Abd Al-Rahman Al-Gillani Explained

Abd Al-Rahman Al-Gailani
Office:Prime Minister of Iraq
Term Start:11 November 1920
Term End:20 November 1922
Predecessor:Position established
Successor:Abd al-Muhsin as-Sa'dun
Birth Date:11 January 1841
Birth Place:Baghdad, Ottoman Empire
Death Place:Baghdad, Iraq
Nationality:Iraqi
Native Name Lang:ar
Native Name:عبد الرحمن الگيلاني

Qutb-ul Aqtaab Naqib Al Ashraaf Syed Abd ar-Rahman al-Qadri al-Gailani (Arabic: عبد الرحمن الكيلاني النقيب; 11 January 1841 – 13 June 1927) was the first prime minister of Iraq. He was an important figure during the Ottoman and the British Eras, and he had an important role in the politics of Iraq.

Early life

Al-Gailani was born in Baghdad to a Sufi family. Al-Gailani was the 15th descendant of Abdul Qadir al-Gailani. His family has been known since ancient times for its scientific significance and councilmen and was known for his morality and love for his people.[1] He was the captain of the Banu Hashim of the Quraishi tribe in Baghdad. He lived most of his life as an Ottoman and studied under Sultan Abdul Hamid II who strongly supported him on the issue of Palestine when he was young.[2]

Political career

Al-Gailani was chosen in 1920 to head the Iraqi Council of Ministers following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. Due to his good relations with the British and his personality, he was one of the candidates for the throne of Iraq. He refused to take the title out of renunciation of the King but agreed to be Prime Minister. He used his influence to oppose the appointment of Faisal I as King of Iraq and resigned from his post when his efforts were defeated. Nevertheless, Faisal still reappointed him as prime minister in order to curb opposition.

In 1922, al-Gailani negotiated the first Anglo-Iraqi Treaty, which ensured nominal independence for the country, though Britain maintained control of the military and foreign affairs, essentially establishing a Mandate in the country. Opposed to these results, al-Gailani resigned shortly after and spent the rest of his life in seclusion.[3]

Death and Burial

Al-Gailani died on 13 June 1927 in Baghdad, aged 86. His funeral was attended by many high figures of Iraq including Prince Ghazi. He was buried inside the Mausoleum of Abdul-Qadir Gailani shrine near the shrine of Abdul Qadir al-Gailani.[4]

In pop culture

Al-Gillani and his role in the Ottoman Empire was briefly mentioned in the Iraqi television drama Sarah Khatoon, which aired on Al Sharqiya.[5]

See also

Notes and References

  1. The Book of the Captains of Baghdad, written by Ibrahim Abd al-Ghani al-Droubi
  2. Web site: Confirmed by Jamal al-Din Faleh al-Kilani .
  3. Web site: Ghassan Al-Attiyah, History of Iraq, 1973. ʻaṭīyah . Ghassān . 1973 .
  4. Web site: August 26, 2013 . الگاردينيا - مجلة ثقافية عامة - النقيب الكيلاني أول رئيس وزراء عراقي شخصية لن تتكرر . algardenia.com.
  5. Interview with Sheikh Afif Al-Din Al-Kilani_the grandson of the captain, Jamal Al-Din Faleh Al-Kilani, memorandum in Columbus, 2014