Who is Sarvath Ikramullah? An Indian Who Married in Pakistan, Was Set to Become Jordan’s Queen. She is From…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jordan this week has put spotlight on the tries between India and the royal Hashemite Kingdom.
On Monday, Jordan’s royal family also has a personal connection from India because of Princess Sarvath EI Hassan.
Who is Sarvath Ikramullah?
Sarvath Ikramullah was born in 1947 in Kolkata, just before the India-Pakistan partition. She came from a reputed Suhrawardy family, who are known for their public service and diplomacy.
Her father, Mohammed Ikramullah, served as Pakistan’s first Foreign Secretary. Her mother, Shaista Suhrawardy Ikramullah, made history as one of Pakistan’s first female parliamentarians and later became an ambassador.
Sarvath Ikramullah’s Education
Due to her father’s work in diplomacy, Sravath spent so much of her childhood in different countries, including the UK, Europe, and South Asia.
She was educated in Britain, and these international experiences piqued her interest in education and social welfare.
Sarvath Ikramullah Marries Prince Hassan of Jordan
In 1968, Sarvath Ikramullah met Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan through diplomatic connections in London. On August 28, 1968, they married in Karachi, Pakistan.
After the wedding, she moved to Jordan and became a member of the royal family.
Crown Princess of Jordan
Sarvath served as the Crown Princess of Jordan from 1968 to 1999. During her time as Crown Princess, she worked hard to improve education and women’s rights in Jordan.
She helped establish important institutions like the Amman Baccalaureate School, the Centre for Special Education, and the Princess Sarvath Community College, which helped train young women and people with disabilities.
Apart from her royal duties, Princess Sarvath was also involved in sports and charity. She became the first woman in Jordan to earn a black belt in taekwondo.
She was also very active in helping those in need. During the Gulf War in 1991, she helped raise over $1 million in medical supplies for both Jordan and Iraq.
She received several awards, including Pakistan’s Hilal-i-Imtiaz, the Woman of Peace Award, and honorary degrees from universities in the UK and Canada.
