Atassi, also spelled Atassi (Arabic: الأتاسي) (Turkish: Atasi/ Atasizade) is the name of a prominent family in Homs, Syria, of a noble and ancient lineage, dating back to the 15th century AD. More recently, members of the family led the national movement against the French mandate. The power and prestige of the family reached an apex at the formation of the modern Republic of Syria in 1936, when its second head of state, Hashim al-Atassi was elected president. Two out of the seven members of the constitutional assembly who drafted the first constitution of Syria in 1919 were prominent Atassis: Wasfi al-Atassi and Hashim al-Atassi. Two more scions, Lu'ay al-Atassi and Nureddin al-Atassi, were in turn installed as heads of state in the 1960s. Family members included magistrates, governors, ambassadors, heads of political parties, military officers and other public officials throughout Ottoman and modern times.
Tomb of Sayed Ali Bin Khalil Al-Atassi, who died in 1508, located in the Atassi Mosque, Homs
Tomb Stone of Sayed Saleh Al-Sayed Suleiman Al-Atassi, who died in 1782, located in the Atassi Mosque, Homs
Many leading family members assumed prominent religious and political positions in Ottoman, French, and Independent Syria.
The oldest mention of the family to date was in a religious manuscript dated in 1450, copied in service to one the family ancestors, Sheikh Ibrahim bin Ahmad Al-Atassi, who was named Imam of Prince Toghan bin Seqlesiz, Prince of the Turkman. The family appeared in Hims around the end of the 15th Century. Its ancestor, Ali Bin Khalil Atassi, was buried in 1508 in a tomb in his mosque, later known as the Atassi Mosque. The tomb exists until today.
The name al-Atassi evolved from the word "العطاسي" (from "العطاس," meaning "the sneezer" in Arabic) which later changed to "الأطاسي" then to "الأتاسي" or Atassi.[citation needed]
Being Hashemites in origin,[citation needed] and its members were recognized as "Ashraf", that is descendants of prophet Muhammad, inheriting the formal address of this class in legal court documents. The ancestors of the family moved between Yemen, Hejaz and Turkey before eventually establishing their presence in Homs sometime in the 16th century CE.[citation needed] Their religious authority as muftis of Homs, along with large land holdings in Homs, formed the basis of the family's wealth and influence.
The Atassi House of Homs has been divided into fifteen branches, most of which still use the name Atassi as the sole surname; however, there are two main exceptions. Al-Sayed Suleiman and Majaj are two cadet branches that are recognized as Atassi, although they have alternative surnames.
Atassi muftis of Homs and Tripoli
The office of Mufti of the town of Homs, the highest religious jurisdiction in the city, was hereditary in the Atassi family for over four centuries. At least eighteen Atassi scholars held this position. In addition, two Atassis are known to have been Muftis of the city of Tripoli as well. The Sibaie House of Homs was another scholarly family who were often in competition with the Atassi House for the seat of the mufti, and the Sibaie were able to secure it at least four times in the town history.
The following are members of the family who attained the position of mufti:
(Dates represent period served in that position)
Al-Shihab Ahmad Sham al-Deen ibn Khalil al-Atassi, The first. 1533-1596.
Mahmood ibn Ahmad al-Atassi. Held position starting in 1596.
Ahmad ibn Mahmood al-Atassi, the second. Held position until death in 1653.
Hasan ibn Mahmood al-Atassi. Held position starting in 1653.
Mohammad ibn Ahmad al-Atassi, the first. Held position until death in 1698.
Ali ibn Hasan al-Atassi. Held position starting in 1703.
Abdul-Wahhab ibn Ali al-Atassi. mid-18th century, period not exactly known.
Burhan Al-Deen Ibraheem ibn Ali al-Atassi. Late 18th century, period in Homs not known, Mufti of Homs, later of Tripoli.
Mohammad Taher ibn M. Khaled al-Atassi. 1914-1940.
