Queen Fatima
Encyclopedia
Sayyida Fatima el-Sharif (Arabic: فاطمة الشريف), after her marriage Fatima as-Senussi, or Fatima Al-Shifa Al-Sinousi (1911 – 3 October 2009), was Queen
of the Kingdom of Libya
, the spouse of King Idris I
, until Muammar al-Gaddafi
's coup in 1969.
, the former chief of the Senussi religious order
. Her father was active in resistance toward the colonial forces. In 1929, she was forced to flee on camel to Egypt from Marchal Graziani. In 1931, she married Idris, then Prince of Cyrenaica, who was her relative and her father's successor, in Siwa
. Her only son died, at one day old, in 1953.
Fatima became Queen in 1951. In 1954, her nephew assassinated Idris' advisor Ibrahim al-Shelhi because of a rumor that Shelhi had convinced Idris to divorce Fatima in favor of a marriage with his daughter. Idris then ordered the execution of Fatima's nephew. When Idris decided to obey the demands to remarry in order to have an heir, Fatima selected two women as prospective brides: he chose neither of them, but instead an Egyptian heir appointed by his premier, Alia Abdel Kader Lamloum, whom he married in 1955. Fatima, however, being not divorced, refused to leave the royal residence in Tobruk
, and after a couple of months, the couple reconciled. The relationship between Fatima and Idris is described as a mutually happy one. They became foster-parents to several children of relatives, and they also adopted a daughter: Suleima, whose father had been killed fighting against France.
Queen Fatima was described as humorous and tactful and with an ability to make people relax, especially children, and as the loyal support of Idris, with a simple but elegant style. She became a role model for a new way of life for the women of Libya by her role as a queen. Fatima neither wore a veil, nor did she live in seclusion; as a queen, she played a visible role in society, and was present regularly at various public events.
Fatima was in Turkey
with her spouse at the time of the fall of the monarchy in 1969. She lived in the Egypt
ian capital, Cairo
, from the overthrow of the royal governance in Libya on 1 September 1969, until her death. After the "revolution" of 1969, she was tried (in absentia
) in the Libyan People's Court
and sentenced in November 1971 to five years in prison and her properties were seized. Her house in Tripoli
was returned to her in 2007. She died on October 3, 2009, aged 98, in Cairo
.
Queen consort
A queen consort is the wife of a reigning king. A queen consort usually shares her husband's rank and holds the feminine equivalent of the king's monarchical titles. Historically, queens consort do not share the king regnant's political and military powers. Most queens in history were queens consort...
of the Kingdom of Libya
Kingdom of Libya
The Kingdom of Libya, originally called the United Libyan Kingdom came into existence upon independence on 24 December 1951 and lasted until a coup d'état led by Muammar Gaddafi on 1 September 1969 overthrew King Idris of Libya and established the Libyan Arab Republic.- Constitution :Under the...
, the spouse of King Idris I
Idris I of Libya
Idris, GBE , , was the first and only king of Libya, reigning from 1951 to 1969, and the Chief of the Senussi Muslim order.- Early life :...
, until Muammar al-Gaddafi
Muammar al-Gaddafi
Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi or "September 1942" 20 October 2011), commonly known as Muammar Gaddafi or Colonel Gaddafi, was the official ruler of the Libyan Arab Republic from 1969 to 1977 and then the "Brother Leader" of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 1977 to 2011.He seized power in a...
's coup in 1969.
Biography
Fatima el-Sharif was born in Libya in 1911, the only daughter of Sayyid Ahmed Sharif es SenussiAhmed Sharif es Senussi
Ahmed Sharif as-Senussi , the supreme leader of the Senussi order , although his leadership between the years could be considered nominal...
, the former chief of the Senussi religious order
Senussi
The Senussi or Sanussi refers to a Muslim political-religious order in Libya and the Sudan region founded in Mecca in 1837 by the Grand Senussi, Sayyid Muhammad ibn Ali as-Senussi. Senussi was concerned with both the decline of Islamic thought and spirituality and the weakening of Muslim political...
. Her father was active in resistance toward the colonial forces. In 1929, she was forced to flee on camel to Egypt from Marchal Graziani. In 1931, she married Idris, then Prince of Cyrenaica, who was her relative and her father's successor, in Siwa
Siwa
Siwa may refer to:* 140 Siwa, an asteroid* Siwa, Indonesian pronunciation of the Hindu god Shiva* Siwa , spider genus in the Araneidae family* Siwa Oasis, an oasis in Egypt* Siwa, Panchthar, a Village Development Committee in Nepal...
. Her only son died, at one day old, in 1953.
Fatima became Queen in 1951. In 1954, her nephew assassinated Idris' advisor Ibrahim al-Shelhi because of a rumor that Shelhi had convinced Idris to divorce Fatima in favor of a marriage with his daughter. Idris then ordered the execution of Fatima's nephew. When Idris decided to obey the demands to remarry in order to have an heir, Fatima selected two women as prospective brides: he chose neither of them, but instead an Egyptian heir appointed by his premier, Alia Abdel Kader Lamloum, whom he married in 1955. Fatima, however, being not divorced, refused to leave the royal residence in Tobruk
Tobruk
Tobruk or Tubruq is a city, seaport, and peninsula on Libya's eastern Mediterranean coast, near the border with Egypt. It is the capital of the Butnan District and has a population of 120,000 ....
, and after a couple of months, the couple reconciled. The relationship between Fatima and Idris is described as a mutually happy one. They became foster-parents to several children of relatives, and they also adopted a daughter: Suleima, whose father had been killed fighting against France.
Queen Fatima was described as humorous and tactful and with an ability to make people relax, especially children, and as the loyal support of Idris, with a simple but elegant style. She became a role model for a new way of life for the women of Libya by her role as a queen. Fatima neither wore a veil, nor did she live in seclusion; as a queen, she played a visible role in society, and was present regularly at various public events.
Fatima was in 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...
with her spouse at the time of the fall of the monarchy in 1969. She lived in the Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
ian capital, Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
, from the overthrow of the royal governance in Libya on 1 September 1969, until her death. After the "revolution" of 1969, she was tried (in absentia
In absentia
In absentia is Latin for "in the absence". In legal use, it usually means a trial at which the defendant is not physically present. The phrase is not ordinarily a mere observation, but suggests recognition of violation to a defendant's right to be present in court proceedings in a criminal trial.In...
) in the Libyan People's Court
Libyan People's Court
The Libyan People's Court is an emergency tribunal founded in Libya after the "revolution" of 1 September 1969. Although its initial purpose was to try the officials of the overthrown Kingdom, many others also were trialed by this court...
and sentenced in November 1971 to five years in prison and her properties were seized. Her house in 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...
was returned to her in 2007. She died on October 3, 2009, aged 98, in Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
.