Draft:Tareq Al-Sayid Rajab

• Comment: While this article really has potential, the lack of citations really concerns me, especially when the subject death is not sourced at all. ABG (Talk/Report any mistakes here) 06:33, 25 September 2024 (UTC)

• Comment: period and comma go before, not after, <ref>...</ref>. Headings in sentence capitalization. —Anomalocaris (talk) 17:57, 22 July 2024 (UTC)

• Comment: Please remove non-neutral phrases such as "leaving behind a profound legacy as one of the most distinguished Kuwaitis of his generation. His contributions have left an indelible mark on Kuwait, his family, and the students of the New English School." Cerebellum (talk) 12:02, 16 July 2024 (UTC)

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Tareq Al-Sayid Rajab
Born	Tareq Sayid Fakhri Al-Sayid Rajab (1934-11-08)8 November 1934 Kuwait
Died	26 June 2016(2016-06-26) (aged 81) Kuwait
Nationality	Kuwaiti
Occupation(s)	Chairman of the New English School, Director of the Tareq Rajab Museum
Spouse	Jehan Al-Sayid Rajab ​ ​ (m. 1955)​

Tareq Sayid Fakhri Al-Sayid Rajab (1934 - 26 June 2016) was a distinguished Kuwaiti educator, artist, archaeologist, collector of Islamic art and cultural preservationist.

Tareq was born in Kuwait in 1934 and was raised in the scholarly household of his grandfather, Sayid Omar Asim, a significant figure in Kuwaiti education and the first headmaster of Al-Mubarakiya School, established in 1911. At the age of 14, in 1948, Tareq traveled to Baghdad, where he began collecting manuscripts. In 1952, he won an art competition at his school, which led to a scholarship to study art in England, making him the first Kuwaiti to study art and later archaeology in the West. Upon his return to Kuwait, he joined the Department of Antiquities and Museums, part of the Ministry of Education, becoming its first Director. In this role, he established Kuwait's first National Museum in the old palace of Sheikh Khaz'al and oversaw archaeological excavations on Failaka Island during the 1960s, where he also opened both archaeological and ethnographic museums.

Due to his concerns about Kuwait's rapid modernization and its impact on historical preservation, Tareq resigned from the Department of Antiquities. In 1969, he founded the New English School, the first institution in Kuwait to offer a British secondary education. His interest in Islamic art led to the opening of the Tareq Rajab Museum in 1980, the first Islamic art museum in the region. By 1986, he had also established the New English School in Amman, Jordan. Tareq served as Kuwait's representative to UNESCO during the mid-2000s, continuing his work in cultural preservation and education.

Early life and childhood

Tareq Al-Sayid Rajab was born in the neighborhood of Hayy al Wasat in Kuwait, adjacent to Sharq and Qibla, opposite Seif Palace. Although official birth records from that period are unavailable, his mother, Aisha, reported that he was born in 1934, a year locally referred to as Sanat Al Haddamah (the year of destruction) due to torrential rains that caused considerable damage to the old town of Kuwait. His father, Sayid Fakhri, was a businessman and an agent for Singer sewing machines in Kuwait and Iraq. Sayid Fakhri passed away when Tareq was five years old, leading to his upbringing by his mother and grandfather. Tareq's grandfather, Sayid Omar Asim, was a notable figure in Kuwait and served as the headmaster of Kuwait's first school, Al-Mubarakiya. He played a crucial role in Tareq's upbringing, overseeing his early development. Additionally, Tareq's brother, Hashem Al-Sayid Rajab, along with his two older half-brothers, Ibrahim and Farhan Al-Farhan, acted as his guardians and provided support throughout his childhood.

Growing up in a scholarly household, Tareq Al-Sayid Rajab was surrounded by books, primarily due to the influence of his grandfather, Sayid Omar Asim. His brother, Farhan Al-Farhan, inspired by their grandfather, became an author and wrote one of the first compendiums of Kuwaiti children's stories, rhymes, and folk tales. Tareq, however, suffered from congenital arthritic spondylitis in his knee, which limited his ability to engage in outdoor activities with other children. Consequently, he spent much of his time indoors, immersed in his grandfather's collection of books.

