# Arshad al-Umari

_Prime Minister of Iraq_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/arshad-al-umari
Last updated: 2026-10-31

> Arshad Pasha al-Umari (Arabic: أرشد العمري;‎ 8 April 1888 – 5 August 1978) was an Iraqi statesman, engineer, diplomate, and cabinet official who held several political roles during the monarchy era of Iraq. Born in Mosul to the ancient and well-known al-Umari family clan, he served as Prime Minister of Iraq twice in 1946 and 1954 respectively. In 1945, as Foreign Affairs Minister, he led the Iraqi delegation to the San Francisco UN Conference.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 8 April 1888 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4070993#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Mosul ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4070993#P19))
- **Died:** 5 August 1978 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4070993#P570))
- **Place of death:** Baghdad ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4070993#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Iraq ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4070993#P27))
- **Occupation:** official; Mayor of Baghdad ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4070993#P106))
- **Positions held:** Prime Minister of Iraq (29 April 1954 – 4 August 1954); Prime Minister of Iraq (1 June 1946 – 21 November 1946); Minister of Foreign Affairs (4 June 1944 – 23 February 1946); Minister of Economy and Transportation (27 August 1934 – 4 March 1935); Prime Minister of Iraq ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4070993#P39))

## About

Among al-Umari's achievements was his work to establish the Iraqi Red Crescent Society in 1932 which was a welcoming development by the Iraqi educated elite at the time, the construction of various main roads, dams, including the Kut Barrage, and oil pipes, and sending Iraqi troops to help in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. However, al-Umari was criticized for his lack of interest in archaeological sites and monuments. Most notoriously, he allowed the demolishment of the Murjan Mosque's walls in favor of road expansion. His first ministry also saw the Gavurbağı incident which damaged his reputation.

## Questions

**When was Arshad al-Umari born?**  
Arshad al-Umari was born on 8 April 1888 in Mosul.

**What positions has Arshad al-Umari held?**  
Positions held by Arshad al-Umari include: Prime Minister of Iraq (1954–1954); Prime Minister of Iraq (1946–1946); Minister of Foreign Affairs (1944–1946); Minister of Economy and Transportation (1934–1935); Prime Minister of Iraq.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Arshad al-Umari](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arshad_al-Umari) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q4070993](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4070993) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Arshad Al-Umari.jpg by Unknown author Unknown author (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arshad_Al-Umari.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Arshad al-Umari, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Arshad Al-Umari.jpg — Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Arshad al-Umari". DigiNepal. Last updated 31 October 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/arshad-al-umari. Retrieved 9 November 2026.