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