30 January 1962: King Abdullah II of Jordan was born
Abdullah was born on 30 January 1962 at Palestine Hospital in Amman,
to King Hussein and Hussein's British-born second wife, Princess
Muna Al-Hussein (born Antoinette Avril Gardiner).
He is the namesake of his paternal great-grandfather, Abdullah I, who
founded modern Jordan.
King Hussein and his wife Queen Muna
Family
Abdullah's dynasty, the Hashemites, ruled Mecca for over 700 years—from
the 10th century until the House of Saud conquered Mecca in 1925—and
have ruled Jordan since 1921.
The Hashemites are the oldest ruling dynasty in the Muslim world.
According to family tradition, Abdullah is the 41st-generation agnatic
descendant of Muhammad's daughter Fatimah and her husband, Ali,
the fourth Rashidun caliph.
As Hussein's eldest son, Abdullah became heir apparent to the Jordanian
throne under the 1952 constitution.Political instability caused
King Hussein to appoint an adult heir in his place, choosing Abdullah's
uncle Prince Hassan in 1965.
Abdullah has four brothers and six sisters: Princess Alia, Prince Faisal,
Princess Aisha, Princess Zein, Princess Haya, Prince Ali, Prince Hamzah,
Prince Hashem, Princess Iman and Princess Raiyah;
seven of them are paternal half-siblings.
Education
Abdullah began his schooling in 1966 at the Islamic Educational
College in Amman, and continued at St Edmund's School in England.
He attended high school at Eaglebrook School and Deerfield Academy in
the United States.
Military & Education
He began his military career at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1980,
while he was a training officer in the Jordanian Armed Forces.
After Sandhurst, Abdullah was commissioned as a second lieutenant
in the British Army and served a year in Britain and West Germany as a
troop commander in the 13th/18th Royal Hussars.
while he was a training officer in the Jordanian Armed Forces.
After Sandhurst, Abdullah was commissioned as a second lieutenant
in the British Army and served a year in Britain and West Germany as a
troop commander in the 13th/18th Royal Hussars.
Abdullah was admitted to Pembroke College, Oxford, in 1982,
where he completed a one-year special-studies course in
Middle Eastern affairs.
where he completed a one-year special-studies course in
Middle Eastern affairs.
He joined the Royal Jordanian Army on his return home, serving as first
lieutenant and then as platoon commander and assistant commander of a
company in the 40th Armored Brigade.
lieutenant and then as platoon commander and assistant commander of a
company in the 40th Armored Brigade.
Abdullah took a free-fall parachuting course in Jordan, and in 1985
he took the Armored Officer's Advanced Course at Fort Knox.
He became commander of a tank company in the 91st Armored Brigade,
with the rank of captain. Abdullah also served with the
Royal Jordanian Air Force's anti-tank helicopter wing, receiving
training to fly Cobra attack-helicopters.
he took the Armored Officer's Advanced Course at Fort Knox.
He became commander of a tank company in the 91st Armored Brigade,
with the rank of captain. Abdullah also served with the
Royal Jordanian Air Force's anti-tank helicopter wing, receiving
training to fly Cobra attack-helicopters.
The prince then attended the Edmund A. Walsh School of
Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., in 1987,
undertaking advanced study and research in international affairs.
Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., in 1987,
undertaking advanced study and research in international affairs.
He returned home to serve as assistant commander of the 17th
Royal Tank Battalion in 1989, later being promoted to major.
Abdullah attended a staff course at the British Staff College in 1990,
and served the following year in the Office of the Inspector General
of the Jordanian Armed Forces as the Armored Corps representative.
Royal Tank Battalion in 1989, later being promoted to major.
Abdullah attended a staff course at the British Staff College in 1990,
and served the following year in the Office of the Inspector General
of the Jordanian Armed Forces as the Armored Corps representative.
He commanded a battalion in the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in
1992 and was promoted to colonel the following year, commanding the
40th Brigade.
1992 and was promoted to colonel the following year, commanding the
40th Brigade.
