ARAB MEDALS -- Jordan

[Ed_Haynes]

The exteremely complex (and interesting) Hejai/Jordanian order, the Wisam an-Nahada / Order of the Renaissance has been raised on another thread

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=11855

and I thought it needed more focused attention.

It must be placed within the history of the era in which it was created. The Wisam an-Nahada / Order of the Renaissance was created in 1917 by Hussein ibn Ali al-Hashimi, who, since 10 June 1916, had named himself King of the Hejaz (the western coastal region of the Arabian peninsula). He had, since 1908, served under the Ottoman rulers of the peninsula as Grand Sherif of Mecca, but had been seduced away from that loyalty by the overly famous T. E. Lawrence "of Arabia" into a watime rebellion against Turkish rule of the Arab lands.

Sherif/King Hussein:

[Ed_Haynes]

The orders was created in 1917 as an award for specific services in the Arab Uprising under Grand Sherif Hussain ibn Ali in the Hijaz.

The order was a single-class (?) order with, as the obverse, an elaborate six-pointed silver star with green enamel. Between each point is a green-enameled wreath with a small yellow bud. In the center, two crossed flags of the Arab Rebellion (not Jordanian) in color on gold enamel with a star above and the Arabic inscription in black ?His [God?s] Servant Al-Hussain ibn Ali?. Around, a red-enameled band with an Arabic inscription ?Order of Al Nahda? with athe date ?1334? (A.H. = 1917 C.E.). The badge is suspended by an enameled ?Arab Revolt? flag and a small gold crown.

A digression on flags is demanded . . . .

The flag of the "Arab Revolt" was (apparently) designed by Sir Mark Sykes of the British Foreign Office, though Sherif Hussein modified the shade of red. The green is said to represent the Prophet?s banner, the white the Amawi tribe, the black the Abassi, and the red the Hashimi.

[Ed_Haynes]

Note, please, the flag. It is important and diagnostic for the period and variety of the order we are dealing with.

The earliest badges have, for the horizontal stripes: Black / green / white.

Vexiology is important for phaleristics.

I do not have an image of the first badge, but this is "close", though the flag is wrong.

[Ed_Haynes]

The earliest badges were worn not from ribbons but from a twisted cord of black, white, red, and green. As this, obviously, did not conform to the phaleristic conventions of the British "friends" of King Hussein, a ribbon was introduced: equal stripes of black, green and white; with a narrow red stripe in the centre of the green stripe. This would be used until 1952.

Edited October 26, 2006 by Ed_Haynes

[Ed_Haynes]

King Hussein and his successor (and son) King Ali ibn Hussein (r. 1924-25) created other decorations, not directly relevant here:

--- Wisam al-Istiqial / Order of Independence (1921)

--- Ma?an Medal, 1920

--- Medal of Arab Independence

When King Hussein stepped down as King of the Hejaz in 1924, it was in part to assume the title of Caliph which he had claimed after it had been abolished by Mustafa Kemal Attaturk in Turkey and in part to assume wider rulership of a pan-Arab kingdom which he had been promised by the British for his support during the war. He also stepped down under military pressure from a rising new power in the Arabian peninsula, the King of Najd Abdul Aziz ibn Abdul Rahman ibn Faysal ibn Turki Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al Sa`ud. In 1932, Abdul Aziz would unite the Arabian peninsula into the new kingdom of Saudi Arabia. And that is quite another tale.

In March (?) 1921, the Arab Revolt/Najdi flag was altered to show horizontal black / white / green stripes and, presumably, this apperared also on the badges of the Wisam an-Nahada.

[Ed_Haynes]

When King Ali and, by extension, King Hussein found themselves unemployed by King Abdul Aziz's victory (they would live, respectively, until 1935 and 1931), they could find both personal and dynastic refuge with family.

-- In March 1920, King Hussein's son and King Ali's brother Faysal ibn Hussein al-Hashimi had been established by the British as king of the newly created Syria. Syria, however, had been given by the British and French to the French, and the French knew full well how to deal with kings. In July 1920, King Faisal found himself slso without a job until he was reinatsllaed (again, by the British) as King of the newly created Iraq in August 1921 (he would, personnaly, continue as king until his death in September 1933, the foreign dynasty would continue until it was consumed by revolution in July 1958). It was in Iraq that the family members would take refuge.

-- In April 1921, King Hussein's son and King Ali's brother Abdullah ibn al-Husayn al-Hashimi had been established by the British as king of the newly created Emirate of Transjordan, the leftover pieces after the British had carved out their protectorate in Palestine. While his brother in Iraq got the family memers (Baghdad being a better place to live than Amman?), Abdullah got the flag and, for us the most important, orders. He adopted the Wisam an-Nahada and the Wisam al-Istiqial and traneformed them, in 1925, into Transjordanian (after 1949 Jordanian) orders.

