Atassi
Encyclopedia
Atassi, also spelled Atasi is the name of a prominent family of city Notables in Homs
, Syria
dating back to the 16th century AD. Members of the family lead the national movement against the French mandate. The power and prestige of the family reached an apex at the formation of the modern Republic of Syria in 1936, when its second Head of State, Hashim al-Atassi
was elected president. Two out of the seven members of the constitutional assembly who drafted the first constitution of Syria
in 1919 included two prominent Atassis: Wasfi al-Atassi
and Hashim al-Atassi. Two more scions, Luai al-Atassi
and Nureddin al-Atassi
, were in turn installed as heads of state in the 1960s. There were also several magistrates, governors, ambassadors, heads of political parties, military officers and other public officials in the ranks of the family throughout Ottoman and modern times.
, French, and Independent Syria
. Family traditions and documents tell us that the name al-Atassi had evolved from the word "العطاسي " (from "العطاس," meaning " the sneezer" in Arabic) which later changed to "الأطاسي" then to "الأتاسي" or Atassi. A folk story attributes the name to a miraculous event which happened to the ancestor of the family while still in the woumb, as he was heard sneezing by his mom and others and thanking God afterwards. Mispronunciation of the name led to its transformation as the family moved to the non-Arabic speaking Turkey in the 16th century.
The family is of a Hashemite
origin, and its members were recognized as "Ashraf", descendants of prophet Muhammad
, inheriting the formal address of this class in legal court documents. The ancestors of the family had moved between Yemen
, Hejaz
and Turkey
before eventually establishing his presence in Homs sometime in the 16th century CE.
The Atassi House of Homs
has been broken into 15 branches, most still use the name Atassi as the sole surname, with three main exceptions. Al-Sayed Suleiman
, Al-Asha and Majaj are three main branches that are now recognized by the additional surnames. Religious authority as Mufti
s of Homs
, along with large land holdings in Homs formed the basis of the family's wealth and influence.
as well. The Sibaie House of Homs was another scholarly family of notables who were often in competition for the same seat, and were able to secure it at least five times in the town history.
The following are members of the family who assumes the position of Mufti:
(Dates represent period served in that position)
Other members served as religious scholars in other capacities such as judges, chief clerks, and imam
s. One mufti, Sayed Ibraheem Efendi al-Atassi, also served as Mufti of Tripoli
in the late 18th century. Taher al-Atassi served as the supreme judge of Basra
in Iraq
, and Nablus
and Jerusalem in Palestine
in the late Ottoman period.
Although members of the Atassi family were naturally involved in the politics of the city of Homs by virtue of holding the Mufti position and by belonging to the class of notables and Ashraf, it was not until the late 19th century that they started holding non-religious governmental offices. Two scholars who held the position of Mufti also held political offices: Khaled al-Atassi
(1837–1908), and his son, Taher al-Atassi (1860–1940). Sayed Khaled Efendi Al-Atassi was elected as a deputy of Homs and Hama
in 1876 to the first Parliament of the Ottoman Empire
. In 1922, Sayed Taher Efendi was elected to the membership of the Council of the Syrian Union as a representative of Homs in the state of Damascus
. Other Atassis followed suit.
Further influence through education was achieved by a tradition of sending the young men of the family to be educated at the Imperial capital of Istanbul during the Ottoman administration, and then to the Sorbonne
and other European centers of learning during the French Mandate.
Homs
Homs , previously known as Emesa , is a city in western Syria and the capital of the Homs Governorate. It is above sea level and is located north of Damascus...
, Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
dating back to the 16th century AD. Members of the family lead the national movement against the French mandate. The power and prestige of the family reached an apex at the formation of the modern Republic of Syria in 1936, when its second Head of State, Hashim al-Atassi
Hashim al-Atassi
Hashim Bay Khalid al-Atassi was a Syrian nationalist, statesman and its President from 1936 to 1939, 1949 to 1951, and 1954 to 1955.- Background and early career :...
was elected president. Two out of the seven members of the constitutional assembly who drafted the first constitution of Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
in 1919 included two prominent Atassis: Wasfi al-Atassi
Wasfi al-Atassi
Wasfi al-Atassi was a Syrian nationalist, statesman and one of the original writers of the Syrian constitution.-Life:Born in Homs to the Atassi family in 1888, he was educated locally. His father, Najeeb Efendi al-Atassi was an islamic scholar and a notable, having headed the municipality of the...
and Hashim al-Atassi. Two more scions, Luai al-Atassi
Luai al-Atassi
Luai al-Atassi was a Syrian military leader and Head of State . He was born in Homs to a politically prominent family, and studied at the Military Academy in that city. He fought in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and rose to become chief of Military Protocol under his kinsman, President Hashim...
and Nureddin al-Atassi
Nureddin al-Atassi
Noureddin Mohammed Ali al-Atassi was President of Syria from February 1966 to November 1970...