In 1994 Abdullah assumed command of Jordan's Special Forces and of
other elite units as a brigadier general, restructuring them into the
Joint Special Operations Command two years later.
other elite units as a brigadier general, restructuring them into the
Joint Special Operations Command two years later.
He became a major general, attended a course in defence-resources
management at the American Naval Postgraduate School
and commanded an elite special-forces manhunt in the pursuit of outlaws
in 1998.The operation reportedly ended successfully, with his name
chanted on the streets of Amman.
management at the American Naval Postgraduate School
and commanded an elite special-forces manhunt in the pursuit of outlaws
in 1998.The operation reportedly ended successfully, with his name
chanted on the streets of Amman.
Love and Marriage
Abdullah met Rania Al-Yassin, a marketing employee at Apple Inc. in Amman,
at a dinner organized by his sister Princess Aisha in January 1993.
They became engaged two months later, and their marriage took place in June.
at a dinner organized by his sister Princess Aisha in January 1993.
They became engaged two months later, and their marriage took place in June.
King Abdullah and Queen Rania have four children:
Crown Prince Hussein (born 28 June 1994),
Princess Iman (born 27 September 1996),
Princess Salma (born 26 September 2000)
Crown Prince Hussein (born 28 June 1994),
Princess Iman (born 27 September 1996),
Princess Salma (born 26 September 2000)
and Prince Hashem (born 30 January 2005)
Reign
Abdullah joined his father on a number of missions, including
meetings abroad with Soviet and American leaders.
meetings abroad with Soviet and American leaders.
He was occasionally King Hussein's regent during the 1990s but
this duty was mainly performed by Hussein's younger brother,
Crown Prince Hassan. Abdullah led his father's delegation to Moscow
for talks in 1987.
this duty was mainly performed by Hussein's younger brother,
Crown Prince Hassan. Abdullah led his father's delegation to Moscow
for talks in 1987.
On 24 January 1999, two weeks before his death, Hussein surprised
everyone—including Abdullah who thought he would spend his life in
the military—by replacing Hassan with his son as heir apparent.
everyone—including Abdullah who thought he would spend his life in
the military—by replacing Hassan with his son as heir apparent.
The king died of complications of non-Hodgkin lymphoma on
7 February 1999. His 47-year reign extended through four turbulent
decades of the Arab–Israeli conflict and the Cold War.
7 February 1999. His 47-year reign extended through four turbulent
decades of the Arab–Israeli conflict and the Cold War.
Several hours after the announcement of his father's death, Abdullah
appeared at an emergency session of the Jordanian parliament.
appeared at an emergency session of the Jordanian parliament.
Hussein's two brothers, Hassan and Mohammed, walked ahead of
him as he entered the assembly.
him as he entered the assembly.
In Arabic, he swore the oath taken by his father almost
fifty years earlier: "I swear by Almighty God to uphold the constitution
and to be faithful to the nation".
fifty years earlier: "I swear by Almighty God to uphold the constitution
and to be faithful to the nation".
Duty
Abdullah cracked down on the Hamas presence in Jordan in November 1999
after pleas from the United States, Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
The crackdown occurred during peace talks between Israel and the
Palestinian Authority.
Palestinian Authority.
The September 11 attacks in 2001 on American targets were fiercely
condemned by Abdullah. With the George W. Bush administration
planning an attack on Iraq,accusing Saddam Hussein of possessing
weapons of mass destruction, Abdullah opposed American intervention.
In March 2003, during a meeting with George W. Bush at the White House,
condemned by Abdullah. With the George W. Bush administration
planning an attack on Iraq,accusing Saddam Hussein of possessing
weapons of mass destruction, Abdullah opposed American intervention.
In March 2003, during a meeting with George W. Bush at the White House,
Abdullah tried to dissuade the president from invading Iraq.
Al-Qaeda in Iraq founder Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi claimed responsibility
for a terrorist attack in Amman on 9 November 2005. It was the deadliest attack
in Jordan's history.
in Jordan's history.
