Talal bin Fendi bin Abbas Al Fayez (Arabic: طلال الفايز , (c.  1835 – 1909) was a Beylerbey from the powerful Al-Fayez family. He led the Bani Sakher tribe from 1891 until his death in 1909.[1]

Talal bin Fendi Al-Fayez
Bornc. 1835
Died1909 (aged 73–74)
Resting placeAl-Shaghur, Damascus
Occupation(s)High Emir and Tribal Leader
Years active1891–1909
Title
PredecessorSattam Al-Fayez
SuccessorFawwaz bin Sattam Al-Fayez
FatherFendi Al-Fayez
RelativesSattam Al-Fayez (brother) Mithqal Al-Fayez (nephew)

Succession to power in 1891

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Talal's succession to the paramount Sheikhdom of the Bani Sakher was likely an easy and well accepted transition as his brother and predecessor, Sattam bin Fendi's sons, were still too young and inexperienced by this point to be considered for the role.[2][3] Talal was also backed by the Ottomans for the role and would enjoy great support from 1891 onwards until 1906.[4]

Relations with the Ottomans

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Talal generally had great relations with the Ottoman state and Vilayet of Damascus.[5] In 1893, Talal and Sattam's eldest son Fayez were both invited to Constantinople to reconcile them after Fayez disputed his uncle's Sheikhdom. The Ottoman's were successful in the reconciliation, and Talal would go back to his tribe with the title of Pasha and the highest rank a member of the family got from the Ottomans which is Beylerbey (Lord of Lords or High Prince), similar in prestige to his father, Fendi bin Abbas's title as king.[6][7] These cordial relations would continue until 1906.[4]

 
Al-Fayez, 1907.

In 1906, tensions rose between Talal and the Ottomans as the introduction of the Hejaz Railway has threatened a valuable source of income for both Talal and his people as they were employed as protectors of the Hajj Caravan. Talal went to Damascus to protest the railway, the government agreed to continue the payments of protecting the caravan by simply shifting the responsibility to protecting the railway.[8] However, when the railway was completed in 1908, the Ottomans withheld the promised subsidies and payments, they also stopped paying his own salary as a Pasha and a Beylerbey. [4]

In early 1909, he was invited to Damascus by governor Shukri Pasha for reconciliation, however the Young Turks revolution left the governor with no instructions on what to do in this situation. [4]

Death

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On his way back from Damascus, Talal, was reportedly poisoned by the Ottomans and couldn't complete the journey to his lands. He would die in Damascus and was buried in the famous old neighborhood of Damascus, Al-Shaghur. He was succeeded by his nephew, Fawwaz bin Sattam Al-Fayez.[9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Alois, Musil (1907). Arabia Petraea (3rd ed.). Vienna: Kaiserl. Akademie der Wissenschaften in Wien. p. 115.
  2. ^ Hill, Gray (1891). With the Beduins. the New York Public Library: T. F. Unwin. p. 249.
  3. ^ zur Erforschung Palästinas, Deutscher Verein (1901). Zeitschrift des Deutschen Palästina-Vereins, Volume 24. Princeton University: O. Harrassowitz. p. 28.
  4. ^ a b c d Alon, Yoav (2016). The Shaykh of Shaykhs. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. p. 29. ISBN 9780804799348.
  5. ^ Musil, Alois (1907). KUSEJR AMRA (1st ed.). Vienna: K. K. HOF- UND STAATSDRUCKEREI.
  6. ^ Fish, Henry C (1876). Bible Lands Illustrated. Columbia University: American Publishing Company. pp. 305.
  7. ^ Tristram, Henry Baker (1873). The Land of Moab. London, Murray, Albemarle Street: Cambridge University Press. pp. 226–228. ISBN 9781108042062.
  8. ^ Alon, Yoav (2016). The Shaykh of Shaykhs. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. p. 28. ISBN 9780804799348.
  9. ^ Alon, Yoav (2016). The Shaykh of Shaykhs. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. p. 30. ISBN 9780804799348.