Royal Hajri Media

[Batavië]

You must be registered for see images

We wish to thank our Tyskerreicher friends for their call for calm. Batavië has called multiple times for diplomacy and negotiations. We have offered to enter multilateral meetings with the concerned parties and government. We want to meet with them with no pre conditions on the table. An open, honest talk. If this is denied by those in Hajr it only shows that they do not care.

We do care and we do want to find a solution.

 

[Hesperia]

الوطن
THE NATION - Since 1952​

MAIN HEADLINES

- Sultanate Remains Silent over Uroduah Rebellion in Apartheid Akhaltsikhe ... Page 1
- Explosion in East Quds Christian Neighborhood Leaves 21 Wounded ... Page 2
- First Batch of Refitted Second Echelon Tanks Delivered to Royal Army ... Page 3
- Batavian Attempt to Suppress Uroduah Culture in Vlaanderen ... Page 3
- Sultan Prepares for Historic Visit to Vangala ... Page 5
- Royal Zoo of Sidra Investigates Possibility of Opening a Dependency in Životinje, Citing Interest in Camels ... Page 27

 

[Thaumantica]

Wildlife Conservation Society

The WCS takes each and every proposition seriously, especially when a national, continental, and even European treasure as at stake: the Dromedary Camel. Seeing through that the wishes of the Royal Zoo of Sidra are met and surpassed is our reachable objective.

We pride our organization in possessing the resources to facilitate all requirements a creature of nature is in need of. The academic opportunity Europe might acquire from having access to the Uroduah Camel would likely immortalize the precious beast, and its host barer the Sultanate of Hajr, as universal cultural icon. Thus, we would swoon for the chance to cooperate with Royal Sidra Zoo in the present future, to make this common dream a reality.

 

[Hesperia]

الوطن
THE NATION - Since 1952

His Majesty Declares Jurzan Crisis a Matter of Pan-Himyarite Importance
Reaffirms Eternal Commitment to Uroduah Nation - Warns Against Unilateral Military Intervention​

AL A’RAF, Capital of the Realm. His Majesty, the Most Exalted Sultan of Hajr, Huseyn the Victorious, today issued a nation-wide televised speech to the Nation, in which he, for the first time, spoke on the crisis in the apartheid state occupying the Jurzan. The Guardian of the Three Shrines declared that, "this is an issue which concerns all of Himyar, and it is all of Himyar that must deal with it."

Jurzani Uroduah, long languishing beneath the racist regime of the Georgian minority in Tetri Tsqaro, began an uprising in the province of Fujairah, on the Sultanate's border, last month. The Georgian minority regime reacted with extreme brutality, reportedly laying waste to Tel Keppe, the provincial capital, leading to thousands of deaths. Even the segregationists were not known to commit such crimes so openly.

The revolution in Fujairah seems to have led to a power struggle amongst the segregationist top brass, with the self-styled executor Abkhaz being deposed and apparently murdered, and his rival, Tsintsadze, taking over. The megalomaniacal Tsintzade has since openly styled himself "dictator of Akhaltsikhe," using the term the Georgian segregationists use to deny the country's proper name, the Jurzan.

Up to this point, the Sultanate did not comment on the Fujairah rebellion or the struggles within the racist regime, apparently fearing the spread of instability to the wider region. Now, however, it seems His Majesty's Government has decided that, with the racist regime of "Akhaltsikhe" seemingly on the verge of collapse and military intervention looming, this approach has not worked.

Accordingly, the Guardian adjusted Hajr's course, and has called for regional cooperation, "immediately." The Father of the Nation warned against military involvement of third powers, stating, "if the nations of Himyar must intervene in the crisis affecting the Jurzan currently, they must do so collectively, under their own mandate, or that of the international community. Hajr will not tolerate renegade adventures in the Jurzan."