[Ed_Haynes]

The relocated order would have its badge redesigned (if necessary) to reflect the post-1921 flag (black / white / green). It woudl also be expanded into classes (although this may have taken place earlier):

--- a special class - Mourassa - Grand Cordon in brilliants - jeweled 65-mm badge (with a diamond added in the center of the badge) with sash and star ? reserved for foreign heads of state

--- Grand Cordon - sash, 65-mm sash badge, and 95-mm star (worn on the left breast) ? reserved for princes, heads of government, and others of similar rank

--- Grand Officer - 45-mm neck badge (on 38-mm ribbon) and 95-mm star (worn on the left breast)

--- Commander - 45-mm neck badge (on 38-mm ribbon)

--- Officer - 45-mm breast badge on a 38-mm ribbon with a 27-mm rosette

--- Knight - 45-mm breast badge on a 38-mm ribbon

--- silver medal - just the central circular medallion (enameled) without the surrounding star

I can show most of these classes, if anyone wishes.

In 1952, however, when the well-known King Hussein (r. 1952-99) ascended the throne, the ribbon was redesigned, to equal stripes of black, white and green; with a narrow red stripe in the centre of the white stripe.

[Ed_Haynes]

This is the most common badge, and was mad in many places. As an example, this (though the ribbon has been flipped for the cased commander's badge):

[Ed_Haynes]

The Wisam an-Nahada / Supreme Order of the Renaissance is still awarded by King Abdullah II. In closing, the Late King Hussein and Queen Noor with their medals.

Edited October 26, 2006 by Ed_Haynes

[Ed_Haynes]

Major references for what I just posted:

Christopher Buyers, http://www.4dw.net/royalark/Jordan/jordan.htm

Flags of the World, http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/hejaz.html

OMSA Medal Database, http://www.omsa.org/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=616

Megan Robertson, http://www.medals.org.uk/jordan/jordan004.htm

?Rulers?, http://rulers.org/ruli.html#iraq

?Rulers?, http://rulers.org/ruljk.html#jordan

?Rulers?, http://rulers.org/ruls1.html#saudi_arabia

?Rulers?, http://rulers.org/ruls3.html#syria

[Ed_Haynes]

Though Jordan is a major state, with many awards, and close ties to the UK, we still don't have good sources. A shame.

Online things:

http://faculty.winthrop.edu/haynese/medals/jordan.html

http://www.medals.org.uk/jordan/jordan.htm

http://www.4dw.net/royalark/Jordan/jordan4.htm

http://www.netdialogue.com/yy/Asia/Jordan/Jordan.htm

http://www.omsa.org/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=616

http://www.coleccionesmilitares.com/cintas/cintasas.htm#j and click on Jordan

[Antonio Prieto]

Mi contribution with the pictures of the King Hussein and Abdulad

Edited February 10, 2007 by Antonio Prieto

[Antonio Prieto]

The King Abdulad

[Ulsterman]

I am working on obtaining Jordan's regulations.

I should have them by April 1st. I will send you copies when i receive them.

[Ed_Haynes]

Thanks, would appreciate this.

I have a ton of photographs of things not in my collectoion and need to struggle with the ethics of posting them.

[Ulsterman]

Thanks, would appreciate this.

I have a ton of photographs of things not in my collectoion and need to struggle with the ethics of posting them.

Fair use republication I think-though it depends upon what it is I suppose.

[Ed_Haynes]

A few most, most of which I have only as images, and some of these in black and white and some are not of the jhighest quality. Sorry. But the information is, I think, important?

Wisam al-Najat al-Hashemi / Order of the Hasmemite Star

Awarded to all members of the military for the performance of heroic acts of other distinguished services in the face of the enemy.

Established: By King Hussein ibn Talal in 1971.

Obverse: A 50-mm seven-point white-enameled gold star with ball tips on the star, with a wreath behind and an Arabic inscription at the bottom of the wreath ?Wisan al-Najma al-Hashimiya? or ?Order of the Hashemite Star?. In the center, on a gilt seven-pointed green-enemaled star, the gilt head of King Hussein, facing left. Suspended by a crown and ring from an ornate straight-bar suspender.

Reverse: Plain.

Ribbon: 38-mm crimson moire.

Edited May 14, 2008 by Ed_Haynes

[Ed_Haynes]

Wisam al-Iqdam al-?Askari / Order of Military Gallantry

Initially awarded to all ranks of the ?Arab Legion? for the highest gallantry under fire. It was later expanded to a general decoration for the highest gallantry; in many ways it is analagous to the British Victoria Cross. The decoration may be awarded posthuously.

Early awards of the medal were in bronze, but it has later been altered to silver and chrome.

Established: By King Abdulla ibn Hussein in 1946.

Obverse: Circular 40-mm medal, head of King Abdullah ibn Hussain facing left surrounded by an Arabic inscription ?Abdullah ibn al-Hussein / King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan?. Suspended by a ring.

Reverse: Image of Al-Aqsah Mosque (taken from the earlier Palestinian ?1 currency note) and the legend ?Wisam al-Ikdam al-Askari? or ?Order of Military Gallantry?.

