• The Circassian honour guards' Commander, Ayman Yacoub, and Assistant Commander, Hytham Hakho, stand with other members at the royal court in Amman, Jordan. Photos: Reuters
    The Circassian honour guards' Commander, Ayman Yacoub, and Assistant Commander, Hytham Hakho, stand with other members at the royal court in Amman, Jordan. Photos: Reuters
  • 'The roles and responsibilities of the Circassian guards revolve around the presence of his majesty, the crown prince or the king’s deputy, in royal palaces and courts', says Commander Yacoub
    'The roles and responsibilities of the Circassian guards revolve around the presence of his majesty, the crown prince or the king’s deputy, in royal palaces and courts', says Commander Yacoub
  • 'King Abdullah I was really impressed with them, he told them to remain in their areas, Amman and its suburbs, the city centre', says former commander Ghazi Kasem
    'King Abdullah I was really impressed with them, he told them to remain in their areas, Amman and its suburbs, the city centre', says former commander Ghazi Kasem
  • Mr Kasem says the king issued a decree for this group to become special royal guards in 1921
    Mr Kasem says the king issued a decree for this group to become special royal guards in 1921
  • Circassians came from the Caucasus in 1864 until 1920. They were a group of 40 soldiers who guarded Shariff Abdullah the first, says Assistant Commander Hakho
    Circassians came from the Caucasus in 1864 until 1920. They were a group of 40 soldiers who guarded Shariff Abdullah the first, says Assistant Commander Hakho
  • Assistant Commander Hakho looks on as other members train on horses at the royal court in Amman. 'Circassians were all knights and fighters so horses and swords were inevitably present', he says
    Assistant Commander Hakho looks on as other members train on horses at the royal court in Amman. 'Circassians were all knights and fighters so horses and swords were inevitably present', he says
  • A member of the Circassian honour guards fixes his hat
    A member of the Circassian honour guards fixes his hat
  • Over one hundred years later, the Circassian knights still guard Jordan's current king, the crown prince, or the king’s deputy, when they are in the royal palaces or courts. The guards mainly play a ceremonial role
    Over one hundred years later, the Circassian knights still guard Jordan's current king, the crown prince, or the king’s deputy, when they are in the royal palaces or courts. The guards mainly play a ceremonial role
  • Displaced from the Caucasus in 1864, Circassians were among the first to settle in the Jordanian capital Amma Members of the Circassian honour guards walk at the royal court in Amman
    Displaced from the Caucasus in 1864, Circassians were among the first to settle in the Jordanian capital Amma Members of the Circassian honour guards walk at the royal court in Amman
  • The guards still adhere to their ancient traditions and adorn Circassian costume and train with swords and horses
    The guards still adhere to their ancient traditions and adorn Circassian costume and train with swords and horses
  • Military training for the guards includes various forms of fighting and shooting, Hakho says
    Military training for the guards includes various forms of fighting and shooting, Hakho says
  • Groups of Circassians started settling in Jordan in the late 1800s and continued until the early 1900s, according to historians
    Groups of Circassians started settling in Jordan in the late 1800s and continued until the early 1900s, according to historians
  • The Circassian honour guard's commander Ayman Yacoub walks with other members of the formation at the royal court in Amman, Jordan January 29, 2023. REUTERS / Alaa Al Sukhni
    The Circassian honour guard's commander Ayman Yacoub walks with other members of the formation at the royal court in Amman, Jordan January 29, 2023. REUTERS / Alaa Al Sukhni
  • Members of the Circassian honour guard gesture at Jordanian members of the military at the royal court in Amman, Jordan.
    Members of the Circassian honour guard gesture at Jordanian members of the military at the royal court in Amman, Jordan.

MENA

The Circassian honour guards serving Jordan's royals

When former King Abdullah I arrived in Amman in 1921, a group of 40 Circassian knights received him and volunteered to protect him

The National

February 14, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

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Monster

Directed by: Anthony Mandler

Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington 

3/5

 

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Profile of Whizkey

Date founded: 04 November 2017

Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani

Based: Dubai, UAE

Number of employees: 10

Sector: AI, software

Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million  

Funding stage: Series A

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Updated: February 14, 2023, 9:12 AM
Jordan