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51 -2- and they are reported to be correspondingly frequently. Shaikh Muhammad al Rowzakhun of Hillah mentioned in the above quoted letter is the father of Mehdi el Basir el A'ma.
IJA 3264
Correspondence from British Government; Disputes about Iraq/Iran Border
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These documents are from the government of Iraq. Some are from the British occupation of Iraq and include correspondence about police matters including demonstrations around Muslim shrines and anti-Wahhabi political movements and public sentiment. Also included are documents concerning border issues and disputes between Iraq and Iran and include the text from a 1932 temporary agreement between Iraq and Iran.
AI en Translation, Pages 51-75
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SECRET No. S/<del>17</del> 209 61/1/7 50 Office of the Administrative Inspector, Diwaniyah dated the 7th November, 1926. MINISTRY OF INTERIOR CONFIDENTIAL SECTION: Inward No: 5151 Date: 9/11/26 File No: 61/1/7 To The Adviser, Ministry of Interior, BAGHDAD. Memorandum: p 40 Reference my telegram No. S/206 of 1.11.1926. I have visited Hillah and it appears Saiyid Hadi al Kaswini and Samawai al Chellub have been attempting by personal interview and propoganda to raise an agitation concerning the Wahabis. They do not appear to have had any success upto date. One for the reasons for Saiyid Hadi's reappearance would appear to be the Mutasarrif's belief that he is a person to be supported and encouraged. This in turn arises from the ignorance of the Mutasarrif of the real merits of persons like Saiyid Hadi. 7.a. ⟦...⟧ 9/11 adv. Rel. 9/11. lee ⟦...⟧ HE 840 10/11/26 ⟦...⟧ Administrative Inspector, Diwaniyah. ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧
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SECRET No. S/ <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> 209 50 Office of the Administrative Inspector, Diwaniyah dated the 7th November, 1926. To The Adviser, Ministry of Interior, BAGHDAD. Memorandum: Reference my telegram No. S/206 of 1.11.1926. I have visited Hillah and it appears Saiyid Hadi al Kaswini and Samawai al Chellub have been attempting by personal interview and propoganda to raise an agitation concerning the Wahabis. They do not appear to have had any success upto date. One for the reasons for Saiyid Hadi's reappearance would appear to be the Mutasarrif's belief that he is a person to be supported and encouraged. This in turn arises from the ignorance of the Mutasarrif of the real merits of persons like Saiyid Hadi. ⟦illegible⟧ Administrative Inspector, Diwaniyah.
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Extract from the Monthly Report of the Administrative Inspector, Diwaniyeh for the Month of October 1926 61/1/7 49 Shiah Wahabi Agitation The continued efforts of the Sadr family and others in Baghdad to add impetus to this agitation have not produced any visible result. In reply to pressure, the two mujtahids, Al Naiyini and Al Ispahani, issued a futwah of doubtful meaning which has had no effect. It is now reported from Twairij that letters are being distributed to the Hindiyah tribes. These reports should be accepted with reserve. Conditions in that qadha are not good and Saiyid Hadi al Kaswini has lately come to the fore from the retirement he should never have been permitted to leave. In the Shamiyah, a printed but unsigned circular from a Committee of 'Ulama has been distributed to certain tribal leaders, who do not appear to be seriously concerned in the matter.
