'File 11/44 Leading Personalities in Iraq, Iran & Saudi Arabia' [‎42r] (83/96)

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of the agricultural project at Al-Kharj, and early in
1943 he went to Egypt to buy machinery and spare
parts for the Minister of Finance; Suleyman repre
sented Shaikh Yusuf Yasin as Acting Minister for
Foreign Affairs during the latter’s absence in October
and November 1943. Visited Egypt again from May
to July 1944, ostensibly on Government business,
but managed to find time to indulge in lavish
personal expenditure on the Government’s account.
He is a shallow, self-seeking man.
• 27. Hamdi Bey.
Formerly Director-General of Military Organisa
tion. Born about 1892 to 1896. Believed to be an
A ’Iraqi Kurd and to have risen to non-commissioned
rank in the Turkish army. Was a colonel in the
army of King Huseyn, but passed to the service
of lt)n Sa’iid and was officer commanding troops at
Yanbu’ before 1928. Became officer commanding
in Jedda in that year. Appointed Director-General
of Military Organisation in 1931 in succession to
Fawzi Bey Kawokji. Hamdi seems to be a man of
indifferent character, with a gift for intrigue, which
he displayed in connexion with the vicissitudes of
the British staff of the Hejaz air force in 1931-32.
Now insignificant, having ceased to hold any
important military position and to be confined to
duties as A.D.C. to the Amir Faysal. Stated in 1939
that he had resigned and wanted to return to Iraq,
^K^iwasnot allowed by Ibn Saud to leave the country.
Boon companion of the Amir Faysal’s Albanian
step-father-in-law, Ibrahim Adham. In spite of a
gorgeous uniform gives an impression of seediness
and has been known to touch a member of the
legation for a loan of 2 riyals.
28. Seyyid Hamza al Ghauth al Madani.
At one time consul-general designate for Java.
Became first Sa’udi Minister to Bagdad 1938. A
Hejazi of Medina, born perhaps 1895. Said to have
, been educated in Turkish schools and to have
frequented Turkish society. Sided with Turks at
time of Arab revolt, and edited an anti-Huseyn paper
at Medina in their interest. Continued to be anti-
Huseyn after the success of the revolt and fled. Said
to have been sentenced to death by default during
his absence. Seems, nevertheless, to have been
given an important post at Damascus, which he
continued to hold under King Faisal’s regime there,
even after King Huseyn had launched against him
,^(accusation, probably trumped up, of having stolen
valuables from the Prophet’s Tomb. Was in Ibn
Sa’ud’s service by end of 1923 and was one of his
delegates at the abortive Kuwait Conference of
1923-24, an appointment which led to a revival by
the ’Iraqi delegates of the robbery charge. Became
Assistant Governor of Medina after its occupation by
Sa’udi forces in 1925. Was later employed in the
Palace. Selected in 1931 for the proposed consulate-
general at Batavia, to the creation of which the
Netherlands Government agreed, but which has
never been opened, probably owing to financial
difficulties. Filled in time as a member of the
Legislative Council, whence he was transferred to the
Amir Sa’ud’s Diwan in September 1932. Came in
King’s train to Mecca in March 1933. Much of a
palace man evidently. Fell into disfavour during his
^ visit to Medina in 1941, but was later pardoned and
reinstated in the King’s entourage, and is now
frequently present at meetings of the “ cabinet.”
29. Hithlayn Family.
People of importance in the ’Ajman tribe, much
concerned in the Nejd revolt of 1929. Its principal
member, Dhaydan ibn Hithlayn, was slain
treacherously in April of that year.
For an account of individual members of the
family see Personalities Report for 1946.
30. Huseyn aVAwayni (or Aoueiini).
A Syrian merchant established in Jedda. An
enterprising fellow, who derives some importance
from being a friend of Fuad Hamza and Yusuf Yasin
and having connexions in Manchester; notably with
another Syrian, ’Abdul-Ghani Ydlibi, the naturalised
British head of a small company there. This associa
tion was closed early in 1932, when Ydlibi visited
Jedda in order to work up business and with great
ideas of getting concessions of all sorts. They
claimed to have important support in Lancashire,
specifically that of the Calico Printers’ Association
(Limited). It was understood in 1932 that ’Awayni
was leaving Jedda for good, but he still returns
occasionally. In February or March 1933 he went to
Riyadh on behalf of certain merchants to try and
dissuade the King from proceeding with the conces
sion to the ex-Khedive’s group for the creation of a
national bank. A man likely to have ups and downs
of fortune in dealing with whom commercially great
jare should be used. Closely associated in business
with Najib Salha and Ibrahim Shaker {qv.).
Spends most of his time in Beirut, where he is
said to act as Ibn Sa’ud’s semi-official purchasing
agent. Although nothing has yet been proved
against him, the British security authorities
regarded him for a long time as suspect and only
reluctantly agreed to his return to the Lebanon.
Visited Ibn Sa’iid in February 1944 and returned
to Beirut in April. Ibn Sa’ud wished to appoint
him first Sa’udi Minister in Beirut, but later agreed
with His Majesty’s Government that his appoint
ment would be unsuitable.
31. M. Huseyn Nasif.
Awell-known Hejazi of Jedda of Egyptian origin.
Born about 1882. Inherited much property from his
father, ’Omar Nasif, who was a notable personage
in Turkish times, as well as the agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. in Jedda
of the Sherifs of the ’Abadilah branch. Occupies
the largest house in Jedda and was once very
properous, but is now probably less so. Was said in
1917 to have lost favour with King Huseyn, who had
previously been accustomed to stay with him when
in Jedda. Was said also to be desirous of British
naturalisation at that time. Described as having
been a Wahhabi by conviction, even before the
Sa’udi invasion. Deported to ’Aqaba during King
’Ali’s short reign. Figured as a Hejazi delegate at
the Moslem Congress in Mecca in June 1926. Was
given the privilege of putting Ibn Sa’ud up during
the years following the fall of Jedda. Has not
held office, as was expected, under the Sa’udi
regime, perhaps owing to doubt as to his trust
worthiness. Rather a dark horse nowadays and
may both dislike and be disliked by the regime, but
keeps quiet. Said to be a good Arabic scholar and
possesses what passes in Jedda for a remarkable
library. An aldermanic figure. His eldest son,
Husain Nasif, has written a book on the history of
the Hejaz and has held the post of Director of
Waqfs, Jedda, which he has now relinquished in
order to become a director of the Arab Car Com
pany. He is a nasty piece of work. A cousin,
M. Salih Nasif, was the figurehead president of the
Palestine Defence Committee in Mecca in 1937-38.
32. Ibrahim al Mu ammar. t
QaTmmaqam of Jedda 1937. Identical with the
Ibrahim al Junaifi mentioned in The Heart of
Arabia and, according to the author, Mr. Philby, has
a very doubtful claim to the historic name of
Mu’ammar, which he subsequently assumed. In
early life travelled much in India, Persia Egypt and
elsewhere in the East, as trader and probably also as
journalist and propagandist. About 1926 became
head of Ibn Sa’ud’s diwan; transferred to that of the
Amir Sa’ud in 1932. In 1933 w’as appointed Charge
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