The Iraqi and Arab art scene lost one of its prominent figures on Wednesday, the esteemed artist and director Iqbal Naeem, who passed away at the age of 67, leaving behind a rich artistic legacy spanning decades across theater, drama, and cinema. The Iraqi Artists Syndicate officially announced the death of Iqbal Naeem in a statement, noting that the late artist left a deep impact on the Iraqi art scene and described her as one of the icons of Iraqi theater who contributed to enriching the artistic culture locally and across the Arab world.

Iqbal Naeem in Brief Iqbal Naeem Salman was born in 1958 in Baghdad into an artistic family, with her sister, actress Awatef Naeem, also being a well-known figure in the same field. From the beginning of her career, Iqbal showed a love and passion for theatrical arts, establishing herself as a distinguished actress and creative director. Throughout her career, the late Iqbal presented a number of theatrical works that were praised by critics and audiences alike. She also appeared in Iraqi cinema, notably in the 1987 film Love in Baghdad, alongside a group of top Iraqi artists. She also participated in other significant works, including the film Six by Six.

Alongside her artistic activity, Iqbal placed great importance on academic education, earning a PhD in Theater Arts from the College of Fine Arts at the University of Baghdad in 2010, qualifying her to be a key supporter of Iraqi theater development by combining practical experience with academic research.

Achievements and Distinction Her accomplishments were not limited to theater; they extended to television and radio, where she left a clear mark in numerous dramatic works that enjoyed wide popularity in Iraq and the Arab world.