Mohammad Tawfeeq ibn Abdul-Lateef al-Atassi. 1940-1965.
Badr Al-Deen ibn Mahmood al-Atassi. 1965-1966.
Mohammad Tayyeb ibn Abdul-Fattah al-Atassi. 1966-1984.
Zuhair bin Abdul-Rahman Mumtaz Al-Atassi. 2017-current
Other members served as religious scholars in other capacities such as judges, chief clerks, and imams. One mufti, Sayed Ibraheem Efendi al-Atassi, also served as Mufti of Tripoli in the late 18th century. Taher al-Atassi served as the supreme judge of Basra in Iraq, and Nablus and Jerusalem in Palestine in the late Ottoman period.
Although members of the Atassi family were naturally involved in the politics of the city of Homs by virtue of holding the mufti position and by belonging to the wealthy class and being Ashraf, it was not until the late 19th century that they started holding non-religious governmental offices. Two scholars who held the position of mufti also held political offices: Khaled al-Atassi (1837–1908), and his son, Taher al-Atassi (1860–1940). In 1876, Sayed Khaled Efendi Al-Atassi was elected to the first parliament of the Ottoman Empire as the deputy from Homs and Hama. In 1922, Sayed Taher Efendi was elected to membership of the Council of the Syrian Union as the representative of Homs in the state of Damascus. Other Atassis have since held legislative positions.
The family achieved further influence through education with a tradition of sending the young men of the family to be educated at the Imperial capital of Istanbul during the Ottoman administration, and then to the Sorbonne and other European centers of learning during the French Mandate.
Atassi heads of state
Hashim al-Atassi, President of Syria: 1936-1939, December, 1949-September, 1950, September, 1950-December, 1951, February, 1954-September, 1955
Lu'ay al-Atassi, President of the Revolutionary Council, vested with presidential powers, 1963
Farah AL Atassi, prominent leader in Syrian politics and International affairs. A founding member of the High negotiation Committee, National Syrian Women Association, Syrian American Cultural Center, Arab American Information and Resource Center, Syria American Business Council, Women in peace and Security, the Interfaith Dialogue Initiative.
Atassi, B.H. "Bughyat Al-Nasi" the History of the Atassi Family-Bassel Atasi.
Islamic Court Registers of city of Homs.
al-Muradi, Khalil. Silk Al-Durar fi 'ayan al-Qarn al-thani sshar.
al-Bitar, Abdul-Razzaq. Hilyat al-bashar fi tarikh al-qarn al-thalith 'ashar.
As'ad (1985) Tarikh Homs, 2 volumes, Tripoli, تاريخ حمص تأليف خوري أسعد, in Arabic
Moubayed, Sami M., Steel and Silk: man and Men Who Shaped Syria 1900-2000. Cune Press, 2006.
