Conductor Politician

King of Jordan, having ascended the throne on February 7, 1999

Member of the Hashemites, who have been the reigning royal family of Jordan since 1921

Considered a direct descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad

A constitutional monarch with wide executive and legislative powers

Liberalized the economy when he assumed the throne, and his reforms led to an economic boom which continued until 2008

Known for promoting interfaith dialogue and a moderate understanding of Islam

The longest-serving current Arab leader, he is custodian of the Muslim and Christian religious sites in Jerusalem, a position held by his dynasty since 1924

The 2021 Pandora Papers revealed his vast hidden wealth through offshore entities, countered by the Royal Court citing privacy and security reasons, attributing the funds to inherited wealth

Began his military career in 1980 as a training officer in the Jordanian Armed Forces, later assuming command of the country's Special Forces in 1994, eventually becoming a major general in 1998