King Abdullah II
From BlogJordan
His Majesty, King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein.(Arabic:الملك عبدالله الثاني ابن الحسين), King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. His Majesty assumed his constitutional powers as Monarch of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on February 7th, 1999, the day his father, the late King Hussein, passed away[1].
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[edit] Heritage
Born in Amman on January 30th, 1962, King Abdullah II is the eldest son of His Majesty the late King Hussein and Her Royal Highness Princess Muna Al Hussein. The King Abdullah II Official Website also notes that His Majesty is:The 43rd generation direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)[2]
[edit] Education
As a young man, the King attended the Islamic Educational College in the Jordanian capital for his primary education, later attending St. Edmund's School (Hindhead) in Surrey, England. King Abdullah subsequently attended Eaglebrook School and Deerfield Academy in the United States for his secondary education.[2]
His Majesty attended the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service of Georgetown University, where he completed an advanced studies and research program as a mid-career fellow in the Master of Science in Foreign Service program in 1987. He graduated from the Georgetown Leadership Seminar in that same year.[1]
[edit] Military Service
King Abdullah II then entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (U.K.) in 1980 and was commissioned as second Lieutenant in spring of 81. He then served as a Reconnaissance Troop Leader in the 13/18th Royal Hussars Regiment (British Army) in the U.K. (and West Germany).
From 1985 to 1993 he served mainly in the Armourd Corps (3rd Division) in all related command appointments at platoon, company and as battalion second in command positions, until finally commanding the Second Armoured Battalion, 40th Armoured Brigade with the rank of lieutenant Colonel from January 1992 to January 1993. During this period he attended several military courses in the U.S. and the U.K. including Staff College Camberley (U.K.) 1990-1991. He also has several attachments to the Special Forces and a year as a tactics instructor with Jordan Army's Anti-Tank, Cobra Helicopter Wing.
The beginning of 1993 saw him as Deputy Commander of Jordanian Special Forces till he took full command in November 1993. He commanded these forces till October 1996, when he was instructed to re-organize this and other elite units into the Special Operations Command (SOCCOM). In 1998, as SOCCOM Commander, he was promoted to the rank of Major General and continued this command until the passing away of His Majesty King Hussein in February 1999.
In addition to his career as an army officer, King Abdullah II served Jordan many times in the official capacity of Regent in the absence of the late King Hussein, and regularly traveled on official missions. He was proclaimed Crown Prince on the 24th of January 1999 by a Royal Decree. He had also assumed the position of Crown Prince at birth by a Royal Decree until April 1st, 1965. [2]
[edit] Marriage and Children
King Abdullah II is married to a Jordanian of Palestinian origin, Queen Rania al-Abdullah, who is renowned for her philanthropic work. They have four children:
- Prince Hussein bin Al Abdullah II (born June 28, 1994)
- Princess Iman bint Al Abdullah II (born September 27, 1996)
- Princess Salma bint Al Abdullah II (born September 26, 2000)
- Prince Hashem bin Al Abdullah II (born January 30, 2005)
The King also has four brothers and six sisters.
[edit] Political Achievements
Since his ascension to the throne, King Abdullah II has continued his late father's commitment to creating a strong and positive moderating role for Jordan within the Arab region and the world, and has worked towards the establishment of a just and lasting comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. King Abdullah II is committed to building on the late King's legacy to further institutionalize democratic and political pluralism in Jordan. He has exerted extensive effort to insuring sustainable levels of economic growth and social development aimed at improving the standard of living of all Jordanians. He is also working towards modernizing Jordan's information technology and educational systems.
Under King Abdullah's reign, Jordan was admitted to the World Trade Organization, and ratified agreements for the establishment of a Free Trade Area with the United States of America, the European Union, the European Free Trade Association countries, and sixteen Arab countries. King Abdullah II has also been involved in the drive for national administrative reform, as well as governmental transparency and accountability. He has been working on the advancement of civil liberties making Jordan one of the most progressive countries in the Middle East. Also, he has been involved in enacting the necessary legislations that guarantee women a full role in the Kingdom's socio-economic and political life.
[edit] Personal Interests
King Abdullah II holds a number of decorations from various countries. He is a qualified frogman, pilot and a free-fall parachutist. His other interests include automobile racing, water sports, scuba diving and collecting ancient weapons and armaments.[2]
King Abdullah is an acknowledged fan of the science fiction saga Star Trek. In 1995, while he was still a Prince, he appeared in the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Investigations".[1]
King Abdullah is an alumnus of Jeff Cooper's Orange Gunsite shooting school, in Paulden, Arizona, United States.
[edit] References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 His Majesty King Abdullah II Wikipedia Page
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 His Majesty King Abdullah II Official Website
