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Abdullah II
  • عبدالله الثاني
King Abdullah II (cropped).jpg
Abdullah II in 2020
King of Jordan
Reign 7 February 1999 – present
Enthronement 9 June 1999
Predecessor Hussein
Heir apparent Hussein
Born (1962-01-30) 30 January 1962 (age 63)
Amman, Jordan
Spouse
​
(m. 1993)​
Issue
Detail
Full name
Abdullah bin Hussein bin Talal bin Abdullah
House Hashemite
Father Hussein of Jordan
Mother Muna Al Hussein
Religion Sunni Islam
Signature Abdullah II عبدالله الثاني's signature
Military career
Service/branch
  • Royal Jordanian Army
  • Royal Jordanian Navy
  • Royal Jordanian Air Force
Years of service 1982–present
Rank Field Marshal
Commands held Commander-in-chief

Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein (born on January 30, 1962) is the current King of Jordan. He became king on February 7, 1999. He is part of the Hashemite family, which has ruled Jordan since 1921. His family is believed to be direct descendants of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

King Abdullah is well-liked in Jordan and around the world. He is known for keeping Jordan stable and for encouraging talks between different religions. He also promotes a peaceful understanding of Islam. He has been recognized as one of the most influential Muslims globally. Abdullah is also the protector of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. His family has held this important role since 1924.

Early Life and Education

King Hussein and Princess Muna with sons 1964 (cropped)
Prince Abdullah (age 2) and Prince Faisal with their parents, King Hussein and Princess Muna, in 1964

Abdullah was born on January 30, 1962, in Amman, Jordan. His parents were King Hussein and Princess Muna Al-Hussein. He was named after his great-grandfather, Abdullah I, who founded modern Jordan.

His family, the Hashemites, ruled Mecca for over 700 years. They have ruled Jordan since 1921. The Hashemites are the oldest ruling family in the Muslim world. They are believed to be descendants of Prophet Muhammad's daughter, Fatimah.

Abdullah was the eldest son of King Hussein. This meant he was expected to become king. However, due to political reasons, his uncle, Prince Hassan, was named heir for a time.

Abdullah started school in Amman in 1966. He later studied in England and the United States. He attended St Edmund's School, Eaglebrook School, and Deerfield Academy.

He has four brothers and six sisters. Seven of them are his half-siblings.

Military Career

King Abdullah II of Jordan as a young prince in 1973
Abdullah, age 11, during a 1973 visit to the Royal Jordanian Air Force headquarters

Abdullah began his military training in 1980 at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England. After that, he served in the British Army for a year.

In 1982, he studied Middle Eastern affairs at Pembroke College, Oxford. When he returned to Jordan, he joined the Royal Jordanian Army. He served in various roles, including platoon commander and tank company commander. He also trained to fly Cobra attack-helicopters.

In 1987, Prince Abdullah studied international affairs at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He continued to rise through the ranks in the Jordanian military.

In January 1993, Abdullah met Rania Al-Yassin at a dinner. They got engaged two months later and married in June.

By 1994, Abdullah was a brigadier general. He took command of Jordan's Special Forces. He reorganized them into the Joint Special Operations Command. In 1998, he became a major general. He led a successful operation to catch outlaws.

Becoming King

As the king's oldest son, Abdullah was the heir to the throne. But in 1965, King Hussein named Abdullah's uncle, Prince Hassan, as his heir instead. However, just weeks before his death in 1999, King Hussein changed his mind. He named Abdullah as his heir. Abdullah then became king after his father passed away.

Leading Jordan

Abdullah II
Abdullah welcomed by US Secretary of Defense William Cohen during his first visit to the United States as king in 1999

When King Abdullah became ruler, he worked to make Jordan's economy more open. His changes helped the economy grow until 2008. After that, Jordan faced challenges. These included a global economic slowdown and problems from the Arab Spring protests in nearby countries. Jordan's oil supply was cut, and trade with neighbors decreased.

In 2011, protests for change spread across the Arab world. While some countries faced civil wars, King Abdullah quickly responded to unrest in Jordan. He changed the government and made reforms to the constitution. These changes aimed to improve public freedoms and elections.

