Asad al-Hashemi

Asad Kamal Mohammed Abdullah al-Hashemi was an Iraqi politician and Culture Minister in the government of Nouri al-Maliki.

Background

al-Hashemi is a Sunni Arab Iraqi who is a professor of Islamic studies. He is a member of the Iraqi People's Conference, a Sunni Arab-led political party led by Adnan al-Dulaimi, which is part of the Iraqi Accord Front electoral coalition.

al-Hashemi was appointed as Culture Minister in May 2006 as one of six members from the Iraqi Accord Front.[1] His appointment was criticised by artists and intellectuals in Baghdad who said he wasn't qualified for the position.[2] He was originally reported to have declined his appointment, but this was later denied.[2]

In June 2007 a warrant was issued for Hashemi's arrest, accusing him of ordering the attempted assassination of the Sunni Arab Iraqi politician, Mithal al-Alusi, in February 2005.[3] In response the Front suspended its participation in the government.[4] al-Alusi then accused the US Embassy of giving shelter to Hashemi.[5]

References
  1. IRAQI CABINET MEMBERS Archived May 19, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, The Iraq Foundation
  2. IRAQ'S CULTURE MINISTER RESIGNS, Radio Free Europe, 2006-05-24, accessed on 2007-06-29
  3. Arrest Warrant Issued For Iraq's Culture Minister, Radio Free Europe, 2007-06-26, accessed on 2006-07-29
  4. Main Sunni Bloc Suspends Participation in Iraqi Government Archived July 2, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Voice of America, 2007-06-29, accessed on 2007-06-29
  5. Embassy accused of hiding suspect, Associated Press, via the Denver Post, 2007-06-29, accessed on 2007-06-29
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