Earlier, the Cornerstone of the Faith had condemned the destruction of Tel Keppe as "bestially criminal," saying, "our language has no words for the evil committed here." He called upon Himyar and the international community to act "with the greatest possible speed" to prevent further atrocities against the suffering Uroduah nation in the Jurzan, and demanded "swift, uncompromising, final justice" for the victims. He finished by reaffirming the Sultanate's eternal commitment to the undivided Uroduah nation. "Hajr will never abandon its brothers. We did not do so in Wazistan and we will not do so in the Jurzan."

MAIN HEADLINES

- Air Force Trials with T-84 Fighter Continue ... Page 2
- Rumors: First New Destroyer Soon to Be Launched in Franken ... Page 6
- Royal Zoo of Sidra Goes Ahead with Plans to Open Camel Habitat in Živ Capital ... Page 16

 

[Hesperia]

[Accompanied by an upbeat television news tune, a computer generated turning globe appears, which ends up zooming in to Hajr, before panning out to the logo, a stylized golden silhouette of the Dome of the Rock, with calligraphy of the Arabic word for "world," Al Alam, beneath it. The cameras show a studio with a glass designer desk being lit up in the spotlight, behind which sits a thirty-something, somewhat swarthy man in a shiny gray designer suit, whose defining features are coal-black eyes, aquiline features, and a well-groomed, closely cropped, blue-black beard.]

"Good evening, live from Sidra, Hajr, this is Al Alam. Bringing you the global news headlines, I'm Muhammad al-Tusi.

"His Majesty the Sultan commences state visit to Vangala; explosions rip through the Freedom State's capital; civil war in Jurzan continues; ethnic Carentanian terrorists ambush Royal Army column in Al Sawari Governorate."

[A collage of images flashes across the screen. Huseyn of Hajr exiting his plane; scenes of destruction in Freistadt; wailing, headscarved women in Akhaltsikhe; a coffin, Hajri flag draped over it, being carried by a large crowd of mourners.]

"Sultan Huseyn landed today in Vangala to begin his unprecedented first state visit to the communist nation. This is the first time in history that a Hajri Sultan has visited the Hindu-majority nation. Vangala and Hajr have a history of acrimonious relations owing to the ideology of the Vangalan government. In recent times, however, Al A'raf and Kilkila have come closer together on multiple issues, including opposition to the attempted re-institution of Batavian colonial authority in Fulanistan, as well as opposition to segregation in the Jurzan."

[Al Alam broadcasts the footage of Huseyn disembarking his plane, wearing his favorite khaki uniform, impeccable black leather jackboots, and the star of the Order of al-Abbas the Golden. He is then shown reviewing a company of Vangalan troops in parade uniform, accompanied by Vangalan President Chatterjee.]

"His Majesty the Sultan was received by President Moheen Chatterjee in Kilkila, amid much pomp and ceremony. He will be visiting Vangala for three days. The Sultan will be discussing the strengthening of bilateral ties, partaking in activities displaying Vangalan national culture, and will also discuss the situation of the large Muslim minority in the south Cathayan nation, estimated to make up approximately 40% of the total population. The Vangalan Muslim population is the second largest in the world. The situation of Vangalan migrant workers will likely also be on the agenda."

[Chatterjee and Huseyn are shown being driven through the streets of Kilkila, the Vangalan capital, being greeted by large crowds, passing several mosques and Hindu temples. Footage of the two leaders as they ascend the steps of the House of Vangala, the presidential palace, amidst an honor guard of Vangalan soldiers presenting the flags of both nations.]

[The scene then switches to grainy scenes of devastation in a city, the capital of Freiheit, Freistadt. Rubble is strewn across streets, with platoons of rescue workers, clothed in NBC suits, looking for survivors, clearing away rubble, and pulling out bodies.]

