Hamdi al-Pachachi
Encyclopedia
Hamdi al-Pachachi Iraqi politician, was born to a well known family in Baghdad. He studied law at the Royal School in Istanbul, graduating in 1909. He taught at the Baghdad Law School from 1913 to 1916. While in Istanbul, he joined the Covenant Society and became active in the Arab nationalist movement. Upon his return to Baghdad, he joined with the nationalists, who were demanding the decentralization of the Ottoman Empire
. As a result of his violent activities during the Iraqi revolt against the British
in 1920, al-Pachachi was arrested and exiled to Hanja, an island in the Persian Gulf. After his release, he continued to take part in anti-British activities.
In 1925, he began cooperating with Abd al-Muhsin as-Sa'dun
. Al-Pachachi served as minister of waqf
in one of as-Sa'dun's cabinets (1925-26). He then retired from politics for many years. A large landowner, he concentrated on business matters and agriculture.
In 1935, he was elected deputy to Parliament, but did not play a major role. He was minister of social welfare in 1941 and was elected president of the Chamber of Commerce in 1943.
Al-Pachachi served as Prime Minister of Iraq
between 1944 and 1946. He was brought in to succeed Nuri as-Said
after increasing tensions between himself and the regent. The difference in policy was not dramatic, as al-Pachachi included members of Nuri’s inner circle and advisors close to the regent in his cabinet. Small changes to government policy included a relaxation of the censorship on the press and the introduction of the 1945 Miri Sirf Law. This law was intended to be the beginning of a land reform on a larger scale, and distributed state land to a number of landless peasants.
Kurdish rebellions in the north was a primary domestic issue for al-Pachachi. Under the leadership of Mulla Mustafa
, tribes united to protest the vacillation between increasing governmental interference and neglect in the region, culminating in a full-scale revolt in 1945. After rejecting the terms of their increasing demands, al-Pachachi was able to quell the revolt and send its leaders into exile in Iran.
Contrary to Nuri as-Said, his primary foreign focus was on the strenghthening of the Arab Federation
and the integration of Iraq into that organization. Rather than Nuri’s focus on Iraqi campaigns in Syria, Hamdi emphasized co-operation among the Arab countries solidarity in the spirit of Arab Nationalism
, rather than Nuri who focused on increasing the political power of Iraq within the Federation. He succeeded in maintaining excellent ties with the Egyptian and Syrian politicians, despite significant protest against their dominance in the Federation and region.
Ties between the British backed Regent of Iraq 'Abd al-Ilah
and al-Pachachi were gradually weakened as the Regent argued for more involvement in the political party system. Under intense pressure from the 'Abd al-Ilah
, al-Pachachi was forced to resign from his post as Prime Minister in February 1946.
In 1948 was appointed minister of foreign affairs under Prime Minister Tawfiq al-Suwaidi
. He died while in that office.
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. As a result of his violent activities during the Iraqi revolt against the British
Iraqi revolt against the British
The Iraqi Revolt against the British , or the Great Iraqi Revolution of 1920, started in Baghdad in the summer of 1920 with mass demonstrations of both Sunni and Shia, including protests by embittered officers from the old Ottoman army, against the policies of British Acting Civil Commissioner Sir...
in 1920, al-Pachachi was arrested and exiled to Hanja, an island in the Persian Gulf. After his release, he continued to take part in anti-British activities.
In 1925, he began cooperating with Abd al-Muhsin as-Sa'dun
Abd al-Muhsin as-Sa'dun
Abd al-Muhsin Al-Saadoon, Honorary KCMG was an Iraqi politician who served as Prime Minister of Iraq four separate times between 1922 and 1929...
. Al-Pachachi served as minister of waqf
Waqf
A waqf also spelled wakf formally known as wakf-alal-aulad is an inalienable religious endowment in Islamic law, typically denoting a building or plot of land for Muslim religious or charitable purposes. The donated assets are held by a charitable trust...
in one of as-Sa'dun's cabinets (1925-26). He then retired from politics for many years. A large landowner, he concentrated on business matters and agriculture.