While attending Al-Mubarakiya School, Tareq Al-Sayid Rajab developed a significant interest in history and geography. He often spent extensive time in both the school library and the town library, the only one of its kind in Kuwait at that time. His frequent visits to Kuwait's first bookshop, owned by Mohamed Al Ruwayih, allowed him to borrow books free of charge, which he would exchange upon completion. Tareq was also mentored by three prominent Kuwaiti scholars: Sheikh Ali Al-Jassar, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Jarrah, and Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Duaij. These scholars took an active role in his education and personal development, serving as important influences during his formative years. At the age of thirteen, Tareq developed an interest in religion and chose to reside in the mosque near his home for a period. During this time, the three scholars supported his learning, helping him memorize the Quran and study Islamic history.

Journey to Baghdad

Encouraged by Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Duaij, Tareq Al-Sayid Rajab planned a visit to Baghdad, the historic capital of the Abbasid Empire, to seek out old books and manuscripts. With 100 rupees provided by Sheikh Abdulrahman and additional encouragement from Sheikh Ali Al-Jassar and Sheikh Mohammed Al-Jarrah, Tareq embarked on this journey at the age of fourteen. During that period, travelers departed Kuwait through the gate at Naif Palace and proceeded towards the old Ottoman fort at Safwan in Iraq. Upon reaching Basra, Tareq purchased a ticket for the fourteen-hour overnight train to Baghdad.

Upon his arrival in Baghdad, Tareq's primary objective was to locate Souq Al Warraqin, the renowned papermaker and book market of the Abbasid Empire. After disembarking from the train, he began asking locals for directions to the market but was informed that the market had been destroyed during the Mongol invasions seven centuries earlier. Despite this setback, Tareq explored many other old souqs, where he managed to purchase over thirty manuscripts from pavement vendors for a total of 30 rupees. This experience marked the beginning of his lifelong interest in collecting.

After spending some time in Baghdad, Tareq decided to return to Kuwait by sea, inspired by the stories of Sinbad the Sailor and the tales of Ibn Battuta. Returning to Basra by train, he found that securing passage on a boat was more challenging than anticipated, likely due to his young age. After several unsuccessful attempts, he followed advice to travel to Fao, where many residents had connections to Kuwait. Fao was home to many Kuwaitis who tended the orchards and farms of Kuwaiti sheikhs and merchants, including Tareq's late stepfather, Rashid Al Farhan. In Fao, Tareq stayed at the guest house of Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khalad, the Mufti of Fao. He was then taken by car to a village called Fao Al Janoob, where he was hosted by Sheikh Isa Al-Abdulaziz. The following morning, he was taken to a small boat that ferried him to a larger vessel, approximately ten meters long. From there, he began the fifteen-hour journey to Kuwait, passing Failaka Island and observing the houses of Al Zor and the shrine of Al Khidr.

School and scholarship to England

In 1952-53, Tareq Al-Sayid Rajab completed his final year at Al-Mubarakiya Secondary School. His artistic talent was recognized by two of his tutors: Mu'jib Al-Dosari, the first Kuwaiti to study art abroad in Cairo, and Sharif Al-Khadra, a Palestinian arts and crafts teacher. Al-Dosari, one of the few Kuwaiti artists at the time, had established himself by painting sets for drama productions at the school. During this school year, a national art exhibition was held, and Tareq was invited to participate. This competition was a significant event in Kuwait, and Tareq displayed several of his works, ultimately winning first prize. The first prize was a scholarship to study art in England, making Tareq the first Kuwaiti to be awarded a full scholarship to study art in the West. In July 1953, Tareq departed for the United Kingdom, stopping in Baghdad, Beirut, and Rome on his way to London, where he arrived on 11 July. Upon his arrival, he made his way to the Kuwait Educational Office in London, which was managed by Andrew Jackson.

