Sovereign Imperial & Royal House of Ghassan
ABOUT ARAB TITLES:
The Ghassanid titles are “Malik,” the Arabic equivalent of “King,” “Amir,” the Arabic equivalent of “Prince,” and “Sheikh.” In the specific case of the El Chemor family - the lawful heir of the Ghassanid Royal titles - the title "Sheikh" is related to a sovereign ruler (Al-Akoura and Zghartha-Zawyie from the 13th until the 18th century); hence, it’s also the equivalent of “Prince.” See the examples of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, etc., where all the princes belonging to the ruling family are “sheiks.” Understand the title "Sheikh" in Lebanon HERE.
“Besides the sovereigns referred to above, there are several oriental potentates who should be mentioned, the rulers of the Sultanates and Sheikdoms of East Africa and the Persian Gulf (…). The style of these sheiks is His Highness.” From the book Titles: How the King Became His Majesty by L.G. Pine (Barnes & Noble: New York, 1992), p. 137-138.
There were other lesser “sheikhs” even in Lebanon. Those were either elevated by ruling princes or were mere tax collectors of the Ottoman Empire. The aforementioned doesn’t apply to the El Chemor princes since it’s documented that they were ruling independently since 1211, almost 80 years before the Ottoman Empire was founded and over 300 years before the first emirate was created with Prince Fakhr al-Din I (1516–1544).
IMPORTANT: The Royal House of Ghassan follows the customary monarchical tradition of non-interference in partisan politics and does not actively seek regime change in any country. On the contrary, the Ghassanid Princes sworn to serve the Middle Eastern people without asking anything in return continuing to fulfill their millennial role of serving as a bridge between the Middle East and the West.
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1950's newspaper excerpt with an official statement by the Sheikh El Chemor of Zawyie about parliamentary election. The family never ceased to use their titles.
Modern House of Ghassan
Since the establishment of the descendants of the last King of Ghassan Chemor Jablah in Lebanon and their consequential rule in the Principality of Al-Aqoura in the Byblos district in 1211 CE until 1633 CE, there’s uninterrupted documented official recognition of the House of Ghassan, especially in modern-day Syria and Lebanon. The last rulers to bear the titles of Royal Ghassanid successors were the Christian Sheikhs Al-Chemor in Mount Lebanon, ruling the small sovereign principality of Akoura (from 1211 until 1641) and Zgharta-Zwaiya (from 1643 until 1747) from Lebanon.
The current El Chemor/Gharios family descends from the last Christian ruler, Prince Sheikh Yousef El Chemor (who ruled in the 18th century), and cousins of Prince Muhammad bin Talal Al Rashid, who was the twelfth and last Emir of Jabal Shammar (Chemor) in Ha’il and ruled until 2 November 1921. From this line, the modern Royal House of Ghassan descends, and the foundation on which HIRH Cheikh Antonios El Chemor passed on to the next generation to build. The fontes honorum of the House has been recognized academically, such as by the Augustan Society, as well as by heads of state and other non-ruling dynastic houses.
The Maronite Church has been crucial in the documentation of the Royal House. The Encyclopedia of Maronite Families was published by Notre Dame University–Louaize (NDU) and was founded in 1978 by the Maronite Order of the Holy Virgin Mary (OMM). It's one of the most respected Christian Universities in the Middle East. Their Encyclopedia of the Maronite Families of Lebanon, in volume
4, pp. 2236, 2237, and 2238, mentions the El Chemor family. The text is very concise but confirms the chronicles of Maronite historian Patriarch Stephen Duaihy (1630-1704 CE) and the 1947 book of historian Ignatios Tannos El Khoury, Sheikh El Chemor Rulers of Al-Aqoura (1211-1633) and Rulers of Al-Zawiye (1641-1747), published in Beirut, Lebanon.
