Disturbances and political agitation in Bahrain involving Shi'a and Sunni sects

This file contains correspondence relating to:

• Report of a conversation between Political Resident in the Persian Gulf B A B Burrows and the Ruler of Bahrain Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa regarding the antagonistic feeling between the Shi'a and Sunni sects in Bahrain (1)
• Report of a demonstration outside the Political Agency following the conclusion of a trial of persons connected with the Sunni-Shi'a riots (2)
• Report on incidents between Shi'a and the police in which three Shi'as were killed and three wounded and plans to appoint a committee involving Judge Haines (3-4)
• Recommendations to the Ruler from Burrows and a list of demands from a group of Sunnis (5)
• Apparent deescalation of the situation and the Ruler's promise not to send tribesmen into the town (6)
• Warning from Burrows that reinforcements may be needed at late notice (7)
• Comments on demands put forward by the Shi'a community and the suggestion that Burrows examine the constitution question in detail and recommend to HMG what attitude to take to future pressure for constitutional reform in Bahrain (8)
• Review of events following the trial of 30 June (9)
• Allegations of discrimination against Iranian Shi'as (10)
• Account of peaceful celebrations of the Tenth of Muharram (11)
• Comments from the Bahrain Residency on the development of political agitation in October 1954 (12)
• Letter to Sheikh Salman from several Bahrainis expressing dissatisfaction at the administration and requesting new legislation [enclosed] (13)
• Publication of the names of the 'Administrative Committee' of Eight who signed a petition of national demands sent to the Ruler (14)
• Ruler's opposition to the establishment of a legislative council and his instructions that the Persian Gulf Gazette be converted into a weekly newspaper (15)
• Ruler's agreement to set up a committee to deal with the reform of public health and education, and to hear the views of the people, after encouragement from the Political Agent in Bahrain J W Wall in order to avoid strike (17)
• General strike following rejection of the government proclamation by the Higher Executive Committee, including: the proposal to begin on 4 December 1954; the possibility of the strike affecting essential services; the return of Burrows; situation reports and arrangements made for communication by talk and wireless; and the end of the strike (18-23)
• Sheikh Salman's proclamation announcing the appointment of a committee to investigate education, public security, public health and financial matters, but with disproportionate government representation (23)
• Discussion of tactics to persuade Sheikh Salman to allow some form of constitutional reform (24)