BAGHDAD,— Iqbal Naim, a veteran actress, director, and academic who played a prominent role in Iraq’s performing arts scene for decades, died Wednesday at the age of 67, the Iraqi Artists Syndicate announced.
In an official statement, the syndicate extended its condolences to her family and colleagues, saying, “With deep sorrow, we mourn the passing of Dr. Iqbal Naim. May God grant her eternal mercy and provide strength to her loved ones.”
Naim began her career on stage, working with local theater troupes including the Modern Art Theater and the Popular Theater before joining the National Acting Troupe. She directed numerous stage productions and represented Iraq at various regional and international festivals.
Her contributions were recognized with several major awards. She was named Best Actress in 1985 by the Iraqi Center for Theater for her role in Al-Rahen and received Best Supporting Actor honors in 1987 for A Thousand Wishes and a Wish.
That same year, her production Lullaby of the Rocking Chair received the Best Integrated Work award at the Carthage Theater Festival.
In 2002, she earned awards for Best Direction, Acting, and Costume Design for The Golden Feather at the Jordanian Children’s Theater Festival.
She collaborated with some of Iraq’s most prominent directors, including Dr. Awni Karoumi, Dr. Salah Al-Qasab, Aziz Khayoun, and Dr. Fadel Khalil.
Naim’s theatrical works included Thread of Silk (1987), In the Heights of Love, Sidra, Herostratus, and I Apologize, Professor, I Did Not Mean That.
Her film and media credits were equally notable. She starred in Love in Baghdad (1987), alongside Qasim Al-Malak and Fatima Al-Rubaie, and appeared in Six on Six, The Cart and the Horse, Matawe’ and Bahiyya, and the animated feature Sanan.
Naim earned a Ph.D. in theatrical arts from the University of Baghdad’s College of Fine Arts in January 2010. She also worked in radio and television drama throughout her career.
She is survived by her sister, actress Awatif Naim, and is remembered as one of Iraq’s leading figures in the arts.
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