Background
Samir Naqqash was born in Baghdad, the first of six children born to a wealthy Jewish family. Several years later, his father died, and this had a strong effect on him.
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Samir Naqqash
Edit ProfileEducation
Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Career
He began school at the age of 4, and started writing at 6. When he was 13, he and his family moved to Israel. Determined to leave Israel to find himself, Naqqash lived in Turkey, Iran, Lebanon, Egypt, India, and the United Kingdom, from 1958 to 1962, but faced difficulties and was forced to return to Israel, where he took various jobs.
In the 1970s, he studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and received his degree in Arabic literature.
In the documentary "Forget Baghdad" (2002), he said that he had not wanted to go to Israel but was taken there in handcuffs by the Jewish Agency. He never felt at home in Israel, and considered himself an Iraqi in exile.
He continued to publish and write in Arabic. He saw himself as part of the great tradition of Arabic folklore and literature.
He was often criticized for his Arabic sounding first name but he refused to change lieutenant
After his death, Iraqi expatriates declared their wish to have him buried in Iraq, reasoning that he has shown more dedication to Iraq than any other expatriate.
Achievements
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Born
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Died
July 6, 2004 (aged 66) -
Nationality
Iraq -
Religion
Judaist