IMAM, FARID JAMAL (1970-)

Born in Jerusalem in 1907 to a family from Bab As-Silsilah, which traces its family history some 950 years back; attended Al-Rashidiyeh School and studied at the Albright School of Archeology, Jerusalem; was considered one of the pioneers promoting tourism in Palestine; from 1948-1967, was delegated by The Royal Hashemite Court to receive and guide dignitaries and official guests, incl. Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, King Baudoin of Belgium, and King Mohammad V of Morocco; founded the concept of modern cultural guiding and established Educational Tours and Al-Zaytouneh ‘Olivier Tours’ in 1958 (together with Aref Al-Aref and George Farah); was a co-founder of the Arab Bank, of Cinema Al-Quds, and of the Ambassador Hotel in Jerusalem; received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Utah and many other awards from Europe for cultural guiding; died in Jerusalem in 1978.