Russian president Vladimir Putin visited Jordan for the first time in February 2007
and was welcomed by Abdullah.The leaders discussed prospects for the
Israeli–Palestinian peace process, Iran's nuclear program and violence in Iraq.
and was welcomed by Abdullah.The leaders discussed prospects for the
Israeli–Palestinian peace process, Iran's nuclear program and violence in Iraq.
Abdullah established King's Academy near Madaba, the Middle East's
first boarding school, in 2007 in appreciation of the education he received
at Deerfield Academy.
first boarding school, in 2007 in appreciation of the education he received
at Deerfield Academy.
In 2007, it was reported that Jordan hosted 800,000 Iraqi refugees
who fled the insurgency following the American invasion; most have
who fled the insurgency following the American invasion; most have
returned to Iraq.
In 2008, Abdullah became the first Arab head of state to visit Iraq after the 2003
American invasion. The visit was amid Sunni Arab concerns of growing
Iranian influence in Iraq.
Iranian influence in Iraq.
Arab Spring
The Tunisian Revolution in December 2010 (which unseated that
country's president) brought Egyptians into the streets, and by January
2011 they overthrew president Hosni Mubarak.
country's president) brought Egyptians into the streets, and by January
2011 they overthrew president Hosni Mubarak.
Protests in other Arab countries soon followed, resulting in civil wars in
Libya, Syria and Yemen. In Jordan, opposition groups including
the Muslim Brotherhood, leftists, and retired army generals protested
throughout the country.By 1 February 2011, domestic unrest prompted
Abdullah to sack Samir Rifai's government and pledged to follow a
democratic trajectory. The 2011–12 Jordanian protests were driven
by complaints about a troubled economy: soaring prices,
widespread unemployment and a relatively low standard of living.
Libya, Syria and Yemen. In Jordan, opposition groups including
the Muslim Brotherhood, leftists, and retired army generals protested
throughout the country.By 1 February 2011, domestic unrest prompted
Abdullah to sack Samir Rifai's government and pledged to follow a
democratic trajectory. The 2011–12 Jordanian protests were driven
by complaints about a troubled economy: soaring prices,
widespread unemployment and a relatively low standard of living.
Although some called for an end to the monarchy, most protesters' anger was
directed at politicians viewed as undemocratic, corrupt and unaccountable.
directed at politicians viewed as undemocratic, corrupt and unaccountable.
Demonstrators called for the dissolution of the parliament which had been
elected three months earlier in November 2010, when pro-regime figures
won a majority of seats.
The Jordanian monarchy was the first Arab regime to offer political concessions
during the Arab Spring. Marouf Bakhit was appointed prime minister, but protests
continued throughout the summer; Bakhit was seen as a conservative unlikely to
push for reform.Dissatisfied with the pace of reform, Abdullah sacked Bakhit's
government and appointed Awn Khasawneh to form a cabinet.
continued throughout the summer; Bakhit was seen as a conservative unlikely to
push for reform.Dissatisfied with the pace of reform, Abdullah sacked Bakhit's
government and appointed Awn Khasawneh to form a cabinet.
War in Syria
The March 2011 outbreak of the Syrian Civil War forced masses of
refugees across Jordan's border with Syria—about 3,000 refugees per day in
the war's early stages.
the war's early stages.
In December 2012, Abdullah was the first head of state to visit the West Bank after
a United Nations General Assembly vote upgraded the Palestinian Authority
to a nonmember observer state.
Shortly after Jordan joined the international coalition against ISIL in
mid-September 2014, the country's security apparatus foiled a terror plot targeting
civilians in Jordan.
mid-September 2014, the country's security apparatus foiled a terror plot targeting
civilians in Jordan.
During a January 2016 BBC interview, Abdullah said that Jordan is at the
"boiling point" because of the Syrian refugee influx, Jordan claims
more than a million Syrians have sought refuge in Jordan.
