The patriarch - Jassim Mohammad Al-Bakr
He was the father of Abdel-Karim, known to be a simple man, his closet consisted only of a few traditional dishdasha's, a smagh and an igaal. A God fearing man who prayed five times a day, fasted during the holy month of Ramadan and could be seen walking through the neighbourhood with a sebha in his hand reciting verses of the Quran in a low voice, as if he was whispering.
A role model that influenced Abdel-Karim immensely, taught him to live simply and to follow a religious philosophy that says; no matter what financial status or power you might have in the future, everyone will become equals under God when we die.
A role model that influenced Abdel-Karim immensely, taught him to live simply and to follow a religious philosophy that says; no matter what financial status or power you might have in the future, everyone will become equals under God when we die.
Jassim went from job to job to support his family, spent the vast majority of his life working to claim the ladder of a feudal class-system created by the occupiers. Trying to carry his family from the lowest conditions of living and into a life of stability and comfort.
His sacrifice meant that little was seen of him in the house, his co-workers knew him better than his own family. Yet, the children idolized him like a living martyr, a man who selflessly works day and night, in order to keep them in school.
His sacrifice meant that little was seen of him in the house, his co-workers knew him better than his own family. Yet, the children idolized him like a living martyr, a man who selflessly works day and night, in order to keep them in school.
Hamid (Abdel-Karim's brother) tells a story about the kids admiration for their father: "We barely saw him, because he was constantly working. But when he finally came home for a small break during noon, all five of us kids gathered around him to share stories about our adventures at school.
But the one who looked up to him the most, was Abdel-Karim. He would tell a story in a story, sometimes forgetting the subject he talked about and without a break, go through to the next one, not giving any of us siblings a chance to cut in".
But the one who looked up to him the most, was Abdel-Karim. He would tell a story in a story, sometimes forgetting the subject he talked about and without a break, go through to the next one, not giving any of us siblings a chance to cut in".
Hamid also recalls how his father's hard work influenced the way they thought financially: "When Abdel-Karim wanted something, even if he really wanted it into an extent where he would dream about it. He would always end up taking into consideration, his father's hard work and dedication.
Even if he had enough money to spend, he would patiently save up on the side for that one thing. While keeping the rest of his money for other more important expenses, or just in case situations. He always remembered where he came from, and that money doesn't come by itself".
Even if he had enough money to spend, he would patiently save up on the side for that one thing. While keeping the rest of his money for other more important expenses, or just in case situations. He always remembered where he came from, and that money doesn't come by itself".
Loved by his children, Jassim was a reasonable man who didn't believe in violence, as he never laid his hands on his kids. Mostly, their punishment consisted of letting them learn from their own mistakes by themselves.
He always demanded that they acted in a civilized matter; at all times, in all situations and in all places. Hamid remembers a time where Abdul-Karim, still a little boy, had returned home with a rifle in his hand. Storming through the rooms in a blind rage, he was clearly upset and hurt.
He always demanded that they acted in a civilized matter; at all times, in all situations and in all places. Hamid remembers a time where Abdul-Karim, still a little boy, had returned home with a rifle in his hand. Storming through the rooms in a blind rage, he was clearly upset and hurt.
On his way out of the house, he was walking through the kitchen. Jassim approached him, he could see that Abdel-Karim had received a beating, so he asked him: "What are you going to do with this rifle?"
Abdel-Karim answered: "I was assaulted by an older boy, he is bigger and stronger, and I can't beat him. This rifle will be my answer to his uncivilized ways!"
Jassim: "So your answer is to kill him with it?"
Abdel-Karim: "Yes... No... Never mind..."
Hamid fondly remembers how Abdul-Karim put down his rifle: "My brother realized the stupidity of solving an uncivilized matter, with an even more uncivilized tool. Our father had his special way of teaching us lessons, he was a simple man, but his wisdom put us to shame. He let our mind do the punishing for him, which let us fear embarrassment more than a beating".
At the Katateeb, Abdel-Karim was known for misbehaving. He would rather use his time on shenanigans with his peers, than learning to recite the Qoran. In a speech during the first conference for trade unions on July 8th 1959, he tells a story of a frustrated teacher who liked him, but had to talk with his father about his recent behavior.
He told the story as a comparison to the Ba'athists and Nasserists growing cooperation with foreign governments and their intelligence services: "After misbehaving, a teacher told my father that it would serve me good, if he took me away during the summer to work at the shop. That way, the hard work will make me miss school.
If my memory serves me right, I had the pleasure of meeting the current minister of justice for the first time, Mustafa Ali, who is sitting right there amongst you. He was also nearby, working for his dad that summer, maybe he could confirm this story for you.
He told the story as a comparison to the Ba'athists and Nasserists growing cooperation with foreign governments and their intelligence services: "After misbehaving, a teacher told my father that it would serve me good, if he took me away during the summer to work at the shop. That way, the hard work will make me miss school.
If my memory serves me right, I had the pleasure of meeting the current minister of justice for the first time, Mustafa Ali, who is sitting right there amongst you. He was also nearby, working for his dad that summer, maybe he could confirm this story for you.
During one of the days, I was bored and wanted to play with my fathers tools. As i was trying to reach a big axe in the top shelves, a smaller one fell upon me and gave me a deep cut in my hand. My father came, tended to my wounds and asked me what had happened? I told him that i was fine, and that i was trying to reach the big axe.
I said it in a tone that showed annoyance, not because I got cut, but more because I didn't get the big axe. My father then said; you didn't learn your lesson when the small axe fell, you still want the big one? What will happen if that one falls upon you as well? I answered reluctantly, I would die."
That was one of the very few times Abdel-Karim mentioned his father in public, but the many stories about his childhood and his fathers teachings, showed that they formed his way of thinking. The last story was a grant example, he uses the greed and impatience of a child to describe the Ba'athists and Nasserists.
As if he was saying; you played with fire by inviting dark powers from abroad into Iraq and burned yourselves slightly in the process, but what will happen when the flame grows bigger and it catches up on you?
The Nasserists found out in 1968 and the Ba'athists found out in 2003.
Sources
As if he was saying; you played with fire by inviting dark powers from abroad into Iraq and burned yourselves slightly in the process, but what will happen when the flame grows bigger and it catches up on you?
The Nasserists found out in 1968 and the Ba'athists found out in 2003.
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| The father of Abdel-Karim Qassim, Jassim Mohammad Al-Bakr. |
Sources
- Stories told by Hamid Qassim, older brother of Abdul-Karim Qassim in an interview to Al-Mansoor magazine on October 3rd 1958, documented by Mohammad Rifaat.
- Childhood story told during a speech at the first conference for trade unions by Abdel-Karim Qassim on July 8th 1959.
- Image #1 from the facebook page: "Illustrated Archive of the Leader Abdel-Karim Qassim".
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