Ribbon: 38-mm plain green moir? (?Hashemite Green?).

[Ed_Haynes]

Wisam al-Istahaqaq al-Askari / The Order of Military Merit

Awarded to all military and civilian personnel for exceptional services to the state, especially as they relate to defense.

Established: By King Hussein ibn Talal in 1976.

Obverse: A seven-pointed white-enameled silver star with ball tips with a gold laurel wreath behind. In the center, seven-pointed faceted silver star with a red-enameled circle bearing the crest of the Jordanian military in gold surrounded by a green-enameled wreath. Suspended by a ring.

Ribbon: Green moir? with black edges and, inside the black, a narrow white / red / narrow white set of stripes. (The colors of the Arab Army.)

Awarded in five classes:

-- first class ? a 52-mm sash badge, 80-mm sash (worn on over the right shoulder), and 98-mm breast star (worn on the left breast) - awarded to generals

-- second class ? a 52-mm neck badge (worn on a 38-mm ribbon) and 98-mm breast star (worn on left breast) awarded to brigadiers and colonels

-- third class ? a 60-mm neck badge worn from a 38-mm ribbon - awarded to lieutenant colonels and majors

-- fourth class ? a 52-mm breast badge worn from a 38-mm ribbon with 28-mm rosette - awarded to officers of the rank of captain and below

-- fifth class ? a 48-mm breast badge worn on a 38-mm ribbon - awarded to enlisted personnel

Edited May 14, 2008 by Ed_Haynes

[Ed_Haynes]

Maidalet al-Sharif / The Medal of Honour

Awarded to all members of the military services recognize special service and acts of gallantry.

Established: By King Hussein ibn Talal, July 1972.

Obverse: 38-mm circular gold medal, a trophy of arms with two prominent crossed sabers, surrounded by a wreath and surmounted by an Aran helment. The central device is surrounded by a ring of circles and, on a shield below, the legend ??jr?A? ?Al-Sharia? or ?Honour?. Suspended by an ornamented straight-bar suspender.

Reverse: The Arabic legend ?The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan? around the top and, in the center, ?Azima Tadhiya wa Fida? or ?Determination and Self-Sacrifice?. Below, the date (establishment or award?) in both Muslim and Christian calendars.

Ribbon: 38 mm, crimson, with golden-yellow edge stripes. The yellow edge stripes have thin edge stripes of green (outer) and black (inner): 2 mm green, 6 mm yellow, 2 mm black, 18 mm crimson, 2 mm black, 6 mm yellow, 2 mm green.

[Ed_Haynes]

Wisam al-Amalila al-Herbi Alm 1948 / Medal for War Service, 1948

Also seen referenced as ????? ?Sharat al-Amaliyal al-Harbiah fi Filastin? or ?Medal for War Operations in Palestine?.

As the last survivor of the Arab war of independence, King Adbullah ibn Hussein was appointed as the nominal commander-in-chief of the Arab army which attacked Israel on 15 May 1948. Despite effective combat service by the Arab Army (a.k.a. ?Arab Legion?), Arab successes were minimal (mainly the West Bank in Jordanian hands and the Egyptian possession of the Gaza Strip). An armistice agreement was concluded on 3 April 1949. This medal was awarded for at least seven days of front-line service in Palestine 19 July-15 August (15 March-19 July???) 1948.

Established: By King Abdullah ibn Hussein in 1948.

Obverse: 40-mm octagonal 22-carat gold medal, within an octagonal frame crossed swords surmounted by a crown (the badge of the ?Arab Legion?), above this an Arabic inscription ?Abdullah ibn Hussein? and below dates?1948-1367? ?1367-1948?. Suspended from a crown and straight-bar suspender.

Reverse: Within an octagonal frame, a map of pre-1948 Jordan/Palestine with the legend ?Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan?.

Ribbon: 38 mm red, with broad central white stripe, on that stripe, two narrow stripes, black and green: 9 mm red, 5 mm white, 2.5 mm black, 5 mm white, 2.5 mm green, 5 mm white, 9 mm red.

[oamotme]

Mi contribution with the pictures of the King Hussein and Abdulad

The King's Jrodainan ribbons are, I think, as follows:

Order (collar) of Al Hussain, Order of Renaissance, Hashemite Star, Military Gallantry, Order of the Star, Order of Independence, Medal of Honour, Battle of Karama 1967 Medal, Ramadan War 1973 Medal and Silver Jubilee 1977 Medal - thereafter foriegn awards.

Regards,

Owain

[oamotme]

The King Abdulad

If you look carefully Abdullah is wearing his father's medals! There is no way that he could have been an active partcipant in the 1948 War, the battle of Karama in 1967 or the 1973 Ramadan War!

Regards,

Owain

[922F]

Very nice!! Thank you Ed!!!

[IVB]

Thank you for the pictures, Ed! It's hard to see so many images of rare Arab awards in one place.

And question, gentlemen: what do you think about colouring of these pictures, like this:

Regards, IVB.