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48 Confidential. No. C/ 3221 / 61/1/7 Ministry of the Interior, Baghdad, 4th November, 1926. To, The Secretary to, H.E. the High Commissioner for Iraq, Baghdad. Memorandum. x Copy of the undermentioned correspondence is forwarded for information in continuation of my C/3210 of 4/11/26. ⟦pp⟧ ⟦R S Heatherly⟧ For Adviser Ministry of the Interior x. Memo No. S/208 of 3-11-26 from the Administrative Inspector, Diwaniyeh with enclosure. Re: Anti- Wahabi activities in Shamiya. HE and F.A. ⟦Loder⟧ ⟦initials⟧ 6/11 823 6/11/26 J ⟦A'a⟧
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47 Copy of Memorandum No. S/208 dated 3-11-26, from the Administrative Inspector, Diwaniyeh addressed to the Adviser Ministry of the Interior, Baghdad. ⟦line⟧ My telegram No. S/207 dated 3-11-26. I enclose a copy of a circular alleged to have been distributed to various tribal leaders in the Shamiyah. Up to date no one appears to have taken any notice ⟦of⟧ it. ⟦line⟧
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46 Translation of a circular from the 'Ulama of Najaf. (Religious Society) addressed to their 'Iraqis brethren ⟦line⟧ In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. (Prayers). Respected 'Iraqis Brethren, You are aware that from the Islamic reli- gious point of view, it is imperative <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> upon the Ulema of Najaf to think it their duty to afford the Islamic nation every possible assistance that lies in their power in order to guide her and make her follow the prope<del>r</del> methods of the religion and avoid any confusion likely to interfere with our religion. It should be, with effected feelings, said that serious difficulties are experienced by the Islams owing to the depotism and oppression displayed by the Wahabis. We wished the Wahabis were contented with all their tyranny towards our religion, but to our deep regre<del>t</del> we find that they have also trampled our temples and Mosques with their feet, which deed, have wounded our hearts. brethren Our Iraqis enthusiastic/are, in face of the above <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> aggressions, and in the interest of justice and religion cordially invited to find an early remedy for this state of affairs, break their silence, wake up, assemble, come to unanimous agreement and try their best to protect the religious rights of the Islamic nation against the Wahabis. Our brethren should not forget that in the event of their still being determined to maintain their silence and not thinking of taking any measures with a view to avoiding such injurious calamitie<s> serious consequences would occur in the future, whereby great harm will be done to the Islamic nation. ⟦line⟧
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61/1/7 45 SECRET. EXE. No. S/ 208 Office of the Administrative Inspector, Diwaniyah dated the 3rd November, 1926. MINISTRY OF INTERIOR: CONFIDENTIAL SECTION: Inward No: 5224 Date: 4/11/26 File No: 61/1/7 To The Adviser Ministry of Interior, Baghdad. Memorandum: My telegram No. S/207 dated 3.11.1926. I enclose herewith a copy of a circular alleged to have been distributed to various tribal leaders in the Shamiyah. Upto date no one appears to have taken any notice of it. (1) Adv. ⟦illegible⟧ 4/11 (2) Copy to HC? yes HE. ⟦illegible⟧ 6/11 attd ⟦illegible⟧ Administrative Inspector, Diwaniyah.
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44 Translation of Circular from the 'Ulama of Najaf, (Religious Society) addressed to their 'Iraqis brethren. ⟦line⟧ Bism Ullah al Rahman al Rahim, (prayers). Respected 'Iraqis brethren, You are aware, that from the Islamic religious point of view, it is imperative upon the 'Ulama of Najaf to think it their duty to afford the Islamic nation every possible assistance that lies in their power in order to guide her and make her follow the proper methods of the religion and avoid any confusion likely to interfere with our religion. It should be, with affected feelings, said that serious difficulties are experienced by the Islams owing to the despotism and oppression displayed by the Wahabis. We wished the Wahabis were contented with all their tyranny towards our religion, but to our deep regret, we find that they have also trampled our temples and mosques with their feet, which deed, has wounded our hearts. Our 'Iraqis enthusiastic brethren are, in face of the above aggressions, and in the interest of justice and religion cordially invited to find an early remedy for this state of affairs, break their silence, wake up, assemble, come to unanimous agreement and try their best to protect the religious rights of the Islamic nation against the Wahabis. Our brethren should not forget that in the event of their still being determined to maintain their silence and not thinking of taking any measures with a view to avoiding such injurious calamities, serious consequences would occur in the future whereby, great harm will be done to the Islamic nation. ⟦line⟧
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43 Telegram. No. S.207 Dated 3-11-26 From. Administrator Diwaniyah To. Adviser Interior. Circular despatches emanated June 18th a narration of religious committee are reported to have been distributed to tribal leaders in Shamiyah dealing with Wahhabi agitation. Matter is being watched. Confidential. No. C/ 3210 61/1/7 Ministry of the Interior. Baghdad 4th November, 1926 To, The Secretary to, H.E. the High Commissioner for Iraq, Baghdad. Memorandum. Forwarded for information in continuation of Memorandum No. C/3184 , of 2nd November, 1926. 61/1/7 ⟦illegible⟧ 4/11 For Adviser Ministry of the Interior. J
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SECRET. NOT PARAPHRASED. SECRET 42 MINISTRY OF INTERIOR CONFIDENTIAL SECTION Inward No 5062 Date 3/11/26 File No 61/1/7 Telegram Express. Ordinary. Clear Line. Land Line. Wireless. No. S.207 Date 3.11.26 From ADMINTOR DIWANIYA To ADVISER INTERIOR 61/1/7 Repeated Circular despatches emanated June 18th a narration of religious committee are reported to have been distributed to tribal leaders in Shamiya dealing with Wahhabi agitation. Matter is being watched. CM 4/11 ⟦illegible⟧ 3/11 SGPS...191...301...500...20-6-26.
