BOOK REVIEWS

FACES IN SHEM by D. Van der Meulen; published by John Murray, 50, Albemarle Street, London, W. 1; 194 pp; price Sh. 21/-.

Shem, one of the three sons of Noah, was the father of the Arabs, according to tradition. That explains the name of the book; for it is an account of the people of Arabia the author met, while in the Dutch diplomatic service posted as Consul at Jedda to look after the Indonesian pilgrims to the Haj from Java and other parts of Indonesia, when that country was a Dutch colony.

This is a readable book. What makes it so is the author’s gift how to weave a good story and tell it in a simple storytelling style which puts the reader at ease and makes him read more and more of it. And incidentally, without letting you feel it, it gives you an insight into how life in that little-known part of the world moves. It is a world of contrasts, grinding poverty side by side with medieval pomp and splendour, camel-caravans side by side with Cadillacs. The pictures with which it is profusely illustrated lend additional charm to the book, giving the reader a glimpse into how people in the Biblical region of Yaman and Saudi Arabia live and dress and pray, and what interests are especially dear to them.

To a Muslim reader the most interesting part of the book is the author’s encounter with a Saudi Governor, his hospitality, his interrogations about how people in the West think about Islam, the Muslim prayer and so forth, and the author’s replies. This shows the deep interest which the dwellers of the desert of Arabia take in religion.

In addition to Arabs or Yemenites the book tells about the white man whom love of adventure or diplomatic service took to those shores. Snouck Hurgronjie, the noted Dutch Orientalist, embraced Islam to satisfy his curiosity to visit the Kaaba, forbidden to non-Muslims. Another Dutchman, Pieter Hendrik van der Hoog did the same, adopting the name Abdul-Ali. A Russian diplomat, Karim Sokolov, had not many pilgrims to look after because the Soviet Government did not encourage its Muslim subjects stepping out of the iron curtain. His main job was to carry on anti-imperialism propaganda among the pilgrims from the colonial countries. Though a scoffer at God and religion, Sokolov was for once shaken out of his communist dope when his son died at Jedda. He never believed in life after death, he said, but “when I had a son (dead) I began to believe that life would not end thus”.

OIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST by Stephen Hemsley Longrigg; Oxford University Press ; 401 pp. price Sh. 35/-.

The author, Brigadier Longrigg has had a long connection with the Middle East countries, covering 40 years, in various capacities as a civil servant, a military officer, including 20 years as executive officer of one of the great oil companies. With this intimate knowledge, he takes the reader into the interesting story of the petroleum development in the Middle East, its impact on the economy and life of the indigenous population, and its repercussions on international politics.

The book is inspired by the idea to educate both the oil companies operating in the Middle East countries and the governments and peoples of those countries in their mutual rights and obligations, to the advantage of both. “The more each of the two parties can conduct its part it the joint enterprise”, the author pleads, “with good sense, honesty and understanding, the better for both”.

He goes on to warn “failure by either must grievously damage the fortunes of both”. The study covers all the Middle East countries from Egypt to Persia and includes Cyprus and Turkey. Those in any way connected with the oil industry would, of course, find the book an indispensable addition to their library, but even a layman should find the story of one of the richest wealth of the modern times, playing such a vital role, in the development of industry and economy and political alignments, should find it something or the greatest romance of this scientific age.

M.Y. Khan

(The Light – September 24, 1961)