Faisal was an Iraqi king who reigned from 1933 to 1958. He was a member of the Hashemite dynasty and was the son of Hussein bin Ali, the Grand Sharif of Mecca. Faisal was a major figure in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I and was instrumental in securing the independence of Iraq from British control in 1932. He was also a key figure in the formation of the League of Arab States in 1945. During his reign, Faisal sought to modernize Iraq and promote economic development. He was assassinated in 1958 by a member of the Iraqi Army.