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41 TELEGRAM NO. S.206 DATE 1.11.26 FROM ADMINTOR DIWANIYA TO INTERIOR BAGHDAD ⟦line⟧ It is reported but not confirmed that letters from Persia on the WAHHABI agitation are being dis- tributed in HINDIYA tribes and that SAYYID MAHDI KASWINI and SAMAWI CHALLUB are taking ⟦active?⟧ part. Matter is being investigated . watched ⟦line⟧ SECRET NO.C/ 3184 <del>61/1/7</del> MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR BAGHDAD, the 2nd November 1926 To, The Secretary to His Excellency the High Commissioner for Iraq, BAGHDAD MEMORANDUM. Copy forwarded for information. ⟦signature⟧ 2/11 for Adviser, Ministry of Interior H E ⟦Soter⟧ ⟦signature⟧ 2/11 809 4/11/26 E.E.
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SECRET. NOT PARAPHRASED. Secret 40 Telegram Express. Ordinary. Clear Line. Land Line. Wireless. No. S.206 Date 1.11.26 From ADMINTOR DIWANIYA To INTERIOR BAGHDAD Repeated MINISTRY OF INTERIOR CONFIDENTIAL SECTION Inward No 5023 Date 1-11-26 File No 61/47 It is reported but not confirmed that letters from Persia on the WAHABI agitation are being <del>xxxxx</del> distributed in HINDIYA tribes and that SAIYID MAHDI KASWINI and SAMAWI CHALLUB are taking ⟦line⟧(active ?) part . Matter is being investigated. C.M. H.E. H.E. u.e. n/u SG PS...191...301...500...20-6.26.
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39 Adviser In this case the Director of Publications verbally warned all printers not to print the Legal Opinion mentioned in C.I.D. reports before consulting the Ministry. The Notification of the Ministry to all newspapers is at page 7 of file 61/1/5 below. It doesn't require articles or Headlines to be shown to Ministry before printing but merely warns newspapers of the inadvisability of publishing such articles. 7A. I am referring to the notification to the press which although it does not specifically refer to desecration evidently implies it - as all the attacks which appeared against I.S. referred to his ⟦illegible⟧ failure to stop desecration of the ⟦illegible⟧ 30/10 I see reference is to notification of July last & not our recent verbal warning to the Wahabis. File ⟦illegible⟧ 1/11 ⟦illegible⟧ 30/10 we ⟦illegible⟧ 31/10
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61/1/7 38 SECRET. The Residency, D.O. No. S.O. ⟦line⟧ 2580 Baghdad, 25 October, 1926. MINISTRY OF INTERIOR CONFIDENTIAL OFFICE: Inward No: 4856 Date: 25/10/26 File No: 61/1/7 p37 My dear Cornwallis Reference your d/o letter No. C/3045 dated the 24th October, 1926. Sir Henry left no note of this conversa- tion, but the account of it which he gave me verbally agrees with yours. Adv RA 25/10 KC 25/10 Yours sin B.H. Bourdillon K. Cornwallis, Esq., C.M.G., C.B.E., D.S.O., Adviser to the Ministry of Interior, Baghdad. FA Office Where is the notification wh. was published ⟦...⟧ in the press KC 27/10 FA to see Adv. It is curious to say there was any prohibition of references to Wahabi atrocities. Printers were warned to bring any manshurs against friendly Powers to Interior to be vetted wh. seems exactly what you contemplate in your last para. KC 26/10
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37 ⟦illegible⟧ SECRET D.O.No.C/ 3045 61/1/7 MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR BAGHDAD, the 24th October 1926 Reference your D.O.No.S.O.2565 of 23rd instt. Did Sir Henry also make a note of his con- versation with His Majesty on the 20th instant when His Majesty discussed the action of the Government in prohibiting in the local press all reference to desecrations committed by the Wahhabis in the Hijaz ? His Majesty said that this order was popu- larly attributed to British pressure and took the line that as criticisms were appearing in the Moslem Press throughout the World, they should also be allowed here. Sir Henry did not like the idea very much but I gathered that he and the King agreed that the subject might be mentioned in the Press provided that no personal insults were levelled at Ibn Saud and that a tone of moderation was observed. Of course the difficulty is to ensure that moderation is exercised once the question has been opened and I presume that this would be the unenviable responsibility of the Minister of the Interior. ⟦signature⟧ B.H. Bourdillon Esq., C.M.G., I.C.S., H.B.M.'s Acting High Commissioner for Iraq, BAGHDAD .E.
