IOR/R/15/2/1942

The file contains correspondence in the form of letters and notices sent between the Political Agency, Bahrain, and various Gulf rulers and shaikhs, mainly on the occasions of ‘Eid al-Fitr and ‘Eid al-Adha between 1936 and 1939. Notices were sent to the heads of communities, companies’ workers, the public, and officials regarding the regulations during the month of Ramadan. The notices read as follows: 'The public are informed that during the month of Ramadan, it is forbidden:

• to smoke, eat or drink in the streets or the bazaars between the morning and evening guns;
• to open restaurants during the day time;
• to bake bread publicly, during the day time except from eight o’clock Arabic;
• to play any music which may be audible.

Whosoever is found breaking this rule will be severely dealt with.'

The Political Agent sent a note that the Agency Flagstaff would be dressed on the occasions of the first day of each ‘Eid. ‘Eid greetings were sent by the appointed Political Agent in Bahrain including Percy Gordon Loch and Hugh Weightman to Gulf rulers and shaikhs, including the Ruler of Bahrain Hamad bin ‘Isa Al-Khalifah, the Ruler of Kuwait Ahmad bin Jabir al-Sabah, and the Ruler of Dubai Said bin Maktum. The Political Agent paid visits to the shaikhs of the ruling family in Bahrain as well as to notables of Manama and Muharraq, such as Yousef Ahmad Kanoo and Muhammad Tayeb Khunji, on the occasions of ‘Eid.

The Gulf rulers and shaikhs wrote back to the Political Agent thanking him for his ‘Eid greetings. The Ruler of Sharjah, Sultan bin Saqr, sent letters accompanied with ‘thank you’ cards. ‘Eid greetings were also sent between the Residency Agent in the Trucial Coast and the Political Agent in Bahrain. A significant amount of the file is in Arabic.