Blackwell Reference Online

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Salam'Adel, whose real name was Husayn Ahmad al-Radi, was first secretary of the Iraqi Communist Party (ICP) from 1955 until his death at the hands of the Baathist counterrevolutionaries in 1963. As the only one in his family to complete a secondary degree (ninth grade), Husayn was able to attend the Dar al-Mu'allimin al-Ibtida'iyyah (Elementary Teachers' Training School) in al-'Azamiyyah. It was there that Husayn first encountered the ideas of the ICP through its clandestine publication, al-Qa'idah (The Base). In 1944, after completing his degree, Husayn became an elementary school teacher in al-Diwaniyyah Muhafazah (“region”). In al-Diwaniyyah his future father-in-law, Naji Yusuf, had recently been appointed director of education. He soon became impressed with Husayn and eventually elevated him to sports and arts teacher in the secondary school. Husayn would befriend Muhammad Husayn Farjallah, who was a member of the illegal ICP. He introduced Husayn to the teachings of the party and eventually recommended him as a candidate for membership. The Local Party Committee in al-Diwaniyyah accepted his candidature, and notified the central leadership in Baghdad. As a sports teacher, Husayn was assigned to train a sports team of the local army stationed nearby, which gave him direct access to soldiers and officers. Soon after, the Local Committee made him responsible (mas'ul) ... log in or subscribe to read full text