Page 281 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (I)_Neat

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mostly small shopkeepers and butchers, few of them were
known to Shaikh Hamad personally. They were led by one

Abdu Ali Alewat a second rate merchant who had previously
caused a great deal of trouble in conrection with the
schools, and two brothers, Aulad al Tajar notorious mis­

chief makers. They surrounded Shaikh Hamad and began
to shout at him and one of. them produced a document which
he claimed to be a petition from the whole Shi a popula­

tion of Bahrain. Abdu Ali made a long and very violent
speech in which he attacked the Government, the Shia Kadis,
the schools, wakf department and other government insti­

tutions. In a very insolent manner, loudly applauded
by his supporters, he demanded the immediate cancella­
tion of the proclamation and a guarantee from the Govern­

ment that never in the future would such legislation be
i
proposed. The Arabs who had been sent for by Shaikh

Hamad endeavoured to calm the Bahama, except Yousuf
Fakroo who expressed similar views, but politely. The
young Khalifah Shaikhs, who were sitting along the sides

of the majlis, and Shaikh Hamad's followers who were
also present, were obviously furious at the behavour of
the Bahama but as Shaikh Hamad made no attempt to call

them to order it was impossible for anyone else to do so.
^Shaikh Hamad adopted a conciliatory and almost apole-
getic attitude. He made a speech, which was repeatedly
interrupted, explaining the necessity for the proclama-

tion. This had no effect. The talk went on for about an
hour and then people divided themselves up into groups,

some going outside and shouting together, One or two of
the Arabs obviously encouraged the Bahama although through-
out the meeting their attitude was respectful, Suddenly

for no particular reason, the position seemed to change and