Correspondence from British Government; Disputes about Iraq/Iran Border
View interactive document pageThese 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.
61/1/7 29 Extract from the Monthly Report of the Administrative Inspector Hilla, Diwaniyeh, and Kerbala Liwas for the month of September, 1926. ⟦line⟧ Najaf and Kerbala. The Shiah Wahabi agitation continues on much the same lines and is producing no impression locally. ⟦line⟧
61/1/3 MINISTRY OF INTERIOR CONFIDENTIAL SECTION Inward No 4498 Date 7-10-26 File No 61/1/3 SECRET & IMMEDIATE No. S.B./906 6/4. 'IRAQ POLICE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT, Baghdad, 7th October 1926. To:- His Excellency the Minister of Interior The Adviser to the Ministry of Interior The Secy. to H.E. the High Commissioner The Air Staff Intelligence, A.H.Q. The Director-General of Police The Inspector-General of Police The Administrative Inspector, Baghdad. S P E C I A L R E P O R T G.A. Rsi 13/10 ⟦signature⟧ It is reported that an "istifta" regarding Wahabi "atrocities" from the Ulama of Lucknow was received by SAYYID ABU-AL-HASAN AL ISFAHANI and MIRZA HUSAIN AL NAYINI who have <del>x</del> issued a fatwa directing that all Muslims should themselves, their souls and wealth in order to release the holy places from the grip of the Wahabis. The fatwas was also approved of by the Karbala Ulama and arrived in Kadhimain on the afternoon of the 6th October 1926. It was signed by SAYYID HASAN AL SADR, SAYYID MUHAMMAD<del>XXX</del> MAHDI AL SADR and SHAIKH ABDUL-HUSAIN AL YASIN and handed to special messenger to be taken to Lucknow. The name, etc. of the messenger is not known at present. H.E. is telling press bureau to warn all presses to print no ⟦measure⟧ against foreign govts without consulting us. CW 13/10 The Director of Intelligence Bureau, Simla, has been informed by telegram. CAG 13/10 It is further reported that with regard to the above a meeting was held in the house of SAYYID HASAN K 14/10
27 (2) HASAN AL SADR in the afternoon of the 6th instant and among others was attended by:- SAYYID HASAN AL SADR, SAYYID MUHAMMAD MAHDI AL SADR, SAYYID ABDUL-HUSAIN AL SADR, SAYYID MUHAMMAD AL SADR, SAYYID JUWAD AL SADR, SAYYID ALI AL SADR, SAYYID RADHI ibn SHAIKH ABDUL-HUSAIN AL YASIN, and several students. An anti-Wahabi manshur was drafted in Arabic and Persian and will be printed for distribution in Muslim countries. The manshur is reported to embody the "istifta" and the "fatwa". Both SAYYID HASAN and SAYYID MUHAMMAD MAHDI AL SADR spoke at this meeting and pointed out that the British were striving to cause disunity among Muslims for their own political ends. They said that they were paying IBN SU'UD £.500,000/- per annum for his services. Referring to the madhbatas sent to Persia (see para 957 of Abstract of Intelligence), they said that SHAIKH ABDUL-KARIM AL YAZDI (para 957) of Qum had submitted them to RIZA SHAH and had spoke to him, the Council of Ministers and the Parliament on the telephone urging early action. As a result the Persian Government had nominated a delegation to enquire x into and deal with the matter. SAYYIDs HASAN and MUHAMMAD MAHDI AL SADR have written to the Najaf Mujtahids reporting their action and intend sending SHAIKH RADHI ibn SHAIKH ABDUL-HUSAIN
26 (3) ABDUL-HUSAIN AL YASIN to Najaf to get further instructions. ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ Deputy Inspector-General of Police, C.I.D. & Railways.
