Ismael Babouk

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Ismael Babouk (1841–1920) was a Circassian aristocrat who became Amman's first mayor. He served from January 1, 1909, to January 1, 1911, and started Amman’s first mayoral council, helping turn the city from a village into a town. He was part of the first generation of Kabardian Circassians who settled in Amman after leaving Circassia following the Russo-Circassian War (1763–1864). In 1885 he lived on Italian Hospital Street with his siblings Kamel, Maher, and Sawrat-Khan Babouk. He began his work in farming and land, then expanded into livestock trading between Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon. He spoke Arabic, Turkish, and Circassian, and was elected mayor by Amman residents. His leadership increased interaction between Amman and As Salt. A street in downtown Amman is named after him. He died in Amman in 1920.