Jordan also faced big challenges from regional instability. This included a large number of Syrian refugees coming into the country. Also, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) became a threat.

Jordan protests November 2012
16 November 2012 Arab Spring demonstration in Amman against a later-revoked government decision to cut fuel subsidies
Barack Obama and Abdullah II
Abdullah and U.S. President Barack Obama in the Oval Office in Washington, D.C., 26 April 2013
P20210719AS-1209 (51420125798)
Abdullah and Crown Prince Hussein with US President Joe Biden in July 2021

Economic Progress

King Abdullah has worked hard to improve Jordan's economy. Jordan is a small country with limited natural resources like water and oil. This means it often relies on help from other countries.

Under King Abdullah, Jordan started programs to boost its economy. He helped attract money from other countries. He also supported the growth of special economic zones, like Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority. These efforts helped Jordan's economy grow much faster between 2004 and 2008.

The King of Jordan, 2013
Abdullah speaking during a session of the World Economic Forum in Davos, 25 January 2013

Abdullah signed a free-trade agreement with the United States. This was the first such agreement between the US and an Arab country. It greatly increased Jordan's exports to the United States. Jordan's foreign debt also decreased significantly. These efforts have made Jordan one of the freest economies in the Arab world.

The King also started programs to help Jordanians get housing. He created awards to encourage good citizenship and excellence in different fields. To fight unemployment, he focused on training programs for a skilled workforce.

However, Jordan's economy faced difficulties in the 2010s. Attacks on an Egyptian gas pipeline caused energy problems. The Great Recession and regional conflicts hurt Jordan's tourism sector. The large number of Syrian refugees also added to the country's costs. Despite these challenges, tourism began to recover in 2017.

Political Changes

In his early years, King Abdullah focused more on the economy than on political changes. But after the Arab Spring, he introduced new laws for elections in 2012. These laws allowed for more representation in the Jordanian parliament.

Several changes were made to the constitution. These changes aimed to limit some of the king's powers. They also created a constitutional court and an Independent Election Commission. Laws on human rights and freedom of speech were also improved.

In 2017, an organization called Freedom House said Jordan became "partly free." This was because of changes to election laws that made parliamentary elections fairer.

King Abdullah also formed a committee to improve Jordan's justice system. This led to better protection for women against violence and improved trial procedures. A new law for people with disabilities was also passed.

In 2017, local elections were held for new councils. These councils were created to give more power to local communities. This allows citizens to have a greater say in local decisions.

In 2021, King Abdullah announced a new committee. Its goal was to update Jordan's political system. The committee suggested new laws for political parties and elections. It also proposed changes to the Jordanian constitution. These changes aimed to strengthen parliament and empower women and youth. In 2022, the parliament approved these constitutional reforms. They included improving women's rights and lowering the age for elected officials.

Military Strength

Because of his own military background, King Abdullah believes in having a strong army. He focuses on "quality over quantity." He created the Jordan Design and Development Bureau. This company helps develop military technology for the Jordanian Armed Forces.

He has modernized the army. Jordan has acquired advanced weapons and improved its F-16 fighter jets. The King sometimes even trains with the Jordanian army in live drills.

Energy Future

Tafila Wind Farm 1
The 117 MW Tafila Wind Farm, inaugurated by Abdullah in 2014, is the largest onshore wind farm in the Middle East.

Problems with the Egyptian gas pipeline caused financial strain for Jordan's electrical company. This led King Abdullah to push for a plan to find new energy sources for Jordan.

Jordan has a lot of uranium. In 2007, Abdullah said Jordan plans to build nuclear reactors to create electricity. In 2016, he opened Jordan's first nuclear facility. It trains students in nuclear engineering.

Jordan also has a lot of sunshine and good wind speeds. The country has built large wind farms and solar energy projects. Jordan aims to get 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.

In 2016, Jordan signed a deal to import natural gas from Israel. This deal was controversial for some. Separately, Abdullah opened a port in Aqaba in 2015 to import liquefied natural gas (LNG). Using LNG for electricity saves Jordan money and is better for the environment.