"In other news, in the northwestern European country of the Freedom State, a series of massive explosions have ripped through the downtown center of Freistadt, the capital. The cause of the disaster is unknown, though large quantities of radiation have apparently been released into the air, indicating that the catastrophe may have been caused by radioactive material of some sort. Many cases of acute radiation sickness have already been reported, facing the Freedom State government with a mass health hazard as well as thousands of dead owing directly to the explosion. The country has in recent times suffered a prolonged period of violence and instability, as the government has attempted to racially cleanse society of the indigenous Otchi minority, prompting a rebellion which has only recently been brutally repressed. It is unknown if the recent disaster in Freistadt is related to the race war in the Freedom State."

[The scene switches to wailing women in the Akhaltsikhi capital of Tetri Tsqaro, amidst the rubble of their homes. Shouting men are shown carrying a bloody wounded friend to a waiting car. Groups of keffiyeh-wearing men patrol the dusty streets in their heavily-armed pickup trucks.]

"The civil war in our brother-nation of the Jurzan continues. The latest act committed by the forces of the racist ethnic Georgian strongman Tsintzadze was the bombing of the dictator's erstwhile capital, Tetri Tsqaro, moments after the native Uroduah had risen up and taken possession of the city. Hundreds are feared dead, and thousands have been wounded. Witnesses report the deliberate targeting of residential zones. With domestic pressure increasing on the Hajri government to act against the apartheid regime in the Jurzan, and the Carentanian military mobilized on the northern border, fears of the civil war expanding into a regional conflict are increasing."

[Al Alam switches to grainy taped footage, partially censored, of the burnt-out hulls of several jeeps and armored personnel carriers, strewn across a length of about a kilometer on a dirt road through thick Mediterranean woodland, with soldiers walking through the wreckage and forensics experts investigating the scene. Other footage is broadcast, of a crowd in a Hajri rural village chanting "Allahu Akbar," and carrying a casket draped in the blood-red Hajri flag towards its final resting place.]

"An army column traveling through the remote northeastern Al Sawari Governorate, which borders the socialist nation of Carentania, was ambushed early this morning by unknown assailants. Four soldiers were killed, and ten wounded. The army has confirmed that it managed to kill six of the attackers and apprehend six more, though the rest has escaped into the densely forested countryside of the governorate. The army spokesperson alleged that the ambush was carried out by members of an ethnic Carentanian militia. Over half of the population of the Al Sawari Governorate consists of Carentanians, the majority of which live in the mainland section of the governorate, which is the only portion of the Haemian Peninsula within Hajri borders, and where they form the majority. The area has a history of violence, often connected to ultranationalist factions from Carentania, so-called Mezhists, who oppose the Uroduah presence in the area and claim they are defending the interests of the majority Dominican population. Smuggling rings and communist cells also operate in the region, which is marked by a rugged topography."

[The channel switches to commercials. Advertisements announcing the next program, "All-Uroduah with Suleyman al-Jafi", are shown alongside images of the correspondent, Himyarite cities and the new, democratic government in Wazistan. A dramatic, dark voice speaks of "the end of Persian imperialism" and "a new wind blowing through the Desert," and footage is shown of peaceful Uroduah villages, kids playing with goats, village elders honoring the noble Camel, all packaged in flashy graphics, before the time of the program is announced.]

 

[Hesperia]

الوطن
THE NATION - Since 1952

Sultanate Announces Massive Loan to the Jurzan
Five Billion Dirham to Go to Fledgling Brother-Nation - Minimal Interest Involved on Financial Aid​

AL A’RAF, Capital of the Realm. A billion-dirham, low-interest loan will be granted to the government of the legitimate government of the Jurzan, the Hajri Government today announced. "The loan is designed to restore to the Jurzani nation some of the liquid assets that were stolen from it by the illegal apartheid government of so-called 'Akhaltsikhe,'" a Diwan of the Treasury spokesperson confirmed.

The loan encompasses more than five billion dirhams, a billion of which will be immediately transferred to the Jurzan's legitimate government. Interest is minimal: our fellow Uroduah will pay less than 1% in interest. There is also no deadline for paying back the credit extended.

