'File 61/6 vol.4 (D 34) Bin Saud and Akwan Movement' [‎89r] (177/565)

13. Fadhul, a petty little hamlet, where Ibrahim A1 Qusaibi and several
Others were waiting to receive us, prayed, took dates and coffee and resumed
journey at 5 P.M. Date pilms on all sides. Four little hillocks, looking
something like petty pyramids or towers in a line, appear 2 or 3 miles to the
south. These are called Arbaah (the four). From Jishsheh onwards the road
is a good lerel one on hard ground (at times stony), even a motor or gari could
go provided the small " Jasur'* or bridges over the little canals irrigating.the
palms around were broadened a little. Part of tiie way runs between good date
palms which are very well tended. We passed by three small fortresses, at
short distancess, on the road between Fadhul and Hofuf. These were built by
the Turks to protect the road and to serve as an outer defence for Hofuf itself
against the incessant attacks of the Arabs. The Qusaibis tell me that since the
occupation of Hassa by Bin Saud, these have never been manned, as no danger
of disturbance was feared after the oxodus of the Turk (in 1911-12).
14 Jlofuf, commonly called Hassa, was reached at 5-45 p.m ., on Saturday
the 17th July 1920 = 30th Shawwal, 1338, 24i hours after leaving 'Ojair. Fairly
big walled town of good appearance, with a fort inside, west part. There is
also a big mosque in the fort, known as Jamait Ibrahim Fasha, built years
ago. Mr. Philby's photographs of this and other places of interest have been
published. Good buildinu: in itself, with only one very big dome in the middle,
but in comparison to our Indian .lamias of the Fathan Kings and Mughal
Emperors this is of no consequence at all. The town has only two gates. We
entered by the east gate, where there was a big crowd of Askaris and common
people. Found servants standing near by in front of a house. It is our
quarter : the former Turkish Eushdior primary school. We passed along the
bazaar, about two hundred yards to the Amir's house, where we were received
by him. Here we have the great Bin Jiluvi (Abdullah Bin Jiluvi) who, of
course, has airs, talks with an amount of reserve and in a patronising tone. Has
received us fairly well on the whole, and somehow makes me feel that I, at
least, am welcome to him, although he first took the coffee without the usual
courtesy of offering it first to the guest. He has reason to be prqud and
conceited as he has, an uncouth Badu that he is, achieved what his big
predecessors, the Turkish Walis, with high-flown titles, etc., failed to achieve—
peace and tranquillity. He is feared and respected by high and low, far and
near, for his even handed justice, as the punishments which Bin Jiluvi awards
are the severest possible, beyond even the strict " Shara hand " He always
cuts a man's right hand for theft as soon as it is admitted or proved before him.
He beheads the murderer without fail. The last was on Thursday last, the day
fixed for " Hudud " punishments, 15th July, when an Arab (Akhwan) was
decapitated with sword for having recently killed a Shiah Syed, whom
the bigot suspected of having smoked before coming out to meet his
demand to sell some goods. The story goes that the Akhwan went to buy
provisions in a village ; the Shiah Syed offered to supply the wants, and asked
the Arab to sit down in the shop, and went Inside for somethins: returning
after a few minutes. The Akhwan said that he smelt of tobacco, and that the
man must have gone in to smoke. " You chafir, you smoke titin, you must be
butchered "; with these words the poor wretch was stabbed to death with
Khanjar.
16. We sat for about quarter of an hour, as it was first meeting. Bin Jiluvi
talked of common things, asked after Major Dickson, Shaikh Isa, Yusuf Kanoo,
etc., etc. He did not show interest in the talk about Hajj, which Farhan started;
shewed ignorance of the Imam's wishes or intentions in the matter. Came to our
quarter (the former school) and found servants and kit alright. Two attendants
added by the Amir, Muhammad Effendi, with his son-in-law Abdullah came to
see us at 6-30 p.m . Both are interesting relics of Turkish times in Hassa.
Former is treasurer as before, and latter comparatively a late arrival, young
man, is a doctor. Has recently been to Bin Saud at Riyadh, and is now on
leave to see his family here. Night was cool and nice after a hot day. Saw
the new moon on Saturday, the 16th July, just after the Maghrib prayers.
This is now Dhil Qaadah.
16. Sunday, 18th July — 1st Dhil Qaadah. —The Amir, Bin Jiluvi, invited
us to coffee at 7 a.m . Had a good long chat. Complains of the Basrah Times
having been allowed by the Government to write things in derogation to the
Imam. The recent thing published was that Bin Eashid had severely defeated