A Leap of Faith

Born into a distinguished Arab-American family and raised amid privilege, Lisa Halaby was in the first co-ed freshman class at Princeton, graduating in 1974 with a degree in architecture and urban planning. Then in 1976, she was introduced, on an airport runway, to King Hussein of Jordan, a direct descendant of the prophet Muhammad. In less than two years, she was his wife, Noor al-Hussein, Queen of Jordan.

With eloquence and candour, Noor talks frankly of the many challenges of her life as a wife and partner to the monarch, providing both an intimate portrait of the late King Hussein and his quest for peace in the Middle East, and a moving account of the demands his public role as world statesman placed on the royal couple's private life.

Sharing a personal perspective on the past three decades of world history, A Leap of Faith highlights Queen Noor's views on Islam & the West; the challenges of rearing her family; her work as Queen and humanitarian activist; and her struggles to protect her husband as he slipped into illness. It is refreshingly candid and clear-eyed, a true love story set against the turbulent politics of the last 30 years.

“"Here she tells the story of her life as a young royal bride, her humanitarian work, her miscarriage and the births of her four children. Above all she describes her abiding love for her husband who died in 1999."”

Here she tells the story of her life as a young royal bride, her humanitarian work, her miscarriage and the births of her four children. Above all she describes her abiding love for her husband who died in 1999. - SUNDAY TRIBUNE

Queen Noor - formerly Lisa Halaby - is an American-born Jordanian of half-Arab ancestry. She was educated at Princeton University and in 1978 became the wife of King Hussein of Jordan. They had four children. She is involved in many initiatives in Jordan addressing the needs of women and children and is actively involved in many international and UN organisations.

Born into a distinguished Arab-American family and raised amid privilege, Lisa Halaby was in the first co-ed freshman class at Princeton, graduating in 1974 with a degree in architecture and urban planning. Then in 1976, she was introduced, on an airport runway, to King Hussein of Jordan, a direct descendant of the prophet Muhammad. In less than two years, she was his wife, Noor al-Hussein, Queen of Jordan.With eloquence and candour, Noor talks frankly of the many challenges of her life as a wife and partner to the monarch, providing both an intimate portrait of the late King Hussein and his quest for peace in the Middle East, and a moving account of the demands his public role as world statesman placed on the royal couple's private life.Sharing a personal perspective on the past three decades of world history, A Leap of Faith highlights Queen Noor's views on Islam & the West; the challenges of rearing her family; her work as Queen and humanitarian activist; and her struggles to protect her husband as he slipped into illness. It is refreshingly candid and clear-eyed, a true love story set against the turbulent politics of the last 30 years.

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