The Prince of Ghassan has been receiving ludicrous accusations on social media. Although advised to simply ignore it, HIRH has insisted on publishing a Q&A clarifying many queries that might be sincere and innocent interrogations from people that don’t understand the minutia of Middle Eastern history and jurisprudence in international law. All this information was always available on HIRH’s websites and social media.
How come Prince Gharios is an Arab prince if he was born in Brazil?
Arab immigration to Brazil started in the 1890s as Lebanese and Syrian people fled the political and economic instability caused by the collapse of the Ottoman Empire; the vast majority were Christian.
Today is estimated that the Lebanese population is around 4 million people and there are more than 8 million Lebanese living in Brazil. Ontop of that, around 5 million Syrians. Arab Brazilians are well integrated into Brazilian society. Today, only a minority of Arab Brazilians still know and speak the Arabic language, the vast majority of them being monolingual Portuguese speakers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Brazilians
The Arab Brazilians are so influential that in 2016 His Excellency Michel Temer, the son of a Maronite Catholic Lebanese immigrant, became the 37th president of Brazil. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michel_Temer
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How come Prince Gharios’ name is “Ahnume Guerios”?
That’s the Portuguese transliteration of the Arabic name النعمان غاريوس or in English “Al-Numan Gharios”.
A word, a name, or a surname can be written in many different ways in English, Spanish, Italian, French, etc. It has the VERY SAME WRITING IN ARABIC. For example, the Maloof Family. You write it in Arabic in only one way, but in Roman languages, you can write: Maalouf, Maloof, Makhlouf, Maluf, etc. It’s the very same family. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maloof_family
Any amateur genealogist knows that it’s very frequent that names and surnames from the same family have different spelling. Here’s another explanation from professional genealogist Melissa Corn Finlay, Accredited Genealogist® has 30 years of genealogical research experience. She is accredited by ICAPGen℠ in the Mid-South region of the United States. She is a specialist in research planning, solving genealogy brick walls, research report writing, and document analysis.
According to BBC, the name Mohammad has the following different spellings variations: Muhammad, Mohammed, Mohammad, Muhammed, Mohamed, Mohamad, Muhamad, Muhamed, Mohamud, Mohummad, Mohummed, Mouhamed, Mohammod and Mouhamad.
That’s not just in Arabic. Another reason for the different ways of writing the same surname was because the immigration clerks would write the surnames and names in any way they understood it. It’s a very common and notorious fact and it happened to families from all over the world.
Prince Gharios was born in 1973 and up to 1988, anything related to monarchy was forbidden in Brazil due to the constitution (1891) that followed the coup-de-etat that overthrew the Brazilian Emperor in 1889, making it impossible to Gharios/El Chemor family members in Brazil to even register their titles legally.
However, the fact that the prince was registered as “Ahnume” (Al-Numan) implies royal blood according to the old Arab tradition, otherwise, he would be just “Nume” (Numan or Noman, the actual given name in the simple form). The Ghassanid Kings followed this principle, for example, seven kings were also named “Al-Numan” instead of just “Numan”. All kings named “Harith”, “Mundhir”, and “Ayham” also had the “Al” in front. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghassanids
How can Prince Gharios be a prince of a kingdom that no longer exists?
According to accepted international jurisprudence, even if the monarchy is abolished the royal family and its descendants may keep the titles and honors indefinitely. That’s not only recognized by international law but also by several sovereign countries, both monarchies and republics. The notorious legal principle is called “jus sanguinis” or “law of the blood”. The Ghassanid Royal titles were recognized formally and informally by several heads-of-state, political, and religious leaders. Learn more here:
How can Prince Gharios be a prince if he is not the son of a king?
Unfortunately, especially in America, the only information available about monarchies is a combination of Walt Disney’s adaptations of the Grimm brothers’ tales and the gossip about the British Royal family. Learn more here:
There are similarities between the laws of succession, but each royal family has its own rules. European monarchies usually operate on primogeniture, meaning the eldest son (or daughter) of the last monarch inherits the throne. That doesn’t occur in the middle eastern monarchies. The only requirement is to be a male and descend from the previous ruler. Learn more here:
Therefore, Arab succession operates laterally, meaning not only the sons compete for the succession but also brothers, uncles, cousins, etc. The “chosen one” must have the “bayah” (oath of allegiance) or support of the heads of the family. And there’s no obligation for a prince to be the son of a king! For example, the princes of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, and Qatar, are not sons of kings.
