23 Questions
Who was King Hussein bin Talal?
The longest-serving executive head of state in the world
What was King Hussein's legacy?
Openness, tolerance, and compassion
What did King Hussein focus on during his reign?
Building an economic and industrial infrastructure
What was the literacy rate in Jordan under King Hussein's leadership?
85.5%
What role did King Hussein play in promoting peace in the Middle East?
Drafting UNSC Resolution 242 and convening the Madrid Peace Conference
What was King Hussein's stance on democracy and human rights?
Committed to democracy, civil liberties, and human rights
When did Jordan hold parliamentary elections that were accredited internationally as among the freest and fairest ever held in the Middle East?
1989, 1993, and 1997
Who did King Hussein marry in 1978?
Queen Noor
What were some of King Hussein's hobbies?
Sports, aviation, and ham radio
What was King Hussein's legacy in Jordan?
A legacy of openness, tolerance, and compassion
What was King Hussein's focus during his leadership?
Building an economic and industrial infrastructure
What was the literacy rate in Jordan when King Hussein took office?
33%
What was King Hussein's role in promoting peace in the Middle East?
He promoted peace by drafting UNSC Resolution 242 and convening the Madrid Peace Conference
What was King Hussein's stance on democracy and human rights?
He was committed to democracy, civil liberties, and human rights
When did Jordan hold its parliamentary elections?
1989, 1993, 1997
How many sons and daughters did King Hussein have?
3 sons and 5 daughters
What was King Hussein's hobby?
Engaging in various sports activities
What did King Hussein do to promote political pluralism in Jordan?
He appointed a royal commission to draft a national charter
Who was Queen Zein al-Sharaf?
A pioneer in charitable works and women's rights in Jordan
What was Queen Zein's role in the political development of Jordan?
She took part in the writing of the 1952 Constitution that gave full rights to women
What did Queen Zein do to help Palestinian refugees in Jordan?
She led national relief efforts to help the tens of thousands of refugees
What was Queen Zein's connection to the Jordan National Red Crescent Society?
She was instrumental in establishing the women's branch of the society in 1948
What is Queen Zein al-Sharaf's legacy in Jordan?
She is a symbol to all Arab women of the balance between Islamic tradition and a modern outlook
Study Notes
Remembering King Hussein bin Talal, Father of Modern Jordan
- King Hussein bin Talal was the longest-serving executive head of state in the world at the time of his passing on February 7, 1999.
- He was born in Amman on November 14, 1935, to Prince Talal bin Abdullah and Princess Zein al-Sharaf bint Jamil.
- King Hussein established a legacy of openness, tolerance, and compassion, which promised to guide Jordan for many years to come.
- He focused on building an economic and industrial infrastructure, which complimented and enhanced the advances he wanted to achieve in the quality of life of his people.
- Under his leadership, Jordan's literacy rate increased from 33% in 1960 to 85.5% in 1996, and infant mortality rates decreased from 70 deaths per 1000 births in 1981 to 37 per 1000 in 1991.
- King Hussein played a pivotal role in promoting peace in the Middle East, including drafting UNSC Resolution 242 and convening the Madrid Peace Conference.
- He also worked to resolve disputes between Arab states, such as mediating in the Yemeni civil war and exerting efforts to peacefully effect an Iraqi withdrawal and restore the sovereignty of Kuwait.
- King Hussein was committed to democracy, civil liberties, and human rights, making Jordan a model state for the region with the most exemplary human rights record in the Middle East.
- In 1990, he appointed a royal commission representing the entire spectrum of Jordanian political thought to draft a national charter, which serves as a guideline for democratic institutionalization and political pluralism in the country.
- Jordan held parliamentary elections in 1989, 1993, and 1997, which were accredited internationally as among the freest and fairest ever held in the Middle East.
- King Hussein married Queen Noor in 1978, and they have two sons and two daughters. He also had three sons and five daughters from three previous marriages.
- King Hussein was an avid sportsman, accomplished aviator, motorcyclist, and race-car driver who also enjoyed water sports, skiing, and tennis. He was well-known to ham radio operators throughout the world as the friendly voice of "JY1".
How much do you know about King Hussein bin Talal, the father of modern Jordan? Test your knowledge with our quiz and learn about his legacy of openness, tolerance, and compassion. From his commitment to democracy and human rights to his pivotal role in promoting peace in the Middle East, King Hussein was a remarkable leader who left an indelible mark on Jordan and the world. Take the quiz now and discover fascinating facts about this extraordinary monarch.
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