28 SECRET & IMMEDIATE No. S.B./ 906 6/4. 'IRAQ POLICE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT, Baghdad, 7th October 1926. To:- His Excellency the Minister of Interior The Adviser to the Ministry of Interior The Secy. to H.E. the High Commissioner The Air Staff Intelligence, A.H.Q. The Director-General of Police The Inspector-General of Police The Administrative Inspector, Baghdad. SPECIAL REPORT It is reported that an "istifta" regarding Wahabi "atrocities" from the Ulama of Lucknow was received by SAYYID ABU-AL-HASAN AL ISFAHANI and MIRZA HUSAIN AL NAYINI who have <del>a</del> issued a fatwa directing that all Muslims should themselves, their souls and wealth in order to release the holy places from the grip of the Wahabis. The fatwa was also approved of by the Karbala Ulama and arrived in Kadhimain on the afternoon of the 6th October 1926. It was signed by SAYYID HASAN AL SADR, SAYYID MUHAMMADXXX MAHDI AL SADR and SHAIKH ABDUL-HUSAIN AL YASIN and handed to a special messenger to be taken to Lucknow. The name, etc. of the messenger is not known at present. The Director of Intelligence Bureau, Simla, has been informed by telegram. It is further reported that with regard to the above a meeting was held in the house of SAYYID HASAN
(2) 27 HASAN AL SADR in the afternoon of the 6th instant and among others was attended by:- SAYYID HASAN AL SADR, SAYYID MUHAMMAD MAHDI AL SADR, SAYYID ABDUL-HUSAIN AL SADR, SAYYID MUHAMMAD AL SADR, SAYYID JUWAD AL SADR, SAYYID ALI AL SADR, SAYYID RADHI ibn SHAIKH ABDUL-HUSAIN AL YASIN, and several students. An anti-Wahabi manshur was drafted in Arabic and Persian and will be printed for distribution in Muslim countries. The manshur is reported to embody the "istifta" and the "fatwa". Both SAYYID HASAN and SAYYID MUHAMMAD MAHDI AL SADR spoke at this meeting and pointed out that the British were striving to cause disunity among Muslims for their own political ends. They said that they were paying IBN SU'UD £.500,000/- per annum for his services. Referring to the madhbatas sent to Persia (see para 957 of Abstract of Intelligence), they said that SHAIKH ABDUL-KARIM AL YAZDI (para 957) of Qum had submitted them to RIZA SHAH and had spoke to him, the Council of Ministers and the Parliament on the telephone urging early action. As a result the Persian Government had nominated a delegation to enquire ⟦x⟧ into and deal with the matter. SAYYIDs HASAN and MUHAMMAD MAHDI AL SADR have written to the Najaf Mujtahids reporting their action and intend sending SHAIKH RADHI ibn SHAIKH ABDUL-HUSAIN
26 (3) ABDUL-HUSAIN AL YASIN to Najaf to get further instructions. ⟦Jenkins⟧ Deputy Inspector-General of Police, C.I.D. & Railways.