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To Mr Bourdillon 36 Ref yr - S.O. No - 1 - did Sir Henry also make a note of his conversation with HM. on the 20th inst. when HM. discussed the action of the Govt. in prohibiting in the local press all <del>discussion</del> reference to desecrating committed by the Wahhabis in the Hejaz. HM. said that this order was popularly attributed to Br Res pressure & took the line that as criticisms were appearing in the Moslem press throughout the world, they sd. also be allowed here. Sir Henry did not like the idea very much but I gathered that he & the King agreed that the subject might be mentioned in the Press provided that no personal insults were levelled at Ibn Saud & that a tone of moderation was observed. Of course the difficulty is to ensure Ill 23/10
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61/1/7 35 ⟦HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR IRAQ⟧ SECRET. The Residency, D.O. No. S.O. 2565 Baghdad, <del>23 October,</del> 1926. MINISTRY OF INTERIOR CONFIDENTIAL SECTION: Inward No: 4827 Date: 24/10/26 File No: 61/1/7 My dear Cornwallis, At Sir Henry's request, I forward here- with a copy of his Note on the discussion which took place between himself and His Majesty (at which you were present) ⟦130⟧ on the subject of Wilkin's Secret d/o letter No. 962 dated the 19th October, 1926, regarding Anti-Wahabi activities in 'Iraq. Yours sincerely, ⟦B.H. Bourdillon⟧ K. Cornwallis, Esq., C.M.G., C.B.E., D.S.O., Adviser to the Ministry of Interior, Baghdad. U. 23/10
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34 N O T E Major Wilkin's Secret d/o letter No. 962 dated the 19th of October, 1926. ⟦line⟧ I had better record on this the conversation which I had yesterday with H.M. on the subject. He said that he had heard that the Moslems of India <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> and Persia were getting up a movement for the collection of funds by Moslems all over the world, which would be used to subsidise the one or two independent Moslem Powers remaining and help them to attack Ibn Sa'ud and turn him out of the Hejaz. He had also heard that all Moslem communities were going to forbid the Haj and he asked my opinion as to what action the 'Iraq Government should take. Egypt? On the first point I said that the only independent Moslem State lying on the borders of Ibn Sa'ud 's dominions appeared to be 'Iraq and that obviously 'Iraq could not attack Ibn Sa'ud nor could she allow foreign armies such as those of Persia to pass through her territory for the purpose. It seemed to me that the movement must come to nothing unless Moslems subscribed to present Persia with a fleet, by which she could transport her troops across the Persia Gulf. Talk of this kind was, I thought, very wild and foolish. As to the question of the prohibition of the Haj, I said that of course the Government could not prevent spiritual leaders from making any pronouncements on religious duties which they might feel it their obligation to make; but that I advised that the 'Iraq Government should scrupulously stand aside from the question. If the Moslems of India, Egypt and of the Dutch East Indies all decided to abstain from the Haj, under the advice of their spiritual leaders, I supposed, I said, that the Moslems of 'Iraq would probably be advised by their spiritual leaders to do the same. But I hoped very much that the 'Iraq ulema would not take the lead in the movement in any way, since it would then infallibly be said that the movement had been engineered by the Hashimite
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33 - 2 - Hashimite Family and relations with Ibn Sa'ud would be strained. Moreover the movement itself would be discredited. ⟦(Id)⟧ H. D. 19/X/26. U.
