"ملف 19/218 (C 84) خلافة البحرين" [و‎‎٣‎٧] (٢١٠/٧٥)

1*1
3HAIKH ABDULJ A BIN ISA.
——
T s the second son of the late Shaikh Tsa and his fa-
v ourf _c v.r.e Shaikh Ayesha, daughter or Shaikh I'ohaimned bin
Khalifa who was banished, by the British Government, to Aden
where he died. During-the last ten years of Shaikh Isa*s life
his wife had very great influence over him. The old lady is
still alive and is now doing the Pilgrimage. Shaikh Abdul"a
was Shaikh Isa's favourite son.
p
- age la about 55. Ke has had a very slight educa-
4 -: - cr, a fact which he always regrets, but he has a remarkably
good knowledge of foreign politics and western progress end
Ideas. He Is very Intelligent, politically ambitious - I
believe he has Ideas that when Tbn Saud dies Bahrain might
possil ly manage to acquire some control of part of the maln-
lan , - :.s cape. 1 ;?^ of making rapid decisions, and sticking
to them In spite of opposition - the way he dealt with trouble
In the schools some years ago Is an example of this - he Is
gcoa at .isgti:s:ng his own feelings, has progressive Ideas
e oi;1 administrative matters such as reforming the conditions
under which estates of minors are looked after, the need for
more medical work by the Government, Education, sanitation and
agriculture. He Is more religiously tolerant than most of his
relations, he disapproves of such things as liquor more from
-he r of view of the harm that drinking causes than from
vhe strict "oslem view that intoxicants are Haram.
T To -3 physically fit, until quite recently, and posslblv
over ^
St- 11, he used to be thoroughly hauled /by Dr Dame every few
s. 3 addiction to Vvomen is notorious, he has had more
v.i\es and concubines than any member of the fhallfah famllv,
which Is saying a good deal. He is reputed to be generous to
Ms women while he has them and when he discards them. He
always lives beyond his Income, most of the family do, but
he never asks for money, "/hen he takes a loan he repays it -
eventual, ly./-