61/1/3 25 Extract from the Administrative Report of the Administrative Inspector, Diwaniyeh, Karabal, and Hilla Liwas for the month of August 1926. ⟦line⟧ ANTI WAHABI AGITATION NAJAF. ⟦line⟧ The artificial agitation in Karbala and Najaf continues. It interests no one other than those prom- inently associated with it. Rumours are now current that madbattas are to be prepared for tribal signature by tribes- men who have not the slightest wish to concern themselves <del>with</del> in the matter. It seems extraordinary that after the Akhwan Conference of 1922 and the astonishing success of 1923 persons should still be found to encourage the Shiah Ulema. ⟦line⟧
61/1/3 24 Confidential. No. C/ 2347 Ministry of the Interior, Baghdad ⟦27⟧ August 1926. To, The Deputy Inspector General of Police, C.I.D. & Railways, Baghdad. Memorandum. I forward herewith for your information copy of Confidential Memo. No 3750 dated 17/8/26 from the Mutassarif, Kerbala with the enclosure pertaining there to. ⟦illegible⟧ For Adviser, Ministry of Interior,
27 Translation of a Confidential letter No.3750 dated 17/8/ 26 from the Mutassarif, Kerbala Liwa to the Minister of Interior ⟦line⟧ I submit herewith a copy of a letter No.2441 dated the 15th instant received from the Qaimmaqam, Najef on the subject of the meeting held at the Sahan el Haidari and the reading to the public, by Shaikh Mohammed Hussien, of the circular received from Jebel 'Amil for yourinformation. ⟦line⟧ Translation of a copy of a Cnfidential letter No.2441 dated the 15th August 1926 from the Qaimmaqam, Najef to the Mutassarif. ⟦line⟧ The Mamur Markaz reported in his report submitted on 14/8/26 that yesterday at about 11 hours in the evening (Arabic time) some three hundrd persons, all Mullas, amongst whom were Shaikh Jewad el Jawahiri, Shaikh Mohammed Hussien al Kashif elGhita, Mirza Mahdi el Khurasani and other ecclesiastics assembled in the verandahs of the Sahan and outsde. At about 11.25 hours Shaikh Mohammed Hussien al Fakhril-din ascended the pulpit standing in the verandah and read to the public the prited circular received from Jebel 'Amil,sign- ed by Syed Abdul Hussien Sharaf el Din, i whch it was notified that the Wahabis have occupied the Madinat-il- Munawarah and demolished the shrines of the Imams and thesfore the Muslms should represent the matter to the civilised Governments. After the reading was over he lifted his hands and prayed for the victory of Islam and the meeting concluded. The meeting passed without any incident effecting the pubic peace and politics. ⟦line⟧
61/1/3 22 Translation of a confidential letter No.3750 dated 17/8/1926 from the Mutasarrif, Kerbela Liwa to the Minister of Interior. ⟦line⟧ I submit herewith a copy of the letter No.2441 dated the 15th inst. received from the Qaim-maqam, Najaf on the subject of the meeting held at the Sahan El Haidari and the reading to the public, by Sheikh Mohammad Hussein, of the circular received from the Jebel 'Amil for your information. ⟦line⟧ Adviser. The Mutasarrif has not forwarded the printed circular to which he refers. sd/- Minister. 18/8. Copy to D.I.G.S. ⟦illegible⟧ 24/8 22/8 MK.
21 Translation of copy of confidential letter No.2441 dated the 15th August 1926 from the Qaim-maqam, Najaf to the Mutasarrif. ⟦line⟧ The Mamur Markaz reported in his report submitted on 14/8/'26 that yesterday at about 11 hours in the evening ( arabic time ) some three hundred persons,all Mullas, amongst whom were Sheikh Jawad El Jawahiri,Shiekh Mohammad Hussein Al Kashif El Ghita,Mirza Mahdi El Khurasani and other ecclesiasties assembled in the vernandas of the Sahan and outside. At about 11.25 hours Sheikh Mohammad Hussein Al Fakhril-din ascended the pulpit standing in the vernanda and read to the public the printed circular received from Jebel 'Amil, signed by Sayid 'Abdul Hussein Sharaf El Din, in which it was notified that the Wahabis have occupied the Medinat-il-Munawarah and demolished the shrines of the Imams and therefore the Muslims should represent the matter to the civilized Governments. After the reading was over he lifted his hands and prayed for the victory of Islam and the meeting concluded. The meeting passed without any incident affecting the public peace and politics. ⟦line⟧ MK.
85 Administration of the Mutasarrif of Kerbala Province ⟦line⟧ Editing Office Number 2750 Date 17 August 926. To His Excellency the Respected Minister of Interior Secret Greetings and respect. We submit herewith a copy of the letter from the Qaimmaqam of Najaf, No. 2441, dated the 15th - of the current month. Discussing the meeting held in the Haideri Courtyard and Sheikh Muhammad Hussein's reading of the publication received in Najaf from Jabal Amil to the public for their information. This is for your Excellency's further respect. Mutasarrif of Kerbala Province ⟦M. Ruwayk⟧ Rash His Excellency the Advisor The attachment was not sent the printed publication mentioned. 18/8/26 ⟦signature⟧ To be translated 8/18 W.M. 22/8.