Abu Youssef, Sheikh El Chemor, Prince of Zgharta-Zawye
The Sheikhs El Chemor remained autonomous, ruling Akoura from 1211 until 1633 CE. In 1633 CE, the Sheikh El Hachem (related by marriage to the El Chemor family) took power by force in Akoura. According to the Encyclopedia, the Ottoman governor of Tripoli gave to the Sheikhs El Chemor the region of Zgharta-Zawiye, where they ruled for over a century from 1641 until 1747-48 CE. Here, the
empire has directly assigned a region to the Sheikhs El Chemor, but due to the titles and prestige they already had. It is very important to point out that they didn’t receive their titles from the Ottomans (or any other authority) like many other Sheikhs in Lebanon.
“The governor of Tripoli gave them the ruling of Al Zawiya, and the Sheikhs of the Daher household were surprised by it. And so, assassinations took place between the two sides until the Sheikh Youssef El Chemor was murdered in 14/3/1748 CE, and in that death, ended the Chemor’s ruling on Al Zawiya which was handed over to Al Daher.” p. 2236, Encyclopedia of the Maronite Families, v.4, Notre Dame University.
Youssef El Chemor, Sheikh El Chemor, Last sovereign prince of Zgharta-Zawye, 1747 CE Regardless of the end of the rule in the 18th century, the Sheikhs El Chemor never stopped using their Royal titles until the present date. The Encyclopedia also mentions the origins of the Gharios family:
“Four brothers moved from the Chemor family to Beit Habbak, and from there, they spread: The first went to Baskinta and was known by the name Habika, a pet name for the household name Habbak. The second settled in the Habbak house and the family Farjan was made because of him. The last two, Farahat and Gharios, went to the Suburbs of Beirut, Farahat Chemor resided in Al Hadas, and his family name became Farahat, and Gharios’ family name became Gharios after his own first name.” p. 2236, Encyclopedia of the Maronite Families, v.4, Notre Dame University
The Encyclopedia confirms that the El Chemor brothers, the sons of the assassinated ruler, changed their names due to the lethal persecution from the El Daher family, assigned to the El Chemor properties and estates. Also, the Encyclopedia’s entry for the Gharios Family (page 2912) mentions the first ancestor as “Gharios El Chemor. "
At this point, there are no surprises. However, the Encyclopedia also states that the El Chemor and El Shammar families of Saudi Arabia are the same. The way of writing the family name in Arabic is identical, and there are no other families with this name in the Arab world. If that fact is true, there’s no harm to the Ghassanid Royal Claim since the El Shammar family is Muslim, and there was a prohibition of Ghassanids from even marrying non-Christians. (See Yasmine Zahran, “Ghassan Resurrected”, p. 150).
“Some of them [Chemor/Shammar family] migrated to the north of the Arabian Peninsula, and they founded in year 905 A.D the capital of the Emirate of the Shammar. It remained with the takeover of [king] Abdul-Aziz Al Saud forces on all parts of the region in 2/11/1921 A.D, and the announcement of the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 23/9/1932 …” p. 2236, Encyclopedia of the Maronite Families, v.4, Notre Dame University.
However, such a statement makes the El Chemor family even more prestigious and royal since that would make the Lebanese El Chemors cousins of the Emirs of Jabal Shammar (1836-1921 CE). The family has ruled almost all the Arabian Peninsula: The Christian Family has ruled the whole Levant (today Syria, Jordan, part of Iraq, and Lebanon), and the Muslim family has ruled the majority of
today Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Iraq. It is important to note that the El Chemor family of Lebanon (the heirs of all the Christian titles) doesn’t claim the Muslim titles and vice-versa. Also, by that statement, the Sheikhs El Chemor of Lebanon are cousins of several Saudi Princes that descend from Princess Fahda bint Asi Al Shammar (El Chemor) wife of the founder of the Saudi Kingdom, King Abdul-Aziz Ibn Saud. Amongst them is the late King Abdullah (1924-2015) of Saudi Arabia, son of Princess Fahda and King Ibn Saud.
