JOASMI. Of the maritime chiefs of the Persian Gulf with whom the British Government have concluded treaties, are the Joasmi chief of Ras-ul Khyma, and Shargah, the chief of the Ban-i-As tribo of Abu-thabee or Bu Debaye, the chief of the Bu Filasa tribe of Debaye, a branch of the Bahija, and the chiefs of Amalgavine and Ejman. The possessions of these chiefs extend from Ras ul-Khyma along the coast westward beyond the island of Bahrein. The Joasmi have occupied the province of Seer from the earliest times, and carried on a vigorous and profitable trade by sea, till, in 1805, they succumbed to the influence of the Wahabee religionists, and were drawn into the piratical projects of that turbulent sect. Under their influence the Joasmi plundered two British vessels, and treated the commanders with great cruelty. An expedition was sent to the Persian Gulf to punish them for this aggression, and to co-operate with the Imam of Muscat, who was then at war with them. The expedition resulted in the, conclusion of a treaty on the Gth February 1806, binding the Joasmi to respect the flag and property of the British, and to assist vessels touching on their coast. The spread of the Wahabee in Oman soon threatened the Imam of Muscat with destruction, and the British Govern ment determined to support him and to destroy the piratical fleets as the only means of preserving the peace of the Gulf. A strong British force was despatched in 1809, which took Ra.s-ul Kliyina,, Ling,a, Luft, and Shinar, and destroyed the boats of the pirates. But piracy soon recom menced. In 1814, the Joasmi tribe wished to be at peace with the British provided they were allowed to war with Arabs. But they were quite unable to make good their professions. Even after the negotiation of preliminary articles of peace with the resident at Bushir, the Joasmi attacked and plundered British vessels. Other tribes were soon drawn under the Wahabee in fluence, and piracy increased beyond endurance. A second expedition was fitted out, and sailed from Bombay on the 1st November 1819. The naval part of it consisted of several British ships of war, the Company's cruisers under the com mand of Captain T. Collier ; and the land forces amounted to about 3000 European and Native troops, under the command of Major-General Sir William Grant Keir. This expedition reduced
Ras-ul-Khyma, the principal stronghold of the pirates, which had been carefully fortified and was vigorously defended ; and also the hill fort of Zyah, which was likewise well defended by a veteran Wahabee, deeply imbued with the boldness and character of that sect. Ras-ul-Khyma was taken on 9th December, and engagements were made with the Arab chiefs preliminary to the con clusion of a general treaty in 1820. By the 9th article, the carrying off of slaves from the coasts of Africa or elsewhere, and the transporting them in vessels, was declared to be plunder and piracy. Thereafter, it was renewed annually till 1843, when it was prolonged for ten years. On the expiry of tho ten years' truce in 1853, a treaty of perpetual peace was concluded, which provided that there should be a complete cessation of hostilities at sea between the subjects of the sub scribing parties.—Treaties, vii. p. 239 ; Fraser's Khorasan; Skinner's Jour. ii. 223 ; Wellsted, i. 257.
JOB. Close to the village of Es Sadiyen are the tomb and fountain of Job, the former being a mukam or shrine, to which pilgrims from all parts repair. Africans come in great numbers from the Soudan, and the shrine is under the care of some 200 Negroes, who are exempt from taxation. The ruins of an ancient temple stand upon a mound near the tomb of Job, which Mr. Oliphant thinks has been successively a Phcenician temple of Baal, a Roman temple, a Christian church, and a Muslim house of prayer. A monolith, the top of which has been broken off, was formely the well known emblem of Baal. The name of Astaroth, the principal female divinity of the Phoenicians, survives in the names of two adjacent villages, called Ashtereh and Tell Asherah. This was the country of the Amorites, who served Baaliin and Asherah.' Ashtereh, a village, was visited by Captain Newbold in 1846. The book of Job is a protest against the accepted Hebrew view which considered all afflictions as tokens of the divine displeasure. It thus runs directly counter to the most cherished Jewish prejudices, and could only obtain admission into the canon by being provided with a prologue and epilogue at variance with the true tendency of the work, and the interpolation of the speeches of Jehovah and Elihu.