In 1935, he was elected deputy to Parliament, but did not play a major role. He was minister of social welfare in 1941 and was elected president of the Chamber of Commerce in 1943.
Al-Pachachi served as Prime Minister of Iraq
Prime Minister of Iraq
The Prime Minister of Iraq is Iraq's head of government. Prime Minister was originally an appointed office, subsidiary to the head of state, and the nominal leader of the Iraqi parliament. Under the newly adopted constitution the Prime Minister is to be the country's active executive authority...
between 1944 and 1946. He was brought in to succeed Nuri as-Said
Nuri as-Said
Nuri Pasha al-Said was an Iraqi politician during the British Mandate and during the Kingdom of Iraq. He served in various key cabinet positions, and served seven terms as Prime Minister of Iraq....
after increasing tensions between himself and the regent. The difference in policy was not dramatic, as al-Pachachi included members of Nuri’s inner circle and advisors close to the regent in his cabinet. Small changes to government policy included a relaxation of the censorship on the press and the introduction of the 1945 Miri Sirf Law. This law was intended to be the beginning of a land reform on a larger scale, and distributed state land to a number of landless peasants.
Kurdish rebellions in the north was a primary domestic issue for al-Pachachi. Under the leadership of Mulla Mustafa
Mustafa
Mustafa is the primary transliteration of the Arabic given name, . The name is an epithet of Muhammad that means, Chosen One. It is a very common male given name, throughout the Muslim world.-Mostafa:...
, tribes united to protest the vacillation between increasing governmental interference and neglect in the region, culminating in a full-scale revolt in 1945. After rejecting the terms of their increasing demands, al-Pachachi was able to quell the revolt and send its leaders into exile in Iran.
Contrary to Nuri as-Said, his primary foreign focus was on the strenghthening of the Arab Federation
Arab federation
Arab federation can mean:* Arab Federation, a confederation between Iraq and Jordan * Arab League, a regional organization of Arab States in the Middle East and North Africa....
and the integration of Iraq into that organization. Rather than Nuri’s focus on Iraqi campaigns in Syria, Hamdi emphasized co-operation among the Arab countries solidarity in the spirit of Arab Nationalism
Arab nationalism
Arab nationalism is a nationalist ideology celebrating the glories of Arab civilization, the language and literature of the Arabs, calling for rejuvenation and political union in the Arab world...
, rather than Nuri who focused on increasing the political power of Iraq within the Federation. He succeeded in maintaining excellent ties with the Egyptian and Syrian politicians, despite significant protest against their dominance in the Federation and region.
Ties between the British backed Regent of Iraq 'Abd al-Ilah
'Abd al-Ilah
Crown Prince Abd al-Ilāh of Hejaz, GCB, GCMG, GCVO was a cousin and brother-in-law of King Ghazi of the Kingdom of Iraq. Abdul Ilah served as Regent for King Faisal II from April 4, 1939 to May 2, 1953, when Faisal came of age...
and al-Pachachi were gradually weakened as the Regent argued for more involvement in the political party system. Under intense pressure from the 'Abd al-Ilah
'Abd al-Ilah
Crown Prince Abd al-Ilāh of Hejaz, GCB, GCMG, GCVO was a cousin and brother-in-law of King Ghazi of the Kingdom of Iraq. Abdul Ilah served as Regent for King Faisal II from April 4, 1939 to May 2, 1953, when Faisal came of age...
, al-Pachachi was forced to resign from his post as Prime Minister in February 1946.
In 1948 was appointed minister of foreign affairs under Prime Minister Tawfiq al-Suwaidi
Tawfiq al-Suwaidi
Tawfiq al-Suwaidi was an Iraqi politician who served as Prime Minister of Iraq on three occasions:* April 28, 1929 - August 25, 1929* February 23, 1946 - May 31, 1946* February 5, 1950 - September 4, 1950....
. He died while in that office.