L'Emir Magid Arslan
Encyclopedia
Emir
Majid Toufic Arslan (in Arabic
الأمير مجيد توفيق أرسلان) (born February 1908 in Choueifat
, Lebanon
— died September 18, 1983 in Khaldeh, south of Beirut
) was a Lebanese
Druze
leader and head of one of the two traditional feudal Druze ruling families, the Arslans against the rival family, the Jumblatts. Emir
Majid Arslan was the leader of the Yazbaki (Arslan affiliations) faction. Majid Arslan was a national political figure with a role in Lebanon's independence, a long-running Member of the Lebanese Parliament and a government minister for many times with a number of important ministerial portfolios, most notably Defense, Health, Telecommunications, Agriculture and Justice.
Majid studied at the notorious French school, Mission Laique Francaise
.
In 1932, he married his cousin, Emira Lamiss Shehab. She bore him two sons: Toufic (1935 — 2003) and Faysal (1941 - 2009).
In 1956, after his first wife’s death, Prince
Majid remarried Princess Khawla Jumblatt. She bore him three daughters (Zeina, Rima, and Najwa) and a son, Prince Talal Arslan, current Head of the House of Arslan and leader of the Druzes
.
He was known for his exceptional skills in horsemanship and would often exercise his hobby in a southern village El Mageedieh (3 km²), named after him.
After World War I, in 1918, the French established control over Lebanon by virtue of a League of Nations Mandate.
In 1943, the leaders of the country together with the ministers held a national convention and drew up a National Pact stating that:
On 10 November 1943, the French retaliated by arresting the Lebanese President Bechara El Khoury
, Prime Minister Riad Solh and ministers Camille Chamoun
, Adel Osseiran
and Abdul Hamid Karami
.
The French used Senegalese mercenaries to transport these political prisoners to Rashaya
Fort in the Beqaa Valley
.
Ministers Majid Arslan, Sabri Hamadé and Habib Abi Shahla escaped the arrest because they were not in their homes that night.
On 11 November, 1943, Arslan, Hamadeh and Abi Shahla created the “Government of Free Lebanon” with Habib Abi Shahla as Prime Minister and Majid Arslan as Head of National Guard.57
Their headquarters were in Bechamoun
, a village 30 km from Beirut
.
Majid Arslan grouped around him men and artillery in an armed rebellion and was ready to fight the French troops.
Meanwhile, disturbances and riots raged all over Lebanon.
The Deputies held a secret session during which they drew and signed on a new flag that they handed over to the cabinet of Bshamoun.
On 21 November 1943, Due to riots, open strikes, the armed rebellion of Arslan and the interference of Arab and Western states (mainly Britain), the political prisoners were released. 3
The freed prisoners passed by Bechamoun
on their way back home, to thank the rebels. There, they sang the Lebanese National Hymn and Majid Arslan knelt in front of the Lebanese flag and kissed it.
On 22 November 1943, Lebanon was proclaimed an independent state.
Emir
Emir , meaning "commander", "general", or "prince"; also transliterated as Amir, Aamir or Ameer) is a title of high office, used throughout the Muslim world...
Majid Toufic Arslan (in Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
الأمير مجيد توفيق أرسلان) (born February 1908 in Choueifat
Choueifat
Choueifat is a suburb southeast of Beirut in Lebanon. The town is a Druze and Christian enclave that lies on the eastern side of Beirut's airport...
, Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
— died September 18, 1983 in Khaldeh, south of Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
) was a Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
Druze
Druze
The Druze are an esoteric, monotheistic religious community, found primarily in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, which emerged during the 11th century from Ismailism. The Druze have an eclectic set of beliefs that incorporate several elements from Abrahamic religions, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism...
leader and head of one of the two traditional feudal Druze ruling families, the Arslans against the rival family, the Jumblatts. Emir
Emir
Emir , meaning "commander", "general", or "prince"; also transliterated as Amir, Aamir or Ameer) is a title of high office, used throughout the Muslim world...
Majid Arslan was the leader of the Yazbaki (Arslan affiliations) faction. Majid Arslan was a national political figure with a role in Lebanon's independence, a long-running Member of the Lebanese Parliament and a government minister for many times with a number of important ministerial portfolios, most notably Defense, Health, Telecommunications, Agriculture and Justice.
Personal life
Emir Majid Arslan was the son of Emir Toufic Arslan who helped found Greater Lebanon in 1920. He had three brothers (Nouhad, Riad, Melhem) and a sister (Zahia). EmirEmir
Emir , meaning "commander", "general", or "prince"; also transliterated as Amir, Aamir or Ameer) is a title of high office, used throughout the Muslim world...
Majid studied at the notorious French school, Mission Laique Francaise
Mission laïque française
The Mission laïque française , or "French lay mission", is a non-profit organization that works to spread the French language and culture by creating and running schools outside of France.-School network:...
.
In 1932, he married his cousin, Emira Lamiss Shehab. She bore him two sons: Toufic (1935 — 2003) and Faysal (1941 - 2009).
