‘File 28/10-(c) Anti-British Activities of Abdullah bin Faris, Secretary of the Shaikh of Sharjah’ [4r] (7/98)
The record is made up of 1 file (48 folios). It was created in 28 Jun 1940-21 Jan 1941. It was written in English and Arabic. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
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of Sharjah(he is leaving for Riyadh via Bahrain for a visit to
H.M.King Bin Sa^d which is usual for hiiu to do every year^ and
there spread the rumours among ordinary and innocent persons who
happendto be present^who 7 in turn repeat what they hear when they
go out. ‘Abdullah bin Faris appears to be convinced that British
Government are going to be defeated. I heard from reliable persons
that he had been telling the Shaikh and members of the family
that they will soon get rid of the British Government. During the
few
last three days they following sentences were chalked onffiwr walls
in the town:- “Long live Hitler“ and “ Right is with Germany".
These have besn the subject of talks and speculation. The people
are waiting to see what action would be taken against Sharjah in
view of these activities, when the Shaikh called on me today,as
usual, I reminded him of my talk with him few days ag^o, the
activities of his Secretary and the writing on the walls. I told
him that as a friend of the British Government his attitude had
been very good towards H.M.G. and that I had no doubt that every
thing which displeases the British Government would be displeasing
to him. That I made thorough enquiries about the recent rumours
and discovered that they were due to his Secretary whose hajait
was to create trouble for the Shaikh always.-with his neighbours,
the Government, his notables, brothers and ^ven the Shaikh*s family.
As a Shaikh, I said, he should not hear his ill-advice or allow
other mischief makers to misguide him. The Shaikh spoke very
nicely about the friendship existing between him and the British
Government and said that he prayed for the defeat of Germany and
the success of the British Government the fact which he open&£
declares in every Majlis. That he did not expect his Secretary to
do anything against the British Government. That he would not
allow visitors to attend his "^ajlis until after the German Arabic
broadcast and would make enquiries about the writings on the walls
and punsih the offenders if discovered even if they were his brother
1 thanked the Shaikh for his kind expression and said that I was
reporting the matter to you. I do not think the Shaikh himself
is in favour of the Germans or one who could n&t be moulded so as
About this item
- Content
The file contains correspondence and other papers related to anti-British and pro-German propaganda being disseminated at Sharjah, and specifically that being allegedly spread by the Ruler of Sharjah’s Secretary, Abdullah bin Faris. The principal correspondents in the file are: the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman; Major Reginald George Evelin William Alban) and the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. Agent at Sharjah (Khan Sahib Saiyid ‘Abd al-Razzaq).
The file includes:
- the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. Agent’s reports on propaganda activities at Sharjah, dated July 1940, including anti-British statements made by the Ruler of Sharjah’s secretary, Abdullah bin Faris, and one report enclosing a number of poems (in Arabic original and English translation), two of which are pro-British in tone (ff 10-11, ff 13-14), and another, apparently written by the Ruler of Sharjah, Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr Āl Qāsimī One of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates; also used to refer to a confederation of seafaring Arabs led by the Qāsimī tribe from Ras al Khaima. , which is pro-German in tone (f 12, f 15);
- a petition, signed by forty-eight inhabitants of Sharjah who are of Arabic, Iranian and Indian origin (Arabic original f 40, English translation ff 23-24) affirming that the Abdullah bin Faris is ‘the greatest supporter’ of the British Government;
- further correspondence between the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Bahrain, the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. Agent at Sharjah, and the 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 the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Geoffrey Prior), concerning reports that the signatures on the petition supporting Abdullah bin Faris were obtained by misrepresentation, and a circular, sent to those British (Indian) subjects at Sharjah who signed the petition, dated 16 October 1940, ensuring that they were fully aware of what they had signed (ff 38-39);
- letters sent by the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Bahrain to the Ruler of Sharjah, Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr Āl Qāsimī One of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates; also used to refer to a confederation of seafaring Arabs led by the Qāsimī tribe from Ras al Khaima. , warning him against the spread of anti-British propaganda in Sharjah, with replies from Shaikh Sultan (ff 21-24, ff 44-45).
- Extent and format
- 1 file (48 folios)
- Arrangement
The file’s contents are arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest item at the front to the latest at the end. The file notes at the end of the file (f 49) mirror the chronological arrangement.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 50; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional mixed foliation/pagination sequence is also present in parallel between ff 3-48; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
- Written in
- English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script View the complete information for this record
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/R/15/2/694
- Title
- ‘File 28/10-(c) Anti-British Activities of Abdullah bin Faris, Secretary of the Shaikh of Sharjah’
- Pages
- front, front-i, 2r:9v, 13r:20v, 22r:39v, 42r:44v, 46r:49v, back-i, back
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence