Hashimi, Aquila Al-(1953–2003)
Hashimi, Aquila Al-(1953–2003)
Iraqi politician and diplomat. Name variations: Akila al-Hashemi or Hashimi; Aqila al-Hashemi or Hashimi. Born 1953 in Najaf, Iraq; died Sept 25, 2003, in Baghdad; law degree from Baghdad University; Sorbonne, PhD in French literature; never married; no children.
Born into a secular Shia family, became member of Baathist government; served as aide to Iraqi deputy prime minister Tariq Aziz, directed UN oil-for-food program at Iraqi Foreign Ministry, and served as director of international relations (before Mar 2003); for 2 decades, worked for regime of Saddam Hussein; after overthrow of Hussein (2003), was only member of his regime to be appointed by US government to Iraq's interim governing council, 1 of 3 women; known for her determination to help Iraqi women, was shot by unidentified gunmen in Baghdad (Sept 20, 2003) and in coma for 5 days; had been expected to become Iraq's ambassador to United Nations.