"boiling point" because of the Syrian refugee influx, Jordan claims
more than a million Syrians have sought refuge in Jordan.
According to Abdullah, "For the first time, we can't do it any more."
Abdullah established a close cooperation between Jordan and the
International Labour Organization (ILO). Between 2013 and 2015,
the ILO started programs in Jordan to support working opportunities for
refugees in Jordan. In 2016, Jordan signed the Jordan Compact, which
improved legal employments opportunities for refugees.
International Labour Organization (ILO). Between 2013 and 2015,
the ILO started programs in Jordan to support working opportunities for
refugees in Jordan. In 2016, Jordan signed the Jordan Compact, which
improved legal employments opportunities for refugees.
Travel to America
After Donald Trump's inauguration as United States president on 20 January 2017,
Abdullah traveled to the US on an official visit. He was worried about the new
administration's positions on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, specifically, issues
relating to Israeli settlements. Abdullah met Trump briefly at the National
Prayer Breakfast on 2 February, and reportedly convinced him to change
his policy towards Israeli settlements.
Abdullah traveled to the US on an official visit. He was worried about the new
administration's positions on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, specifically, issues
relating to Israeli settlements. Abdullah met Trump briefly at the National
Prayer Breakfast on 2 February, and reportedly convinced him to change
his policy towards Israeli settlements.
On 25 June 2018, Abdullah made another official visit to Washington, DC.
He was hosted by President Trump at the White House and they discussed
"terrorism, the threat from Iran and the crisis in Syria, and working towards
a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians".
He was hosted by President Trump at the White House and they discussed
"terrorism, the threat from Iran and the crisis in Syria, and working towards
a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians".
After Joe Biden won the 2020 United States presidential election, Abdullah
was the first Arab leader to congratulate Biden for his victory.
On 19 July 2021, during a two-week visit to the US, Abdullah was received at the
White House by President Joe Biden.They discussed the Middle East conflict, the
battle against COVID-19, and the relationship between Jordan and the US.
Abdullah was the first leader from the Middle East to visit the White House
since Biden's inauguration on 20 January 2021.
White House by President Joe Biden.They discussed the Middle East conflict, the
battle against COVID-19, and the relationship between Jordan and the US.
Abdullah was the first leader from the Middle East to visit the White House
since Biden's inauguration on 20 January 2021.
Troubles in the royal family
In April 2021, Abdullah ordered the arrest of his half-brother, Prince Hamzah
bin Hussein, and twenty other courtiers for what was called "sedition".
bin Hussein, and twenty other courtiers for what was called "sedition".
Hamzah's removal as crown prince by Abdullah has been cited as a
possible factor. 18 other Jordanian figures were arrested as well, including Abdullah's
controversial former Chief of Staff, former Saudi Arabian envoy and Royal
Court Chief Bassem Awadallah. Royal family member Sharif Hassan Bin Zaid,
possible factor. 18 other Jordanian figures were arrested as well, including Abdullah's
controversial former Chief of Staff, former Saudi Arabian envoy and Royal
Court Chief Bassem Awadallah. Royal family member Sharif Hassan Bin Zaid,
who is hardly known in Jordan and whose father now resides in Saudi Arabia,
would be among those arrested as well.
would be among those arrested as well.
On April 7, King Abdullah II spoke publicly for the first time since the alleged
coup and hinted that the Jordanian royal feud was over, stating that the “sedition”
that caused him “pain and anger” was now buried and that Hamzah was now "
in his palace under my protection."Abdullah also stated that the crisis began
when Jordan's military chief of staff paid a visit to Hamzah and warned him to
stop attending meetings with critics of the government.
coup and hinted that the Jordanian royal feud was over, stating that the “sedition”
that caused him “pain and anger” was now buried and that Hamzah was now "
in his palace under my protection."Abdullah also stated that the crisis began
when Jordan's military chief of staff paid a visit to Hamzah and warned him to
stop attending meetings with critics of the government.
