Al-Abduljaleel and Al-Fadil: Kuwait and Britain... Roots Extending Since the 18th Century

- Fahad Al-Abduljalil: Britain left positive impacts on Kuwait across multiple fields

- Salah Al-Fadl: The transfer of the East India Company to Kuwait... strengthened ties with the British

The remarks by Al-Abduljalil and Al-Fadl were delivered during a lecture organized by the "Diwan Darb" Cultural Platform at the headquarters of the Kuwait Heritage Association. The event highlighted key milestones in the historical relations between Kuwait and Britain, aiming to connect new generations with the country’s heritage and introduce youth to Kuwait’s history and international relations.

The discussion was moderated by Badr Safar, head of the "Diwan Darb" Cultural Platform. The lecture was attended by a large gathering of University of Kuwait professors, historians, and heritage researchers, including Sheikha Abdulaziz Al-Rashid, and members of the Kuwait Heritage Association such as Saleh Al-Musbah, Hani Al-Asousi, and Nawaf Al-Asfour, alongside Jamila Sayed Ali, Secretary-General of the Kuwait Writers Association, among others.

Al-Abduljalil began by emphasizing that Kuwait-Britain relations did not begin with the signing of the British Protection Agreement in 1899, but rather with the activities of the British East India Company following the decline of Portuguese influence, which had previously dominated the region. This shift gave way to British and Dutch influence through their respective East India Companies.

Al-Abduljalil shed light on several important milestones in Kuwait-Britain relations, most notably the relocation of the East India Company’s headquarters from Basra to Kuwait.

He also discussed the British Protection Agreement, outlining the circumstances, motivations, and reasons behind Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah’s decision to sign it during that critical period, amid the dangers surrounding the country at the time. He pointed out visits by several British travelers to Kuwait, including James Puckingham, Stockley, and Louis Bell, head of the "Agency House" in Bushehr. Their memoirs and reports documented life in Kuwait, covering not only political aspects but also social and economic conditions, as well as architectural features through descriptions of the nature, forms, and shapes of buildings and houses. These accounts serve as an important source for understanding the characteristics of Kuwaiti life during that historical era.

He noted that Kuwait-Britain relations left positive impacts on Kuwait in the past across several fields. Politically, they contributed to providing Kuwait with protection against surrounding threats. Economically, these relations helped stimulate Kuwait’s commercial activity and strengthen its ties with West Indian ports, which were among the most important British colonies at the time. This had a positive effect on Kuwait’s trade and maritime navigation, opening broader horizons for Kuwaiti merchants in commercial exchange.

Meanwhile, Al-Fadl touched upon the nature of the historical relationship between Kuwait and Britain, both at the individual and official levels, highlighting key milestones that contributed to the emergence and development of these ties.

He noted that individual-level beginnings date back to Dr. Edward Ives, who met with the "Sheikh of Qurain" (Kuwait as pronounced by the British at the time) on Failaka Island and requested that he transport goods from Basra to Aleppo.

He clarified that in 1775, when Karim Khan Zand laid siege to Basra, practical relations between Kuwait and the East India Company began to emerge more clearly. Ships, trade, and mail were redirected to Kuwait; while they had previously dealt with Zubair and Basra, Karim Khan Zand’s occupation of the latter compelled them to turn toward Kuwait, thereby strengthening ties between Kuwait and the British, or the East India Company.

He added that 1793 marked another milestone in the history of these relations, with the East India Company’s agency relocating to Kuwait, where it remained for two years. This move enhanced direct communication and helped consolidate relations between Kuwait and Britain.

Al-Fadil did not fail to recall the story of “Discon House,” which the British agency rented in Kuwait. He explained its role from around 1904 until the departure of the last British political agent, noting that the house was named after British political agent Harold Dixon, who served in Kuwait from 1929 to 1936. Dixon preferred residing in this house after obtaining permission from the ruler at the time to use it as his residence, which was granted. He remained in the house until his death in the late 1950s. Following his death, his wife, Violet Dixon—known in Kuwait as “Umm Saud”—applied for and received permission to continue residing there, staying in the house until the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990. Al-Fadil added that “Umm Saud” was expelled from the house and transferred to Britain, where she lived until her death. According to Al-Fadil, she was deeply attached to Kuwait and wished to die and be buried there, but the circumstances of the invasion prevented her from fulfilling her wish.

Following the lecture, a documentary exhibition was held, featuring members of the board of directors, Saleh Al-Musbah and Hani Al-Osaie, who presented a collection of historical artifacts and documents.

Al-Musbah stated that the exhibition included a diverse range of books, magazines, newspapers, and stamp albums documenting various aspects of Kuwait’s history and its relations with Britain. He pointed out that among the exhibits was the magazine “Al-Fursiya,” the cover of one of whose issues featured Queen Elizabeth II and dated back to 1979.

For his part, Al-Osaie said he participated in the exhibition with a collection of his personal items, which included original documents and correspondence from the era of Sheikh Mubarak Al-Kabeer. These included exchanges between him and the British agents of that period, as well as correspondence with agents in Khorramshahr, Iraq, and Kuwait.

Al-Osaie also presented several documents related to Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, including an invitation from British Political Agent in Kuwait, Maurice Tandey, in 1945, inviting the ruler of Kuwait, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, his family, and Kuwaiti officials to attend a New Year’s celebration.

For his part, Badr Safar, head of the “Diwan Darb” platform, described the platform as a Kuwaiti student youth newspaper. He noted that he founded it during his secondary school studies and continued to develop it even after enrolling in university. He explained that “Darb” evolved over time to become a space bringing together secondary school students, university students, and employees in both government and civil sectors.

During his remarks, Al-Fadil drew attention to the British Political Agency in Kuwait, noting that formal relations began after the signing of the British Protection Agreement in 1899, leading up to the arrival of the first British political agent in Kuwait, Major Stewart George Knox, in 1904.