Born into a prominent family in Palestine, Khalid Shoman carried its name with honor and pride. His father, Abdul Hameed Shoman, son of a livestock trader in Beit Hanina near Jerusalem, became, through sheer will and hard work, a symbol of success throughout the Arab world. His story is a legendary tale of a young man who overcame the hardships of immigration to the land of opportunity at the dawn of the twentieth century. He succeeded in establishing a flourishing business in the U.S., but chose to return twenty years later to his homeland to serve his country and his people. Considering the tragic events which were unfolding in the region, he dared to build while others feared. He established the Arab Bank in Palestine, the second bank after Bank Misr in Egypt to be run by Arabs. This was by any means a challenging endeavor in a country that was politically and economically controlled by the British mandate authorities. On the 13th of October 1931, his son Khalid was born in Brooklyn, New York , where he was still supervising his business. Khalid's maternal grandfather was in charge of the bank in Palestine. Khalid was named by his mother Sania, a gentle, cultured woman who trained at Dar al Moualimat and was active at Dar al Aytam orphanage in Jerusalem. This was considered quite an achievement at a time when women were still confined to their homes.  
Abdul Hameed Shoman, Khalid's father
   
  Ahmad Hilmi Abdul Baqi, Khalid's grandfather
 

Khalid's grandfather, Ahmad Hilmi Abdul Baqi, son of an officer in the Ottoman army, was a poet and a Palestinian nationalist. He participated in the government of Emir Faysal in Syria (1919) as Director General of the Ministry of Finance. In 1922, he became Mushawir (Minister) for the Finances in the government of Emir Abdullah of Trans-Jordan. In 1937, the British mandate authorities in Palestine exiled him to the Secheylles Island, along with several other Palestinian leaders.

Both Khalid's father and grandfather believed in the national aspirations of their people and their legitimate struggle for their political and economic independence. They both devoted their lives to participating actively in building the nation. Abdul Hameed Shoman founded a bank that grew into a financial empire extending from Australia to New York, from Jordan to Morocco. Ahmad Hilmi took part in defending Jerusalem during the 1948 war in Palestine and later became Prime Minister of the All Palestine Government in Gaza (1948) . He represented his country, Palestine, in the Arab League, till his death in 1963.

 

  
Khalid with his mother
  Al-Haram Al-Sharif - the Noble Sanctuary - in Jerusalem

 

   In recognition of their faithful and loyal services to their country and the Arab cause, both Khalid's father and grandfather were awarded a great honor. By order of his majesty the late King Hussein of Jordan, they were buried in the compound of the sacred Al-Haram Al-Sharif - the Noble Sanctuary - in Jerusalem where only few who served God and country had earned this privilege. Sharif Hussein of Mecca, the leader of the Great Arab Revolt during the First World War and Abdul Kader Al Husseini, the Palestinian hero who gave his life to his country, are among those resting in this blessed Muslim holy site.