The announcement comes following the illegal invasion of the Sultanate's fledgling brother-nation by the expansionists of the Talemantine Empire, and the latter's unprovoked attack on Carentanian forces, prompting a regional war between Carentania and Talemantros. This has confirmed long-held fears of military escalation and has exposed the short-sightedness and stupidity of Security Council Resolution 13, which gave Talemantine imperialism the green light. The Sultanate, which sits on the Council, unsuccessfully opposed the resolution.

The new loan confirms Hajr's iron commitment to its fellow Urodoah in the Jurzan, amid rising public anger over the situation in the country, and increasing demands that the Sultanate militarily intervene to defeat the Georgian racists and their foreign allies. Demonstrations against the invaders occur daily, and Friday sermons are dominated by fiery denunciations of the invasion, alongside calls for boycotts and jihad against the enemies of the unconquerable Uroduah nation. Thousands have volunteered for the jihad to defend the Jurzan, though His Majesty's Government has so far refused to let them depart to the front.

Critics have called the Sultanate's policy towards the Jurzan crisis inconsistent, calling for greater political courage and demanding immediate action. The Grand Mufti of Al Mukarramah, Sheikh Qays al-Shahbandari, has called on the Government to "do its religious duty, and wage a righteous jihad against the invaders, in defense of Islam and the Uroduah nation."

A professor of international relations at the Royal University of Sidra told Al Watan, on the condition of anonymity, that he worries that a lack of immediate Hajri action would hurt the Sultanate's national interests. "A Talemantine puppet on our doorstep would be contrary to all the nation's interests," he said. However, he also sees the chances of a Hajri military intervention rising. "The Government's room for action is decreasing... they have no choice but to intervene, and soon, or lose much carefully built-up prestige, and become a second-rate power. Not doing anything substantial is not an option for a nation of our stature in Himyar."

MAIN HEADLINES
- Two Army Divisions Reinforce Troops on Jurzani Border ... Page 1
- Charity Game Between Sultaniyya Al A'raf and Al-Jaysh Sidra Raises 200 Million Dirham for the Jurzan ... Page 1

 

[Serenierre]

Foreign Office

The Hajri commitment to the Jurzan is commendable and we support our ally's decision.

 

[Hesperia]

Hornbeobachter.
Himjars älteste Tageszeitung. Seit 1878​

Sultanate "Deeply Unhappy" With SEEDTO in Himyar
Role of Jurzan in Fledgling Alliance Under Close Scrutiny

Al A'raf. Hajr is greatly discontented with the role played by the member states of the South European Economic and Defense Treaty Organization (SEEDTO) in the recent border conflict between Umbazi and Ascalon, sources within the Diwan of Foreign Affairs tell Hornbeobachter. The role played by the Jurzan, which gained its independence due in part to key Hajri aid, and like Ascalon a founding member of the fledgling organization, displeases the Sultanate in particular.

The border conflict that erupted between Umbazi and Ascalon, both of which border Hajr, has heightened tensions throughout the Southern Hemisphere over the last two weeks. The militantly Christian nation of Ascalon captured three Umbazi youths on its side of the divide, who subsequently died under suspicious circumstances in an Ascaloni holding cell. Ascalon refused to return the bodies of the three young Umbazis afterwards, to the outrage of Barani. The Nethian nation responded by increasing troop levels along the Ascaloni border, prompting fears of another war in Himyar in the rest of Europe, as Ascalon threatened to do the same. Calls for peace and dialogue were heard from many third parties, while the conduct by Ascaloni authorities was fiercely criticized by the Sultanate. Support for Ascalon's actions came almost exclusively from fellow SEEDTO member states. The crisis caused a meeting between Belmont, a key Hajri ally, and SEEDTO nations, to collapse almost before it started.

