Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan, Inc.
Advocacy and Humanitarian Work Summary 2008-2025
In Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council
Officially Recognized by the Government of the Lebanese Republic
The History of The Royal House of Ghassan
For over 1,500 years, the Ghassanid kings, emperors, and princes once ruled several Middle Eastern regions, from 220 CE until the mid-18th century (Christian branch) and 1921 CE (Muslim branch). Since the first Ghassanid State, the Royal Ghassanids have consistently enjoyed full recognition from friends and foes alike due to their deep commitment to advocacy and humanitarian work.
The Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan is the oldest active Arab Christian Royal House in the world, whose sovereigns ruled over the most extensive territory for the longest period, surpassing any other Arab Dynasty. (Learn More Here)
During its rule over a sovereign principality comprising territory in present-day Lebanon and Syria, the Ottoman Empire officially recognized the imperial and royal titles of the Ghassanid dynasty. The House’s legitimacy is acknowledged by the very republics that once held its territories, a testament to its enduring influence and power. Today, it stands as a beacon of international recognition, a rare feat among deposed royal houses.
The Royal House of Ghassan is officially recognised and continues to be received by the Republic of Lebanon and other nation-state members of the United Nations.
A Legacy of Advocacy and Humanitarian Leadership
The Royal House of Ghassan Inc.’s humanitarian and advocacy efforts have been transformative for the communities with whom they engage. Under the auspices of His Royal Highness, the Prince of Ghassan, the House combines direct relief aid with diplomatic engagement and interfaith dialogue to promote and support humanitarian, philanthropic, and charitable works in the states and communities where they have been invited to initiate and support such efforts.
Through its collaborations with governments, international governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and grassroots initiatives, the House remains a beacon of hope for persecuted and marginalized communities. As the House advances its mission, it remains steadfast in its commitment to peace, cultural preservation, and social justice, ensuring that its centuries-old legacy of chivalry and charity continues to make a difference in the modern world.
Purpose of the Royal House of Ghassan Today
The purpose of The Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan, Inc. (the House) is humanitarian in nature, grounded in the peremptory norms of general international law, and is intertwined with its sovereignty:
Serving the Middle Eastern people as a bridge between the Middle East and Western civilizations, combating antisemitism and Islamophobia; and,
Building bridges of understanding and mutual support between Eastern and Western Churches, with other official bodies and leaders of the Abrahamic faiths and other world religions.
Preventing the imminent exodus and total extinction of Christianity in the Middle East;
Advocating, through the United Nations and other civil society forums, for human rights, with an emphasis on the status of women, religious freedom, peacebuilding, universal access to education, basic universal health care and access to medical facilities, and the provision of clean water, at an affordable price, for all.
Supporting the United Nations, governments, and other international civil society organizations through our active participation in disaster relief programs, humanitarian aid, peacebuilding, and sustainable development that respect the full range of human diversity.
Promoting the preservation of historical and cultural Arab heritage, primarily but not limited to the Ghassanid people and the esteemed Ghassanid ideals of broad cultural incentives, women's equality, democracy, charity, and chivalric ideals.
Activities from 2011-2025
Led by the efforts of His Royal Highness Prince Gherios el Chemor Al-Numan VIII, his Chancellery, Envoys, and volunteers, The Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan, Inc. is active on the world stage in promoting its cause and purpose.
2025 – Selected Activities
· Commenced consultations with UN Member States on treaty negotiations transforming the Royal House of Ghassan, Inc. from an NGO to an International Governmental Organization (IGO) status.
· Joined the international community, including the Arab League, European Union, and others, by publishing a position paper endorsing Egypt’s ‘Cairo Plan’ for the reconstruction of Gaza.
· Special Envoy personally received by His All Holiness Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Phanar, Istanbul, Türkiye.
· Participated in Kuwait National Day celebrations at the invitation of the Ambassador of Kuwait.
· Engaged in the AI for Developing Countries Forum 2025 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, with the Royal House of Ghassan Special Envoy participating in high-level discussions on AI as A Catalyst for Social, Economic, and Governance Transformation.
· Participated in the International Holocaust Remembrance Day at the Palais des Nations, Geneva.
· Engaged in high-level sidelines discussion in Tiranë, Albania, with regional and international leaders.
· Appointing specialists in fields of logistics, water treatment and supply, emergency medical services, engineering, construction, and other disciplines to enhance international relief efforts.
2024 – Selected Activities
· HRH the Prince of Ghassan attended United Nations meetings in New York City.
