Ismael Babouk

Ismael Babouk (Arabic: إسماعيل بابوق; 1841–1920) was a Circassian aristocrat that established the first mayoral council and held office as the first Mayor of Amman between 1909 and 1911.

Ismael Babouk
1st Mayor of Amman
In office
1 January 1909  1 January 1911
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byAhmad Khatib
Personal details
Born1841
Circassia
Died1920 (aged 7879)
Amman, Jordan

Early life

Ismael Babouk was part of the first generation of Kabardian Circassians that resettled in Amman's ancient Roman ruins after leaving their homeland Circassia. The resettlement was the result of the Ruso-Circassian War that took place in historical Circassia between 1864 and 1867, which roughly encompassed the major part of the North Caucasus and the northeast shore of the Black Sea.

Ismael Babouk, after whom one of Amman's downtown streets was named, resided with siblings Kamel Babouk, Maher Babouk and Sawrat-Khan Babouk in 1885 on the Italian Hospital Street.[1]

Career

Career in agriculture & livestock trading

Ismael Babouk started his career in agriculture and raw agricultural land upon arriving in Jordan. He later expanded his work to include livestock trading between Syria, Palestine and Lebanon.

Career in politics

Ismael Babouk's career in politics started when he established Amman's first mayoral council that helped transform the city from a village to a town.

Being one of the elders of his people, and being fluent in reading and writing Arabic, Turkish, and Circassian helped get him elected by the residents of the city of Amman as Mayor in 1909 where he held office till 1911.

His mayoral election helped increase the interaction between Amman and As Salt.

References

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