It now emerges that there is great displeasure within the Sultanate over the way in which SEEDTO has conducted itself in its first major international foray. "HM's Government is deeply unhappy with the situation," explains one top diplomat, on the condition of anonymity. "So soon after the end of the first major Himyarite war in decades, this gathering of upstarts and troublemakers seeks to unbalance the situation once more? That is unacceptable." Other sources within the Foreign Diwan likewise confirm Hajr's displeasure with the recent turn of events.

A poignant twist is added to the conflict by the fact that the newly independent Jurzan is a member of the upstart alliance. This comes very soon after the Uroduah country, consistently hailed by the Hajri Government and national opinion as a "brother nation," fought a bloody war of independence against the former segregationist regime and its allies in Talemantros. SEEDTO members Ascalon and Fulanistan were Talemaniki's allies at the time, Fulanistan actually fighting Jurzani forces, and Ascalon for a long time threatening intervention. Hajr threatened war if the latter did anything of the sort, prompting the Christian nation to stand down.

A high-level functionary within the Foreign Diwan explains the annoyance within the Hajri Government with the Jurzan's decision to join its erstwhile enemies with such alacrity. He tells Hornbeobachter that Hajr is "not pleased at all" with the role of the Jurzan in SEEDTO. "They should be thanking us on their knees for what we did for them. Instead, they join up with states hostile to us." He cites the state news in Cakistan, another SEEDTO member, which in a report stated explicitly that the fledgling organization was founded in order to limit the influence of Carentania in the Jurzan. The socialist nation sent thousands of troops to fight on the Jurzanis' side during the war, choosing, just like Hajr, the Jurzanis' side. "By extension," the functionary explained, "it means us, as well."

A great deal of the Jurzani government's budget consists of Hajri aid money, and the newly independent country relies to a great extent on the generosity of the Hajri Government and Hajri donors in order to rebuild its shattered economy. In excess of 5 billion dirhams have been lent, at next to no interest, to Sharjah, and many hundreds of millions have been gathered by private donors to boot. This explains to a large extent the displeasure in the top echelons of the Hajri Government with the young Uroduah nation's membership in an organization whose actions are contrary to the Sultanate's national interests. "This is no way to express thankfulness," the Foreign Diwan functionary says.

It is unclear what course of action the Hajri Government will take in response to the challenge presented by SEEDTO, and the Jurzan's membership in the young alliance. Pressed to comment on these revelations, the Diwan of Foreign Affairs declined to respond. Neither the Sultan nor his ministers have made a public statement on the issue. It is not unlikely, however, that the Sultanate will aim to limit the influence of SEEDTO in the Southern Hemisphere. That it will make use of its considerable leverage in the Jurzan to do so seems more than likely.

 

[Fulanistan]

Foreign Affairs Ministry

We encourage the Hajri Government to be optimistic toward SEEDTO. We are a young alliance, and it is far too early to begin judging our actions. We are working to resolve our internal conflicts, and we hope Hajr will take a positive role in helping unite Himyar and bring stability to the region.

 

[Cakistan]

Ministry of External Affairs

With our deepest respect, the Ministry of External Affairs does not understand where the Sultanate finds any message of support for the actions of Ascalon in the diplomatic cables of the other SEEDTO members.

The United Emirates message of September 13th stated:

The United Emirates of Cakistan calls on all parties to this dispute to begin deescalating the situation. Continued tension is bad for the region and all of our countries. This situation is a tragedy and we call on our ally Ascalon to allow for a full investigation of this incident.

We reiterate the United Emirates firm and everlasting commitment to the sovereignty of all Himyari nations.

This message clearly calls on Ascalon to allow for a full investigation into the situation surrounding the deaths, and could indeed be read as a implicit guarantee of Umbazi sovereignty. Hardly an endorsement of Ascalon's action. This message was later endorsed by both Fulanistan and Kugelan Free State. The message by the Republic of Jurzan on September 13th was even stronger stating in part:

The Divine Republic of Ascalon must return the bodies of the three dead teenagers and work together with Umbazi to settle their differences through civilized discussion. We, the naitons of Himyar, must act to ensure the maintenance of security and peace in this continent. We must show the world our ability to do this.

