King Hussein bin Talal

1935-1999

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On February 7th, 1999, King Hussein bin Talal, reigning monarch of Jordan, died after a long battle with cancer. Within hours of his death, and according to his father's will, his 37 y.o. son Abdullah was sworn in as king, pledging forthwith to preserve King Hussein's legacy. Most world leaders attended his funeral, but most striking of all was the absolute disarray of the people of Jordan. Obviously, this man of peace, this proud Muslim in a time when many are focused only on the images of fundamentalism, and this resolutely modern monarch, was doing something right. Jungle Echoes would like to give its readers a brief biography and chose to illustrate the man, not only the king, by sharing some of his thoughts on topics most of us also ponder on. There is also a gallery of portraits that shows the journey of this great statesman and fascinating human being.

King Hussein was the longest serving executive head of state in the world today. A symbolic leader to Muslims throughout the world, he was also the 42nd generation direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. He was born in Amman on November 14, 1935, to Prince Talal bin Abdullah and Princess Zein al-Sharaf bint Jamil.

Early in his youth, and on July 20, 1951, his grandfather King Abdullah was martyred at al-Aqsa mosque in al-Quds (Jerusalem). On September 6, 1951, King Abdullah's eldest son, King Talal assumed the throne. He was soon followed by his eldest son, Hussein, who was proclaimed King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on August 11, 1952. A Regency Council was appointed until King Hussein's formal accession to the throne on May 2, 1953, when he took over his constitutional powers after reaching the age of 18 according to the Islamic calendar. King Hussein married Queen Noor on June 15, 1978.

King Hussein concentrated on building an economic and industrial infrastructure that was modern, and always strove to improve the quality of life of his people. He cared for his people and was revered in return. Recently, when he saw how bad conditions were in a Jordanian orphanage, he was said to have moved the orphans into one of his palaces so that they would not have to live in squalor, and ordered a new orphanage to be built to house the children.

Regionally, he was a pivotal figure of the Middle-East peace negotiations, advocating justice for all parties involved, often at the risk of his own life. He also constantly worked to resolve disputes among Arab states. During the 1990-91 Gulf Crisis, he exerted vigorous efforts to peacefully achieve an Iraqi withdrawal and restore the sovereignty of Kuwait.

He once said, on Communication

I have always believed that the road to peace lies in genuine understanding between peoples. The more we know about one another, the more we come to realize that, in fact, we are not so different after all. As a truly global medium of communication, the Internet is helping to replace barriers of misunderstanding with bridges of cooperation and friendship.

On Islam and Religion

I had realized from the outset that vanity was a fatal affliction and that the only life worth adhering to, was one representing a journey of struggle in the service of exalted values and noble aims, one that recognizes that every living soul will meet its destined end, for which there always is a good account. When the time comes, no hour could be postponed or brought forward. The true believer is he who has faith in the one God who has no partners, he who respects the rights and freedoms of others, he who has lived his life in submission to God's will, in gratitude for His countless blessings and in the conviction that man can only do his best by fulfilling his mission with honor and rectitude and through beseeching God, ruler of the heavens and earth, to honor him with a verdict in his favor by generations to come.

Address to the Nation

Amman

November 5, 1992

 

What does a man seek in this world? A position, or a throne? Man seeks peace of mind and the fear of Almighty God. As long as one knows that there is a judgement day, he tries to keep his conscience clear and do what he can. People's trust is very dear, and one must be up to it, not by trying to do what pleases people everywhere and on every occasion, but by doing what satisfies one's conscience. All what we hope for is that a day will come, when we have all gone, when people will say that this man has tried, and his family tried. This is all there is to seek in this world.

Fundamentalism as it is called is not confined to the Muslim world. It is something that we have seen in different parts of the world. Let us hope that a dialogue between the followers of the three great monotheistic religions could help in putting an end to this.

Interview with Euronews Television

July 1, 1995

 

Our religion does not discriminate according to color, sex or anything else. What counts is piety and faith.

Address on the 45th Anniversary of King Hussein's Assumption of his Constitutional Powers

Amman

May 3, 1998

 

In general, I believe the judgment that we receive comes after our death, based on what we have done in this life. It has to do with the Almighty, and also with the judgment of people after we are gone. I'm not for excess in anything, including so-called freedom. But I would never appoint myself a judge; to say that because I disapprove of how someone has behaved he is no longer a Muslim. That is something that is beyond me or anyone else . . .

I don't think that individual leaders have the right to determine who lives and who dies. There are many ways of examining these matters. I do not stand with much that is decreed, and sometimes followed up by action, along these lines. I've read what Rushdie has written and it was very deeply offensive and very deeply objectionable. But I would not sanction murder and wouldn't expect anyone I know to do that.

Interview with Milton Viorst

"The Hashemite Option"

Chapter 10 of In the Shadow of the Prophet, 1998

 

On Peace Based on Justice

Peace cannot be achieved unless we are equals and based on mutual respect and true desire for its establishment so that the future generations can benefit from it. It is not a matter of bargaining over small matters. The issue at hand is far bigger, and its dangers are real.

Interview with Radio Monte Carlo/Agence France Presse

August 11, 1995

Peace which results from negotiations is permanent because it is the outcome of mutual understanding and accommodation between the parties to the conflict, but without sacrificing rights or deviating from the principle of international legitimacy. For peace to be permanent it must be balanced and not governed by a disparity between the materially strong and weak. It must be founded on the basis of right and justice and the common good of those who conclude it. This will, therefore, insure that future generations will reap its benefits and will protect it.

Address to the Jordanian National Congress

Amman

October 12, 1991

 

On the Rights of Women and Children

I am totally against the idea that a Muslim woman should not have the same opportunities as a Muslim man to learn, to open up, to work, help shape the future. To close Islam down to a sexist approach is totally intolerable and ridiculous. It's not Islam.

Interview with Milton Viorst

"The Hashemite Option"

Chapter 10 of In the Shadow of the Prophet, 1998

 

The role of women today has become more important and crucial than at any other time. The Jordanian woman has excelled in the field of education and succeeded in different professions and contributions in the various organizations. Her support of official efforts to serve society and develop the countryside has become stronger. She also began to take part in the political life, becoming an important pillar of the democratic structure. This is why we must all pay serious attention to some of the dangerous phenomena that remain a source of women's suffering, and which-unfortunately-constitute an inhuman violation of their basic rights. The most serious and dangerous of those is the visible and hidden violence, which was the focus of many international conferences. This does not befit our Arab and Islamic society: the society of solidarity. It is a flagrant contradiction with our ongoing calls to preserve human dignity and all human rights.

Speech from the Throne

Opening of the Thirteenth Parliament

Amman

November 29, 1997