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32 EXTRACT PARA 1040 OF POLICE ABSTRACT OF INTELLIGENCE NO.42 DATED 16.10.26. ⟦line⟧ Para 1040. BAGHDAD, 16th October 1926. With further reference to para 1008, on the 10th October the following gathered at the house of SAIYIID HASSAN AL SADR (PARA 1037) :- 1. SAYYID HASAN AL SADR 2. SAYYID MUHAMMAD MAHDI AL SADR 3. SAYYID MUHAMMAD AL SADR 4. SHAIKH ABDUL HUSAIN AL YASIN. The publication of the anti-Wahabi Manshur , the Istifta, and fatwa were discussed. It was decided to pub- lish only a manshur in Persian and Arabic and that the Istifta should not be included but should be printed se- parately. The drafts were handed to SHAIKH ABDUL HUSAIN AL YASIN to arrange for printing. They were taken to the Asriyah Press, the Director was asked to print them secretly. He declined to say by whom the drafts were brought but en- quiry shows that it was SHAIKH MURTADHA IBN SHAIKH ABDUL HUSAIN AL YASIN. The Ministry of the Interior prohibited the print- ing of the manshurs and this has somewhat incensed the Kadhi- main Ulama. SHAIKH ABDUL HUSAIN AL YASIN wrote to his son SHAIKH MUHAMMAD RIDHA enclosing two letters for MIRZA HUSAIN AL NAYINI and SAYYID ABUL HASSAN AL ISFAHANI in which he gave information of the action of Government and reiterating his conviction that the British were responsible for the Wahabi actions. SAYYID MUHAMMAD MAHDI AL SADR expressed some- what similar views. He said that hitherto he had always considered the British were tolerant and non-interfering so far as religion was concerned. Their action regarding the manshurs
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31 - 2 - manshurs however had disillusioned him. He asked how it was that the Ulama had been caused to issue anti-Wahabi fatwas and manshurs and then when they had done so were prevented from printing them. He said that on the 15th instant a meeting was held at the house of SAYYID HASAN AL SADR and it was decided to write to MIRZA HUSSAIN AL NAYINI, SAYYID ABU AL HASAN AL ISFAHANI, SHAIKH ABDUL KERIM AL YAZDI⟦z⟧(para 1033) of Qum, SAYYID HSSAN AL MUDARRIS (para 1037) and others pointing out ⟦w⟧hat had happened and impressing the fact that the British were responsible for IBN SA'UD's actions. (N.B. This meeting is confirmed). He also said that, frustrated in their efforts to print the manshurs, etc., in Iraq, they intended to print the manshurs, etc. in Persia or Syria. It was also intended to publish a booklet under the name of "SHAR-AL-WAHABIYYIN". ⟦line⟧
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32 EXTRACT PARA 1040 OF POLICE ABSTRACT OF INTELLIGENCE NO.42 DATED 16.10.26. ⟦line⟧ Para 1040. BAGHDAD, 16th October 1926. With further reference to para 1008, on the 10th October the following gathered at the house of SAIYIID HASSAN AL SADR (PARA 1037) :- 1.SAYYID HASAN AL SADR 2. SAYYID MUHAMMAD MAHDI AL SADR 3. SAYYID MUHAMMAD AL SADR 4. SHAIKH ABDUL HUSAIN AL YASIN. The publication of the anti-Wahabi Manshur , the Istifta, and fatwa were discussed. It was decided to pub- lish only a manshur in Persian and Arabic and that the Istifta should not be included but should be printed se- parately. The drafts were handed to SHAIKH ABDUL HUSAIN AL YASIN to arrange for printing. They were taken to the Asriyah Press, the Director was asked to print them secretly. He declined to say by whom