Further, we would also like to state that the Ministry of External Affairs had no intention of suggesting that SEEDTO was meant to separate the close relations of Jurzan and Hajr. We were at the time concerned about the possible spread of Communism to the Jurzan. An ideology that is inherently opposed to traditional monarchies, such as the United Emirates, and indeed the Sultanate itself. Ensuring that a neighbor was not forced into that soul and life destroying ideology by lack of support from other non-communist neighbors was our only meaning. However, we feel as well that we should clarify that we never saw SEEDTO as instrument to attack or destabilize current powers whatever their ideology.

We hope this has clarified the situation for what we still consider our friends in the Sultanate.

With Deepest Respect,
Minister of External Affairs Orhan Abd Nasir, HoE

 

[Hesperia]

الوطن
THE NATION - Since 1952

National Day Abundantly Celebrated Throughout the Country
64th Year Since Regaining Independence – New Military Technology Displayed in National Day Parade​

AL A'RAF, Capital of the Realm. Hajr celebrated the 64th anniversary of regaining its independence from foreign dominance today. In ceremonies throughout the Nation, the Uroduah people commemorated the handing over of sovereignty by Franconian authorities to the Government of Sultan Faisal in the holy city of Al Quds on December 12, 1946. On this historic day for the Fatherland, for Himyar, and for the world, more than eighty years of foreign domination of the Land of the Three Holy Mosques finally came to an end.

The epochal event was given the honor it is due at monuments to its happening in cities throughout the country. Popular marches and celebrations took place, in which the people showcased Uroduah folk culture and national pride. Great prayer ceremonies took place simultaneously at all three of the Holy Mosques. 1,000 camels, draped in the carmine colors of the National Flag, took part in a grand parade in Sidra, the Nation's largest city and commercial hub.

The official national ceremony took place in the royal capital of Al A'raf, where His Majesty, the Most Exalted Sultan of Hajr, Huseyn the Victorious, reviewed the country's armed forces as part of the annual military parade. 12,000 of the Guardian of the Three Holy Mosques' finest troops paraded in full livery on Istiqlal Square in the center of the capital. The Guardian greeted his soldiers from a special balcony of the palace overlooking the square. Over 100 pieces of the Royal Army's most advanced military hardware were showcased. 60 of the Royal Hajri Air Force's aircraft conducted a flyover, including the brand new, highly advanced Kyivan T-84 air superiority fighter, the RHAF's newest weapon.

You must be registered for see images

Royal Army soldiers parade on Al A'raf's Istiqlal Square

His Majesty commented on this display of Hajri military prowess in his annual National Day address. “We remain strongly committed to the continuous strengthening of national defense and military readiness. In this dangerous world, we as a nation must always be ready to defend our national interests, as well as be ready to act for the collective security of Himyar and the Uroduah nation.” The Cornerstone of the Faith praised the “strength and honor” of the Royal Armed Forces, announcing that “Hajr will continue to augment its capabilities of defense and military power.”

This past year the Sultanate spent more than 75 billion dirhams on the acquisition and integration of new weapon systems, such as the T-84, a fleet of new Franconian-built destroyers for the Royal Hajri Navy, batteries of state-of-the-art Sarmatian artillery, modern small arms for the nation's infantry, and a modernization package for tanks of the seventies era. This has greatly augmented the country's defense and power projection capabilities.

The Guardian assured regional neighbors and brother-nations that “Hajr will not use its strength for aggression or territorial aggrandizement. We are a great nation, we desire no expansion. Ours is a course of peace: we will not contribute to the destabilization of the region or of Europe abroad. We will not react unless provoked. It has always been, and will remain our primary concern to augment our strength and prosperity as a nation.” Analysts interpreted this as an oblique reference to the current Gallian conflict.

