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Hussein ibn 'Ali 1856-1931
King of the Hejaz, and founder of the modern Arab Hashemite dynasty

He was born in Constantinople (Istanbul) and was Emir of Mecca (1908-16). After first siding with the Turks and Germany in World War I, on the advice of T E Lawrence he went over to the side of the Allies, declaring for Arab independence (1916), and was chosen first King of the Hejaz. He refused to recognize the mandatory regimes imposed on Syria, Palestine and Iraq by the Allies (1919). He was defeated by the Wahhabi leader, Ibn Saud, was forced to abdicate (1924), and was exiled in Cyprus. He was the father of King Faisal I and great-grandfather of King Hussein of Jordan.