'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎48v] (101/470)

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The trade of Najaf before the war was in the hands of capable Persian merchants.
These, however, took fright when war broke out, and their place has been taken
by petty Arab traders, whose dishonesty and greed is only exceeded by their folly.
They are only a nuisance in so far that they exercise considerable ingenuity in their
efforts at raising the price of food and necessaries. Normal conditions will ensure
their elimination.
Kufah is at present a suburb of Najaf, and is almost entirely owned by the
rich inhabitants of that town. Originally the advanced base of the victorious armies
of the Faithful, it became the capital of ‘Iraq and a famous university.
As Kufah absorbed Hirah (Ja‘arah), the Persian capital of Chaldaea, so Najaf
has overshadowed the great and famous city of ‘Ali.
Whether a new and healthy modern town is likely to rise on the banks of the
Euphrates and revive the glory and prosperity of the first great Arab city is a matter
which the future will decide.
The existence of such a town, not secluded from the beaten track and within
6 miles of Najaf, would be the solution of many problems.
Taxation : General .—The taxation of Najaf, like many other innovations, is
not an easy problem, and is only now beginning to show signs of solution. The
inhabitants of Najaf have for many years looked upon themselves as privileged,
and are prone to assume the garb of very strict Shkahism when convenient to
themselves.
Any form of taxation, except levies taken from those who come to the city,
living or dead, is, according to religious law, haram.
This fact is ceaselessly impressed by their victims on those appointed to collect
and to supervise the collection of taxes in the town.
These officials have not always shown an entire lack of sympathy with those
putting forward this contention, and it is only by the production of the most
accurate checking mechanism that it is at all possible to secure any reasonable
results.
Owing to disturbances and shortage of staff, it has hitherto been difficult to
arrange improvements at a period when overtime work was necessary to keep the
wheels turning at all.
It must be acknowledged that the people of Najaf have not received much
encouragement by a glimpse of a quid for their reluctant quo, and they are convinced
that money extorted from them is a “ Droit de Seigneur ” insisted upon by a powerful,
if sacrilegious Government. They do not connect security of goods, and comparative
immunity of person from disease, with any outlay they may have been called upon
to part with.
Very little light comes from the "Ulama, whose livelihood and prospects are
entirely dependent on their popularity, which they seek to enhance by the frequent
despatch of letters requesting wholly unjustifiable remissions of taxation on behalf
of their numerous clients.
It is proposed to put taxation on a far more reasonable basis from the beginning
of the financial year, and largely increased receipts are confidently anticipated.
It has been decided to hold a weekly majlis of representatives who have been
already elected from each of the four quarters of Najaf and from Kufah.
No assistance can be expected from such a council beyond the fact that they
will be useful in explaining certain elementary facts about the necessity of municipal
taxation, and the uses to which it is put.
Their activity in making out a case for increased and regular taxation will be
stimulated by the fact that they themselves in their capacity as advisers will share
any odium occasioned by the new reforms.
An attitude of unswerving firmness is required from the officer controlling
the internal destinies of Najaf. As long as this is preserved order and contentment
will prevail. Any relaxation in the nature of compromise or remission will inevitably
be followed by an alarming puff of smoke. It must never for one moment be
forgotten that the people of Najaf are living in the year of moral development
e.c. 1919- -forgiveness is a hopeless anachronism. Punishment must follow crime
and disobedience as surely as night follows day.
It is not, however, suggested that a Prussian regime is called for or that
punishments should be unnecessarily severe.
It is strongly advocated that a visible return should be given to the people
for their money as soon as possible. For this reason it has been proposed in the
budget that incandescent lighting should be introduced in the bazaars and main