Well-known royals from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and UAE that are princes (amir, emir)and sons of other princes and sheikhs. Even the current King of Bahrain was the son of a prince
In a deposed monarchy, the leadership of a Royal House demands a lot of time and almost complete dedication. Therefore, princes usually prefer to dedicate themselves to their families and work. In European custom, a formal abdication is required to eliminate an heir for the succession. That doesn’t occur in Arab monarchies. The other princes simply formally support the current head of the House with the “bayah”. In the El Chemor family, there were kings, emperors, princes, and royal (sui iuris) sheiks.
HIRH Prince Gharios’ cousin, HRH PrinceSaud bin Abdulaziz Al Rashidthe 10th Emir of Jabal Shammar (translates as “Mountain Chemor”) the principality existed from 1836 until 1921
Here the encyclopedia of Maronite families corroborates the aforementioned:
As already explained, up to 1988, anything related to monarchy was forbidden in Brazil due to the constitution (1891) that followed the coup-de-etat that overthrew the Brazilian Emperor in 1889, making it impossible to Gharios/El Chemor family members in Brazil to even register their titles legally.
“CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNITED STATES OF BRAZIL (February 24, 1891)
WWI’s emigration from today’s Lebanon and Syria was extremely painful to all involved. They left their homeland to live in a country that they knew nothing about, and they didn’t speak the language. Except for some family members that visited Lebanon in the 1960’s the majority of the family in Brazil had no contact with Lebanese relatives until the 2000s.
Since the majority of the families left in haste, leaving their possessions behind, they had to start from zero in the new country. Even knowing about the glorious past, their priority was to make a living, like many exiled ruling families, like the Habsburgs, for example. Also, the family in Brazil had no knowledge of international law and the fact that those titles could be legally claimed by “jus sanguinis”.
In Lebanon, the family members kept using the titles continuously since the deposition. However, the premature death of Sheikh Antonius El Chemor in 1971 at only 60 years old created a 37-year hiatus in the active promotion of the Royal Family until 2008 when, out of Prince Gharios’ own research and dedication, the active promotion resumed being joined by the sons of Sheikh Antonius in 2014.
An important thing to be pondered is that there’s no legal obligation to a person to publicly use any title or honor that the person might have the right to bear. Someone might hold the title “in pectore et in potentia” and the public use is the person’s prerogative.
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Since the Ghassanid Dynasty is so impressive and ruled for around 15 centuries (being over 18 centuries old) why is it not better known?
The answer is not simple. Many factors besides the aforementioned constitutional prohibition in Brazil have contributed to that:
a. Lack of interest in the subject even in Lebanon
b. Dictatorship in Syria
c. It’s a Christian dynasty in Muslim lands
d. Prejudice from historians: Muslim historians because the Ghassanids were Christians and European historians because the Ghassanids were Arabs
e. The refusal of the El Chemor family to cooperate with the Ottoman Empire and the ruling princes after the deposition. This fact made the family lose recent political prestige
f. The majority of information is in Arabic and started to be translated only a decade ago
g. As already mentioned premature death of HIRH Prince Sheikh Antonios El Chemor (1910-1971) the Royal Family had a hiatus from public representation until 2008 when HIRH Prince Gharios assumed the headship of the Dynasty (although the family members in Lebanon never stop using the titles publicly)
How come Prince Gharios wears military uniforms being a civilian?
The use of service military uniforms by civilians is obviously a form of deception and has to be denounced.
However, the use of certain “gala military-style uniforms” (not directly related to any active armed forces) has their use permitted by civilians in the case of orders of merit and chivalry. Below are some examples:
Yes, the prince is an actor/director/producer/musician/painter. In some people’s abundant ignorance, a prince cannot be an artist. Maybe in the Middle Ages! Just a few examples: HM King Abdullah II of Jordan had a cameo on Star Trek and HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco had a career as a singer in Europe in the 80s (below)
HRH Prince Emanuelle Filiberto of Savoy, heir to the Italian throne, a dancer and singer. Here he won the Italian version of “Dancing with the Stars” in 2009
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Did Prince Gharios “invent” his story?
