​​Sovereign Imperial & Royal House of Ghassan

American journalist and author Gerald W. Johnson once remarked, “Nothing changes more constantly than the past; for the past that influences our lives does not consist of what happened, but of what men believe happened.” This observation is particularly relevant to the history and historical perceptions in the Middle East, where centuries of conflict, occupation, and shifting narratives have uniquely shaped the region’s collective memory.

The Complex History of Al-Sham

Focusing on the region of Al-Sham—an area encompassing modern-day Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Cyprus, and Turkey’s Hatay Province—provides a rich example of how history is interpreted and reinterpreted over time. This region, often called the Levant or Greater Syria, is home to a remarkable diversity of peoples, religions, and cultures, many of whom have conflicting interests and identities.

The people of Al-Sham have endured pressures from centuries of Ottoman Turkish occupation and later Western imperialism, both of which have had a profound impact on the history and its perception. One notable example is the anti-Arab sentiment among some Lebanese, many of whom refuse to identify as Arab despite shared cultural and historical roots with their neighbors in Jordan, Palestine, and Syria. Curiously, Lebanese emigrants to South America before founding the Lebanese Republic in 1943 often proudly identify as Arabs, demonstrating the fluid nature of identity across time and place.

Ottoman Suppression of Local Histories

The Ottoman Empire, which ruled much of the Middle East from the 16th to the early 20th centuries, had little interest in preserving the histories of sovereign or noble families unless they served Ottoman interests. Unlike in Europe, where royal families' histories were well-documented and protected by institutions such as the Catholic and Protestant Churches, the history of Middle Eastern noble families was often suppressed or lost over time.

The El Chemor/Gharios Princely Family

One of the most significant noble families in the region is the El Chemor/Gharios Princely Family, which claims direct descent from Jablah VI Ibn Aiham, the last king of the Ghassanids (ruled 632-638 CE). Respected Maronite historians have extensively documented this claim. For instance, Father Ignatios Tannos El-Khoury states:

"It is a reputed deep-rooted allegation that the heads of Al-Chemor tribe are rooted from Bani Chemor, who are the Christian Kings of Ghassan which belong to Al Jafna" (El-Khoury, 1948, p. 38) .

The family ruled the region of Al-Aqoura under an absolute regime from 1211 CE until 1633 CE, with no higher authority than their own sovereignty. After the Ottoman Empire arrived in Lebanon in the 16th century, the El Chemor family entered into treaties with the Ottomans but retained a degree of autonomy. They continued to rule in Al-Aqoura and Zgharta-Zawiye for another two centuries until 1747.

The Title "Sheikh" and Its Sovereign Connotation

The title "Sheikh," commonly associated with the El Chemor family, has many levels. In the case of the El Chemor family, the title "Sheikh" refers to a sovereign ruler, making it equivalent to "Prince." This is similar to the use of the title in Gulf monarchies like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Kuwait, where members of the ruling family are also titled "Sheikh" (Pine, 1992, p. 137-138).

Lesser "sheikhs" in Lebanon were often mere tax collectors for the Ottoman Empire. Still, the El Chemor princes were sovereigns, ruling independently since 1211 CE, well before the foundation of the Ottoman Empire in 1299 CE and the creation of the first Lebanese emirate in 1516.

Sovereignty and International Law

In technical terms, the El Chemor family was sovereign because its authority did not emanate from a higher power. It only made treaties with the Ottomans in the final years of its rule. According to international law, sovereignty is defined as full control over a geographical area, regardless of its size or duration (Halleck, 1844).

The El Chemor/Gharios family continues to hold their sovereign titles, recognized by the Ottoman Empire until its demise in 1924, and by the Lebanese Republic to the present day. This recognition is significant because, as Professor Emilio Furno notes, the legitimacy of a deposed sovereign is an "absolute personal right" independent of recognition from other authorities (Furno, 1961).

Royal Recognition and Sovereign Equivalency

In 2017, President Michel Aoun of Lebanon officially received members of the El Chemor family, reinforcing the family's historical legitimacy. Additionally, the family’s titles have been recognized by other heads of state, including President Bujar Nishani of Albania, and by the Vatican through the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.

International law supports the principle of sovereign equivalency, meaning that a deposed sovereign retains their royal rights, passed down to their heirs. As Emerich de Vattel wrote, a king does not lose his royal character merely because he has lost his kingdom; those rights are inherent and cannot be extinguished (Vattel, The Law of Nations, 1758).

Conclusion

The El Chemor/Gharios family exemplifies how the perception of history can shift over time, especially in a region as complex as the Middle East. Despite centuries of occupation, suppression, and shifting identities, the family has maintained its sovereign titles and status, recognized by international law and various governments. As philosopher Maimonides wisely noted, “Truth does not become more true because the entire world agrees with it, nor less so even if the whole world disagrees with it.”

References

• El-Khoury, Ignatios Tannos. Historical Scientific Research: Sheikh El Chemor Rulers of Al-Aqoura (1211-1633) and Rulers of Al-Zawiye (1641-1747). Beirut, Lebanon, 1948.
• Pine, L.G. Titles: How the King Became His Majesty. Barnes & Noble, 1992.
  
• Halleck, Henry Wager. Elements of International Law and Laws of War. 1844.
  
• Furno, Emilio. The Legitimacy of Non-National Orders. Rivista Penale, January 1961.
  
• Vattel, Emerich. The Law of Nations. 1758.

The El Chemor/Gharios family Vis-à-vis with the International Law