From Father Ignatios Tannos El-Khoury (1947), Sheikh El Chemor Rulers of Al-Aqoura (1211-1633) and Rulers of Al-Zawiye (1641-1747). Beirut, Lebanon:
In 1935, Sheikh Antonius Saleem Chemor (Shammar) and his brother Sheikh Michael visited the “Gharios Habbaqi family” in Chiyah, and both families established friendship and harmony among their relatives and in-laws. Sheikh Michael Saleem, told me that he was invited to the funeral of a person from Al Habbaqi family in Chiyah, where he accepted the condolences with the dead person’s family and after that visit or maybe before it, Gharios Habbaqi family added the name Al Chemor (Shammar) to their surname where now one of them is called Awadh Beik Al Chemor (Shammar): Joseph, George, Antonius, Michael, Elias and finally Nu’man Gharios al Chemor (Shammar) and his son Emil. The researcher Khoury Esteban Bash’alani told us that Gharios family settled in Chiyah since the year 1757 where the researcher carefully read the baptism, marriage and death documents in Chiyah and found that Gharios family was mentioned for the first time in year 1849 and the first name was “Fares bin Anton bin Gharios Al Habbaqi” documented on 19/April/1849 and his brother Yousef in 1852. The documents also state the name of the priest “Yousef Gharios” who became the priest of Al Chiyah from 1877. Forth: Habbiqa family: in the summer of 1946 a new book and series of the well-known works of our dear friend and scholar bishop Butros Habbiqa was released under the title of The History of Baskanta and its Families. His works are recognized between the Maronite Patriarch works and he firmly announced {in pages 145-146} that “Al Habbiqa” family is a descendant of the feudal lords of Chemor (Shamar). He then talked about the origin of Al ‘Aqoura heads of tribe, basing his information which was taken from us and he said “we thank the active researcher, Father Aghnatius Tannous, the Lebanese monk, as he generously provided us with this information.” And we thank Mr. Habbaqi very much and we please the Lord to save him and help him through his life. Fifth: Qiddeesi family or Qiddeesi from Rish’ein, which is a descendant of Al Habbiqa family, and Al Qiddeesa family in Tase’ and Shataha in Akkar also belong to the same family. Chapter IX: The Chemori (Shammari) Family Branches Outside Kufur Hata, p. 120-125. Translation: Reham Makhlouf
Genealogy
Youssef El Chemor, Sheikh El Chemor, Last sovereign prince of Zgharta-Zawye, 1747 CE
Two Sons:
Sheiks El Chemor of Kfarhara
The Chemors of Kfarhata have the title of Sheiks. They were the governors of Akoura in the mountains of Byblos between 1211 and 1633 and the rulers of Zgharta-Zawiya between 1641 and 1747. Their ancestors were the Ghassanids, a Christian tribe that dwelled in the Arabian Peninsula. After being displaced from Yemen because of a natural disaster, they settled in the Houran region of Syria. They allied themselves with the Byzantines as protectors of the South. Past the Islamic conquest of the area, they sought refuge in Lebanon. Their first stay was in Akoura (Byblos district) then they moved to Kfarhata in 1641.
Youssef El Chemor, Sheikh El Chemor, Last sovereign prince of Zgharta-Zawye, 1747 CE Abu Issa
Sheikh El Chemor of Kfarhata
Issa Sheikh El Chemor of Kfarhata
Youssef Sheikh El Chemor of Kfarhata
Selim Sheikh El Chemor of Kfarhata
Mikhael Saleem Sheikh El Chemor of Kfarhata
Antonios Sheikh El Chemor of Kfarhata
Gharios Habbaki Sheikh El Chemor Branch
The family Gharios of Cheyah is formally called “Gharios Habbaki Chemor” due to the village of Beit Habbak in the region of Byblos. This Habbaki family descends from the same prestigious “Chemor” family of Kfarhata-Zgharta, as Father Ignatios Tannos El-Khoury notes in his book as mentioned earlier, Sheikh El Chemor Rulers of Al-Aqoura (1211-1633) and Rulers of Al-Zawiye (1641-1747).
Dargham El Chemor
Four Sons, according to p. 2236, Encyclopedia of the Maronite Families, v.4, Notre Dame University. Sons first settled in Beit Habbak, then migrated to other regions of modern day Lebanon.
