'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎61r] (126/470)

Saiyid ''Abdul Rassaq al Hallu. —An Arab ‘alim. Before the war he had no name, but during the
war, by interfering in political matters, and in the Jihad, he became prominent. He is probably
pro-Turkish.
Shaikh ''Abdul Karim Jazairi. —Before the war he was a great friend of the Shaikh of Muhammarah,
but, as the result of the bribes by the Turks, turned his enemy.
Very prominent as an enemy propagandist before the fall of Baghdad. His brother, Shaikh .
Muhammad Jawad, was arrested in connection with the captured documents found with the German
Political Office in ‘Anah.
Haji Agha Mahmud al Hindi. —O.B. Mujtahid distributor. He is related by marriage to Saiyid
Kadhim. Openly pro-British, and an admirer of the British Government.
He acts as Saiyid Kadhim’s secretary in his correspondence with Government. He has rendered
excellent services, both in September 1917 and during the Blockade. He may be relied upon. He is
good hearted, but it should always be remembered that he is not influential, nor can he ever become so.
Shaikh Mahdi al Shaikh Asadidlah. —O.B. Mujtahid distributor. A respectable man, but of no
influence. At hearty admirer and supporter of the British Government, but very weak and liable to
go with the majority.
Shaikh Hasan al Shaikh Fazil Sharabyani. —Respected because of the great name and reputation
of his father, a Persian from Tabriz. His father was the greatest ‘alim of his time. He is well known
in all parts of Persia, especially Tabriz.
Saiyid Ja'far Bohr al ‘‘Ulum. —Of the famous family of Bahr al ‘Ulum, and so respected.
O.B. Mujtahid distributor. Pro-British, and one of the very few who seems to have the courage
of his convictions. His cousin, Saiyid Muhammad ‘Ali, will be remembered in connection with the
captured documents, and suffered accordingly.
Shaikh ''Ali Mani\ —An Arab ‘alim of no importance.
Shaikh Ja'far Budairi. —Ditto.
Shaikh Mahdi Kashmiri. —O.B. Mujtahid distributor, and a British subject. His life was
dangerous prior to the fall of Baghdad. Pro-British, but of no influence whatever. His brother,
Ttamad al Islam, in Teheran, is influential.
Mirza Mahdi Ayatullahzadah Khurasani. —Son of Ayatullah Akhund Mulla Kadhim Khurasani,
the greatest Mujtahid of his time, and famous as the leader of the constitutionalist party. Akhund
was a remarkable man, and a large amount of the success of the constitutionalist party was due to his
championship.
His influence as a Mujtahid, however, decreased in proportion as his interference in politics
increased, and it was on the ruins of his power that Saiyid Kadhim rose. In dealing with Saiyid
Kadhim, or with Mirza Mahdi, it is well to remember this fact. Mirza Mahdi himself is well known
in Persia. He is not particularly clever, but thoroughly untrustworthy, and lives in intrigue. His
relations with the Shaikhs of Najaf were by no means such as to endear him to the lovers of order and
justice. All communications between the Persian capital and ‘Iraq are made through him. He is not
an ‘alim. His brother Agha Najafi is the greatest Mujtahid in Khurasan. His younger brother, Mirza
Ahmad of Najaf, is an ‘alim.
Shaikh Ishaq Ayatullah Zadah Rashti.—Son of Haji Mirza Habibullah Rashti, the greatest ‘alim
of his time. His brother, Shaikh IsnTail, who died lately in Teheran, was one of the leaders of the
Democratic party. He is not very influential, and probably anti-British.
Saiyid Abdul Qasim Ayatullah Zadah Kashani.—Novr in Kadhimian. An intriguer and thoroughly
pro-Turkish.
Shaikh Mashkur ibn Shaikh Jawad.—An Arab ‘alim wrapt up in religion.
Shaikh Muhammad ibn Muhammad "Ali Khunsahi.—An ‘alim and a preacher. Pro-British. Wrote
an anti-Turkish article in al Arab.
Shaikh "Abdul Nabi Muzgffar.—An Arab ‘alim leading a solitary life. He possesses influence in
Basrah.
Saiyid Ahmad Behbehani. —A w T ell-known royalist Mujtahid of Teheran, dismissed by the
constitutionalists. Very and openly pro-British, but probably mad.
Shaikh Ali Kumi.—A Persian Mujtahid enjoying considerable respect, who does not interfere in
politics.
Bait Saiyid "Ali Agha Damad Ta&nzi.—Saiyid ‘Ali died at the beginning of 1918. He was
prominently pro-Turkish. His son, Saiyid Murtaza, is a doubtful character.
Saiyid "Ali al Saiyid Muhammad Khakim Tabatabai. —Eldest son of Yazdi, an alim respected and
aloof from politics.
Shaikh Ja'far al Shaikh Jawad al Kazimi.—A third class ‘alim, now in ‘Amarah. Probably
pro-Turkish.
Shaikh "Abdullah Mamaghani .— Son of Shaikh Hasan Mamaghani, one of the greatest ‘alims of his
time. Concerned only in religion, and has many followers in Azerbaijan.
Saiyid Muhsin Qazwini- —Head of the Qazwini family in Najaf. His brother, Saiyid Muhammad
‘Ah of Hillah, and his uncle, Saiyid Hadi of Hindiyah, are well known and influential.
Shaikh Muhammad, son of Ayatullah Haji Mirza Husain Haji Mirza Khalil Tehrani.—His father
was a well known ‘alim, and one of the leaders of the constitutionalist paity. He is well known in
Persia, where he has now gone. His brother, Muhammad Taqi, is respected in Teheian.
Bait Safi. —Students whose activities should be kept trace of.
Shaikh Baqir Kamusi.—A Baghdad ‘alim residing in Najaf. Of little importance.
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