Idris I of Libya Facts For Kids

Idris was born on 12 March 1889 or 1890 in Al-Jaghbub, a desert town in eastern Libya. He grew up listening to stories of family faith and desert life, which shaped his calm, thoughtful way.

He was the son of Sayyid Muhammad al-Mahdi and the grandson of Sayyid Muhammad ibn Ali as-Senussi, founder of the Senussi Order. The family traced its roots back to the Prophet Muhammad, and they led a religious community in Cyrenaica.

By the late 19th century, the Senussi Order had formed a government in Cyrenaica, uniting tribes and guiding trade and pilgrimage routes. The Ottoman Empire sent envoys to foster good relations with them.

Idris was a Libyan leader who helped bring three lands into one country. He became king in 1951 and ruled until 1969. His life shows how a thoughtful, faithful person could guide a young nation through big changes.

Before he wore a crown, he led a peaceful religious group in the desert city of Cyrenaica. He worked with neighbors and with other countries to keep Libya steady as it began to grow richer from oil, schools, and roads.

This article will take you through his early life, his leadership, and the ideas he left behind for Libya’s future. You will see how he balanced faith, family, and politics.

In 1969 a group of young army officers led a coup and removed Idris from the throne.

He left Libya for exile in Egypt, living there as a former king until his death. The new leaders called the land a republic and began a new path for Libya.

People described Idris as scholarly and deeply religious, a king who thought before he acted. He liked calm study, prayer, and talking with advisers in a small, careful circle.

People had mixed views: some praised his balance of regions, while others felt he moved slowly on reforms to protect his circle.

An easy fact to remember is that he refused to put his picture on money, keeping a modest image for the crown. His legacy lies in how he tried to keep Libya together.

On 24 December 1951, Idris announced the United Kingdom of Libya, uniting three provinces into a federal country.

Libya started as a very poor land, but oil discovery in 1959 began to change life. Oil wealth funded schools, roads, and new jobs; Benghazi and Tripoli shared capitals, Bayda was a summer capital, and the central government learned to lead.

Idris governed as a constitutional monarch with real power in his royal diwan, and he banned political parties. He worked with Western countries and then faced protests at times, especially after the 1967 Six-Day War.

In 1916, Idris became chief of the Senussi Order after his cousin abdicated. The British recognized him as Emir of Cyrenaica, and Italians confirmed the position in 1920.

He was also made Emir of Tripolitania in 1922. After Italy invaded Cyrenaica in 1913, the Senussi resisted; Idris stopped attacks on British forces in Egypt and formed a quiet alliance with Britain.

He negotiated agreements in 1916 and 1917 giving Senussi control over inland Cyrenaica; relations with the Tripolitanian Republic were hostile; in 1922 tribal leaders asked him to extend his rule to Tripolitania, which he agreed to despite Italy’s opposition.