As is traditional on National Day, the Sultan's palace was open for all, so His Majesty could hear complaints and receive petitions from his subjects. This annual general royal audience by the Father of the Nation is ancient custom, rooted in Uroduah tribal practice, honoring the traditional right of consultation and access to the Royal Person in Hajri society. A spokesman for the Diwan of the Royal Court praised the Sovereign for “his eternal dedication to the well-being of his people by listening to their voices and concerns.” He commented that “only a Government such as ours could so directly translate the people's will into action.”

Al-Watan wishes everybody a happy and glorious National Day. God is the greatest, and he smiles upon our Nation!

MAIN HEADLINES
- Cold Weather Brings Heavy Snowfall to Mountainous Eastern and Northwestern Hajr ... Page 1
- Christian Service Escalates Into Riot in Western Hajr, Leaves 1 Dead, 40 Wounded ... Page 1
- Foreign Diwan “Will Take Action Soon” on Frescanian Naval Demand ... Page 3
- Foreign Minister al-Ma’muni to “Re-emphasize” Importance of Relations With Oikawa ... Page 5

 

[Polesia]

পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রক
Ministry of External Affairs

The People's Republic of Vangala congratulates the Sultanate of Hajr for 64 years of independence and hopes the relationship between our two great and free nations will only improve in the future.

 

[Großlausitz]

His Majesty's High Commissioner to the Court of Hajr

On behalf of the Crown of Franken I would like to convey our congratulations upon 64 year of sovereign home rule. The Kingdom of Franken is delighted to have a reliable partner in trade and regional politics in the Sultanate of Hajr.

 

[Hesperia]

الوطن
THE NATION - Since 1952​

MAIN HEADLINES

- Court Diwan Confirms Recent Rumors of Imminent Major Proclamation by HM the Sultan ... Page 1
- Clash Along Carentanian Border: 3 Wounded, 12 Arrested; Carentanian Rebels Suspected ... Page 2
- 8 Sinese Aliens Convicted of Causing Grievous Labor Unrest Last November in Two-Day Trial ... Page 3

 

[Hesperia]

Golfbeobachter.
Himjars älteste Tageszeitung. Seit 1878​

Hajri Legislature to Become Partially Democratic, Sultan Decrees
Fulfills Promise Made Upon Accession

Al A'raf. Huseyn ibn Saad al-Taimur, the Sultan of Hajr, published a Royal Proclamation today which stated that the lower house of the country's legislature will henceforth by fully elected. He did this on account of 2011 being a year of festivities, in honor of the twentieth anniversary of his reign, as well as the four-hundredth year since the foundation of the Sultanate. No more royal appointees will take seat in the lower house, as was the case before.

This fulfills a promise made by the Sultan upon issuing a Basic Law of Government in 1992, following his accession to the throne in 1991. The Basic Law established the current bicameral national legislature, consisting of an appointed upper house, the Council of Lords, and a lower house consisting of royal appointees and elected members, the Council of Consultation or Shura Council. A subclause of this article of the Basic Law declared that, in due time, the entire Shura Council would be elected democratically.

Shura Council elections take place every two years. Members are not elected directly by their constituents; instead, eligible voters cast their vote in their municipal districts. These votes then result in electoral colleges for each of the eighteen provinces, which then elect the members of the Council, bound by the popular vote. The franchise in Hajr is male-only and limited by property ownership: only those who pay a certain amount of property taxes can vote. About 21% of male Hajri citizens are currently eligible to vote, which is mandatory under penalty of a fine.

Before, half of the Shura Council consisted of royal appointees, often representing business or landowner interests. This will now end, and all members will be elected indirectly. A widening of the voting franchise by lowering the property requirements was also announced in the same decree. An election date is yet to be announced.

