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Husein Ibn 'ali

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"HUSEIN IBN 'ALI (1856-), Emir or Sherif of Mecca and first King of the Hejaz, came of the `Abadila clan of the Ashraf ( see 2.262) and was grandson of the first `Abadila Emir, u ho died in 1858. He was born at Constantinople, but at the age of eight was taken to Mecca, where he followed a course of Moslem studies. He began his official career by assisting successive Sherifs, `Abdulla and Husein (his uncles), in administration; but on the death of the latter in 1884 he acted in opposition to the succeeding Sherif 'Alin er Rafiq - a favourite of `Abdul Hamid and Emir from 1882 to 1905 - and was eventually (1895) sent to Constantinople. He became a member of the Imperial Ottoman Council. On the death of Sherif `Ali, successor of 'Nun, Husein's uncle, `Abdulla, was nominated to the Sherifate by the Porte, but he died on his way to Mecca and Husein was appointed in 1908 in his place. He at first showed a semblance of zeal on behalf of the suzerain Turks, but in reality desired the emancipation of the emirate of Mecca. He openly pursued an anti-Turkish policy from about 1913, and by 1916, seconded by able sons, had become the de facto power in the Hejaz, with wide influence outside. In June 1916, after the success of the Arab revolt against the Turks under his leadership, he assumed the title of " Sultan of Arabia," but later in the year, with the approval of the Allies, he was proclaimed " King of the Hejaz," a title indicating more accurately the extent of his territorial rule. In Aug. 1916 he issued a proclamation to the Moslem world justifying his claim to independence. King Husein showed considerable zeal for administrative reform in the Hejaz, notably in the public works, health, postal and telegraphic, and customs departments. He was present at a banquet which he gave to the representatives of the foreign Powers at Jidda, Feb. 1919, to celebrate the victorious conclusion of the war, and in other ways showed himself not averse to intercourse with non-Moslem Europeans. His four sons were the Emirs `Ali, `Abdulla, Faisal and Zeid ( see Arabia) .