'File 59/15 C (A 15) Muscat Miscellaneous' [‎236v] (481/508)

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While my enquiries and investigations were in progress the murder of the
Wali Sulaiman occurred, and I thought it better to wait until the elucidation of f
the circumstances attending that event had been completed, and^ the negocia-
tions following it had reached some conclusion, before complying with your
request.
2. Turning first to your Memorandum of 1905, I may say that Seyyid
Taimoor abandoned the idea of the pilgrimage of his own accord, and that the
sword to which you refer was recovered by him with his father's knowledge and
approval. His correspondence with the Mutawwas is genercdly, though not
always, read by the Sultan ; and I have myself seen letters from them in connec
tion with the negociations referred to in paragraph (1), which contained hypo-
critical expressions of wonder and regret that His Highness himself could not
be brought to believe in their profession of good-will, but nothing could lead one
to* suppose that a secret understanding inimical to His Highness exists between
the writers and the person addressed. Up to the time of my departure from
Maskatinjuly last all that could be said was that Seyyid Taimoor was in
clined to blame his father for want of friendship and lack of sympathy with the
Mutawwa religious tenets ; there was no question of ill-feeling between them then,
neither is there at present.
3. The information upon which Lieutenant Shakespear's Memorandum is
based was obtained from Ali Husain bin Nasir, the most inveterate mischief-
maker in Maskat, upon whose statements no reliance can be placed. When
first asked by me he denied being the author, and it was not until I came to him
with overwhelming proofs that he confessed. I append a copy of this Memo
randum with comments.
4. Shortly before my return from leave. Sheikh Muhammad bin Sheikhan
As-Salimi, a Mutawwa priest, arrived in Maskat from the Sharqiyah and took up
the post of tutor in religious law, etc., to Taimoor and his brother Nadir. Upon
arrival I pointed out to His Highness the dangers which seemed to be involved
in this new departure, but he made light of them saying that he was merely
humouring his sons and the Mutawwas at the same time, and that perfect con
fidence exists between the former and himself. Although the Sheikh, who is at
present with Seyyid Nadir in the Samayil valley, has not done much harm hither
to, it would probably be safer for His Highness to dismiss him ; but I doubt
whether he will feel inclined to do that, even in the light of recent Mutawwa
perfidy,
5. I quite agree that this matter requires close attention, and such it will
continue to receive from me. At the present time the relations between Taimoor
and his father are quite satisfactory, and I do not think there is the slightest
cause for anxiety.
Mr. Shakespear's Memorandum.
ft
Nearly a year ago Major Cox noted
upon the ultra-religious tendencies of
Seyyid Taimoor bin Feisal as being
hardly serious enough to need any
special notice.
At this date therefore it may be use
ful to place on record that Seyyid Tai
moor so far from having given up the
mode of life which led to the previous
rumours continues to furnish matter for
remark and gossip in his attitude to his
father and to foreigners.
Comments thereupon.
This Is grossly exaggerated. Sfeyyld
Taimoor has renounced the white or
Mutawwa turban for an ordinary one,
and has resumed smoking which is
contrary to the Mutawwa doctrines.
His attitude to foreigners leaves
little to be desired, and he is on excel
lent terms with his father.