· HRH is participating in an Arab cultural event in New York at the personal invitation of the Lebanese Ambassador.
· Expanding diplomatic presence of the Royal and Imperial House of Ghassan by HRH Prince of Ghassan appointing permanent Special Envoys at the United Nations in New York and Geneva.
· Participated in the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People Commemoration at the Palais des Nations, Geneva.
· The Royal and Imperial House of Ghassan continues its active participation in the United Nations, represented in both New York and Geneva, by HRH Prince Gharios and the Special Envoys who deputize for him.
· Presentation of the Royal Order of Merit (medal Prince Sheikh Antonios El Chemor) by the Prince of Ghassan to the UN Special Rapporteur for her tireless work on behalf of the Palestinian People.
· The Royal Order of Merit Raising significant funds through the House’s Equestrian Order of Michael Archangel (Italy) and the Fili Intrecciati association to provide for childhood education and youth activities in Beirut, Lebanon.
· Donating humanitarian funds to the Maronite parish of San Michele and Jezzin for activities led by Father Elias.
· Continuing to support youth sports activities through The Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan and the Prinz Gharios Stiftung (Prince Gharios Foundation, headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany) in cooperation with ISAT Football Academy in Syria – a sports entity specializing in professional football coaching programs accredited by FIFA, the International Federation of Association Football (Soccer’s world governing body), and officially licensed by the Syrian Government and the Syrian Football Federation.
· Launching a humanitarian aid campaign through The Royal House of Ghassan, Inc. in partnership with SOS World and Giving Hands to donate food to 1,000 families in Lebanon.
· Helping fund the Caritas ‘Bread over Bombs Campaign’ through our Equestrian Order of Michael Archangel (Italy) volunteers.
· HRH Prince of Ghassan was received by the Consul General of Poland in Houston to discuss the plight of Christians in the Middle East and the work of the Royal House as an NGO promoting humanitarian relief.
· Celebrating the Annual Donation by the Royal House’s One Voice Foundation in Lebanon, the Mrouj Orphanage (Antonine Catholic Order) in Lebanon is the 2024 recipient, providing Christmas presents to orphan children.
2023 – Selected Activities
· Sponsoring the children of the orphanage of the Fathers Antonins and Mrouj through The Royal House’s One Voice Foundation sponsored including an end-of-school year excursion.
· Concluding a partnership agreement between The Royal House of Ghassan and The Prince Gharios Foundation with ISAT Football (soccer) Academy to support 600 at-risk children in Syria.
· Combatting domestic violence through The Royal House of Ghassan support and partnership with Anna’s House, Dallas, Texas.
· Engaging with world leaders and other NGOs through The Royal House of Ghassan’s role as an accredited member of the United Nation’s Economic and Social Council.
· Conducting outreach to nations throughout the Middle East through the efforts of HRH Prince Gherios, the Chancellery, Special Envoys and volunteers.
· Advocating for human rights when The Prince of Ghassan was invited to speak at Princeton University’s symposium, “The Future of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Towards a Global Consensus that the UDHR Embodies a Civilizational Vision that the World’s Diverse Peoples, Faiths, and Nations Should Strive to Fulfill – An International Consultation among Senior Religious and Academic Leaders” sponsored by the James Madison Program of the Princeton University.
2022 – Selected Activities
· By the official decree from the Lebanese Ministry of Interior and Municipalities General Directorate of Political Affairs and Refugees – Number: 814/4/2022 recognized the international appointment decree by HIRH Prince Gharios El Chemor, the international head of the Royal House of Ghassan, appointing his cousin, HIRH Prince Sheikh Selim El Chemor as the head of the Lebanese branch of the Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan.
· Founding of the One Voice Foundation, “the philanthropic arm” of the Royal House of Ghassan in Lebanon.
· Teaming with Caritas, the One Voice Foundation donated 60 tons (equivalent to over US$500,000) of special milk (baby formula) to children in Lebanon. The campaign collaborates with Secours Catholique (Caritas France), Novalac Laboratories, and Caritas Lebanon.
· Launched a cultural event organised by The One Voice Foundation under the patronage of the Lebanese Minister of Culture, attended by dignitaries, including the Lebanese Minister of Culture and the Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon.