Gharios Habbaki El Chemor of Chiyah
Antoun Gharios, El Chemor
He had two sons, which are recorded in the Maronite church records as having been confirmed.
Fares bin Antoun Gharios, Al Habbaqi (El Chemor)
Feres Mansour Gharios, (El Chemor)
Maurice Mansour Gharios, El Chemor (recognized cousin to Prince Cheikh Antonios El Chemor of Kfarhata).
Carlos Roberto Gharios (El Chemor)
Alnume Gharios (El Chemor), aka in Arabic: Emir Al-Nu'Man Gharios Ibn Jafna Al-Ghassani
Current Members and Heritage
Sheikh El Chemor of Kfarhata
Gharios Habbaki El Chemor of Chiyah
Sources: His Beatitude Estephan II Boutros El Douaihy Maronite Patriarch of Antioch (1630-1704 CE), Issa Iskander Maloof and Ignatios Tannos Al-Khoury
For the COMPLETE FAMILY TREE, please click HERE
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HRH Prince Sheikh Antonios El Chemor with Lebanese President Suleiman Frangieh.
The family always had great relations with the Lebanese Government.
Photo above (click to enlarge) The grave of His Highness Sheikh Selim El Chemor (passed away 1909 CE, the great grandfather of HRH Prince Sheikh Selim El Chemor, honorary head of the Royal House of Ghassan), note that the royal title of Sheikh (in Arabic, upper right side) is on his tombstone, a capital proof that the family has been publicly using the ‘sui iuris’ titles for centuries until the present date. (Grave at the cemetery at the Mar Mama Ancient Church in Kferhata, Lebanon) Understand the legality of the titles here: sheikhs-el-chemor-a-legal-study-of-titles/
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1960's Lebanese newspaper excerpt mentioning Sheikh Antonios and the El Chemor palace in Kferhata, a well-known landmark in Northern Lebanon.
Historical Imperial and Royal Titles (chronological order)
- Kings of Ghassan or Kings of the Ghassanids (220-638 CE)
- Kings of Damascus (220-638 CE)
- Kings (or Emperors) of All Arabs "Basileus Araves" (529-638 CE)
- Roman (Byzantine) Emperors of the Phocid Dynasty (802-813 CE)
- Ceasars and Masters of the Island of Rhodes (1203-1250 CE)
- Sultans of Rasul (1229-1454 CE)
- Sheikhs of Akoura (1211-1633 CE)
- Sheikhs of Zgharta-Zawyie (1641-1747 CE)
- Princes of Jabal Shammar (Chemor) (1836–1921 CE)
* Note: The surname “Al Chemor” (in Arabic الشمرّ) has many other transliterations: Shamir, Shammar, Shoumar, Chemr, etc.
Synthetic Genealogy
(paternal line)
Jafna
(First King of Ghassan 220 CE)
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Amrou
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Tha’laba
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Al-Harith I
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Jablah I
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Al-Harith II
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Al-Ayham I
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Al-Harith III
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Al-Numan V
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Hagar I
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Al-Harith IV
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Jablah IV Abu Chemor
(Ghassanid king 518-528 CE and originator of the Chemor name)
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Al-Harith V
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Al-Ayham II
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Chemor Jablah VI
(last incumbent Ghassanid king of the 1st state 638 CE)
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El-Chemor Family
(Rulers of Akoura 1211-1633 CE
&
Rulers of Zgharta-Zawyie 1641-1747 CE)
More details CLICK HERE
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Youssef El Chemor
(last incumbent Ghassanid sovereign prince Zgharta-Zawyie 1747 CE)
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Dargham El Chemor
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Gharios Habbaki El Chemor
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Antoun Gharios (El Chemor)
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Fares bin Antoun Gharios (El Chemor)
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Fares Mansour Gharios (El Chemor)
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Maurice Mansour Gharios (El Chemor)
(1910-1979)
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Carlos Roberto Gharios (El Chemor)
(1947 - )
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Al-Numan VIII Gharios El-Chemor
(nee. Ahnume Guerios 1973)