IOR/R/15/2/95

The file concerns relations between the King of Hejaz and Nadj [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] (commonly referred to in the papers as Bin Saud or Ibn Saud) and members of the (Shiah) Baharna community at Qatif (also referred to in the papers as Katif and Catif [al-Qaṭīf]), many of whom claimed to be subjects of Bahrain (also spelled Bahrein).

The correspondence is mainly between the Political Agent, Bahrain (Captain Charles Geoffrey Prior) and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Vincent Biscoe). There is also one letter from Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, Adviser to the Government of Bahrain. Enclosures or copied correspondence sent by the Political Residency to the Political Agent, Bahrain include correspondence from Sir Andrew Ryan, HM Minister, Jeddah; the India Office; the Foreign Office; and the Colonial Office.

The papers cover: requests for help from the Baharna, and complaints of their mistreatment in Qatif; discussion of the question of whether members of the Baharna could show entitlement to Bahrain nationality, and hence entitlement to British protection; report of discussion between the Political Agent, Bahrain and the Amir of Qatif, 26 January 1930 (folios 20-23); the issuing by the Government of Bahrain of passes/nationality certificates to those Baharna who had been born in Bahrain; the attitude of Bin Saud to the Baharna (especially folios 24-25); and discussion between the Political Resident and British Government officials of the legal status of the Baharna, March - May 1930.