# Muhammad Ali Bey al-Abid

_First president of the mandatory Syrian Republic (1867–1939)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/muhammad-ali-bey-al-abid
Last updated: 2026-11-02

> Muhammad Ali Bey al-Abid was a Syrian politician and statesman. He was appointed the president of the mandatory Syrian Republic as a nominee of the nationalist Syrian parliament in Damascus after the country received partial recognition of sovereignty from France. France agreed to recognize Syria as a nation under intense nationalist pressure but did not withdraw its troops completely until 1946.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 1867 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60216#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Damascus ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60216#P19))
- **Died:** 22 October 1939 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60216#P570))
- **Place of death:** Rome ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60216#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Ottoman Empire; Syria ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60216#P27))
- **Occupation:** diplomat; politician ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60216#P106))
- **Political party:** National Bloc ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60216#P102))
- **Education:** Galatasaray High School ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60216#P69))
- **Spouse:** Zahraa Al-Youssef ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60216#P26))
- **Positions held:** President of the Syrian Republic under French mandate (11 June 1932 – 21 December 1936); ambassador of the Ottoman Empire to the United States (1906–1908) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60216#P39))
- **Awards:** Commander of the Legion of Honour; 1st class, Order of the Medjidie; Liakat Medal; Officer of the Legion of Honour; Order of the Lion and the Sun First class ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60216#P166))

## Questions

**When was Muhammad Ali Bey al-Abid born?**  
Muhammad Ali Bey al-Abid was born on 1867 in Damascus.

**What positions has Muhammad Ali Bey al-Abid held?**  
Positions held by Muhammad Ali Bey al-Abid include: President of the Syrian Republic under French mandate (1932–1936); ambassador of the Ottoman Empire to the United States (1906–1908).

**Where did Muhammad Ali Bey al-Abid study?**  
Muhammad Ali Bey al-Abid was educated at Galatasaray High School.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Muhammad Ali Bey al-Abid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali_Bey_al-Abid) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q60216](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60216) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Muhammad Ali al-Abid.jpg by Unknown author Unknown author (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Muhammad_Ali_al-Abid.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Muhammad Ali Bey al-Abid, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Muhammad Ali al-Abid.jpg — Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Muhammad Ali Bey al-Abid". DigiNepal. Last updated 2 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/muhammad-ali-bey-al-abid. Retrieved 6 November 2026.