Atassi Family Website
February 08, 2023
atassi, family, atassi, also, spelled, atassi, arabic, الأتاسي, turkish, atasi, atasizade, name, prominent, family, homs, syria, noble, ancient, lineage, dating, back, 15th, century, more, recently, members, family, national, movement, against, french, mandate. Atassi also spelled Atassi Arabic الأتاسي Turkish Atasi Atasizade is the name of a prominent family in Homs Syria of a noble and ancient lineage dating back to the 15th century AD More recently members of the family led the national movement against the French mandate The power and prestige of the family reached an apex at the formation of the modern Republic of Syria in 1936 when its second head of state Hashim al Atassi was elected president Two out of the seven members of the constitutional assembly who drafted the first constitution of Syria in 1919 were prominent Atassis Wasfi al Atassi and Hashim al Atassi Two more scions Lu ay al Atassi and Nureddin al Atassi were in turn installed as heads of state in the 1960s Family members included magistrates governors ambassadors heads of political parties military officers and other public officials throughout Ottoman and modern times Al Atassi Familyعائلة الأتاسيCurrent regionHomsPlace of origin SyriaMembersHashim al Atassi Khaled al Atassi Wasfi al Atassi Radwan al Atassi Lu ay al Atassi Rami al atassiSuheir AtassiConnected familiesAl Sayed Suleiman MajajTraditionsTraditional muftis of HomsEstate s HomsResidence of Khaled Efendi al Atassi the Head of The Atassi House built in 1893 Contents 1 Background 2 Atassi muftis of Homs and Tripoli 3 Atassi heads of state 4 Atassi members elected to the parliament and ruling councils 5 Atassi ministers in various cabinets 6 Atassi mayors of Homs 7 ReferencesBackground Edit Tomb of Sayed Ali Bin Khalil Al Atassi who died in 1508 located in the Atassi Mosque Homs Tomb Stone of Sayed Saleh Al Sayed Suleiman Al Atassi who died in 1782 located in the Atassi Mosque Homs Many leading family members assumed prominent religious and political positions in Ottoman French and Independent Syria The oldest mention of the family to date was in a religious manuscript dated in 1450 copied in service to one the family ancestors Sheikh Ibrahim bin Ahmad Al Atassi who was named Imam of Prince Toghan bin Seqlesiz Prince of the Turkman The family appeared in Hims around the end of the 15th Century Its ancestor Ali Bin Khalil Atassi was buried in 1508 in a tomb in his mosque later known as the Atassi Mosque The tomb exists until today The name al Atassi evolved from the word العطاسي from العطاس meaning the sneezer in Arabic which later changed to الأطاسي then to الأتاسي or Atassi citation needed Being Hashemites in origin citation needed and its members were recognized as Ashraf that is descendants of prophet Muhammad inheriting the formal address of this class in legal court documents The ancestors of the family moved between Yemen Hejaz and Turkey before eventually establishing their presence in Homs sometime in the 16th century CE citation needed Their religious authority as muftis of Homs along with large land holdings in Homs formed the basis of the family s wealth and influence The Atassi House of Homs has been divided into fifteen branches most of which still use the name Atassi as the sole surname however there are two main exceptions Al Sayed Suleiman and Majaj are two cadet branches that are recognized as Atassi although they have alternative surnames Atassi muftis of Homs and Tripoli EditThe office of Mufti of the town of Homs the highest religious jurisdiction in the city was hereditary in the Atassi family for over four centuries At least eighteen Atassi scholars held this position In addition two Atassis are known to have been Muftis of the city of Tripoli as well The Sibaie House of Homs was another scholarly family who were often in competition with the Atassi House for the seat of the mufti and the Sibaie were able to secure it at least four times in the town history The following are members of the family who attained the position of mufti Dates represent period served in that position Al Shihab Ahmad Sham al Deen ibn Khalil al Atassi The first 1533 1596 Mahmood ibn Ahmad al Atassi Held position starting in 1596 Ahmad ibn Mahmood al Atassi the second Held position until death in 1653 Hasan ibn Mahmood al Atassi Held position starting in 1653 Mohammad ibn Ahmad al Atassi the first Held position