DOCUMENTS
The Usays Inscription (found in 1963)
“The (Usays) inscription is considered to be the most important Arabic inscription of the sixth century, the second most important of all the pre-Islamic Arab inscriptions as a historical document.” —Irfan Shahîd, Byzantium and the Arabs in the Sixth Century, vol. 1, 1995, p. 117
“Contemporary documents reflect the contrast between the two Basileia (Kingships). In Simeon, [Chemor]Jabala is termed as 'King of the Ghassanids', in Usays inscription Arethas is called simply 'The King', possibly indicating the extension of the Basileia (kingship) over non-Ghassanids including the person who sets up the inscription.” (Ibid)
Letter from Prophet Mohammad to Harith bin Abu Chemor (Abi Shamir) Al-Ghassani, King of Ghassan
"In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
From Muhammad, Messenger of Allâh to Al-Harith bin Abi Shamir [Chemor]*.
Peace be upon him who follows true guidance, believes in it and regards it as true. I invite you to believe in Allâh Alone with no associate, thence after your kingdom will remain yours."
"Shuja‘ bin Wahab had the honour of taking the letter to Harith, who upon hearing the letter read in his audience, was madly infuriated and uttered: "Who dares to dispose me of my country, I’ll fight him (the Prophet)," and arrogantly rejected the Prophet’s invitation to the fold of Islam." [Za'd Al-Ma'ad 3/62; Muhadarat Tareekh Al-Umam Al-Islamiyah 1/146]
* Shamir, also Shamar, Shamour or Chemor is one of the many transliterations of the same Arabic word الشمر
The 1948’s book “The Sheikhs Chemor rulers of Akoura (1211-1633 CE) and rulers of Zawie (1641-1747 CE)”
Beirut, Lebanon, 1948, by the famous Lebanese historian Ignatious Tannos Khoury
Book establishes the El Chemor Sheikhs as the lawful descendants and heirs of the Ghassanid King Chemor Jablah, that being the origin of the family's name "Bani Chemor" or the "Children of King Chemor". The book is considered to be official source for the Maronite Church and for the Lebanese Government as the other documents below can attest.
* Download the full book in Arabic HERE
* Download sworn legal English translation of sensitive chapters HERE
* To understand the different categories of "sheikhs" in Lebanon, please click HERE
Affidavit from top Maronite scholar validating the 1948's El Chemor book
Professor Dr. Abbot Antoine Daou, one of the top modern Maronite historians, have confirmed the book's accuracy in a sworn affidavit. Prof. Dr. Daou is not only an acclaimed Maronite historian and author of the book “History of the Maronites” (Beirut, 1970) amongst many others, and was graduated by the Pontifical Angelicum University in Rome with Doctorates in Theology and Canon law. He is a siting professor of the La Sagesse University in Lebanon and is the Abbot of the Antoinine Maronite Order. He also serves as the Secretary of the Commission of the Lebanese Bishops’ Conference for Dialogue with Islam. Prof. Dr. Abbot Daou categorically states that the book about the El Chemor family by Father Ignatios “has been considered as an essential reference of Maronite’s and Lebanon history’s references” and that “no book or criticism has been issued by the Maronite church opposing this chronicling.” About Father Ignatios he states “a well-known historian and writer”.
2014's Official article from Lebanese Government validating the book about El Chemor/Gharios family
Lebanon has two state-owned news agencies. The most important of them is The National News Agency (NNA), official news body of Lebanon, launched in 1964. They’re an entity subjected to the Ministry of Information Lebanese Republic. In other words, whatever is published or stated via any of the entities subjected to the Ministry of Information is considered and recognized as “official information from the Lebanese Government“.
* CLICK HERE for the official 2014’s article (in Arabic) from the The National News Agency (Lebanese Government News’s Agency – Ministry of Information) quoting the book about the El Chemor princely family (recognizing the titles and citing some family members) and validating Father Ignatios El Khoury’s 1948’s book as an official source.
* Please, click below of the Sworn English legal translation of the article
Encyclopedia of Maronite Families - Notre Dame University
The Notre Dame University–Louaize (NDU) 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.
In their Encyclopedia of the Maronite families of Lebanon, in its volume 4, pp. 2236, 2237 and 2238, it 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 1948’s book of historian Ignatios Tannos El Khoury, mentioning both sources as some of the many references. More details HERE
Multiple Historical Documents from Ottoman Imperial Times (19th and 20th centuries)
The Sheikhs El Chemor were deposed in 1747 CE and the Nobility titles in Mount Lebanon were abolished in 1858 CE.
These documents are dated over 130 years after the deposition and over 20 years after the title’s abolishment by the Ottoman Empire in Lebanon and still displays officially and legally the family titles.
1909's tombstone of Sheikh Selim El Chemor
The grave of His Highness Sheikh Selim El Chemor (passed away in 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. In 1909 CE, it was 162 years after the deposition and 51 years after the title’s abolishment by the Ottoman Empire in Lebanon
(Grave at the cemetery at the Mar Mama Ancient Church in Kferhata, Lebanon)
Recent Official Passport from the Lebanese Republic from the late Sheikh Nassif El Chemor (*1945 +2017)
The Sheikhs El Chemor were deposed in 1747 CE and the Nobility titles in Mount Lebanon were abolished in 1858 CE.
The recent Passport number 184320 proves that the Lebanese Republic kept recognizing the titles of the El Chemor family even over two centuries after the last dethronement in the 18th century. That's also a capital proof that the family members that stayed in Lebanon have never relinquished the sovereign claims since the fall of the first Ghassanid State in 636 CE. Several family members risked their lives keeping the last name El Chemor and the titles regardless of the persecution from the Ottoman Empire legally preserving the sovereign claim of the family according to the standards of international law.
