Asad Kamal Mohammed Abdullah al-Hashemi was an Iraqi politician and Culture Minister in the government of Nouri al-Maliki.
Background
al-Hashemi is a Sunni Arab Iraqi who is a professor of Islamic studies. He is a member of the Iraqi People's Conference, a Sunni Arab-led political party led by Adnan al-Dulaimi, which is part of the Iraqi Accord Front electoral coalition.
al-Hashemi was appointed as Culture Minister in May 2006 as one of six members from the Iraqi Accord Front.IRAQI CABINET MEMBERS , The Iraq Foundation His appointment was criticised by artists and intellectuals in Baghdad who said he wasn't qualified for the position.IRAQ'S CULTURE MINISTER RESIGNS, Radio Free Europe, 2006-05-24, accessed on 2007-06-29 He was originally reported to have declined his appointment, but this was later denied.
In June 2007 a warrant was issued for Hashemi's arrest, accusing him of ordering the attempted assassination of the Sunni Arab Iraqi politician, Mithal al-Alusi, in February 2005.Arrest Warrant Issued For Iraq's Culture Minister, Radio Free Europe, 2007-06-26, accessed on 2006-07-29 In response the Front suspended its participation in the government.Main Sunni Bloc Suspends Participation in Iraqi Government , Voice of America, 2007-06-29, accessed on 2007-06-29 al-Alusi then accused the US Embassy of giving shelter to Hashemi.Embassy accused of hiding suspect, Associated Press, via the Denver Post, 2007-06-29, accessed on 2007-06-29
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