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Born in Syria into a rich home.
Born in Syria into a rich home.
In his 20s he spied for the French, but soon attached himself to the Grand Mufti.<ref name=ajc/>
In his 20s he spied for the [[France|French]], but soon attached himself to the Grand Mufti.<ref name=ajc/>
Let us examine the paragon on whom it is bestowed its latest award — the sixty-year-old Mohammed el Ashmar of Syria.
Let us examine the paragon on whom it is bestowed its latest award — the sixty-year-old Mohammed el Ashmar of Syria.
He was born in Bloudan, a summer resort for wealthy Syrians which also serves as a convenient meeting place for various politicians and leaders of the Arab League . Since his youth, el Ashmar has distinguished himself as an adventurer, opportunist, and revengeful fanatic.
He was born in Bloudan, a summer resort for wealthy Syrians which also serves as a convenient meeting place for various politicians and leaders of the Arab League . Since his youth, el Ashmar has distinguished himself as an adventurer, opportunist, and revengeful fanatic.
Before he was twenty he shot a cousin of his who had slapped him for misbehaving. His father, a wealthy man, succeeded in bribing the Turkish authorities and saving the youngster from punishment.
Before he was twenty he shot a cousin of his who had slapped him for misbehaving. His father, a wealthy man, succeeded in bribing the [[Turkey|Turkish]] authorities and saving the youngster from punishment.
Money and connections were of help also in the Turkish army where he quickly became an officer during World War I.
Money and connections were of help also in the Turkish army where he quickly became an officer during World War I.
When the Turks fared badly against the English he decided to switch sides and joined the Bedouins under Lawrence's command . But he did not stay with them long. He stole military documents from the English and put them into German hands. Since then he has been a professional spy.
When the Turks fared badly against the English he decided to switch sides and joined the Bedouins under Lawrence's command . But he did not stay with them long. He stole military documents from the English and put them into German hands. Since then he has been a professional spy.