Taken together, these two changes represent a significant shift toward greater political openness within the Sultanate, where the great majority of government powers are concentrated in the monarch's hands. This is qualified, however, by the limited franchise, the indirect nature of the elections, and, most of all, by the fact that the legislature is fully consultative in nature, possessing no legislative capacities of its own. It can only amend government legislation, and is not able to prevent it from becoming law.

Sultan Huseyn, who is seen as a modernizer and a progressive, has therefore stuck to his cautious policy of democratization and rationalization, which he has followed since taking the throne. Several sources within the government tell Golfbeobachter that further reforms of the political system are not out of the question, however. This indicates the possibility that the national legislature may be shaped into a full-fledged parliament in the future.

The Shura Council will gain in prestige through its expanded democratic mandate, but it remains to be seen if it will be able to play an increased role in Hajri politics in the future. Political parties remain officially banned, if partially tolerated, in the country, and election campaigns are strictly supervised by the authorities. Nevertheless, Huseyn's present proclamation represents another step in the direction of democracy, and away from the unchallenged absolutism of the past.

 

[Great Engellex]

You must be registered for see images

_____________________________________________

DULWICH, WEDNESDAY, 9TH MARCH 2011
_____________________________________________

The Right Honourable The Secretary of State has received the Command of Her Engellexic Majesty The Queen to make known the following gracious Statement of Her Engellexic Majesty to the Princes, the Chiefs and the People of the Sultanate of Hajr.​

​

Extension of The Queen's Statement in Council.​

TO THE PRINCES AND CHIEFS OF THE SULTANATE OF HAJR​

It is to be expressed, upon instruction of Her Engellexic Majesty;

That the news of the democratisation of the Hajri legislature by Decree of the Sultan has been received with great jubilation in many communities in Great Engellex.

The Hajri communities within Great Engellex have in conjunction with Her Engellexic Majesty’s wish, desired that I extend the heartiest congratulations to Huseyn ibn Saad al-Taimur, Sultan of Hajr, and to the Hajri people on their progression to democracy. The reformation of the Lower House, the Shura Council, and the widening of the franchise will ensure a greater degree of accountability and representation, as well as reinforcing the international perception of Sultan Huseyn as a progressive.

Great expectations now rest upon Sultan Huseyn, to endeavour in securing equal privileges for one and all alike.

By the Grace of GOD, of the UNION of GREAT ENGELLEX, CHARLOTTE, the QUEEN, through the Right Honourable the SECRETARY of STATE, ANTHONY PELHAM-HOLLES​

​

 

[Frescania]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

We congratulate the Sultan for taking a step towards the democratization of Hajr. While a small step, we are happy to see the Sultan is looking into the future of his country.

 

[Serbovia]

Directorate of the State

The Union expresses its support for these initiatives towards a more inclusive political system in Hajr, and hopes that this will encourage the Sultanate to implement further reforms in the near future.

Regards,
Hon Mr. Petar Nikolich,
Director of the State,
United States of Greater Serbovia

 

[Großlausitz]

The Prince Regent of Franken

On behalf of the Crown of Franken I would like to congratulate His Majesty Sultan Huseyn upon trusting the people of his country with sharing the burden of governance. However gifted and wise a Sovereign may be, there is no doubt he will govern more efficiently and justly if he listens to his people. If there's any need for external legal advice on constitutional affairs, I would be delighted to provide the service of My Kingdom's finest scholar in constitutional law.

Jakob Dux
Seine Königliche Hoheit Herzog Jakob von Schlesnitz
Prinzregent des Königreichs Franken

 

[Akwesasne]

Ministry of Foreign Relations
Ministère des relations extérieures
Gagiikwewinini mayagi-ogimaa

From a Confederation who know the joys of democracy that comes with an elected lower house, The United Territories of Akwesasne conmmends the Sultan Huseyn ibn Saad al-Taimur upon his Royal Proclamation to the Hajri people to give these citizens in question a new system and way of life that seems to be expaning in all freedom-loving countires.