the drafts were brought but en- quiry shows that it was SHAIKH MURTADHA IBN SHAIKH ABDUL HUSAIN AL YASIN. The Ministry of the Interior prohibited the print- ing of the manshurs and this has somewhat incensed the Kadhi- main Ulama. SHAIKH ABDUL HUSAIN AL YASIN wrote to his son SHAIKH MUHAMMAD RIDHA enclosing two letters for MIRZA HUSAIN AL NAYINI and SAYYID ABUL HASSAN AL ISFAHANI in which he gave information of the action of Government and reiterating his conviction that the British were responsible for the Wahabi actions. SAYYID MUHAMMAD MAHDI AL SADR expressed some- what similar views. He said that hitherto he had always considered the British were tolerent and non-interfering so far as religion was concerned. Their action regarding the manshurs
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31 - 2 - manshurs however had disillusioned him. He asked how it was that the Ulama had been caused to issue anti-Wahabi fatwas and manshurs and then when they had done so were prevented from printing them. He said that on the 15th instant a meeting was held at the house of SAYYID HASAN AL SADR and it was decided to write to MIRZA HUSSAIN AL NAYINI, SAYYID ABU AL HASAN AL ISFAHANI, SHAIKH ABDUL KERIM AL YAZDI: (para 1033) of Qum, SAYYID HASAN AL MUDARRIS (para 1037) and others pointing out what had happened and impressing the fact that the British were responsible for IBN SA'UD's actions. (N.B. This meeting is confirmed). He also said that, frustrated in their efforts to print the manshurs, etc., in Iraq, they intended to print the manshurs, etc. in Persia or Syria. It was also intended to publish a booklet under the name of "SHAR-AL-WAHABIYYIN". ⟦line⟧
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61/1/7 30 SECRET 'IRAQ POLICE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT, D.O. No. S.B. 962 Baghdad, 19th October 1926. MINISTRY OF INTERIOR: CONFIDENTIAL SECTION: Inward No: 4716 Date: 20-10-26 File No: 61/1/7 p 28 Adv. ⟦illegible⟧ F.A. 20/10 ⟦illegible⟧ 20/10 My Dear Cornwallis There can be little doubt that the anti-Wahabi agitation has been fostered, if not wholly instigated by Amir ALI. It has been Palace agents all through who have been the most active, and when Interior stopped the printing of the manshurs it was commented upon among the Ulama that the fatwas (?) and manshurs had been issued at the continued pressure of the Amir and Palace agents yet the Government prevented their publication. <del>There</del> This is apparently incomprehensible to them and they, naturally scent British influence. After the meeting of the 15th instant, SAYYID MUHAMMAD MAHDI AL SADR went to AMIN AL CHARCHAFCHI's office, related what had occurred, and then got on the telephone to the Regent, reported what had happened and left for the Palace. Although the agitation is having practically no effect among the people and is regarded as:- (a) A Hashimite effort against IBN SU'UD, (b) An attempt on the part of the Ulama to regain their lost prestige and control, it needs close watching as there is a sinister connection on the part of the Ulama with Persia and Russia running through it all, and the <del>whole</del> agitation is tending to become more definitely anti-British in nature. ⟦illegible⟧ 20/10 ⟦illegible⟧ 20/10 Yours sincerely ⟦illegible⟧ K. Cornwallis, Esq., C.M.G., C.B.E., D.S.O., Adviser to the Ministry of Interior.