Hussain Ibn Ali
King of the Hedjaz, and a lineal descendant of the Prophet. Before the outbreak of the European War, while Arabia, from which has arisen the new kingdom, was still a Turkish dependency. Hussain ibn Ali was Grand Sherif and Emir of Mecca. In June, 1916, he proclaimed himself in active alliance with the Allies, and declared the Hedjaz an independent kingdom. The Allies quickly recognized his claim, for his open participation in the war against Turkey made the proclamation of a jehad, or holy war, impossible. See HEDJAZ; TURKEY.