Princess Sarvath

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Royal Family of Jordan
Styles of
Princess Sarvath of Jordan
Reference style Her Royal Highness
Spoken style Your Royal Highness
Alternative style Ma'am

Princess Sarvath El Hassan (née Sarvath Ikramullah) was born in Kolkata on July 24, 1947, to a prominent Muslim family of the Indian subcontinent. [1]

Contents

[edit] Family

Her father, the late Bhopal-born Mohammad Ikramullah, was a senior member of the Indian Civil Service in the Government of India prior to Partition. He went on to join the Partition Committee of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, later becoming Pakistan's first Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Ambassador to Canada, France, Portugal and the United Kingdom. His last post was as Chairman of the Commonwealth Economic Committee. Her mother, the late Kolkata-born Begum Shaista Suhrawardy Ikramullah, was a writer and one of Pakistan's first two female members of Parliament. Begum Ikramullah also served as Ambassador to Morocco and several times a delegate to the United Nations. [1] [2] [3]

The Princess' paternal uncle, Mohammad Hidayatullah, was Vice-President of India and her maternal uncle, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, was Prime Minister of Pakistan. Some of her other ancestors include members of the Chishti Order, as well as the Iranian Sufi philosopher, Shaikh Shabuddin Yahya Suhrawardy. [1] Many of her male and female forebearers, on both sides of her family, were poets, writers and academics. [2] She lived in all the countries that her parents were posted to, but mostly received her education in Britain, such as at the University of Cambridge. [1] [2] She first met Prince Hassan in London in 1958, when they were both 11 years old. [4]

[edit] Marriage and children

Princess Sarvath married Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan, in Karachi on August 28, 1968. They live in one of the oldest houses in Amman and have four children: [1] [5]

[edit] Career and controversy

Princess Sarvath served Jordan for over 30 years, as the wife of the Crown Prince. She initiated, sponsored and continues to support many projects and activities in Jordan, mainly in the field of education, in addition to issues pertaining to women and the family, social welfare and health. For example, much of her work focuses on promoting education about various topics (both locally and internationally), assisting disadvantaged women, encouraging community service and helping people with mental and learning disabilities. [1]

According to off-the-record briefings by anonymous palace officials in Amman, a rumour based story was being circulated that Princess Sarvath had already drawn up plans for a redecoration of the entire Jordanian Royal Apartment, before King Hussein had even died of cancer. [6] This allegedly occurring while the King was undergoing chemotherapy in the United States and Prince Hassan was running the country in his place. [7] [8] On the contrary, other sources state that the Princess actually gave orders for some state apartments to be spruced up, in preparing to receive a foreign delegation. [7] Furthermore, Jawad Al Anani, the former Chief of the Jordanian Royal Court, asserted that there were talks of making minor changes to the kitchens and guest palace, but only because the German president (of the time) was supposed to stay there. [9]

Some people also believe that the Princess' South Asian roots, may have (partly) been an obstacle in reference to ascending the throne (along with her husband) and becoming Queen. Others hold the viewpoint, that the succession change had to do with completely different reasons. [10]

[edit] Organizations

(Former) Member of the:

Patron of the:

  • Young Muslim Women’s Association since 1972
  • Malath Foundation for Humanistic Care
  • Jordanian Osteoporosis Prevention Society

Chairwoman of the:

(Vice) President of the:

Founded the:

[edit] Awards

[edit] Interests

Princess Sarvath knows how to speak multiple languages, including Arabic, English, French and Urdu. Her hobbies include reading, embroidery, cooking and gardening. In regards to sports, she enjoys various types of outdoor activities including skiing. The Princess is Honorary President of the Jordanian Badminton Federation and was the first woman in Jordan to obtain a black belt in Taekwondo. [1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Princess Sarvath's Official Home Page: Biography, Family and Interests
  2. ^ a b c Arabic News: Princess Sarvath on the Education of Women in the Muslim World
  3. ^ Jordan: Al-Hashimi Dynasty - Genealogy
  4. ^ Time.com: From the Magazine | World - Jordan
  5. ^ The Hashemites: Biographical Information
  6. ^ BBC World: Middle East - Battle of the Wives
  7. ^ a b Find Articles: The Spectator - February 13, 1999
  8. ^ The New York Times: Late News - January 22, 1999
  9. ^ Prince Hassan and Princess Sarvath Threads
  10. ^ Pakistan Link: Diminutive King Hussein Leaves a Giant Mark
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