'File 19/165 IV (C 57) Bahrain Reforms' [‎125v] (281/476)

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( /) Waqfs are eminently a religions matter in wliich it beTioves foreigners
especially non-Muslims, to'walk very warily.
Just before his departure, Major Daly, moved by certain bad scandals,
attempted to take action to reform the Waqfs, but his successor decided it would
be best not to interfere and to trust to the public opinion that was being stirred
by the liberal policy of the State. The policy of non-interference appears
to be justifying itself. Recently the Shiahs themselves appointed a com
mittee which took over their Waqfs from the Qadhi. If the Sunnis follow
suit, large sums now pocketed by the Qadhis may become available for primary
education.
8. I have examined the present conduct of affairs in Bahrain and I see nothing
that can be profitably altered at the present moment.
Innovations which met with opposition in 1923 are now accepted as the
ordinary scheme of things ; and the Bahrain merchants look forward to the develop
ment of air communication under British auspices. The unpopularity of the
British Government^ which was worked up in the Arabic and other press,
has now disappeared and their good works are appreciated. In time the good
works and the tyranny from which the British rescued Bahrain and especially
the Shiah Baharanah will be forgotten, and only the privileged position of the
British occupying the chief posts will be noticed.
To avoid the odium which would fall on Britain, in course of time, from this
cause it is necessary to educate natives of Bahrain to take the place of the British
officials.
9. Captain Prior, Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Bahrain, thinks that a useful under
study for Mr. de Grenier offers in Abdulla bin Shaikh Ibrahim Al Khalifa—at
present a third year student at the American University in Beirut. He has
industry but unfortunately no great aptitude for arithmetic. Captain Prior
thinks, however, that when he has completed his course at Beirut he might be
sent to India for training in the Customs Department at Bombay or Karachi,
before being appointed to the Bahrain Customs with a view eventually to taking over
charge.
I consider Captain Prior's proposal very sound and recommend it for adoption.
If Abdulla bin Shaikh Ibrahim's indifferent arithmetic is a bar to the efficient per
formance of his duties, one of his younger cousins—Shaikh Khalifa bin Shaikh
Mahomed or Shaikh Hamad bin Shaikh Abdulla r nephews of the present Deputy
Ruler,—who are first-year students at Beirut, might later be selected for training.
10. There remains the question of a successor to the Adviser. Although
Government do not appear to desire the immediate removal of Mr. Belgrave, this
question must be considered.
Shaikh Hamad, the Deputy Ruler, is an amiable nonentity. Captain Prior
in alluding to his weakness and the impossibility of allowing him to stand on his
own feet has stated truly: ''so long as he can enjoy the pleasures of
the harem, get shooting and hawking and enough money to support him with a little
pomp and pride of place, he does not mind what happens to Bahrain."
buch a man must have an adviser on whom he can lean. His natural adviser is
his eldest son, Sulaiman, age about 35, who will probably succeed him. Sulaiman
is not without promise ; he is intelligent and is gaining valuable experience on the
Magisterial Bench, but he is uneducated and in some ways little removed from i
Bedu.
The only really capable member of the Al Khalifa family is Shaikh Hamad 's
brother, Abdulla, who is self-educated, but is unfortunately distrusted by the
people owing to his previous evil record.
Of Shaikh Hamad s sons the one who shows most promise is Shaikh Mubarak, the
the fourth son. In my letter No. 366-S. of 21st August 1929 I have already recom
mended that a good tutor should be obtained for hinu It is hoped that in due course
he may be given a chance to acquire administrative experience so as to be a help
first to his father and then to his brother, Sulaiman, who has no son, to follow after
him, and that he may in due course be able to perform the functions now falling
to the European Adviser.