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Several files entitled ' Proposed Moslem Institute in London'
- Mr Ibrahim Mougy approached Foreign Office with proposal
and hope that it would receive 'blessing of HMG' - Mr Mougy lived
for many years in Britain and 'hopes soon to be naturalised British
subject':
* Work: translated 'Authentic Traditions of Mahomet' into English
on behalf of Al Azhar University in Cairo.
* Recently acting as secretary to Yemeni Prince (Seif-ul-Islam).
Appealed to Government by referring to acts by other governments:
French gave plot of land for 'Institut Musulman de Paris'; Italy
- Oriental Institute in Rome; Germany - and even in Spain Institute
of a similar kind. Justifies approach to government: fact that
Britain Empire 'comprise the greatest number of Muslims of any
Empire in the world and Britain's relations with the Independent
Muslim countries is close and important'
* History of the project: attempted several years ago to pursue
this plan however Indian political nationalist pushing their own
agenda- Mougy withdrew from project. Hence his aims were in no
way political. Simply religious and cultural, mentions the Woking
mosque and critical because it is in the control of the Ahmedis.
- Foreign Office reply - first define plan more carefully, i.e.,
who are the sponsors from the Muslim world?...also suggested Mougy
approach the India Office as largest Muslim population = Indian
Muslims FO views of Mougy:
'At best he is a somewhat irresponsible adventurer, and at worst,
he may easily let down rather badly any enterprise with the conduct
of which he may be entrusted'. (Ref. 206)
+ File on 'Proposed Anglo-Moslem Society'- proposed later
on in the same year (November):
- Mr M. Yehia proposed this society with 'warm support'
from Dr Hafez Afifi Pasha, Mr Eden was 'favourable' to the idea...
'Nashat Pasha, on the other hand, the present Egyptian ambassador
is hostile, and according to Mr Yehia, told him that he did not
want any more 'shackles' between England and Egypt, as the ultimate
goal of the latter was independence. Nashat Pasha said, however,
that he would co-operate if he received instructions from Cairo
to do so.'
+ Lays out proposals, some suggestion of a political role, especially
re: relations between Britain and Egypt ('to keep in constant
touch with the Egyptians and understand the Egyptian point of
view, to endeavour to settle disputes arising out of the application
of the Treaty of Friendship and Alliance'
+ Several files titled 'Measures which might influence
those minor powers and Arab States whose assistance or benevolent
neutrality might be of value to HMG during the war' (ref.
No 280) Prepared by Middle East, India Office and other departments
' The importance of these territories to Britain in time of
war lies in their situation on the air route to India and in the
significance as actual or potential sources for the supply of
oil.'
' They are politically backward.... their subjects are not sensitive
to the currency of Pan-Arab politics; it is significant that they
have shown little actual interest in the cause of the Palestinian
Arabs...their attitude in time of war would depend on the prestige
enjoyed by Great Britain. Prestige, manifested particularly in
the form of naval supremacy, has for over a century been the basis
of British influence among the minor Arab states of the Gulf...and
{thus} the point of cardinal importance is the maintenance of
British prestige and the avoidance as far as may be possible of
any means that would impair it in the eyes of the rulers or their
subjects.'
(India Office document dated 4th May 1938)
- 'Principal methods in Influencing Minor States' (ref. 291):
'1. Cash gifts and subsidiaries to sheikhs
2. The influence of His Highness the Amir
3. Prompt action against agitators
4. A favourable press
5. Control of WWII propaganda'
'Most of the tribal sheikhs are open to persuasion if accompanied
by a douceur in cash. Moreover the sum required are trivial, compared
to the experience of a war.'
+ Timing: British particularly anxious that the sheikhs be prevented
from rousing unrest over the Palestine issue and therefore follow
Amirs suggestion:
'The influence exerted by His Highness on the inhabitants
of the Transjordan is much greater than is often believed by his
detractors...Every effort should therefore be made to secure the
support and wholehearted co-operation of His Highness' = extract
from a note on 'Reactions in Transjordan in the event of a European
war', 23rd October 1935.
- ' Both the British Resident and Major Glub are of the opinion
that the subsidising of tribal sheikhs if proving efficacious
and His Highness the Amir also attaches a very great importance
to this method' (ref. no 293-5 from High Commissioner for Transjordan,
Arthur Wauchope, 31st August 1936)
- on ref. no 294 there is a list of disbursements which were sanctioned
by British government in order 'to influential persons with the
object of preventing the spread of the Palestine disorders'. List
of people who were bribed includes 'sheikhs, notables, agents
in Palestine, Religious Personnel in Palestine and Palestinian
and Syrian Press'.
- Analysis of the strategic importance of the Islamic Middle
Eastern countries to Britain - Turkey is highest on the list and
Persia is lowest (ref. 500-505)
Summary on Ref. 505: Noting the lack of real unity, political
and economic divisions within this region:
' All these territories are permeated by an intense spirit of
nationalism, the placation of which is essential to include in
any measure undertaken...They are all, with the possible exception
of Iran, bound racially and linguistically and the predominating
religion is Islam. Measures taken in one country are therefore
likely to react on the others. This suggests that certain measures
of a general nature should be applied in addition to those particularly
applied to individual States. Suspicion of Western nations in
general is rife and requires circumspection in the methods of
approach.
A pronounced characteristic is the tendency to "sit on the fence"in
the first instance even in situations involving their own friends,
and to waste time in fruitless discussions before deciding on
action. In many of the States the personality of the British representative
is still a big factor in determining the attitudes of the Ruler.
Personal rivalries and intrigue play a big part in their politics
and offers scope for influencing the Rulers. Money is an even
more potent weapon than is the case elsewhere.'
+ 'Measures to influence Saudi Arabia' - ref.
no 555 from the British legation in Saudi Arabia written by R.W.Bullard:
'On more than one occasion I have compared the position of Ibn
Saud, in the case of war, with that of the Ottoman Empire in 1914:
our enemies could promise him all he wants, without cost to themselves'
Examination on what 'promises the British government should make
him': 'The experience of the Great War suggests, I think, that
what neutrals really like best is to be able to pursue their normal
affairs with the least political interference from belligerents...Ibn
Saud would be glad if three forms of activity in his country could
continue with the minimum of hindrance, viz. the pilgrimage, the
development of Hasa oil field, and the reorganisation of the Saudi
army...
The pilgrimage. The king is interested on religious as well as
financial grounds. Moreover a numerous pilgrimage offers political
advantage to Saudi Arabia in that what the pilgrims spend in addition
to the Government dues help to keep the Hejaz quiet. We ought
to do our best to keep the pilgrimage up to paying level by seeing
that lack of shipping shall not prevent any pilgrim from exerting
their pious intention'.
Thus the Government decides to 'Pay Saud a subsidy which might
have to be as large as the subsidy that Sharif Husain received
during the Great War, keep the pilgrimage running as far as possible,
set aside a sum...of 25,000 pounds to be used if opportunity offers,
to influence one or two of the leading officials in our favour'
PRO File: F0 371 21837
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