FEISUL AL HUSAIN (f i-zool'ahl-hoo-sin) (1885-1933), king of `Iraq, was born at Taif, third son of Sharif Husain. Feisul descends from Fatimah, only surviving child of the Prophet, through Hasan, her eldest son by marriage with `Ali Ibn Abi Talib, fourth Amir Al Muninin. After the custom of his house, Feisul was sent when only seven days old, to Rahab Palace, the country seat of the Al `Aun family, in the territory of his clan, Beni 'Abadiyah and their confederates the `Ataibah. Here the boy was raised among the tribesmen, and remained until he was seven. In 1893, when Husain was ordered to Constantinople, Feisul ac companied him and was educated privately in that city. In 1905 he married his cousin, and returned to the Hejaz in 1909, when his father was appointed Sharif.
In 1913 Feisul became deputy for Jiddah and proceeded to identify himself with the Arab National movement. He com manded his father's forces in `Asir in 1914, and was at Mecca on the outbreak of the World War. He was posted with the Turkish Governor of Syria in 1915, but escaped to the Hejaz early in the following year, and there played a leading part in the Arab revolt, commanding the Arab forces with Gen. Allenby's army until the capture of Aleppo in Oct. 1918. His influence with the tribes did much to keep Husain's tribal levies in the field. As Commander in-Chief of the Arab Army under the Allied Commander-in-Chief he then undertook the administration of the newly-constituted Syrian State, and after attending the Peace Conference in Paris returned to Syria in April 1919. In Sept. he again visited Europe and remained until Feb. 1920; in the following month he was proclaimed King of Syria, but being unable to come to terms with the French Mandatory power he left Damascus in July 1920. After spending the winter in England he proceeded to `Iraq as candidate for the throne in June 1921, and was elected king by a plebiscite in which he received 96% of the votes cast. He visited London again in 1933. For the events of his reign see `IRAQ.