File 1290/1905 'Mesopotamia: Oudh Bequest' [‎38r] (80/260)

paragraphs, it would be convenient if I could be informed of the fact by tele
gram in time for my visit, as a second journey to Karbala in very hot weather
would then not be required.
13. I should mention that the Saiyid Ahmad referred to in Colonel
Ramsay’s letter No. 153* of the 13th
- ' — ——-— February 1909, was present throughout
the recent proceedings at Karbala, and I believe that the turn which matters
have now taken is regarded by him as satisfactory. That he did not strongly
press his claims to succeed—conditionally upon his giving proof of Ijtihad—
to the vacant share of the Qazvini was due, I think, to his perceiving that the
appointment of another Indian at Karbala, where two already hold Oudh
Bequest allowances, might compromise those public interests which he is
anxjious to serve. The extreme jealousy of Persian Mujtahids towards
Indians belonging to the theological class is one of the numerous difficulties by
which the administration of the Oudh Bequest is attended. Saiyid Ahmad
is an able and ambitious man, but his ambitions appear to be such as, if
rightly guided, may serve the public interests.
14. I take this opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of Resolution
No. 10 of the All India Shi’ah Conference held in December 1909, which
was forwarded to me under Foreign Department Endorsement No. 484-G.,
dated 8th March 1910. As I am not aware of any other medium through
which information can be conveyed to the members of that Conference, pro-
babiy srnce dissolved, I respectfully suggest that the Government of India
should refer their leaders to Saiyid Ahmad, who has lately returned to Luck
now and who will be able to explain to them reasons that make it undesirable
to attract too much attention to the proceedings here at the present juncture,
particularly the risk of alarming the Persian Mujtahid community a Karbala
and Najaf and so making them intractable. The co-operation of The Con-
terence and other responsible associations of Indian Shi’ahs is likely to be
valuable to the British Resident at Baghdad, and I should therefore be glad
it I could be placed at an early date in official communication with any such
that advise, or exercise control, in regard to the management of Waqf pro-
perty of funds for assisting pilgrims in this country. Private trustees having
similar functions could also give useful assistance. A great deal of good can
probably be done here, especially in the way of ameliorating the lot of pif-
grims, but careful investigation of the facts is an indispensable preliminary,
and much patience and discretion will be required. If I were allowed to visit
ndia during the sitting of the next All India Shi’ah Conference and consult
the leaders of that body, the results might be beneficial; but at the present
stage any definite proposal of the sort would be premature.
What is now required is a list of responsible Shi’ah associations and
trustees m India, with a statement of the interests in Turkish ’Iraq controlled
by each.^ I propose, with deference, that such a list should be obtained and
communicated to me; but the matter should be treated as a general one dis
tinct from that of the Oudh Bequest.
Translation of an Agreement signed and sealed by seven Mujtahids of Karbala, holders
of allowances under the Oudh Bequest.
_ undersigned Mujtahids of Karbala, recipients of allowances
^der the Oudh Bequest, being impressed with the defects and disadvantages
of the system under which the affairs of that Bequest are at present adminis-
tered and desiring an improvement of the same, do with the approval of the
British Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in Turkish ’Iraq declare as follows
(1) We will in future set apart two-fifths of our respective monthly
t u., Orthodox shi’ism. allowances for distribu-
. . ... won to the poor, and for
other laudable purposes connected with the t religion of the
Twelve Imams and with morality; and we will make over the
money so provided to a Charitable Committee for disposal
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