Religious Leadership

Our faith, like yours, commands mercy, peace and tolerance. It upholds, as yours does, the equal human dignity of every person – men and women, neighbours and strangers. Those outlaws of Islam who deny these truths are vastly outnumbered by the ocean of believers – 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide. In fact, these terrorists have made the world's Muslims their greatest target. We will not allow them to hijack our faith.

Abdullah's 15 March 2015 speech before the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France

After the September 11 attacks, King Abdullah issued the Amman Message in 2004. This statement encouraged Muslim scholars worldwide to reject terrorism and promote religious tolerance. It aimed to show the true, peaceful nature of Islam. In 2005, 200 leading Islamic scholars adopted this message.

In 2010, Abdullah presented the Amman Message to the United Nations General Assembly. He suggested a World Interfaith Harmony Week. This idea was accepted. It is now an annual event in February to promote peace among different faiths.

Israel-2013(2)-Jerusalem-Temple Mount-Dome of the Rock (SE exposure)
The Dome of the Rock and other Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem are in the custody of Abdullah, a position held by his dynasty since 1924.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem has been under the care of Abdullah's family since 1924. This role, called Hashemite custodianship, means they protect Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. King Abdullah I, Abdullah II's great-grandfather, even helped put out a fire at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in 1949. The Hashemites have restored the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock four times.

In 2013, an agreement was signed between the Palestinian Authority and Abdullah to confirm this role. In 2014, Jordan recalled its ambassador to Israel due to tensions at Al-Aqsa Mosque. The ambassador returned after restrictions were eased.

In 2016, King Abdullah funded the restoration of the Tomb of Jesus in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This important site had not been touched since 1947. It reopened in 2017 after the renovation. In 2017, Abdullah also donated money to the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, which manages the Al-Aqsa mosque.

In 2014, King Abdullah welcomed Pope Francis to Jordan. This was the third time a Pope visited during his reign.

Leaders of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre praised King Abdullah in 2018. They thanked him for defending religious freedom and protecting Christian sites in Jerusalem.

Successor

On November 28, 2004, King Abdullah removed the title of crown prince from his half-brother, Prince Hamzah. Abdullah had appointed Hamzah as crown prince in 1999, following his father's advice.

In a letter, Abdullah explained that this symbolic role limited Hamzah's freedom. On July 2, 2009, Abdullah appointed his own son, Prince Hussein, as the new Crown Prince.

Personal Life

King Abdullah met Rania Al-Yassin in January 1993. They got married on June 10, 1993. King Abdullah and Queen Rania have four children:

  • Crown Prince Hussein (born June 28, 1994)
  • Princess Iman (born September 27, 1996)
  • Princess Salma (born September 26, 2000)
  • Prince Hashem (born January 30, 2005)

Crown Prince Hussein married Rajwa Al Saif on June 1, 2023. Princess Iman married Jameel Alexander Thermiótis on March 12, 2023.

Interests and Hobbies

King Abdullah enjoys many hobbies. These include skydiving, motorcycling, water sports, and collecting old weapons. He is also a big fan of the science-fiction series Star Trek. In 1996, he even had a small, non-speaking role in an episode of Star Trek: Voyager.

The King actively promotes tourism in Jordan. He even appeared as a tour guide for a Discovery Channel show called Jordan: The Royal Tour. In the show, he mentioned that he is no longer allowed to skydive since becoming king. He has also ridden his Harley-Davidson motorcycle through northern California.

His brother, Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, who leads the Jordan Football Association, says the King is the biggest fan of the Jordan national football team. King Abdullah's interest in movies led him to create the Red Sea Institute of Cinematic Arts in Aqaba. When the movie Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen was filmed in Jordan, Abdullah helped by sending military helicopters to move equipment to Petra. In 2016, he honored the cast of Theeb, the first Jordanian film nominated for an Oscar.

Abdullah also likes stand-up comedy. He invited comedians like Gabriel Iglesias and Russell Peters to dinner when they visited Jordan for a comedy festival. In 2013, a video of him helping push a car stuck in snow went viral. Another video in 2017 showed him helping put out a fire near the royal palace.