until death in 1698 Ali ibn Hasan al Atassi Held position starting in 1703 Abdul Wahhab ibn Ali al Atassi mid 18th century period not exactly known Burhan Al Deen Ibraheem ibn Ali al Atassi Late 18th century period in Homs not known Mufti of Homs later of Tripoli Yaseen ibn Ibraheem al Atassi Mufti of Tripoli Abdul Sattar ibn Ibraheem al Atassi 1805 1829 Saeed ibn Abdul Sattar al Atassi 1830 1854 Mohammad Abu Al Fath ibn Abdul Sattar al Atassi the second 1852 1882 Mohammad Khaled ibn Mohammad al Atassi 1885 1894 Abdul Lateef ibn Mohammad Al Atassi 1894 1914 Mohammad Taher ibn M Khaled al Atassi 1914 1940 Mohammad Tawfeeq ibn Abdul Lateef al Atassi 1940 1965 Badr Al Deen ibn Mahmood al Atassi 1965 1966 Mohammad Tayyeb ibn Abdul Fattah al Atassi 1966 1984 Zuhair bin Abdul Rahman Mumtaz Al Atassi 2017 current Other members served as religious scholars in other capacities such as judges chief clerks and imams One mufti Sayed Ibraheem Efendi al Atassi also served as Mufti of Tripoli in the late 18th century Taher al Atassi served as the supreme judge of Basra in Iraq and Nablus and Jerusalem in Palestine in the late Ottoman period Although members of the Atassi family were naturally involved in the politics of the city of Homs by virtue of holding the mufti position and by belonging to the wealthy class and being Ashraf it was not until the late 19th century that they started holding non religious governmental offices Two scholars who held the position of mufti also held political offices Khaled al Atassi 1837 1908 and his son Taher al Atassi 1860 1940 In 1876 Sayed Khaled Efendi Al Atassi was elected to the first parliament of the Ottoman Empire as the deputy from Homs and Hama In 1922 Sayed Taher Efendi was elected to membership of the Council of the Syrian Union as the representative of Homs in the state of Damascus Other Atassis have since held legislative positions The family achieved further influence through education with a tradition of sending the young men of the family to be educated at the Imperial capital of Istanbul during the Ottoman administration and then to the Sorbonne and other European centers of learning during the French Mandate Atassi heads of state EditHashim al Atassi President of Syria 1936 1939 December 1949 September 1950 September 1950 December 1951 February 1954 September 1955 Lu ay al Atassi President of the Revolutionary Council vested with presidential powers 1963 Nureddin al Atassi President of Syria 1966 1970Atassi members elected to the parliament and ruling councils Edit dates represent year elected Khaled al Atassi elected to the Ottoman parliament 1876 Hashem al Atassi 1918 1928 1932 1936 Wasfi Beik al Atassi Ottoman Parliament 1914 Syrian Congress 1918 Taher Efendi al Atassi 1922 member of the 15 membered Ruling Council of the Tri State Union Feidy Beik al Atassi 1923 State of Damascus Assembly 1947 1949 1954 1961 Mukarram Al Atassi 1936 1946 Adnan al Atassi 1943 1947 1954 Hilmi al atassi 1943 Dr Shawqi al Atassi elected to the parliament of the United Arab Republic 1960 Nureddin al Atassi 1965 National Council Ibtisam al Sayed Suleiman al Atassi 2003 Suheir Atassi Mansour Al Atassi Farah AL Atassi prominent leader in Syrian politics and International affairs A founding member of the High negotiation Committee National Syrian Women Association Syrian American Cultural Center Arab American Information and Resource Center Syria American Business Council Women in peace and Security the Interfaith Dialogue Initiative Atassi ministers in various cabinets EditHashem Al Atassi Faydi beik al Atassi Adnan al Atassi Mukarram al Atassi Jamal al Atassi Nureddin al AtassiAtassi mayors of Homs EditHasan al Atassi late 19th century Najeeb Atassi 1879 Omar al Atassi 1912 Mohammad Al Atassi 1920 1930 Feidi al Atassi 1931 1945 Mukarram al Atassi 1950s Qasem al Atassi 1954 1957 References EditAtassi B H Bughyat Al Nasi the History of the Atassi Family Bassel Atasi Islamic Court Registers of city of Homs al Muradi Khalil Silk Al Durar fi ayan al Qarn al thani sshar al Bitar Abdul Razzaq Hilyat al bashar fi tarikh al qarn al thalith ashar As ad 1985 Tarikh Homs 2 volumes Tripoli تاريخحمص تأليف خوري أسعد in Arabic Moubayed Sami M Steel and Silk man and Men Who Shaped Syria 1900 2000 Cune Press 2006 Atassi Family Website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Atassi family amp oldid 1137848481, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
