Saddam Hussein Life - World of Biography

Baghdad, the unforgettable city of Arabian Nights, the city where towering imperial mansions glowed in light and fire, where the Khalifs ruled, this glorious city was almost forgotten on the political front on account of political insignificance for centuries together.

The political significance of Baghdad had gone to a dormant state until recently in late 20^th century, when the sky of the city was once again covered with light and fire; this time, it was not the torches on the mansions, but the missiles dropping from the air, turning big mansions into mounts of rubble. And that was all due to one man confronting half of the world, the modern Khalif – Saddam Hussein.

Birth and Childhood

The man, who in literal terms holds the strings of not only Iraq, but the entire Middle East at a broad glance, was born in a very common milieu. Like many other military rulers, Saddam Hussein took birth in a peasant family, on April 28, 1937, in a small village Auja near Tikrit, in Iraq. His father died at a very early age without living any fortune. This apparently made his life, particularly the growing years, full of hardship for him. Even at the time of his birth, the financial condition of family was critical, that worsened after the death of his father. It was all upon the widowed mother to raise this child, and not just raise but to give him proper education. With great difficulties his mother managed to raise him, often taking help from the close relatives.

Poor family background and loss of father in his infancy had banished all hopes for good education at a bigger center for Hussein. However, he completed his primary education in Tikrit, his hometown. After that he decided to move to Baghdad, the nerve center of Arab politics, for further education. When he made the move, he never knew he was making himself open to a vulnerable future.

Joining ‘Baath’

Young Hussein, full of vigor and fueled with a burning desire to make a mark on the world, entered a college at Baghdad in 1955. That was the time when the air in the Arab land was hot on the political front, primarily because of the Baath Socialist Party, which was moving with an intention to create a big political change. Saddam, with his revolutionary bent of mind and vigor got attracted to the ideology of the Baath, which was basically an Arab national movement. Seeing some scope for playing an active role in politics, he jumped into the turbulent flow of Baath Party in 1957, just at the age of 20.

Boys of his age were mostly involved in playing games to refresh their minds, and Saddam on the other hand had to play mind games to be active in politics. That was the period when he began to gather skills that are vital to sustain political interest. And it was not all the way mind games, because his party was well known for carrying out violent moves.

Looking to his personal traits and ability, he gained a significant place in the party and by 1959, he was handed a crucial task. Iraq in those days was ruled by Prime Minister Abdul Karim Qasim and the Baath party was in opposition. The party members, including Saddam were keen to turnaround the political power by pushing the Prime Minister Qasim away and clearing their way to the power. And they were ready to go to any extent. Ultimately Saddam took up the assignment that was risky beyond doubt, to the extent that failure meant no escape from death. In spite of the obvious risk, Saddam headed the task of assassination of Qasim, to clear the biggest block on the way of Baath to assume political control over Iraq. Great care was taken to hit the bull’s eye but the mission failed. And that was not all because Saddam was arrested and sent to jail, with a death sentence waiting to be executed in just a few days. The life of a rebel, not just an accused but charged, executed and sentenced, had come to an obvious end.