This is the funniest of all since goes against the immutable laws of physics. It’s virtually impossible for a person to “invent” something that was vastly documented before he was born. The prince was born in 1973 and the latest book about the El Chemor was written in 1948, staggering 25 years before he was even born! (the book is accepted as official Maronite history, cited by encyclopedias, and was never contested since it was written as stated by the leading Maronite scholar alive)
How about the writings of Maronite Patriarch Istifan al-Duwayhi (Duaihy) (1630-1704)? He mentions the Ghassanids and the El Chemor family in his book “The History of Times” written 300 years before Prince Gharios was born! How could he invent all of that?
Hear it directly from Mr. Boutros Duaihy, a descendant of the Patriarch and expert on his life and works:
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How come Prince Gharios’ recent ancestors and current relatives have the title “Sheikh” and he is a prince?
“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 [King] Al Jafna.” Father Ignatios Tannos El-Khoury, Historical Scientific Research: “Sheikh El Chemor Rulers of Al-Aqoura (1211-1633) and Rulers of Al-Zawiye (1641-1747)” Beirut, Lebanon, 1948, p.38
By “jus sanguinis” (or law of blood) as the undisputed descendants and heirs of Ghassanid King Chemor Jablah they were already the legitimate heirs of the Ghassanid Imperial and Royal titles. Nevertheless, for local and circumstantial reasons, they ruled two small sheikhdoms or principalities (Akoura and Zgharta-Zawiye) in Mount Lebanon for approximately 500 years (until 1747 CE) using the title of “Sheikh”.
“Sheikh (pronounced /ʃeɪk/ SHAYK or /ʃiːk/ SHEEK; Arabic: شيخ šayḫ [ʃæjx], mostly pronounced [ʃeːx/ʃejx], plural شيوخ šuyūḫ [ʃuju:x])—also transliterated Sheik, Shaik, Shayk, Shaykh, Cheikh, Shekh, and Shaikh—is an honorific title in the Arabic language. It commonly designates the ruler of a tribe, who inherited the title from his father. “Sheikh” is given to a royal male at birth, whereas the related title “Sheikha” is given to a royal female at birth.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh
In the technical sense, the El Chemor family was also sovereign in Mount Lebanon as it was in Ghassansince their power was considerable autonomous and didn’t emanate from a higher authority. The family had to make deals with the Ottomans only in the last years of rule, to join the Iltizam system for some time culminating with the deposition.
According to accepted international law and its principle of “sovereign equality“, the Pope or the prince of Monaco is “as royal” as the Queen of England regardless of the size of their actual territories. That principle is one of the pillars of International Law itself.
By the aforementioned, the “sovereign” or “semi-sovereign” ruling Sheikh is the equivalent of a Prince.
There are so many examples in the Arabian peninsula and Gulf like Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar, etc.
Well known royals from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and UAE that are sheikhs and princes (amir, emir)
“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 Sheikhs is His Highness.” “Titles: How the king became His Majesty”, L.G. Pine, New York, 1992 (Barnes & Noble) p. 137-138
“In the modern United Arab Emirates, however, none of the rulers of the constituent states are called emirs (princes); all are Sheikhs.”https://www.britannica.com/topic/emir
Official Decree by theworld’s largest body of Muslim leaders in Iraq (the only one in the globe composed of leaders from both Sunni and Shia traditions)2013’sSworn legal affidavit by a Brazilian Chief-Judge (and former State Governor) recognizing all of Prince Gharios’s titles
Although highly prestigious and famous, the descendants of the deposed Royal families of Austria, Italy, France, and Germany (amongst others) continue to use their royal titles and keep their orders of chivalry and merit alive, but they have no official recognition from the countries they once ruled. As aforementioned, that doesn’t mean in any way, shape, or form, that they’re not legitimate.
The Royal Family of Ghassan, the Sheikhs El Chemor, have outstanding 812 years of uninterrupted and documented official recognition. The first State of Ghassan was established in the Levant in 220 CE and lasted until 638 CE, making the family the oldest Arab Dynasty and the oldest Christian bloodline still active. Despite the fact that the Royal House is 1,803 years old, with the advent of Islam and countless wars and exile, a lot was lost from the First States. However, 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 and documented official recognition.
According to several scholars of international law, a title, a royal house, and orders of merit and chivalry from deposed heirs of royal bloodlines are only fully recognized if it’s done by an incumbent head of State.
Letter by the late HIRH Archduke Otto Von Habsburg, crown Prince of Austria, mentioning the criteria for the legal recognition of titlesHIRH Prince Gharios El Chemor being officially received by two incumbent heads of state, the presidents of Lebanon and Albania
THE ROYAL HERALD 
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