Russia
On 23 August 2021, during a visit to Russia, Abdullah met with Russian
president Putin in Moscow.They discussed the latest developments in
Afghanistan and a "normalization" of Syria. Abdullah thanked Putin for
Russia's support for Jordan and its provision of anti-COVID vaccines.
president Putin in Moscow.They discussed the latest developments in
Afghanistan and a "normalization" of Syria. Abdullah thanked Putin for
Russia's support for Jordan and its provision of anti-COVID vaccines.
Diplomatic meetings and calls
In early September 2021, Abdullah and Israeli president Isaac Herzog discussed
sustainability, climate crisis and energy in an unannounced meeting.
sustainability, climate crisis and energy in an unannounced meeting.
On 3 October 2021, Abdullah held a telephone conversation with Syrian
president Bashar al-Assad, the first contact since the start of the Syrian civil war.
They discussed bilateral relations after Amman fully opened borders with Syria.
president Bashar al-Assad, the first contact since the start of the Syrian civil war.
They discussed bilateral relations after Amman fully opened borders with Syria.
On 5 January 2022, Abdullah met with Israeli Minister of Defense Benny
Gantz in Amman.They discussed regional stability and bilateral ties.
Gantz in Amman.They discussed regional stability and bilateral ties.
Personal life & hobby's
Abdullah has listed skydiving, motorcycling, water sports and collecting
ancient weapons as his interests and hobbies, and is a fan of the science-fiction
series Star Trek.
ancient weapons as his interests and hobbies, and is a fan of the science-fiction
series Star Trek.
He reportedly motorcycled through northern California on a Harley-Davidson.
Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, one of Abdullah's brothers and president of the
Jordan Football Association, has said that the king is the Jordan national
football team's biggest fan.
Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, one of Abdullah's brothers and president of the
Jordan Football Association, has said that the king is the Jordan national
football team's biggest fan.
Abdullah also enjoys stand-up comedy. The King published his autobiography,
Our Last Best Chance: The Pursuit of Peace in a Time of Peril, in 2010.
Our Last Best Chance: The Pursuit of Peace in a Time of Peril, in 2010.
He documents the first decade of his rule in a manner similar to his father's
1962 book, Uneasy Lies the Head. Abdullah's book contains insights into his
childhood and behind-the-scenes accounts of encounters with political figures
childhood and behind-the-scenes accounts of encounters with political figures
Kamala Harris with King Abdullah II and his son Crown Prince
Tourism
The king promotes tourism in Jordan, and was a tour guide for Discovery Channel
travel host Peter Greenberg on Jordan: The Royal Tour.In the program, Abdullah said
that he is no longer permitted to skydive since he became king.
travel host Peter Greenberg on Jordan: The Royal Tour.In the program, Abdullah said
that he is no longer permitted to skydive since he became king.
Wealth
Abdullah owns an international network of real estate properties, valued in excess of
$100 million. His ownership of the properties was disguised through a series of
offshore companies incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. Abdullah's property
empire was disclosed in the Pandora Papers leak, which revealed ownership of three
contiguous oceanfront estates in the Point Dume area of Malibu, and properties in
Washington, D.C., London and Ascot. His lawyers denied any misuse of public
funds or tax evasion and stated that they were bought from the monarch's private
wealth and through offshore companies for security and privacy reasons.
$100 million. His ownership of the properties was disguised through a series of
offshore companies incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. Abdullah's property
empire was disclosed in the Pandora Papers leak, which revealed ownership of three
contiguous oceanfront estates in the Point Dume area of Malibu, and properties in
Washington, D.C., London and Ascot. His lawyers denied any misuse of public
funds or tax evasion and stated that they were bought from the monarch's private
wealth and through offshore companies for security and privacy reasons.
Conclusion
In 2008, I almost had the chance to visit Jordan. It's still on the to visit wishlist.
Jordan is a country with a fascinating past and present. I hope it will stay a
beacon of peace and light in the Middle East.
beacon of peace and light in the Middle East.
Source pictures: Wikipedia + book cover
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