· Hosted and organised The One Voice Foundation “Permanent Renewal” conference, entitled: “To Walk Together for the Establishment of the State of Justice, the Homeland of Man”, at the Monastery of Our Lady of El-Bir – Qenaya, in the presence of the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Abbas Al-Halabi. Participants included the Adyan Foundation, the Ora Union, the Kamal Youssef El Hajj Chair for Lebanese Philosophy, the Lebanese Foundation for Citizenship, and the Lebanese Green Party. The conference dealt with education, justice, administration, and the Levant. Active attendees included a representative of the Armenian Catholic Patriarch Raphael 21 Minassian; Patriarchal Vicar Georges Asadorian; the Syndicate of Editors Joseph Kassifi; the Secretary General of Catholic Schools; Father Youssef Nasr, the President of Caritas Lebanon; Father Michel Abboud, the President of the Ora Union; Father Tony Khadra, the President of the Green Party Fadi Abi Allam and other dignitaries, officials and NGOs.
· The Prince of Ghassan participated in the High-level meeting of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly about the rights of people belonging to National ethnic and religious minorities at the United Nations;
· Conducted symposium, “For the Sake of Lebanon’s Future: a Person, a Citizen and a State” hosted by the One Voice Foundation in partnership with the AGBU – Armenian General Charitable Society on 29 October 2022 at the AGBU Demirdjian Center in Naqqache, Lebanon, announced and supported by the Lebanese Government.
2021 – Selected Activities
· Joined In Defense of Christians (IDC), the nation’s leading advocacy organization for Christians and religious minorities in the Middle East and Africa. The Prince of Ghassan participated in an Ecumenical Prayer Service with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Washington, DC.
· HRH Prince Gharios El Chemor joined spiritual leaders representing Christians and Muslims from around the world in Washington, D.C.’s Masjid Muhammad – the Nation’s Mosque – on 13 July 2021 for inter-religious dialogue between the two communities.
· Celebrated the launch of a book titled, God Needs No Defense: Reimagining Muslim – Christian Relations in the 21st Century, Thomas K. Johnson & C. Holland Taylor (Editors)
· Partnership constructed between the House of Ghassan and Anna’s House to Combat Domestic Violence in Dallas, Texas, via a virtual event.
2020 – Selected Activities
· The Prince of Ghassan was the only Arab dignitary present at the special UN’s event remembering the over 6 million victims of the terrible Jewish Holocaust. The event was hosted by the Permanent Mission of the Holy See in the UN and organized by the Pave the Way Foundation.
· Continue charitable and philanthropic activities to support vulnerable persons in the Middle East (Christian and Muslim).
· Expanding the number of volunteers assisting the Royal House of Ghassan’s charitable and philanthropic works, in addition to the One Voice Foundation, the Prinz Gharios Stiftung (Prince Gharios Foundation); and other arms of the House.
2019 – Selected Activities
· After an extensive three-year investigation and review, the Lebanese Government officially recognizes the Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan. Two documents, one signed by the judge from the Ministry of Interior and the other by the Lebanese President and Head of State, recognize the Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan, fully with the consent of the Council of Ministers, and grant permission for an official branch in Lebanon. The recognition by the Government of Lebanon places the Royal House of Ghassan on the same level as the Order of Malta and the Red Cross. It is essential to note that very few non-reigning Royal Houses are officially recognized by the governments currently ruling their former territories, such as the Royal Houses of Portugal and Albania.
· Signed a Joint Venture Agreement between The Royal House and MedGlobal, an NGO founded in 2017 by doctors experienced in emergency services to address the health needs of the most vulnerable across the world, whether impacted by natural disasters, displacement due to conflict, disease outbreak, poverty, or insufficient healthcare.
2018 – Selected Activities
· The Prince of Ghassan visited Jordan and his dear friend, His Excellency Bishop William Shomali, providing humanitarian donations to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in Jordan.
· Signed humanitarian agreement between The Royal House of Ghassan and the High Iraqi Muslim Foundation. The House also signed an agreement to protect Christian minorities in Iraq.
· Visit by The Prince of Ghassan to the UN in Vienna, Austria, later participating in an event at the Austrian Parliament.
· Presentation on Terrorism by the Prince of Ghassan at the invitation of General Michel Nahas and Mr. Imad Risk to international military and diplomatic authorities at the Lancaster Plaza Hotel in Beirut, Lebanon.
