Khafan Rumahsali

**Khafan Rumahsali** (June 9, 1924 - July 5, 2023) was an Iraqi artist, educator, politician, and political activist who served in the National People's Assembly of the United Arab People's Republics (UAPR). He is best known for being the lead designer of 12 of 14 flags of the UAPR constituent republics, including the iconic octagon symbol associated with Arab unity under the UAPR. He is revered by many for his iconic art and for designing many flags within the union.

 Date of Death
 Education

## Early Life

Rumahsali was born in the village of Ali Al-Garbi during the British occupation of Iraq, close to the Iranian border. He grew up sympathizing with Iraq's independence, becoming a Pan-Arab nationalist. In his later teenage years, Iraq began to face massive food shortages due to food and resources being pulled from Iraq in efforts to fight the Allies in World War II, further leading to his radicalization against capitalism and colonialism.

He would join organizations and militia in order to fight British colonialism, but sustained a major injury in 1951 in a friendly-fire incident, causing him to leave the organization. In 1953, Britain granted Iraq formal independence, though Britain still remained heavily involved in Iraqi politics, and British industries continued to exploit the country. Rumahsali would continue his activism, but would move to Taurica in 1953 would move to Taurica due to political persecution from the Iraqi Kingdom, thus abandoning the movement at home.

In 1958, while Rumahsali taught at a university nearby Bazarqulla, Rumahsali heard of the popular uprising in Iraq, which overthrew the monarchy, establishing a republic. Abd al-Karim Qasim served as the first prime minister of the Iraq Republic, who was highly sympathetic to the rise of communism in Iraq. Although Britain sponsored an attempted coup to overthrow Qasim in 1961, it was unsuccessful, leading to the purge of many right-wing nationalists and the further extended power of leftists within the Iraqi government. In 1963, with heavy coordination from the UNA and USSR, Iraq would become one of the six founding members of the United Arab People's Republics in the unification of Arab peoples under socialism.

Rumahsali would travel back to Iraq in 1965, visiting his old village with a deep understanding of Marxism. He would continue to teach mathematics at several universities across Iraq, joining the Communist Party of Iraq and working his way up the ranks of the party. He would be selected and win the 1973 election for Iraqi parliament, serving for five years at that level. He worked his way further up the ranks, being elected in 1978 to the United Ministry of Internal Affairs with the further expansion of seats, further establishing prominence and knowledge of other Arab Republics.

In 1978, with the socialist uprisings in Arabia and Mauritania, the UAPR reached 14 constituent members. Around this time, significant reforms were made in the government, in attempts for more democratic participation and increased social policies due to the decline of global capitalism. A decree would be passed in the NPA to allow for a new flag to be chosen, which would be democratically voted upon through discussions of numerous parliaments on various bottom-to-top levels of the governmental body. Rumahsali would begin his work and would design matching flags for all 14 republics, and symbolism for the union itself.

In 1980, in collaboration with those close to him, Rumahsali would present his designs for the national flags of 14 republics of the UAPR and the union itself. These flags featured the iconic octagon symbol, which would represent Islamic unity in all 14 flags. His works were met with overwhelming approval due to closely resembling the current flags in place for the union and incorporating a new national symbol that he invented. The flags quickly surged in mass popularity around the government and the public itself, and through referendums and public discussions saw that they had massive support from the people. He easily beat out his competition, as 12 of his 14 national flags were approved by their respective republics, 2 of them being slightly modified and having their color schemes changed. The UAPR union flag was also modified, which originally included 14 stars within the octagon located near the center-left. The stars were replaced by the emblem of the UAPR, the Arab Golden Eagle. 6 stars were placed in the podium beneath the eagle, representing the 6 founding members of the UAPR. 8 stars surrounded the emblem within the octagon at each corner, representing the remaining member republics. The eagle was modified to contain 13 divisions inside the wing, representing the 13 Autonomous People's Republics under the watchful eye of the Arab strength symbolism. Rumahsali played very little role in the changes made to his flags, but was reportedly optimistic about these changes.

In 1982, all flags were voted upon and implemented. He gained immense popularity among the press for his flags, rising to stardom. His symbols became known across the world and further united the Arab republics. His octagon became a defining symbol in Arab culture. He spoke out to the press and continued to share his voice at public events in favor of Pan-Arabism and Arab Socialism. In 1992, he successfully ran for the National People's Assembly, chosen by various electors. He later spoke out that his popularity might have given him an advantage to his selection in the NPA rather than his servitude or objectiveness, but claimed that such were both independent from his fame and that he worked to improve such while in office. He was known for his median stance, advocating for a relaxed transition towards communism and against a rushed approach to such. He advocated for peace with the last remaining fascist nation of South Africa, opposing and delaying war with the nation in hopes that it would collapse in itself while saving lives through the prevention of nuclear war. On top of this, he continued making art and wrote literature, both of which would be preserved in museums. Despite his international fame, he intentionally remained low-profile while occasionally speaking to press and letting his voice be heard on issues, not letting a cult of personality surround him. Rumahsali would serve in the NPA until 2002, retiring at the age of 78.

After his 10 year stint in the NPA, Rumahsali continued making art, teaching in his free time, and speaking at public events. Most of his literature and writings were from this period, in which most remain at his family home or in museums. He remained with his family for his later years, passing away at age 99 in 2023. His death was mourned and celebrated by many, with thousands attending his funeral.