25 Administration of the Mutasarrif of Karbala Province Editing Bureau Number: 2750 Date: 17 August 926. To His Excellency the Respected Minister of Interior Greetings and respects. We present herewith a copy of the letter from the Qaimmaqam of Najaf, No. 2441, dated 15 ⟦line⟧ of the current month, regarding the meeting held in the Haidari Shrine and Sheikh Muhammad Hassan's recitation of the circular sent to Najaf from Jabal Amil to the public for their information. This is submitted with your Excellency's further respect. Mutasarrif of Karbala Province ⟦M Sakar⟧ ⟦17 / 8⟧ W. Sh.
19 Copy of the secret letter from the Kaymakam of Najaf, No. 2441, dated August 15, 926, addressed to this Mutasarrifate ⟦line⟧ Greetings and respect. The center official has informed us in his report submitted on 8/14/926, that yesterday, around the eleventh hour Arabic time in the evening, approximately three hundred people gathered in the porch of the Holy Shrine and outside it, all of whom were mullahs and students of knowledge, including Sheikh Jawad Al-Jawahiri, Sheikh Muhammad Hassan Al-Kashif Al-Ghita, Mirza Mahdi Al-Khorasani, and others among the clerics. Around eleven fifteen, Sheikh Muhammad Hussain Al- Fakhri al-Din ascended the pulpit placed in the porch and read to everyone the printed proclamation which arrived from Jabal Amil signed by Sayyid Abd al-Husayn Sharaf al-Din. After the conclusion of the mentioned proclamation, which stated that the Wahhabis had seized Medina and demolished the graves of the Imams of Al-Baqi, and that Muslims must approach civilized governments regarding that. Then the aforementioned Sheikh Muhammad Hussain raised his hands to heaven and prayed for the victory of Islam, and the meeting dispersed. Nothing occurred during the meeting that disturbed politics or security. For your information, we have presented the situation to your Excellency. Please accept our respects. ⟦line⟧
18 A copy of the letter from the District Governor of Najaf, No. 2441, dated 15 August 926, addressed to this Mutasarrifate ⟦line⟧ Greetings and respect. The center officer informed us in his previous report dated 14/8/926, that yesterday around the eleventh hour Arabic time in the evening, approximately three hundred people gathered in the courtyard of the Holy Shrine and outside it, all of whom were Mullahs and students of knowledge, among them Sheikh Jawad al-Jawahiri, Sheikh Muhammad Husayn Al Kashif al-Ghita, Mirza Mahdi al-Khorasani and others from the clergy. At approximately eleven-fifteen, Sheikh Muhammad Husayn Al Fakhri al-Din ascended the pulpit placed in the courtyard and read to everyone the printed proclamation which arrived from Jabal Amil signed by Sayyid Abd al-Husayn Sharaf al-Din. After the conclusion of the aforementioned proclamation, which stated that the Wahhabis had seized Medina and demolished the graves of the Imams of al-Baqi, and that Muslims must approach civilized governments regarding that matter. Then the aforementioned Sheikh Muhammad Husayn raised his hands to the sky and prayed for the victory of Islam, and the meeting adjourned. Nothing occurred during the meeting that disturbed politics or security. For your information, we have presented the situation to your Excellency. Please accept our respect. ⟦line⟧
S E C R E T 61/1/3 17 D.O. S/162 Office of Administrative Inspector, Diwaniyah Liwah. MINISTRY OF INTERIOR: CONFIDENTIAL SECTION: Inward No: 3577 Date: 18/8/26 File No: 61/1 Dated Diwaniyah, the 17th August, 1926. Ja. ⟦illegible⟧ 19/8 Dear Cornwallis There is considerable activity in Najaf over the alleged outrages in Maccah and Madinah. Several meetings at- tended by most of the minor 'Ulama have been held in the Shrine etc. It was freely rumoured shortly after the King's visit to Najaf last month that, through the agency of Haji Muhsin al Shallash, he had arranged for such meetings to be held during his absence and protests to be telegraphed to Europe. The holding of these meetings would seem to lend truth to these rumours. Yours sincerely ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 18/8 ⟦illegible⟧ 19/8 K.Cornwallis Esqr.,C.M.G.,C.B.E.,D.S.O., Adviser, Ministry of Interior, Baghdad.
