With great sorrow and unceasing pain, the Arab Science & Technology Foundation (ASTF) announces the murder of Prof. Ali Hassan Mahawish, the Dean of Engineering College at Al-Mustanseriyah University in Baghdad. Prof. Mahawish was kidnapped when he was driving to work with his wife; he was stopped by armed people and was taken away leaving his shocked wife in the car. A few days later, Prof. Ali was murdered by his kidnappers, and his body left at the door of his house on the early morning of 11th February.
Prof. Ali Mahawish was a distinguished Iraqi scientist and sincere academic. Last year, he was among 20 eminent Iraqi scientists who were selected by ASTF to work on the development of research proposals that address the needs and priorities of the Iraqi community. ASTF had the honor to collaborate with Prof. Ali Mahawish, and expresses the most sincere condolence to his family on this painful criminal act. On this occasion, we have quoted below some obituaries written by part of his colleagues.
Prof. Mohamed Al-Rubeai, University College Dublin
“The tragedy of Iraq's academics is continuing with the sad news of the disappearance of Dr. Ali Hassan Mahawish, Dr. Ali is known to many of us as a friend and academic who has worked for the advancement of Iraqi higher education and science and technology.
It is sad indeed that he will not be able to contribute further to the advancement of higher education and he will be very much missed by his many colleagues and students past and present. Our thoughts are with his family. His character has become a part of so many other lives. We shall not forget him.”
Dr. Abbas Al-Hussain, University of Westminster
“Dr Ali Mahawish, is a gentleman who I have the honour to meet him twice in the last 2 years in Amman and to work with him on a joint research project. Dr Ali is a Prof in Civil Engineering and an excellent researcher and manager of his college. I have been very saddened with the tragic news today about the murder of Prof Ali Mahawish. My heartfelt condolences to his family, his friends and colleagues and also to every one of us for his lose.”
Dr. Mustafa Alshaw, University of Salford
“This is really sad news. Professor Ali is one of those academics who worked very hard to change and improve the higher education sector in Iraq. Those who knows Prof Ali, they know how brave he was. I remember him saying that he continuously received threatening messages in an attempt to deviate him from participating in rebuilding the higher education in Iraq. That had never bent his willingness to continue. My heart goes out to his family. This brave man will not be forgotten.”
Dr. Rafid Al-Khaddar, Liverpool John Moores University
“I am in shock now and do not know what else to say. This is indeed very sad news and I met Dr. Mahwash twice in Jordan and found him to be a very decent and sincere man. I remember asking him if he had any body guards and his answer was that he did not need any and each of us will have his time someday. I complete deplore this act and I am sure his family and colleagues will so much miss him. We need to stay together as Iraqis and show everyone that we are one against these criminal acts.”
Dr. Najah Kadhim, University of Hertfordshire
“Dr Ali Mahawish is a distant relation of mine and I heard of the news a few hours after his kidnapping. I do believe that there is a constructive role for the academics, scientists and others, especially for those living outside, to play in this critical period of the history of Iraq. But the work needs to be effective, organized and strong. If one of the ways to use is the petition then we need many more signatures and from Iraqi expatriates across the globe to make our voice heard. Others include a campaign of awareness and press coverage to the extermination of Iraqi academics. ”
Dr. Mohamed El-Gomati, University of York
"This is surely a sad day and beyond belief to hear the news of the murder of Prof. Ali Mahawish. I met Professor Mahawish in Amman last May as part of the international community's effort to help fellow Iraqi scientists rebuild their shattered country. He was full of life and hope and I remember a long conversation with him about who kidnaps who in Iraq and why. We agreed on many issues and we also differed but with respect. He and his wife were full of hope for Iraq. I can not imagine her been denied the company of her beloved husband and friend. My deepest condolences to his family and friends, and there are many."