In 1956, after his first wife’s death, Prince
Prince
Prince is a general term for a ruler, monarch or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family, and is a hereditary title in the nobility of some European states. The feminine equivalent is a princess...
Majid remarried Princess Khawla Jumblatt. She bore him three daughters (Zeina, Rima, and Najwa) and a son, Prince Talal Arslan, current Head of the House of Arslan and leader of the Druzes
Druze
The Druze are an esoteric, monotheistic religious community, found primarily in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, which emerged during the 11th century from Ismailism. The Druze have an eclectic set of beliefs that incorporate several elements from Abrahamic religions, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism...
.
He was known for his exceptional skills in horsemanship and would often exercise his hobby in a southern village El Mageedieh (3 km²), named after him.
Parliament
Emir Majid Arslan ran for parliamentary elections in 1931 and won the Druze seat of Aley Cazaa district. His allies also won the elections. From 1931 until his death in 1983, he and his allies would win all the parliamentary elections of 1934, 1937, 1943, 1947, 1951, 1953, 1957, 1960, 1964, 1968 and 1972.Cabinet
Over a period of 35 years, Emir Majid Arslan held various ministerial posts.- October 1937: Minister of AgricultureAgriculture ministryAn agriculture ministry or department of agriculture is a ministry or other government agency charged with agriculture. The ministry is often headed by a minister for agriculture....
- September 1943: Minister of HealthHealth ministerA health minister is the member of a country's government typically responsible for protecting and promoting public health and providing welfare and other social security services....
& DefenseDefence ministerA defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations... - July 1944: Minister of HealthHealth ministerA health minister is the member of a country's government typically responsible for protecting and promoting public health and providing welfare and other social security services....
& DefenseDefence ministerA defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations... - May 1946: Minister of HealthHealth ministerA health minister is the member of a country's government typically responsible for protecting and promoting public health and providing welfare and other social security services....
& DefenseDefence ministerA defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations... - December 1946: Minister of Telecommunications & DefenseDefence ministerA defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations...
- June 1947: Minister of Telecommunications & DefenseDefence ministerA defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations...
- July 1948: Minister of AgricultureAgriculture ministryAn agriculture ministry or department of agriculture is a ministry or other government agency charged with agriculture. The ministry is often headed by a minister for agriculture....
& DefenseDefence ministerA defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations... - October 1949: Minister of DefenseDefence ministerA defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations...
- February 1954: Minister of HealthHealth ministerA health minister is the member of a country's government typically responsible for protecting and promoting public health and providing welfare and other social security services....
& DefenseDefence ministerA defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations... - July 1955: Minister of DefenseDefence ministerA defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations...
- March 1956: Minister of DefenseDefence ministerA defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations...
- November 1956: Minister of HealthHealth ministerA health minister is the member of a country's government typically responsible for protecting and promoting public health and providing welfare and other social security services....
& Minister of AgricultureAgriculture ministryAn agriculture ministry or department of agriculture is a ministry or other government agency charged with agriculture. The ministry is often headed by a minister for agriculture.... - August 1957: Minister of Telecommunications & DefenseDefence ministerA defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations...
- March 1958: Minister of AgricultureAgriculture ministryAn agriculture ministry or department of agriculture is a ministry or other government agency charged with agriculture. The ministry is often headed by a minister for agriculture....
- August 1960: Minister of DefenseDefence ministerA defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations...
- October 1961: Minister of DefenseDefence ministerA defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations...
- October 1968: Minister of DefenseDefence ministerA defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations...
& Justice - January 1969: Minister of DefenseDefence ministerA defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations...
- November 1969: Minister of DefenseDefence ministerA defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations...
- May 1969: Minister of DefenseDefence ministerA defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations...
- July 1973: Minister of StateMinister of StateMinister of State is a title borne by politicians or officials in certain countries governed under a parliamentary system. In some countries a "minister of state" is a junior minister, who is assigned to assist a specific cabinet minister...
- October 1974: Minister of HealthHealth ministerA health minister is the member of a country's government typically responsible for protecting and promoting public health and providing welfare and other social security services....
- July 1975: Minister of HealthHealth ministerA health minister is the member of a country's government typically responsible for protecting and promoting public health and providing welfare and other social security services....
& AgricultureAgriculture ministryAn agriculture ministry or department of agriculture is a ministry or other government agency charged with agriculture. The ministry is often headed by a minister for agriculture....
& Housing
Lebanon’s 1943 independence
Emir Majid Arslan was the leader of the independence of Lebanon in 1943 when the president Bechara El Khoury with fellow ministers were taken to prison to Rachaya by the French. 1 7After World War I, in 1918, the French established control over Lebanon by virtue of a League of Nations Mandate.