Tareq was transported from the harsh desert environment of Kuwait to the lush green English countryside and a pseudo-Victorian mansion called Braziers Park. He spent six months at the School of Integrative Social Research, working on his English. Having learned most of his English from Indian, Egyptian, and Palestinian teachers, Tareq initially struggled to understand the British accent. At Braziers Park, he immersed himself in English culture and interacted with artists, writers, musicians, and sociologists. He developed a strong affinity for British culture and became an anglophile. While many found the British weather miserable, Tareq enjoyed walking through the surrounding woods in the drizzling rain. His tutors, noting his enthusiasm, took a personal interest in him and took him to London to visit museums and galleries and to Oxford to see Shakespearean plays. During these visits, Tareq discovered the artwork of David Roberts, a 19th-century orientalist, and developed an admiration for his work. His mentor during this time was Professor Robert Glyn Faithful, father of the famous singer Marianne Faithful.

After his time at Braziers Park, Tareq moved on to Eastbourne College of Art. He maintained a lifelong relationship with Brazier's and welcomed some of his tutors to Kuwait years later. At Eastbourne, Tareq studied art and was taught by tutors such as Robert Tavener, a printmaker who introduced Tareq to printmaking and lithography. Although he studied primarily Western art, it was through Tavener that Tareq first explored the high arts of the Islamic world.

In Eastbourne, Tareq met his future wife, Jehan, at an Italian café called Notorianni's. They married in 1955, and their first child, Nur, was born in London the following year, followed by their second child, Ziad, in 1958^[4]. Their third child, Nader, was born after they moved back to Kuwait. Once he completed his art degree, Tareq and Jehan moved to Clevedon, where he attended the University of Bristol and received a certificate in Education. Despite suffering from severe knee pain, Tareq cycled thirteen miles to and from university daily. He took many cycling trips around England, often sleeping in parks or youth hostels like St. Briavels Castle on the English/Welsh border.

During his time in England, Tareq refined his skills in painting and photography, developing a particular interest for drawing and oil painting. In the 1960s and 70s, he often painted scenes of old Kuwait, the shipyards of Doha, and the old harbour. In the 1960s, Tareq represented Kuwait abroad on several occasions, including exhibitions in Washington and New York organised by the Kuwaiti embassy. However, by the late 1970s, his other activities, primarily the school and museum, began to take precedence, and he gradually ceased painting.

Tareq's passion for photography continued throughout his life. Since the 1950s, he took thousands of photographs of cities, buildings, and people. He extensively photographed old Kuwait as it began to vanish due to rapid modernisation, capturing grand old houses like Bayt Al-Bader and Bayt Alghanim. Over the years, he developed collections of photographs from almost every Middle Eastern country, Europe, and Asia. In addition to collecting Islamic art, Tareq spent much of his life collecting photograph collections, often buying them at auctions. People also donated their collections to him, including Dame Violet Dickson, a prominent figure in Kuwait and a close friend.

Return to Kuwait

Director of Antiquities and Museums

After completing his studies in England, Tareq Al-Sayid Rajab returned to Kuwait, a country experiencing significant economic, social, and developmental transformations. Kuwait was transitioning from a traditional maritime nation to a modern oil-producing state. Before leaving England, the Kuwait Education Office arranged for Tareq to tour Europe. He visited Belgium, France, Italy, and several other countries, spending over a month in Heidelberg, Germany, with friends he had met in England. During his time in England, Tareq had begun collecting antiquities, including books, manuscripts, and coins. The German family he stayed with in Heidelberg was hospitable, and in gratitude for their kindness, Tareq gifted them his small collection of ancient Islamic gold coins before departing.

