59 At 09.15 AM, the commander of the Deptford arrived at Sharjah Fort to reciprocate the Sheikh’s visit. At 10.15 AM, the military ship left to Dubai to meet the Sheikhs there. At 3.00 PM, it returned to Sharjah. In the evening, the ship’s commander visited the Political Agent in the Agency House where he –together with his escorting officers- had tea. This was followed by a visit to the R.A.F rest house in Sharjah Aerodrome. At 06.00 am on 19 October 1937, HMS Deptford departed from Sharjah to Um al-Quwain. At 08.00 AM, the ship’s commander met with Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid al-Mu’alla, Ruler of Um al-Quwain in the former’s reception hall. One of the local dignitaries attending the reception pointed at Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid and said “I can see that you are still inviting Christians to come over; we do not want Christians in our emirate.” The Sheikh of Um al-Quwain was much composed in his meeting with the ship’s commander than he previously had been, and as the commander was leaving, the Sheikh told him not to pay any attention to what the man had said. In Ras al-Khaimah, Sheikh Sultan bin Salem al-Qasimi, could not be there to meet with the ship’s commander, as he had travelled to some internal areas in his territories. The brother, SheikhMuhammad bin Salem al-Qasimi, substituted for his brother. However, the ship’s commander commented that the Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah was not there on purpose, in order not to meet British commanders.5 In November 1938, the Sharjah government officials were discussing the visit of the Political Resident in the Gulf, Bushire. This time, things were different from before, when the General Consul in Bushire was the one in charge of all the affairs of the Gulf, starting from Ahwaz to the borders of India. But now, the Gulf had been divided into Persian and Arabian. The Persian side was under the jurisdiction of the Political Agent in Bushire. This meant that his power extended over 2500 miles, fromKuwait to Zafar (between Muscat and Aden). In this region, the responsibilities of the Resident became much greater, as he was accountable to both the British Government and the Indian Government. It was difficult to say that those 5 Ibid., L.P.&S/12/3843, pp.163−4, L.P.&S/12/3626, P.Z.3664/1937, L.P.&S/12/3843, pp.163−164. SHARJAH AND PALESTINE
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