, were in turn installed as heads of state in the 1960s. There were also several magistrates, governors, ambassadors, heads of political parties, military officers and other public officials in the ranks of the family throughout Ottoman and modern times.
Background
Many leading family members assumed prominent religious and political positions in OttomanOttoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
, French, and Independent Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
. Family traditions and documents tell us that the name al-Atassi had evolved from the word "العطاسي " (from "العطاس," meaning " the sneezer" in Arabic) which later changed to "الأطاسي" then to "الأتاسي" or Atassi. A folk story attributes the name to a miraculous event which happened to the ancestor of the family while still in the woumb, as he was heard sneezing by his mom and others and thanking God afterwards. Mispronunciation of the name led to its transformation as the family moved to the non-Arabic speaking Turkey in the 16th century.
The family is of a Hashemite
Hashemite
Hashemite is the Latinate version of the , transliteration: Hāšimī, and traditionally refers to those belonging to the Banu Hashim, or "clan of Hashim", a clan within the larger Quraish tribe...
origin, and its members were recognized as "Ashraf", descendants of prophet Muhammad
Muhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
, inheriting the formal address of this class in legal court documents. The ancestors of the family had moved between Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
, Hejaz
Hejaz
al-Hejaz, also Hijaz is a region in the west of present-day Saudi Arabia. Defined primarily by its western border on the Red Sea, it extends from Haql on the Gulf of Aqaba to Jizan. Its main city is Jeddah, but it is probably better known for the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina...
and Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
before eventually establishing his presence in Homs sometime in the 16th century CE.
The Atassi House of Homs
Homs
Homs , previously known as Emesa , is a city in western Syria and the capital of the Homs Governorate. It is above sea level and is located north of Damascus...
has been broken into 15 branches, most still use the name Atassi as the sole surname, with three main exceptions. Al-Sayed Suleiman
Al-Sayed Suleiman
Sayed Suleiman is a large branch of the well-known Atassi family of Homs, Syria. The family descends from Sayed Suleiman Chalabi son of Sayed Abdullah Al-Atassi, a prominent religious figure in the 18th century and the head of the Atassi family of that time. The family belongs to the...
, Al-Asha and Majaj are three main branches that are now recognized by the additional surnames. Religious authority as Mufti
Mufti
A mufti is a Sunni Islamic scholar who is an interpreter or expounder of Islamic law . In religious administrative terms, a mufti is roughly equivalent to a deacon to a Sunni population...
s of Homs
Homs
Homs , previously known as Emesa , is a city in western Syria and the capital of the Homs Governorate. It is above sea level and is located north of Damascus...
, along with large land holdings in Homs formed the basis of the family's wealth and influence.
Atassi Muftis of Homs and Tripoli
The office of Mufti of the town of Homs, the highest religious jurisdiction in the city, was hereditary in the Atassi family for over four centuries. At least 18 Atassi scholars held this position. In addition, two Atassis are known to have been Muftis of the city of TripoliTripoli, Lebanon
Tripoli is the largest city in northern Lebanon and the second-largest city in Lebanon. Situated 85 km north of the capital Beirut, Tripoli is the capital of the North Governorate and the Tripoli District. Geographically located on the east of the Mediterranean, the city's history dates back...
as well. The Sibaie House of Homs was another scholarly family of notables who were often in competition for the same seat, and were able to secure it at least five times in the town history.
The following are members of the family who assumes the position of Mufti:
(Dates represent period served in that position)
- Al-Shihab Ahmad Sham al-Deen ibn Khalil al-Atassi, The first. 1533-1596.
- Mahmood ibn Ahmad al-Atassi. Held position starting in 1596.
- Ahmad ibn Mahmood al-Atassi, the second. Held position until death in 1653.
- Hasan ibn Mahmood al-Atassi. Held position starting in 1653.
- Mohammad ibn Ahmad al-Atassi, the first. Held position until death in 1698.
- Ali ibn Hasan al-Atassi. Held position starting in 1703.