Upon his return to Kuwait, Tareq's first job was with the Ministry of Education as an art teacher at Salah Al-Din School. He taught there for a year before being appointed to the Department of Museums and Antiquities, where he quickly rose to the position of director. Tareq Al-Sayid Rajab was responsible for establishing the first National Museum of Kuwait, housed in a palace built by Sheikh Khaz'al on land gifted by the Sheikh of Kuwait.. He was the museum's first director. Tareq and Jehan's three children spent so much time there that it almost felt like their home. During this period, the Kuwaiti government invited a Danish archaeological team, which had been excavating the remains of the Dilmun civilisation in Bahrain, to investigate sites of archaeological significance in Kuwait. Tareq was heavily involved in these excavations as part of the Kuwaiti team

Excavations on Failaka Island

From 1959 to 1967, Tareq Al-Sayid Rajab and his wife, Jehan, spent considerable time on Failaka Island, participating in excavation seasons and residing on the island with their children. This period was particularly significant for the couple. For Jehan, it provided an opportunity to work free from the social norms of the mainland that restricted women's activities. Failaka became her favorite place, where she enjoyed simple pleasures like walking and working alongside the excavation team. For Tareq, the island offered an ideal setting for his interest in archaeology. He thrived on uncovering artifacts and exploring the island's historical significance. One of the most notable discoveries during this time was the Failaka stele, which confirmed the existence of a Greek colony on the island from the 4th century BC. This discovery attracted global media attention. During this period, in 1962, their third child, Nader, was born at the American Mission Hospital, now the Amricani Cultural Centre.

During the excavations on Failaka Island, Tareq formed close relationships with renowned Danish and British archaeologists, Professor Peter Glob and Geoffrey Bibby. In 1960, Tareq and his family were sent to Aarhus, Denmark, for a year to study museum studies and archaeology. Both archaeologists, based in Aarhus, mentored Tareq during his time there. However, tensions arose when the Danish team attempted to take artifacts from Failaka back to Denmark. Tareq intervened, appealing to Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jabir, the Minister of Education, to ensure that Kuwait retained the right to keep all items found on Failaka, allowing them to be taken to Denmark only for study and temporary display.

Life on Failaka Island

The family traveled from the harbor by Seif Palace on a boat belonging to the Ministry of Education, during which sailors prepared lunch. The bustling harbor was filled with dhows from across the Gulf and the Indian Ocean. During this eight-year period, Tareq constructed the archaeological museum on Failaka Island with the help of his colleagues and the islanders, using their bare hands. This museum displayed Bronze Age and Greek finds from the excavations. Additionally, he built the Ethnographic Museum on the island, converting the disused summer house of Sheikh Ahmed Al-Jabir into a museum with permission from Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jabir. To collect artifacts for the Ethnographic Museum, Tareq and Jehan visited the homes of Failaka islanders, who were eager to sell items such as Bohemian and Persian decorated bottles, ploughs, and mills. Before the Ethnographic Museum was built, Tareq, Jehan, and their children lived in tents near the excavation sites. After its construction, they slept on the roof under the stars, which became a fond memory for the entire family.

Professional Challenges and Resignation

By the late 1960s, Tareq Al-Sayid Rajab faced several disappointments at the Department of Museums and Antiquities. One significant setback was the failure to save the old merchant houses on the seafront from destruction. Despite efforts, only Al-Badr House and Behbehani House were preserved. The final decision to resign came when the Ministry of Public Works planned to demolish the Behaita, an archaeological tell likely containing valuable historical evidence of Kuwait's past. Tareq approached the Ministry of Public Works to halt the demolition and allow for an excavation. Although the Ministry approved his proposal, they only granted him 24 hours to excavate. The entire tell was demolished soon after, resulting in the loss of priceless historical evidence. This event led to Tareq's immediate resignation from his position as Director of Museums and Antiquities.

After resigning, Tareq joined the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) for a year, serving as the Director of the Display Centre and Museum. However, he soon realised it was time to pursue his own business activities independently.

