Rashid Ali al-Gaylani 1892 – 1965

Biography

Rashid Ali al-Gaylani was born on January 1, 1892, in Baghdad, during a pivotal period in Iraqi history. He would go on to become one of Iraq’s most significant political figures, serving as Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Iraq. His life spanned the transformative decades of the early twentieth century, witnessing Iraq’s evolution from Ottoman rule through independence and the formation of the modern Iraqi state.

Throughout his career in Iraqi politics, al-Gaylani played a central role in shaping his nation’s political landscape during its formative years. His tenure as Prime Minister placed him at the heart of critical decisions affecting Iraq’s governance, development, and international relations during a time of considerable change and challenge for the young kingdom.

Al-Gaylani spent his final years in Beirut, Lebanon, where he passed away on August 28, 1965. His long life encompassed nearly seven decades of Iraqi political history, making him a notable figure in the nation’s struggle to establish itself as an independent state. His legacy remains part of the historical record of twentieth-century Iraq and the Middle East during this transformative era.