* To understand the different categories of "sheikhs" in Lebanon, please click HERE
2018's Certificate issued by Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Certificate signed by the Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Gebran Bassil. The document certifies the participation of HRH Prince Gharios El Chemor to the LDE 2018, official governmental event. The Prince is officially invited by the Lebanese government to official events. The Royal Family was officially received by the President of the Lebanese Republic His Excellency General Michel Aoun in 2017.
* Please, CLICK HERE for details of the official audience with the Lebanese President
2019's Official Recognition by the Government of the Lebanese Republic
The Lebanese Republic never ceased to recognize the titles of the Sheikhs El Chemor and their official history. (see aforementioned documents)
In 2019, the Government recognized, by Presidential Decree, after deliberation of the Counsel of Ministers, the Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan, officially authorizing the establishment of a branch in Lebanon.
Official decree from the Lebanese Ministry of Interior
Official decree from the Lebanese Ministry of Interior – Number: 814/4/2022 approving HRH Prince Sheikh Selim El Chemor as the head of the Lebanese branch of the Royal House of Ghassan
Sworn Affidavit from the World's Leading Expert on Arab Royal Families
The world’s top scholar on Middle Eastern Royal families, Dr Joseph Albert Kéchichian, signed a sworn affidavit recognizing the rights of the Ghassanid Royal Family and of HRH Prince Gharios El Chemor of Ghassan Al-Nu’man VIII.
Here’s a document’s excerpt:
“By the beginning of the 20th century, some of the Gharios family decided to use the titles and surname El Chemor once again. As there are two categories of Shaykhs in Lebanon—the noble (non-sovereign) Shaykh, who may be the counterpart of baron, count or duke—and the sovereign/Royal Shaykh. The first is mostly honorary but the second is a title bestowed by a semi-sovereign authority under the Ottoman Empire. A sovereign/Royal Shaykh, like the El Chemor/Shoummar/Gharios family, have roots in the tribal system, and are similar to their counterparts in the Arabian Gulf, like the ruling families in Bahrain, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Kuwait, among others. It is this title that is the equivalent of prince and it’s given to the ruler and his sons. Consequently, HRH Prince Gharios El Chemor of Ghassan Al-Nu‘man VIII (born Ahnume Guerios) is a direct descendant of the Ghassanid Kings and the Shaykhs El Chemor/Shoummar. He is the sole claimant to the headship of the Royal House of Ghassan with germane claims that are in absolute harmony with Middle Eastern laws of succession and tribal customs. Critically, he has the bay’ah [loyalty oath] from the heads of the El Chemor/Shoummar family members and, as such, a legitimate claim to his crown.”
Click on the link for the documents
Original Sworn Legal Statement in Arabic
Sworn Legal Translation in English
Sworn Legal Translation in German
2017's Certificate of United States Presidential Award for Voluntary Service
The President's Call to Service Award is awarded by the President of the United States to people who have completed more than 4,000 hours of community service. It is the highest level of the President's Volunteer Service Award. It was established through a 2003 executive order by President George W. Bush. HRH Prince Gharios El Chemor was honored by President Obama in 2010 and recently by President Trump.
2014's Certificate of United States Special Congressional Recognition
Certificate from the United States Congress in recognition for humanitarian services to HRH Prince Gharios El Chemor. The Prince has received a second US Congressional Special recognition in 2017.
Leading Lebanese newspaper confirms El Chemor family’s Royal origins in 1981’s article
The As-Safir (Arabic: السفير), meaning The Ambassador, was a leading Arabic-language daily newspaper in Lebanon. The headquarters of the daily was in Beirut.
It has been in circulation from March 1974 until December 2016. The last issue of the paper was published on 31 December 2016.
The As-Safir published a broad article about the El Chemor family in its August 18th, 1981’s edition. Almost two full pages give broad historical references and information. Amongst many relevant facts, the newspaper states:
“… The current Lebanese sheikhs of the El Chemor family, the Maronites, are an honest dynasty legally descended from the Banu Chemor, Shamr or “Shammar” of the Ghassanids, the Christian kings of Levant.”
“… [last Ghassanid] king Jablah Ibn Aiham went out [of Syria] during the reign of Caliph Omar Ibn Al-Khattab to Lebanon where he made his land in Akoura and ruled this country since it was Christian in those days.” As-Safir newspaper 08/18/1981.
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2017's Certificate of United States Special Congressional Recognition
Certificate from the United States Congress in recognition for humanitarian services to HRH Prince Gharios El Chemor.
2015's Certificate issued by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem awarding to HRH Prince Gharios El Chemor the medal of the "Pilgrim Shell" as as a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
Certificate signed by the Grand Prior of the Order, Patriarch Fouad Twal. The honor is given to knights of the order that make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Medal from one of the oldest, most recognized and respected Orders of Chivalry in the world. The Order is under protection of HH Pope Francis as its Sovereign. This honor of knighthood is conferred by the Holy See through the Secretariat of State, who in the name of and by the authority of the Pope, approves each knighthood.
2015's Certificate issued by the Vatican Secretary of State recognizing HRH Prince Gharios El Chemor as as a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
One of the oldest, most recognized and respected Orders of Chivalry in the world. The Order is under protection of HH Pope Francis as its Sovereign. This honor of knighthood is conferred by the Holy See through the Secretariat of State, who in the name of and by the authority of the Pope, approves each knighthood. Each diploma of appointment once approved is sealed and signed by officials of the Vatican Secretariat of State and the Cardinal Grand Master of the Order in Rome. HH Pope Benedict XIV (reigned 1740-1758) stated that the Order should enjoy precedence over all Orders except over the Order of the Golden Fleece.
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