New ventures and the New English School

After resigning as Director of the Department of Museums and Antiquities in 1967, Tareq Rajab embarked on several entrepreneurial ventures. He established two businesses: a furniture and design company called the Kuwait Design Centre, which employed a German architect and his interior designer mother, and a secretarial and language institute on Sour Street. Influenced by his time in England, Tareq decided to open a British-style school in Kuwait. His experiences in England had left him with a strong appreciation for British education, and he wanted to provide Kuwaitis with the opportunity to receive such an education. At the time, Kuwait had a few British primary schools that catered almost exclusively to the British expatriate population. Additionally, his children, Nur, Ziad, and Nader, were attending the American School of Kuwait, but Tareq preferred them to have a British education. Jehan, his wife, was also working at the American school, which further motivated their interest in establishing a new educational institution.

In 1969, Tareq founded the New English School (NES), the first British school in Kuwait to offer secondary education. Initially, the school was advertised as Kuwait English School; however, the municipality did not permit the use of 'Kuwait' in the name, leading to the change to New English School. To house the school, Tareq rented a property owned by Sheikh Salem Al Ali Al Sabah in the Abdullah Al Salem area, which had previously served as the official government guest house.

Building a school

Initially, Tareq sought partners for his new school venture, including his uncle Ahmed, but none believed a British school would succeed in Kuwait, so he proceeded alone. He secured a loan from the National Bank of Kuwait, with the loan officer being Ibrahim Dabdoub, who would later become a prominent figure in the banking industry. The New English School opened with seven students and nine staff members, quickly gaining popularity and becoming an instant success. Although Jehan enjoyed her work at the American school, Tareq persuaded her to join NES in March 1970, where she devoted her life to the school.

The New English School quickly gained a strong reputation for its quality education. This was highlighted when Margaret Thatcher, who was the British Minister of Education at the time, included a visit to the New English School in her schedule during her visit to Kuwait in 1973, just a few years after the school's opening. The New English School continued to operate at its original Abdullah Al Salem site until 1974, when a new purpose-built facility in Jabriya was completed. The school moved to this new location in September 1974, and it soon became one of the leading schools in the region. In 1986, Tareq expanded his educational initiatives by establishing another New English School in Amman, Jordan.

Tareq Rajab Museum

By the 1960s, Tareq and his wife Jehan embarked on extensive travels across the Middle East, sometimes driving all the way to England. During these journeys, they began acquiring items from dealers in major cities like Damascus and Istanbul, as well as from villages in remote areas of Syria, Palestine, and Iran. Jehan, who had a deep anthropological interest in people and cultures, was particularly engaged in this aspect of their travels. While traveling, Tareq and Jehan sought to preserve the cultural heritage they encountered. They engaged with local communities and purchased artefacts directly from them, especially in regions where modernisation threatened traditional practices. This commitment to preserving cultural artefacts led them to gather a wide array of items, enhancing their collection and enriching their understanding of the diverse cultures they encountered.

Travels around the world

Although the primary goal of their travels was enjoyment, Tareq and Jehan Rajab also focused on photographing and collecting artefacts to preserve elements of cultures that were rapidly modernising. During this period, many of the countries they visited lacked modern road systems. Tareq and Jehan often navigated rough roads and mountainous terrain, camping near villages and tribes. They engaged with local communities and frequently purchased artifacts directly from them. In the 1960s, Istanbul had not yet become the tourist hub it is today, allowing Tareq and Jehan to discover many unique items for sale, particularly ethnic artifacts that were largely overlooked by others at the time. Throughout their travels, Jehan developed a deep appreciation for traditional weavings and embroideries crafted by folk and tribal societies, noting that the quality was exceptionally high since these items had not yet been commercialized for tourists. As their professional responsibilities increased and the global political climate shifted, Tareq and Jehan's camping trips became less frequent. They began flying to various destinations, continuing to expand their collection from multiple sources.

Founding a museum

The idea to build a museum of Islamic Art emerged during Tareq's tenure as the Director of Museums and Antiquities in the 1960s. Despite his repeated proposals to his superiors, there was little interest and no budget allocated for such a project. Nevertheless, Tareq had developed a genuine passion for the arts of the Islamic world. By the early 1970s, he transitioned from being a hobbyist collector to a serious collector, investing significant time and resources into building his collection.