In 1943, the leaders of the country together with the ministers held a national convention and drew up a National Pact stating that:
- Lebanon is an independent country with an Arab aspect,
- Lebanon is to be led by neither East nor West,
- No to Colonialism,
- Religious sects are to be represented in ministries and all governmental posts,
- The Lebanese government should bring under its control customs, railways and the RegieRegie CompanyThe Regie Company was a parastatal company formed in the later Ottoman Empire by the Ottoman Public Debt Administration, with backing from a consortium of European banks. The company had a monopoly over tobacco production. Revenue from the Regie Company was supposed to help overcome the Ottoman...
tobacco monopoly. - The Lebanese government should supervise and control its borders.
On 10 November 1943, the French retaliated by arresting the Lebanese President Bechara El Khoury
Bechara El Khoury
Bechara El Khoury was the first post-independence President of Lebanon, holding office from 21 September 1943 to 18 September 1952, apart from an 11-day interruption in 1943...
, Prime Minister Riad Solh and ministers Camille Chamoun
Camille Chamoun
Camille Nimr Chamoun was President of Lebanon from 1952 to 1958, and one of the country's main Christian leaders during most of the Lebanese Civil War ....
, Adel Osseiran
Adel Osseiran
Adel Osseiran was a prominent Lebanese politician and statesman, a former Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, and one of the founding fathers of the Lebanese Republic....
and Abdul Hamid Karami
Abdul Hamid Karami
Abdul Hamid Karami was a Lebanese political and religious leader.Karami descended from one of the most prominent Sunni Muslim families in Lebanon. Members of his family traditionally held the position of mufti of Tripoli, Lebanon. Abdul Hamid Karami became mufti of Tripoli but was removed by the...
.
The French used Senegalese mercenaries to transport these political prisoners to Rashaya
Rashaya
Rashaya , also known as Rashaya al-Wadi is a town in Lebanon, situated in the Rashaya District and south of the Beqaa Governorate. It is located on the slopes of Mount Hermon, south east of Beirut near the Syrian border, and approximately halfway between Jezzine and Damascus...
Fort in the Beqaa Valley
Beqaa Valley
The Beqaa Valley is a fertile valley in east Lebanon. For the Romans, the Beqaa Valley was a major agricultural source, and today it remains Lebanon’s most important farming region...
.
Ministers Majid Arslan, Sabri Hamadé and Habib Abi Shahla escaped the arrest because they were not in their homes that night.
On 11 November, 1943, Arslan, Hamadeh and Abi Shahla created the “Government of Free Lebanon” with Habib Abi Shahla as Prime Minister and Majid Arslan as Head of National Guard.57
Their headquarters were in Bechamoun
Bechamoun
Bchamoun is a village in Aley District in the Mount Lebanon Governorate of Lebanon. It has an elevation between 40m and 580m above sea level, 12km from airport and Beirut . Bchamoun main population was 5000, but now it exceeds 15000...
, a village 30 km from Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
.
Majid Arslan grouped around him men and artillery in an armed rebellion and was ready to fight the French troops.
Meanwhile, disturbances and riots raged all over Lebanon.
The Deputies held a secret session during which they drew and signed on a new flag that they handed over to the cabinet of Bshamoun.
On 21 November 1943, Due to riots, open strikes, the armed rebellion of Arslan and the interference of Arab and Western states (mainly Britain), the political prisoners were released. 3
The freed prisoners passed by Bechamoun
Bechamoun
Bchamoun is a village in Aley District in the Mount Lebanon Governorate of Lebanon. It has an elevation between 40m and 580m above sea level, 12km from airport and Beirut . Bchamoun main population was 5000, but now it exceeds 15000...
on their way back home, to thank the rebels. There, they sang the Lebanese National Hymn and Majid Arslan knelt in front of the Lebanese flag and kissed it.
On 22 November 1943, Lebanon was proclaimed an independent state.
See also
- Prince Talal Arslan
- Princess Zeina Talal ArslanPrincess Zeina Talal Arslan-Personal life:Princess Zeina Arslan is the wife of Prince Talal Arslan, son of Lebanese independence hero Emir Majid Arslan II and Head of the House of Arslan which includes the Lakhmid throne of Al-Hira....
- Prince Majid Talal Arslan
- Lebanese Independence DayLebanese Independence DayThe Lebanese Independence Day, on November 22, 1943, is a national day celebrated in remembrance of the liberation from the French Mandate which was exercised over Lebanese soil for over 23 years.-Pre-Independence period:...
- www.lebguide.com
- DruzeDruzeThe Druze are an esoteric, monotheistic religious community, found primarily in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, which emerged during the 11th century from Ismailism. The Druze have an eclectic set of beliefs that incorporate several elements from Abrahamic religions, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism...
- LebanonLebanonLebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
Further reading
- Eyal Zisser. Lebanon: The Challenge of Independence. I.B. Tauris. Page 116
- Marc Loris. Lebanon's Fight for Independence (1944).
- Salman Falah. The Druze in the Middle-East. Druze Research & Publications Institute, New York, USA. Pages 28–29)
- Raghid El-Solh. Lebanon and Arabism: National Identity and State Formation. I.B. Tauris.
- Kamal Salibi. A House of Many Mansions: The History of Lebanon Reconsidered.
- Federal Research Division. Lebanon: A Country Study.