Party of National Brotherhood
Encyclopedia
The Party of National Brotherhood (Hizb al-Ikha al-Watani or HIW) was an Iraq
i political party formed in 1931 by Rashid Ali al-Gaylani. A strongly nationalist party, it became associated with opposition to the British Empire
.
HIW was formed in 1931 as a merger between the minor National and Peoples parties and other like-minded nationalist groups. The new party soon gained the support Jam'iyat Ashab al-San'a (Artisans' Society), the largest trade union
in Iraq. The party held its first meeting in Baghdad
in March of the same year, attracting 2000 followers to a rally where they called for a new government and a redefinition of the relationship between Iraq and the United Kingdom
. In order to demonstrate its importance the party organised strikes
in July, although there was no direct political motive behind the move, other than showing that the HIW had support.
The party formed a pact with the Nationalist Party in 1932 and used this to gain influence in the Iraqi parliament. With this influence secured they forced out the government of Naji Shawkat
and soon established an HIW government, despite the fact that the majority of the chamber had been elected on an anti-HIW ticket. However the initial government was not to last long as advisers close to the new king Ghazi
convinced him that the HIW government was responsible for tribal unrest. As such the government was removed and al-Kaylani and his right-hand man Yasin Pasha were to be excluded from future governments. This remained the case for future HIW administrations, although al-Kaylani returned to the top job after Ghazi's death.
period that party supplied the Prime Minister
on five occasions. Those governments identified as Party of National Brotherhood were:
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
i political party formed in 1931 by Rashid Ali al-Gaylani. A strongly nationalist party, it became associated with opposition to the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
.
HIW was formed in 1931 as a merger between the minor National and Peoples parties and other like-minded nationalist groups. The new party soon gained the support Jam'iyat Ashab al-San'a (Artisans' Society), the largest trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
in Iraq. The party held its first meeting in Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
in March of the same year, attracting 2000 followers to a rally where they called for a new government and a redefinition of the relationship between Iraq and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. In order to demonstrate its importance the party organised strikes
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
in July, although there was no direct political motive behind the move, other than showing that the HIW had support.
The party formed a pact with the Nationalist Party in 1932 and used this to gain influence in the Iraqi parliament. With this influence secured they forced out the government of Naji Shawkat
Naji Shawkat
Muhammad Naji Shawkat Bey was an Iraqi politician who served as Prime Minister of Iraq under King Faisal I.- Early Life:Muhammad Naji Shawkat was born to an Arabized family of Turkish and Caucasian origins in the Iraqi town of al-Kut where his father was stationed as provincial governor...
and soon established an HIW government, despite the fact that the majority of the chamber had been elected on an anti-HIW ticket. However the initial government was not to last long as advisers close to the new king Ghazi
Ghazi of Iraq
Ghazi bin Faisal was the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Iraq from 1933 to 1939 having been briefly Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Syria in 1920...
convinced him that the HIW government was responsible for tribal unrest. As such the government was removed and al-Kaylani and his right-hand man Yasin Pasha were to be excluded from future governments. This remained the case for future HIW administrations, although al-Kaylani returned to the top job after Ghazi's death.
Governments
During the Kingdom of IraqKingdom of Iraq
The Kingdom of Iraq was the sovereign state of Iraq during and after the British Mandate of Mesopotamia. The League of Nations mandate started in 1920. The kingdom began in August 1921 with the coronation of Faisal bin al-Hussein bin Ali al-Hashemi as King Faisal I...
period that party supplied the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Iraq
The Prime Minister of Iraq is Iraq's head of government. Prime Minister was originally an appointed office, subsidiary to the head of state, and the nominal leader of the Iraqi parliament. Under the newly adopted constitution the Prime Minister is to be the country's active executive authority...
on five occasions. Those governments identified as Party of National Brotherhood were:
- Rashid Ali al-Gaylani, March 20, 1933-November 9, 1933
- Yasin al-HashimiYasin al-HashimiYasin al-Hashimi was an Iraqi politician who served twice as that country's prime minister. Like many of Iraq's early leaders, Hashimi, who was born Yasin Hilmi Salman, served as an officer during Ottoman control of the country...
, March 17, 1935-October 30, 1936 (partnership with the military) - Hikmat SulaymanHikmat SulaymanHikmat Sulayman was prime minister of Iraq from October 30, 1936 to August 12, 1937 at the head of a Party of National Brotherhood government. Sulayman, an ethnic Turkmen, was a key figure in the early days of Iraqi independence and the effort to create a multi-ethnic state. He came to power in...
, October 30, 1936-August 17, 1937 - Rashid Ali al-Gaylani, March 31, 1940-February 3, 1941
- Rashid Ali al-Gaylani, April 13, 1941-May 30, 1941