Hussein bin Ali was “Sharif” and ''Emir'' of Mecca and King of the Hejaz during 1916-1924. He was one of the last 'Hashemite' (the royal family of Jordan) Sharifs to rule Mecca, Medina, and the Hijaz. He was the main leader to trigger the ‘Great Arab Revolt’ of 1916 to separate from the ‘Ottoman’ rule. Hussein's prime focus was to establish a united and independent Arab state in the interest of Muslim ethnic and religious minorities. However, he was betrayed when the colonial powers Britain and France did not keep their promise of granting a unified Arab state. He proclaimed himself the 'King of the Arab Countries, ' which was strongly opposed by the Allies, who wanted to keep him confined over the Hejaz only. Hussein, who proclaimed himself the Caliph of the Muslims after the Ottoman Caliphate was abolished, had to flee due to a strong opposition to this move. After Ibn Saud defeated him, Hussein mostly remained in exile in Transjordan and Cyprus.
