Aalulbait University in Iraq 1922-1930

Abstract

Aalulbait University, which is established during the reign of King Faisal I, is the first Iraqi university in the modern epoch as establishing a university in Iraq is a public claim. The king endorsed the idea and was so encouraged to accomplish it as he was still a student in Istanbul University, seeing then that Europe is crammed with universities, regarding them as a source of pride. Aalulbait University was not aimed to succeed, yet it mirrored national and intellectual feelings of the intelligentsia in Iraq. Means of success were not afforded as Iraq was witnessing hard times during that period accompanied by various challenges on political, economic and cultural levels. Fahmi Elmudarris, its general secretary, labored with all his power so as to keep the university run. Yet, counter forces were more powerful than his efforts, advocated by British support. Elmudarris's opponents, led by Sati' Elhusari, succeeded in the closing of the university as British forces were then safeguarding their colonial interests.