931, the proclamation was issued

and was accepted by the public without comment, One or
two reports were made of people who hod died leaving pro-
perty, but evidently the order was not universally obeyed.

On 1st February one of the Shia Kadis, Shaikh Ali bin
Hassan, who had himself forwarded a public petition
from the villages around him asking Government to inter­

vene in the administration of estates, sent a message
to say that he was having a great dual of trouble owing
to the proclamation, I visited him and found a crowd
of about sixty people surrounding his house in a state

of great excitement, The matter was explained to them
and they went off to their homes apparently satisfied.

This demonstration was organised by a neiribouring mulla
who for some years h;.s aspired to usurp the position of
the official Kadi.

In the meantime the Municipalities, Police and Amirs
were ordered to report any deaths, It is possible that
they behaved somewhat tactlessly in enquiring at houses
where deaths bed recently ocurred.

Public opposition.

During the next few days certain individuals in