Titles, Honours and Awards

Titles

  • January 30, 1962 – March 1, 1965: His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Jordan
  • March 1, 1965 – January 24, 1999: His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah of Jordan
  • January 24, 1999 – February 7, 1999: His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Jordan
  • February 7, 1999 – present: His Majesty the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Honours

National honours

  •  Jordan:
    • JOR Al-Hussein ibn Ali Order BAR.svg Grand Master of the Order of Al-Hussein bin Ali
    • JOR Order of the Renaissance GC.SVG Grand Master of the Supreme Order of the Renaissance
    • JOR Order of the Hashemite Star ribbon.svg Grand Master of the Order of the Hashemite Star
    • Order of Military Gallantry (Jordan).png Grand Master of the Order of Military Gallantry
    • Order of the Star of Jordan - Grand Cordon.png Grand Master of the Order of the Star of Jordan
    • Order of Independence - Grand Cordon (Jordan).png Grand Master of the Order of Independence
    • Order of Military Merit (Jordan) - Grand Cordon.png Grand Master of the Order of Military Merit
    • JOR Order of the Al-Hussein GC.svg Grand Master of the Order of Al Hussein
    • Order of King Abdullah II.jpg Founding Grand Master of the Order of King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein for Excellence
    • Order of the State Centennial.jpg Founding Grand Master of the Order of the State Centennial
    • Al-Hussein Medal for Excellence.gif Sovereign of the Al-Hussein Medal of Excellence
    • Long Service Medal.gif Sovereign of the Long Service Medal
    • Medal of Leadership Competence (Jordan).png Sovereign of the Administrative & Leadership Competence Medal
    • Medal for Administrative and Technical Competence.gif Sovereign of the Administrative & Technical Competence Medal
    • Medal of Training Competence (Jordan).png Sovereign of the Administrative & Training Competence Medal

Foreign honours

Honorary degrees

  • January 1, 2001: Doctorate in political sciences, University of Jordan.
  • September 3, 2004: Doctorate, International Relations Institute in Moscow.
  • March 21, 2005: Doctor of Humane Letters for socioeconomic development in Jordan and promoting interfaith dialogue, Georgetown University.
  • December 15, 2005: Doctorate in political sciences, Chulalongkorn University in Thailand.
  • June 4, 2008: Doctorate in civil law, University of Oxford.
  • November 8, 2011: Doctorate in humanitarian sciences for efforts in defending Jerusalem's holy sites, Al-Quds University (represented by Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas).

Honorary military appointments

United Kingdom United Kingdom
  • United Kingdom Since August 19, 2003: Colonel-in-Chief of The Light Dragoons, British Army

Awards

  • March 16, 2002: Young Presidents Organisation's Global Leadership Award (California).
  • September 30, 2003: Sorbonne Association for Foreign Policy award for political courage in France.
  • October 20, 2003: Pioneer in E-Business award, Arab Business magazine (United Arab Emirates).
  • April 16, 2004: INFORUM 21st-Century Award from the Commonwealth Club of California, awarded to young leaders who strive for positive change.
  • June 9, 2004: Golden Shield Award (Chicago) for efforts to stabilize the Middle East.
  • June 2004: Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award for Achievement.
  • On March 21, 2005: Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award, United Nations.
  • June 21, 2005: Simon Wiesenthal Center Tolerance Award.
  • December 21, 2005: Golden Medal of Athens Award.
  • May 8, 2007: Peacemaker Award, Seeds of Peace.
  • October 8, 2016: Peace of Westphalia Prize, Germany; German president Joachim Gauck said that Abdullah and the Jordanians set "standards for humanity" with their response to the refugee crisis.
  • November 16, 2016: Peace prize (Kazakhstan) for contributions to security and nuclear disarmament.
  • January 19, 2017: Abu Bakr Al Siddeiq Medal (First Class) from the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organisation for Jordan's support of the Palestinian people and efforts on behalf of Syrian refugees.
  • June 27, 2018: Templeton Prize for promoting inter-faith dialogue, the awarding statement said that Abdullah "has done more to seek religious harmony within Islam and between Islam and other religions than any other living political leader."
  • November 21, 2019: Scholar-Statesman Award from The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
  • May 9, 2022: Path to Peace award from the Path to Peace Foundation of the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations.

Ancestors

See Also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Abdalá II de Jordania para niños

  • List of things named after King Abdullah II
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