"شخصيات، شبه الجزيرة العربية" [‎٢‎٠] (٣٧٤/٢٤)

20
SULEIMAN AFNAN RUFADAH.
Paramount chief of the Billi tribe ; resident at Wejh, where
he keeps an armed guard. His cousin is orndah of a section of the
same tribe near Baliana, Upper Egypt. The latter was sent by us
on a mission to the former in April 1915, but without result. Sulei
man is said to have come to blows, in 1915, with the Ottoman
Governor of Wejh, and to have detached himself and his tribe from
the Turks, refusing to allow his two sons to serve in the Ottoman
Army. Our ships have had difficulties with his dhows in the Red
Sea. In June 1916, he was understood to be favourable to the
Emir's revolt, and was recommended by Sherif 'Ali as a channel
whereby stores might be sent up to the force besieging Medina.
He was won over, however, by the Turks, and in August visited
Damascus and received various attentions. Later, he pleaded
force majeure and was stated to be sitting on the fence, keeping in
with the 1 urks. Declared himself an ally of the latter, but favourable
to the Sherif.
SULEIMAN IBN SATD, S herif.
Of Mecca. Representative of the Ashraf on the Legislative
Council.
SULEIMAN QABIL.
Of Jiddah. lall and thin, with dark, pleasant face and intelli
gent eyes. Grain merchant. Ra'is el-Beledlyah under the Turks.
Main agent in inducing the surrender of the Turks in June 1916.
The Emir has reappointed him Ra'is, and in this capacity he received
the Egyptian u Mahmal , making a good impression on the Admiral.
Honest and intelligent. Age about 40.
SURUR ES-SABAN.
Of Mecca. Chief hide-merchant in Hejaz. An ex-slave. Has
agencies at Jiddah, Qunfudah, and Midi. Pro-Turk and anti-
British.
1AHAR IBN MOHANNAH, S herif.
" Chief of the Controlling Department " at Jiddah. Sides with
Abd el-Latif Mizeini. Ordered by the Emir of Mecca to accom
pany his agent in receiving the " Mahmal " from a British ship
(October 1915). Member of Town Council. Ignorant and trouble
some. Has been described as a " bottle-nosed bandit ". The Emir
(his ielati\e) is said to have sent him to Jiddah to be rid of him.
WASLALLAH IBN WASIM, S heikh.
Lives about two hours south of Jiddah. Of the Zobeid sub-
tribe of the Harb. Chief arms-dealer in Hejaz, and against all
authority, whether Turkish or Sherifial.