Sheikh Atieeq, also known as Haj Atieeq, died on Feb 19, 2001, well into his nineties. His was the first family we met in Wadi Rum in 1984. They were the first to make us welcome into their desert camps before the village really existed. He fully supported our explorations for climbing and trekking and saw their potential in bringing income to what was then a poor area. A visit to his camp was always first on our list in future years and he remained a close friend, making us feel part of his family.
His sons continue to be our 'brothers' and close friends of the ever-increasing climbing community. Sabbah Atieeq has twice visited the UK on Mountain Guiding courses and as our guest, and is the most experienced of Rum's new breed of Mountain and Desert Guides. Three of the other sons, Defallah, Eid and Mazied are first class desert guides. It was Defallah and Sabbah that showed us the Rock Bridge of Burdah back in 1984, and wondered if it might be of interest! It was also Defallah that discovered Jordan's highest mountain, Jebel um Adaami. With these two finds alone they made a massive contribution to the economy of the Rum community. It was Eid that showed us the superb fossils in Wadi Salaada, one of which became a gift for Queen Noor and now sits in the Palace garden. Mazied became a respected guide for members of the Jordanian Royal family and for Harrow School where King Hussein was educated.
Sheikh Atieeq was, for us, a link with 'old' Rum and the true Bedouin traditions; he was born before the Arab Revolt and the time of Lawrence. When we first met him out at his desert camp under Jebel Raqa, he was in his seventies and was wrestling a camel to the floor, to treat a skin-wound. He was a man of great strength, good humour and, above all, of dignity, a highly respected elder of the Zalabia Bedouin, a faction of the Huweitat.
We are proud to have known him - the climbing community (and therefore Jordan's desert tourism) owes him and his family - and extended tribal family - an untold debt. He deserves our tribute!
With fondest memories, Tony Howard & Di Taylor

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Left
Sheikh Atieq in his desert camp

Above right
The magnificent memorial feast, forty days after his death