- Abdul-Wahhab ibn Ali al-Atassi. mid-18th century, period not exactly known.
- Burhan Al-Deen Ibraheem ibn Ali al-Atassi. Late 18th century, period in Homs not known, Mufti of Homs, later of Tripoli.
- Yaseen ibn Ibraheem al-Atassi, Mufti of TripoliTripoliTripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
.
- Abdul-Sattar ibn Ibraheem al-Atassi. 1805-1829.
- Saeed ibn Abdul-Sattar al-Atassi. 1830-1854.
- Mohammad Abu-Al-Fath ibn Abdul-Sattar al-Atassi, the second. 1852-1882.
- Mohammad Khaled ibn Mohammad al-AtassiKhaled al-AtassiKhaled Efendi al-Atassi al-Husseini was a famous Syrian religious authority, scholar and poet. Born in Homs to the famous Atassi family in 1837, he went through the traditional preparation for the position of Mufti, a post his family filled for over 400 years...
. 1885-1894. - Abdul-Lateef ibn Mohammad Al-Atassi. 1894-1914
- Mohammad Taher ibn M. Khaled al-Atassi. 1914-1940.
- Mohammad Tawfeeq ibn Abdul-Lateef al-Atassi. 1940-1965.
- Badr Al-Deen ibn Mahmood al-Atassi. 1965-1966.
- Mohammad Tayyeb ibn Abdul-Fattah al-Atassi. 1966-1984.
Other members served as religious scholars in other capacities such as judges, chief clerks, and imam
Imam
An imam is an Islamic leadership position, often the worship leader of a mosque and the Muslim community. Similar to spiritual leaders, the imam is the one who leads Islamic worship services. More often, the community turns to the mosque imam if they have a religious question...
s. One mufti, Sayed Ibraheem Efendi al-Atassi, also served as Mufti of Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
in the late 18th century. Taher al-Atassi served as the supreme judge of Basra
Basra
Basra is the capital of Basra Governorate, in southern Iraq near Kuwait and Iran. It had an estimated population of two million as of 2009...
in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, and Nablus
Nablus
Nablus is a Palestinian city in the northern West Bank, approximately north of Jerusalem, with a population of 126,132. Located in a strategic position between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, it is the capital of the Nablus Governorate and a Palestinian commercial and cultural center.Founded by the...
and Jerusalem in Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
in the late Ottoman period.
Although members of the Atassi family were naturally involved in the politics of the city of Homs by virtue of holding the Mufti position and by belonging to the class of notables and Ashraf, it was not until the late 19th century that they started holding non-religious governmental offices. Two scholars who held the position of Mufti also held political offices: Khaled al-Atassi
Khaled al-Atassi
Khaled Efendi al-Atassi al-Husseini was a famous Syrian religious authority, scholar and poet. Born in Homs to the famous Atassi family in 1837, he went through the traditional preparation for the position of Mufti, a post his family filled for over 400 years...
(1837–1908), and his son, Taher al-Atassi (1860–1940). Sayed Khaled Efendi Al-Atassi was elected as a deputy of Homs and Hama
Hama
Hama is a city on the banks of the Orontes River in west-central Syria north of Damascus. It is the provincial capital of the Hama Governorate. Hama is the fourth-largest city in Syria—behind Aleppo, Damascus, and Homs—with a population of 696,863...
in 1876 to the first Parliament of the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. In 1922, Sayed Taher Efendi was elected to the membership of the Council of the Syrian Union as a representative of Homs in the state of Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
. Other Atassis followed suit.
Further influence through education was achieved by a tradition of sending the young men of the family to be educated at the Imperial capital of Istanbul during the Ottoman administration, and then to the Sorbonne
Sorbonne
The Sorbonne is an edifice of the Latin Quarter, in Paris, France, which has been the historical house of the former University of Paris...
and other European centers of learning during the French Mandate.
Atassi Heads of State
- Hashem al-Atassi, President of Syria: 1936-1939, December, 1949-September, 1950, September, 1950-December, 1951, February, 1954-September, 1955
- Luai al-AtassiLuai al-AtassiLuai al-Atassi was a Syrian military leader and Head of State . He was born in Homs to a politically prominent family, and studied at the Military Academy in that city. He fought in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and rose to become chief of Military Protocol under his kinsman, President Hashim...
, President of the Revolutionary Council, vested with presidential powers, 1963 - Nureddin al-AtassiNureddin al-AtassiNoureddin Mohammed Ali al-Atassi was President of Syria from February 1966 to November 1970...