61/1/3 16 No. CID/S.B./682 SECRET ' I R A Q P O L I C E CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT Baghdad, the 8th August 1926. MINISTRY OF INTERIOR: CONFIDENTIAL SECTION: Inward No: 3413 Date: 8/8 File No: 61/1/3 To:- The Adviser, Ministry of Interior, 'IRAQ. I have the honour to report that in the Police Secret Abstract of Intelligence of Bihar & Orissa (India) para 429 in a report from Patna City dated 17.7.1926 it is noted that at a meeting agitators publicly alleged that ibn Sa'ud had desecrated Muslim Shrines in 'Iraq and that several speakers demanded that a FATWAH should be issued prohibiting the Haj pilgrimage "till the holy places are either released from ibn Sa'ud or till redress is made by him; that this meeting urges that the Amir of Afghanistan, Shah of Persia and other Muslim powers be approached to take steps to stop the sacrilegious acts of ibn Sa'ud and to restore the Holy places to their former condition." ⟦21⟧ If the above erroneous belief is broadcast in India it might very well have injurious effects on pilgrimages to 'Iraq, and I would venture to suggest that the matter be brought to the notice of the Government of India by His Excellency the High Commissioner. ⟦Jenkins⟧ Dy. Inspector-General of Police, C.I.D. & Railways, ' I R A Q . Copy is forwarded for information to the Secretary to H.E. the High Commissioner for 'Iraq. HC 10/8 ⟦illegible⟧ 9/8 adv.
⟦line⟧ S E C R E T ⟦line⟧ 61/1/3 .15 No. D/O 106. Office of the Administrative Inspector, Diwaniyah Liwah. Dated Diwaniyah, the 16th June, 1926. MINISTRY OF INTERIOR: Inward No.: 2500. Date: 17.6.26. File No.: 6/1/3. Dear Cornwallis It is freely rumoured and reported in Najef and Karbala that the recent agitation about the Prophet's Tomb was engineered by the King who instructed Muhammad as Sadr to create the necessary alarm. The agitation was of no particular importance and the leading blame would have nothing to do with it. FA ⟦...⟧ 17/6 Adv ? also Pl see ⟦...⟧ Int 17/6 Yours sincerely ⟦Whitley⟧ K.Cornwallis Esqr.,C.M.G.,C.B.E., D.S.O., Adviser, Ministry of Interior, Baghdad. He 17/6
61/1/3 14 SECRET No. S.B./474. 6/4. 'IRAQ POLICE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT, Baghdad, the 30th May 1926. To:- His Excellency the Minister of Interior The Adviser to the Ministry of Interior The Secy. to H.E. the High Commissioner The Director-General of Police The Air Staff Intelligence, A.H.Q. The Inspector-General of Police The Administrative Inspector, Baghdad. SPECIAL REPORT Baghdad, 29th May 1926. The meeting held by the Sunni Ulama at the Takyat-al-Khaldiyah was held on the afternoon of the 29th instant. Among others the following were present:- MUHAMMAD SA'ID ibn MULLA QASIM- Qadhi, YUSUF ATA - Mufti, SAYYID ABDULLAH AL NAQIB, SHAIKH AHMAD AL DAOUD, ALI KHAIRI AL IMAM, ABDUL-HALIM AL HAFATI, SAYYID MAHMUD AL NAQIB, MUHAMMAD SA'ID JUJA AL RAWI, SAYYID <del>XX</del> AHMAD AL RAWI, MULLA NAJIM, ABDUL-JALIL AL AHMAD JAMIL, ABDULLAH AL SHAWI, <del>and others</del> The Qadhi delivered a speech to the effect that File Ca
13 (2) that the meeting was held with the permission of Government and that its object was to follow the example of the Shias and protest against the atrocities of IBN SU'UD and his followers. Speeches of a moderate nature were delivered and a committee, including SAYYID MAHMUD AL NAQIB and YUSUF ATA - Mufti, elected to draft and despatch telegrams of protest, etc. to the various Muslim Governments. ⟦illegible⟧ Deputy Inspector-General of Police, C.I.D. & Railways.
