King Hussein bin Talal

Born in Amman on 14 November 1935, King Hussein received special attention from his grandfather, the Founding King Abdullah I. He completed his regular and military education at schools in Jordan and abroad, before being proclaimed King in 1952. He received constitutional powers on 2 May 1953, amidst a delicate phase in Arab and international conditions.

King Hussein was able to achieve the highest levels of development — especially in the political, economic and social fields. He became the builder of a moderate Jordan and succeeded in securing a decent life for his people. Under his leadership, Jordan continued to play its Arab, regional and international role ably and effectively, with keen prescience.

With a focus on ensuring that their gains benefit all regions and all segments of society, His Majesty worked to enhance Jordanians’ standard of living, in line with his motto: “The human being is our most precious asset,” which was the main driver of the country’s development plans.

King Hussein paid special attention to the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, whose soldiers fought valiantly in the immortal Karama Battle, emerging victorious on 21 March 1968 and restoring faith back to Arabs after the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.

Since it was impossible to hold parliamentary elections in the West Bank — which was part of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan — due to the Israeli occupation, advisory councils were created to fill the constitutional vacuum. Heeding the Palestinian brethren’s will to take over their own affairs, Jordan took the decision in 1974 at the Rabat conference to recognise the Palestine Liberation Organisation as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. This was followed by Jordan’s decision to disengage from the West Bank legally and administratively in 1988. The decision enabled the Kingdom to resume its constitutional democratic march in 1989, based on political pluralism, affirming the approach of shura and expanding the scope of political engagement to include women as voters and candidates.

On the regional and Arab levels, Jordan was among the founders of the Arab League and has since remained committed to its decisions. His Majesty King Hussein also played a pivotal role in ensuring Arab unity, promoting joint Arab work, and supporting Arab causes, especially core ones, such as the Palestinian cause.

His Majesty King Hussein, a man of great courage and deep foresight, wrote in his book “Mon Métier de Roi” (My Occupation as King): “For four generations, the Hashemites have fought for the same cause, goal and end. Sharif Hussein in Mecca was the first to raise the banner, then came King Abdullah and after him was my father. As for me, I am of the fourth generation that has been fighting for the same cause, goal and end.”

King Hussein has a collection of literary and political writings: “Uneasy Lies the Head,” “Our War with Israel” and “Mon Métier de Roi”.