Page 185 - The Origins of the United Arab Emirates_Neat

The Reform Movement of Dubai ,5I

Most contemporary observers tend to regard Dubai as a phenomenon
isolated from the rest of the Gulf in time and achievement; few
realise that the boom it has been experiencing during the past
two decades is part of a process that started in the 1930s and
today is merely being continued. Stemming from the character
of the seafaring merchants that make up the bulk of the Dubai
population, the events that occurred then mark the turning-point
in the modern history of the shaykhdom. A number of elements
were brought into play the action and interaction of which led
to the evolution of a strong progressive movement that temporarily
thrust Dubai out of the confines of its local framework.
The components of the movement were many. First, the natural
setting of Dubai town, divided by a creek, came to symbolise
the town’s division into two opposing factions, the stronghold of
one being on one side, the other’s on the other. Second, the dissension
that had existed within the ruling family ever since its establishment,
a century earlier, came to the fore and became a central feature
of the events taking place. Third, the growth of Dubai early in
the twentieth century as the main port for the southern regions
of the Gulf, and its consequent evolution as the trading centre
of the area were reflected in the drive of the movement’s leaders
not only to create better commercial conditions for themselves,
but also to give expression to the political and social consciousness
they had acquired through their experiences and dealings with
foreign merchants. Fourth, and perhaps most important, the impetus
for the movement sprang from a rejection of the poverty from
which most of Arabia suffered during the economic depression of
the 1930s, coupled with a desire to search out and create alternative
sources of income.
The first major attempt to dislodge Sa‘id bin Maktum took
place in 1929, when the opposition, led by his cousin Mani‘ bin
Rashid, forced him to resign. Mani4 informed the British authorities
that he had become the new ruler of Dubai, but they refused
to accept the fact, and Sa‘id was reinstated. He continued, however,
to show himself unable to keep command of the members of his
family, as is shown by an incident that occurred two years after
the abortive deposal. On 5 May 1931 a boat belonging to the
Hindu agent of the British India Steam Navigation Company acciden­
tally collided with the boat of the sons of Sa‘id bin Butti and
slightly damaged it. The crew' of the damaged boat, with the
approval of the owners, severely handled the agent’s men and
forced them to pay a fine of 20 rupees. The sons of Sa‘id bin
Butti then threatened to beat the agent himself, but did not carry
out the threat. When the Senior Naval Officer of the Persian
Gulf Division arrived in Dubai four days later, he was informed