The Arab world is known for its long history of civilizations, revolutions and… its leaders. Here are 24 of the longest reigning Arab rulers:
1. Issa ibn Ali Al Khalifa - Bahrain, 63 years (1869-1932)
Known as Hakim Bahrain and a national figure, Issa ibn Ali Al Khalifa holds the record for the longest reigning ruler in the Arab world. He was forced to abdicate in 1932 by the British.
2. Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi - Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, 62 years (1948-2010)
Sheikh Sakr overthrew his uncle in 1948 and ruled till the age of 90, becoming the oldest reigning monarch at the time of his death. His efforts led to Ras Al Khaimah joining the United Arab Emirates, in addition to political reforms.
3. Ismail ibn Sahrif - Morocco, 55 years (1672-1727)
Ismail ibn Sharif, known as "Warrior King," is one of Morocco's most legendary figures. Though he is credited for winning several battles that lead to Morocco's independence, his renown cruelty led to posing 10,000 killed enemy heads on the city walls, and he is alleged to have fathered more than 800 children!
4. Said bin Sultan - Oman, 52 years (1804-1856)
Sultan Said fought and won numerous battles to become the ruler of Oman. He conquered Mombasa, Kenya, and moved his capital from Muscat to Zanzibar in 1840.
5. Hussein bin Talal - Jordan, 47 years (1952-1999)
Hussein of Jordan was the father of the current King Abdullah and led Jordan through difficult Arab-Israeli conflicts.
6. Qaboos bin Said al Said - Oman, 46 years (1970-now)
Educated in India and Britain's Sandhurst military academy, Sultan Qaboos overthrew his father and united Oman to begin economic and social reform.
7. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi - Sharjah, UAE, 44 years (1972-present)
Besides ruling Sharjah, Al Qasimi holds two doctorates, in political geography and history, has published several literary works, and holds numerous awards, medals, and honorary positions from the world's top institutions.
8. Muammar Gaddafi - Libya, 42 years (1969-2011)
Gaddafi was killed by NATO in 2011, after a controversial rule of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriyya for 42 years. The Gaddafi household was notoriously rich: Maria Carey, Beyonce, Usher, and Lionel Richie are among the stars who performed at their parties.
9. Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi - Fujairah, UAE, 42 years (1974-present)
Enjoying century-old strong family alliances with Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Sheikh Hamad is an eloquent speaker who represents the UAE president in several forums around the world.
10. Hassan II - Morocco, 38 years (1961-1999)
Upon his father's death in 1961, Hassan II became king of Morocco and ruled conservatively, where the Alaouite dynasty was strengthened through his power.
11. Abd ar-Rahman ibn Hisham - Morocco, 37 years (1822-1859)
Abd ar-Rahman took over during a difficult time for Morocco. He sought foreign aid and attempted to restore life to Berber piracy.
12. Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi - Ajman, UAE, 35 years (1981-present)
Sheikh Humaid was educated in Dubai and Cairo before entering the political scene, where he used his power to transform Ajman from a small fishing village into a developed emirate.
13. Ali Abdallah Saleh - Yemen, 33 years (1978-2012)
Saleh had only an elementary education before getting a rigorous military education. After the country heavily protested against him in 2012, he passed over the rule to his deputy, whereafter he fled to the United States for medical treatment. He is alleged to be the force behind the current rebel Houthi group in Yemen.
14. Mohammad V - Morocco, 32 years (1927-1953, 1955-1961)
Mohammad V successfully negotiated with France to gain Morocco's independence, but not before he was exiled to Corsica and Madgascar from 1953-1955.
15. Habib Bourguiba - Tunisia, 31 years (1956-1987)
Bourguiba led Tunisia's road to independence, backed by his law experience in France. He initiated positive changes in the country, until he was replaced by his prime minister in 1987.
16. Hosni Mubarak - Egypt, 30 years (1981-2011)
The president of Egypt was long credited with leading Cairo to be Africa's gateway city, but later accused of corruption, leading to a nationwide protests that ended his rule.
17. Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah - Kuwait, 29 years (1921-1950)
Al Sabah was one of Kuwait's most prominent emirs, founding the military and public security force divisions. He is the father of the current prince of Kuwait.
18. Omar Al Bashir - Sudan, 27 years (1989-present)
Indicted by the International Criminal Court for mass killings in Darfur, Omar Al Bashir played a controversial but pivotal role in the conflict between North and South Sudan, as well as its resolution.
19. Saddam Hussein - Iraq, 24 years (1979-2003)
As the leader of the Arab Socialist Baath Party, Saddam rose to power in 1979, and controversially but tightly ruled Iraq till the United States invaded in 2003, when he was killed.
20. Fahd bin Abdelaziz Al Saud - Saudi Arabia, 23 years (1982-2005)
Fahd is one of the sons of the Saud house's founder, King Abdelaziz, and is known for establishing the Basic Law of Saudi Arabia in 1992.
21. Zine El Abidine Ben Ali - Tunisia, 22 years (1989-2011)
Ben Ali rose to presidency in 1989 through a coup against Habib Bourguiba, whereafter his era enjoyed great economic reform. Nevertheless, his unfavorable position in his later years, coupled with allegations of corruption against his family, led to his ousting in 2011.
22. Abdulaziz ibn Saud - Saudi Arabia, 21 years (1932-1953)
Founder of the royal House of Saud, Abdulaziz conquered to establish the border of what is today the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Petroleum was discovered in the kingdom under his era.
23. Faysal II - Iraq, 19 years (1939-1958)
The king's grandfather was Ali ibn Hussein, the Grand Sharif of Mecca and founder of the Hashemite dynasty, making Hussein of Jordan his first cousin. Faysal II ruled till he was murdered during the 14 July Revolution, ending the monarchy in Iraq.
24. Hassan I - Morocco, 19 years (1873-1894)
Hassan I is known for bringing great military and social reforms to Morocco.