61/1/3 14 S E C R E T No. S.B./ 474. 6/4. I R A Q P O L I C E CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT, Baghdad, the 30th May 1926. Inward: 2764 Date: 30.5.26 File No: 61/1/3 To:- His Excellency the Minister of Interior The Adviser to the Ministry of Interior The Secy. to H.E. the High Commissioner The Director-General of Police The Air Staff Intelligence, A.H.Q. The Inspector-General of Police The Administrative Inspector, Baghdad. S P E C I A L R E P O R T Baghdad, 29th May 1926. The meeting held by the Sunni Ulama at the Takyat-al-Khalidiyah was held on the afternoon of the 29th instant. Among others the following were present:- MUHAMMAD SA'ID ibn MULLA QASIM- Qadhi, YUSUF ATA - Mufti, SAYYID ABDULLAH AL NAQIB, SHAIKH AHMAD AL DAOUD, ALI KHAIRI AL IMAM, ABDUL-HALIM AL HAFATI, SAYYID MAHMUD AL NAQIB, MUHAMMAD SA'ID JUJA AL RAWI, SAYYID ⟦XX⟧ AHMAD AL RAWI, MULLA NAJIM, ABDUL-JALIL AL AHMAD JAMIL, ABDULLAH AL SHAWI, <del>and others</del> The Qadhi delivered a speech to the effect that See 1/6 ⟦illegible initials⟧ ⟦1/6/26⟧
(2) 13 that the meeting was held with the permission of Government and that its object was to follow the example of the Shias and protest against the atrocities of IBN SU'UD and his followers. Speeches of a moderate nature were delivered and a committee, including SAYYID MAHMUD AL NAQIB and YUSUF ATA - Mufti, elected to draft and despatch telegrams of protest, etc. to the various Muslim Governments. ⟦Jenkins⟧ Deputy Inspector-General of Police, C.I.D. & Railways.
61/1/3 12 Mutasarrifate of Karbala Liwa ⟦line⟧ Number 2466 Date 29 May 1926 MINISTRY OF INTERIOR CONFIDENTIAL SECTION: Inward No: 8834 Date: 2-6-26 File No: 61/1/3 Secret ⟦line⟧ To His Excellency the Minister of Interior, the most Magnificent. Greetings and respect. I submit to Your Excellency herewith a copy of the letter from the Qaimmaqam of Najaf, No. 1534 dated the 26th of this month, regarding the gathering of a large crowd of residents in the Al-Sahla Mosque, for your information, and with the utmost respect for your Excellency. Mutasarrif of Karbala Liwa. ⟦signature⟧ ⟦signature⟧ 1/6/26
12 Mutasarrifate of Karbala Province ⟦line⟧ Number 2466 Date May 29, 1926 ⟦line⟧ Secret ⟦line⟧ To His Excellency the most magnificent Minister of Interior. Greetings and respects. I submit to your Excellency enclosed a copy of the letter of the District Governor of Najaf numbered 1534 and dated the 26th of the current month, discussing the gathering of a large crowd of residents at Al-Sahla Mosque for your review. With highest regards to your Excellency. Mutasarrif of Karbala Province ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦M. R. R.⟧