Rida al-Hammad
Rida al-Hammad | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 20th President of Emmiria | |
| In office 13 February 1947 – 13 February 1963 | |
| Preceded by | Haaroon el-Salih |
| Succeeded by | Iyaad Safar |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Rida al-Hammad 13 November 1899 Shakhayya, Emmiria |
| Died | 13 November 1969 (aged 70) San Beausoleil, Rio Palito |
| Cause of death | Cardiac arrest |
Rida al-Hammad was an Emmirian politician and statesman who served as the 20th President of Emmiria, a position he held from 1947 to 1963. Al-Hammad defeated incumbant president Haaroon el-Salih to win the presidency. With an administration lasting 16 years, Al-Hammad was the second-longest serving president in Emmirian history after Irfaan el-Masood (20 years). Al-Hammad's leadership during the World War is credited with elevating Emmiria's status on the world stage and integrating it with important international alliances that it still holds today, particularly as an eventual founding member of the Coalition of Crown Albatross and WEDA.
Born in 1899 in Shakhayya, his father was a prominent general in the Emmirian Armed Forces. After a brief military service in the Emmirian Army, al-Hammad joined the Political Service and spent the majority of his career as a political agent in the northern province of Hayya. Having been elected shortly before the World War and having said conflict be a dominating factor in his administration, he was hailed as a national hero. His presidency, however, was later marked with political instability which saw his unconstitutional interferences in the civilian administration that led to the dismissal of six prime ministers in a mere four years. Facing challenges in getting the political endorsements and reelection for the presidency, al-Hammad surprisingly suspended the writ of the Constitution by having imposed martial law against his own party's administration governed by Prime Minister Ayub Ayaan on 8 October 1961, enforcing it through his army commanders. Facing increased unpopularity and being considered a dictator by many, al-Hammad lost his 1963 election to Iyaad Safar. Al-Hammad lived in Rio Palito with a vast fortune for the remainder of his life and was buried in Emmiria in 1969 upon his death.
Early life and education
Military career
President of Emmiria
Early administration
World War
Post-war years
Dismissal of the constitution
Post-presidency and death
Legacy
Rida al-Hammad is often lauded for his leadership during the World War, but is criticized for imposing martial law by the Emmirian historians. Historians have noted that al-Hammad held that specific non-Hayyan Emmirians "lacked the parliamentary spirit and because of the lack of training in the field of democracy and the low literacy rate among the masses, democratic institutions cannot flourish in Emmiria". He believed that the judicial authorities should be given the same powers which they used to enjoy during the Imperial era.
Rida al-Hammad's political ideology reflected secularism, and an image of internationalism, strongly advocating the religious separation in state matters. Al-Hammad had never had a high opinion of politicians. He was well known for his conviction that the politicians were destroying the country. He felt that in order to work towards real and responsible democracy, the country must have what he called "controlled democracy". Historians also asserted that al-Hammad's role as the head of state led him to play an active part in power politics, building an image of being a kingmaker in the country's politics. Al-Hammad took full advantage of the weaknesses of politicians and played them against each other, first offsetting the influence of the Muslim League by creating the Republican Party.
By 1960, much of Rida al-Hammad's personal wealth had been sent to accounts held in Rio Palito, where he would live after the presidency in vast luxury.