2017 – Selected Activities
· The Royal Ghassanid Family was received by His Excellency the President of Albania at the Presidential Palace in Tiranë. He also received the Order of Saint Michael. During the trip to Albania, HRH Crown Prince Leka II of Albania also officially received the Royal Family. HRH also received the Order of Saint Michael. In Tiranë, the Royal family was also formally received by the Orthodox Patriarch, the Grand Mufti, and the world leader of the Bektashi Order (Sufi Islam).
· The Prinz Gharios Stiftung (Prince Gharios Foundation) in Germany sponsored the construction of a church for refugees under the auspices of His Grace Coptic Archbishop Anba Damian, who had been running the Coptic Orthodox monastery in Brenkhausen for over 24-years, taking care of the refugee camp in which Copts and Syrian Christians were settled.
· The Royal House of Ghassan hosted a Christmas Charity event in Lebanon for orphans.
2016 – Selected Activities
· The Lebanese branch of the Royal House of Ghassan held its 3rd Annual Christmas Charity Event in Furn El Chebbak, Lebanon. In partnership with the Amicale des Freres Association, the Royal House distributed food and gifts to elderly people forgotten by their own families.
· In partnership with the Mourouj Mahabbi Foundation of Mr. Mokhtar Elias Geryes, the Lebanese branch of the Royal House of Ghassan has collaborated to give gifts and candies to 800 (eight hundred) children as part of the Christmas Charity event organized by the Greek Catholic Bishopric of Beirut.
· The Royal House of Ghassan and the Order of Michael Archangel in Brazil provided the Catholic Community “Fonte de Agua Viva” (Campos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) with essential food products (rice, beans, sugar, flour, etc.) to support families in need.
· The Lebanese branch of the Royal House of Ghassan visited the Lebanese United Center for Child Protection in the Fanar region to bring some joy to those forgotten children during the holiday’s time. Dr. Elie Gharios, the Executive President of the Royal House of Ghassan in Lebanon, led the mission.
· The Lebanese branch of the Royal House of Ghassan, in partnership with other NGO, visited an orphanage in the Fanar region to distribute clothes and candies, provided entertainment for children in Ashrafieh, distribution of gifts and candies, and sponsored a lunch for the elderly people in Furn El Cheback, as well as distributed food and clothes.
· The Prinz Gharios Stiftung (Prince Gharios Foundation) organized a Christmas Charity Concert at the Vatican (Campo Santo Teutonico), starring the talented Eliyo (Sarah Ego). She performed beautiful songs in Aramaic, English, and German. The event aimed to raise awareness of Christians in need in the Middle East.
· The Prince of Ghassan was invited and attended the German Parliament’s event, the 2nd Parliamentarians’ Conference: An Embattled Right: Protecting and Promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief.
· The Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan was granted “Special Consultative Status” by the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
2015 – Selected Activities
· Supported the Charities of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in Jordan.
· Sponsorship of a special scholarship for a student in Karak, Jordan.
2014 – Selected Activities
· The Prince of Ghassan led the Anti-Bullying Campaigns, which were instituted in areas of the USA with sizable Middle East refugee communities (Christian and Muslim):
o Chase Street Elementary School (CA, USA)
o Cantara Elementary School (CA, USA)
o Panorama Public School (CA, USA)
· Supplied Rice and Sugar for 580 families of Syrian Refugees in Jordan.
· Donated School bags to students in Irbid and Umm El-Jimmal in Jordan.
· Supplied tools for women of Umm El-Jimmal in Jordan for the cottage industry of souvenir production.
· Sponsorship of a special scholarship for a student in Karak, Jordan.
· Donating food and medical devices to families of Christian Iraqi refugees in Jordan.
· Supported the Charities of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in Jordan.
2012 and 2013 – Selected Activity
· The Royal House organized and sponsored several cultural and charity projects in the Middle East and United States, launching a book on dynastic and nobility law.
2011 – Selected Activity
· Having been active in individual philanthropy on the international stage, members of the of the ancient Royal House of Ghassan and the Sheikhs El Chemor incorporated The Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan, Inc. (Royal House) an international legal entity incorporated in the United States.
· The Royal House organized and sponsored several cultural and charitable projects, and launched a book on dynastic and nobility law.
· The El Chemor family and Royal House of Ghassan, Inc. expanded their support for charities that benefit members and descendants of the Ghassanid tribe, as well as Arabs (Christians and Muslims), through family-supported initiatives in Brazil, the USA, and Lebanon.
· The Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan, Inc. (Royal House) was founded and incorporated in the USA in 2011 as an international legal entity of the ancient Royal House of Ghassan and the Sheikhs El Chemor.