Ismail Babouk

Ismail Babouk held the position of the first mayor of the city of Amman in the year 1909 AD. He is one of the notables of the first generation of Circassian immigrants who arrived in Amman and settled in its abandoned Roman ruins. As a result of their forced displacement from their motherland in the North Caucasus since 1864 AD and for several years thereafter.
Ismail Babuk succeeded several Circassian mayors until 1920 AD, namely Ahmed Al-Khatib in 1911 AD, Asaad Al Khalil in 1915 AD and Ayoub Fakher in 1920 AD. Other Circassian personalities later took over the presidency of the Amman municipality, as Saeed Al Mufti took over in 1938 AD, and Omar Hikmat Mufadz took over in 1948 AD.
Circassian activities

The immigrant Circassians revived life in the deserted ruins of Amman. They established their homes and markets in the city center around the river (Sil Amman) and in the Shabsough hill on the slopes of Jabal al-Qalaa and the Muhajireen area near Ras al-Ain.

The Circassians reconstructed and rebuilt the old Umayyad Mosque, to become later the Al-Husseini Mosque, the largest and oldest mosque in the capital.

The Circassians actively participated in the establishment of the Emirate of Transjordan and the reception of Prince Abdullah I bin Al-Hussein, the founder of the Emirate and the later Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and contributed to advancing the development and civilizational progress of Jordan with a great role.

Career in agriculture and livestock trade

Ismail Babuk started his career in agriculture and raw agricultural land upon his arrival in Jordan. He later expanded his business to include the livestock trade between Syria, Palestine and Lebanon.

His career in politics

Ismail Babuk’s career in politics began with the establishment of the first municipal council in Amman that helped transform the city from a village into a town.

Being one of the elders of his people, and having a fluency in reading and writing Arabic, Turkish, and Circassian helped him to be elected by the townspeople. Mayor of Amman in 1909, where he held office until 1911. His election to the mayor of the municipality helped increase interaction between Amman and Salt.