"ملف 12/1 II المطالبة الفارسية للبحرين، أبريل ١٩٤٦-ديسمبر ١٩٥٠" [و‎‎٧] (٢٠/١٣)

few instances in recent years of Arabs accepting offers
for their daughters from Holis but in most cases the
marriages have been forbidden by the Ruler at the request
of the other members of the Arab’s family or tribe. Like
many people whose origin is dubious the Holis advertise
themselves in every possible way as being true Arabs though
many of the older men among them still refrain from wear
ing the Arab Agal. They include the Kanoos, Fakhroos,
Siadis, Yateems, Chirawis and Bin Mutters, Moayyads and
many other well known families. A number of them live
in MUharraq. Commercially they are the backbone of the
community, they are energetic and prosperous and have more
ability in trade both in the bazaars and in the pearl mar
kets, than the Arabs or Bahama. Probably their mixed
Persian and Arab background is an advantage to them. At
the same time they are always conscious that- the Arabs
regard them as Persians. The Khalifah shaikhs for example,
will pay more attention to a ragged Bedouin from the desert
than to Koli merchant. The Holis are better educated and
richer than the Arabs, they own much property both in the
towns and in the country, they are progressive and keenly
political. At heart they are opposed to the Ruling Family.
Because they have no tribal ties to bind them there is
little cooperation between them and each family or group
seek their own advantage at the expense of the rest. Young
Holis are the leading lights in the clubs, a large propor
tion of the clerks in CJovernment and commercial firms are
Holis, though it is the policy of the Government when pos
sible to employ Arabs or Bahama.
The wealthy Holi merchants are certainly opposed to
the Persian Government but they would like to have more
control over the Government of Bahrain/though in affairs
where they have been given a large measure of control they
have proved to be completely lacking in public spirit and