, President of Syria, 1966–1970
Atassi members elected to the parliament and ruling councils
(dates represent year elected)- Khaled al-AtassiKhaled al-AtassiKhaled Efendi al-Atassi al-Husseini was a famous Syrian religious authority, scholar and poet. Born in Homs to the famous Atassi family in 1837, he went through the traditional preparation for the position of Mufti, a post his family filled for over 400 years...
, elected to the Ottoman parliament, 1876. - Hashem al-Atassi, 1919, 1928, 1932, 1936.
- Wasfi Beik al-AtassiWasfi al-AtassiWasfi al-Atassi was a Syrian nationalist, statesman and one of the original writers of the Syrian constitution.-Life:Born in Homs to the Atassi family in 1888, he was educated locally. His father, Najeeb Efendi al-Atassi was an islamic scholar and a notable, having headed the municipality of the...
, 1919. - Taher Efendi al-Atassi, 1922, member of the 15-membered Ruling Council of the Tri-State Union.
- Mukarram Al-Atassi, 1936, 1946.
- Adnan al-Atassi, 1943, 1947, 1954.
- Hilmi al-atassi, 1943, 1946.
- Feidy Beik al-Atassi, 1947, 1949, 1954, 1961.
- S. al-Atassi, elected to the parliament of the United Arab RepublicUnited Arab RepublicThe United Arab Republic , often abbreviated as the U.A.R., was a sovereign union between Egypt and Syria. The union began in 1958 and existed until 1961, when Syria seceded from the union. Egypt continued to be known officially as the "United Arab Republic" until 1971. The President was Gamal...
, 1960. - Ibtisam al-Sayed Suleiman al-Atassi, 2003.
Atassi ministers in various cabinets
- Hashem Al-Atassi
- Faydi beik al-Atassi
- Adnan al-Atassi
- Mukarram al-Atassi
- Jamal al-AtassiJamal al-AtassiJamal Al-Atassi was a Syrian nationalist, politician and author. He was one of the earliest ideologues of the nascent Syrian Baath Party, which he joined soon after it was founded...
- Nureddin al-AtassiNureddin al-AtassiNoureddin Mohammed Ali al-Atassi was President of Syria from February 1966 to November 1970...
Ambassadors
- Adnan bin Hashem Beik al-Atassi, Paris (1945)
- Abdel-Kareem al-Atassi,
- Jawdat bin Abdel Jawad al-Atassi
- Abdul Mou'men al-Atassi
- Abdel-Wadood al-Atassi
Atassi mayors of Homs
- Hasan al-Atassi, late 19th century.
- Najeeb Atassi, 1879.
- Omar Beik Al-Atassi, 1912.
- Mohammad Al-Atassi, 1920-1930.
- Feidy Beik Al-Atassi, 1931-1945.
- Mukarram al-Atassi, 1950s.
- Qasem al-Atassi, 1954-1957.
Ranking officers in the Syrian Military
In order of highest rank:- General Louay ibn Ahmad Sami al-Atassi, Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Armed Forces, president of the Revolutionary councel, 1963.
- Major General Dr. Sabah al-Deen bin Husam al-Deel al-Atassi, former High Commissioner of the Syrian Army
- Major General Dr. Ziad bin Abu al-Sood al-Sayed Suleiman al-Atassi
- Major General Iklil bin Fahmi al-Atassi
- Major General Tamer bin Haqqi al-Atassi.
- Brigadier General his Excellency Ambassador Jawdat bin Abdel-Jawad al-Atassi, former president of the Syrian Military School
- Brigadier General Dr. Abdel-Zaher bin Abdel Majeed al-Sayed Suleiman al-Atassi
- Brigadier General Salem ibn Sluleiman al-Atassi
- Colonel Ziad bin Khalil al-Atassi, former Secretary General of the Syrian Veteran Society.
- Colonel Faisal bin Mazhar al-Atassi, leader of the 1954 coup.
- Colonel Mohammad bin Ibrahim al-Atassi, former Commissioner of the Syrian Army, former head of the Allepo Military Police.
- Colonel Shahood bin Rafeeq al-Atassi, former head of the Syrian Desert Forces.
- Colonel Mazyad bin Tawfeeq al-Atassi, former head of the Civilian Police in Homs, former Director General of the Prisons of Allepo.
- Lieutenant Colonel Tarek bin Shaker Imad Al-Deen al-Atassi, Director of the Military Museum, Damascus.