With the New English School firmly established, Tareq found he had more time to travel and attend auctions in London. He purchased items from prestigious auction houses such as Sotheby's, Christie's, Bonhams, and others. During the 1970s, there was limited interest in Islamic art, making it very much a buyer's market. Tareq also attended sales in old British stately homes, where he acquired a diverse range of items including manuscripts, ceramics, metalwork, and glass.

Tareq's initial focus was on collecting ceramics, manuscripts, metalwork, and glass. By the mid-1970s, he had accumulated a sizeable collection, most of which he displayed in his home. It was during this period that he began to seriously consider establishing a museum to share his collection with the public. At the time, Kuwait lacked educational resources dedicated to the artistic history of the Islamic world. Tareq aimed to fill this gap by creating a venue where residents and visitors could learn about Islamic art and culture. To achieve this, he decided to house the museum in a villa he owned in Jabriya, near the New English School. Work on the museum began in the late 1970s, and by 1980, it was formally established and inaugurated. This institution became the first Islamic art museum in Kuwait and the entire Gulf region.

Iraqi invasion of Kuwait (1990)

On 1 August 1990, Tareq Rajab left Kuwait to visit the New English School in Amman, Jordan, in preparation for the upcoming academic year. The following day, Iraq invaded Kuwait. Before international telephone lines were cut, his wife Jehan managed to call him from Kuwait. At that time, Jehan and their son Nader were the only members of the Rajab family in Kuwait and would endure seven months of military occupation

Jehan and Nader immediately took action to protect the museum. They bolted shut the museum's heavy carved Indian doors and removed and hid the signs. They prioritised packing and hiding the manuscripts and ceramics, which were located to the left after entering the museum.. Although many maintenance men from the family's nearby New English School attempted to leave Kuwait, some stayed to assist Jehan and Nader with the packing. A guard was stationed upstairs to monitor the road and warn of any unwelcome visitors. Jehan also contacted Tareq's foreman, Nasir, arranging for carpenters and builders to come to the museum. With limited resources, they sealed and concealed the museum as best as they could. Meanwhile, the New English School was not as fortunate and was occupied and ransacked by the Iraqi Army

In the early months of the occupation, Tareq and Jehan managed to communicate through a Palestinian driver employed by Tareq, who smuggled letters between Kuwait and Jordan. However, as Jordan's support for Iraq's invasion grew, Tareq faced increasing hostility at his school in Amman. Eventually, he decided to sell the school and move to London. After leaving Jordan, Tareq and Jehan could no longer communicate, leaving Tareq anxious about the safety of Jehan, Nader, and the museum.

Following Kuwait's liberation in February 1991, Jehan was approached by the French Foreign Legion, who requested to use the New English School as their headquarters. The school had been completely trashed, with its interior destroyed and looted by the Iraqi army. However, with the help of the French Foreign Legion, relatives, friends, and staff who had remained in Kuwait, the school was thoroughly cleaned. The commander of the French Foreign Legion also assisted Tareq in boarding one of their aircraft flying from Riyadh to Kuwait, allowing him to return after seven long months.

Post-invasion

After the Iraqi invasion, Tareq and his wife Jehan resumed their work at the New English School and the museum. They also had the opportunity to exhibit their collections abroad. The first significant exhibition featured 250 objects and was displayed at the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore for twelve years.. The second exhibition was held at the Keszthely Museum in Lake Balaton, Hungary, lasting ten years, and was arranged by Géza Fehévári, the museum's curator and former Hungarian ambassador to Kuwait. By 2001, Tareq and Jehan had constructed Dar El Cid and its exhibition halls, which became the primary venue for the museum's exhibitions. In 2007, they opened Dar Jehan, the Tareq Rajab Museum of Islamic Calligraphy, which was inaugurated by the then-British ambassador Stuart Laing. Calligraphy had always been Tareq's greatest passion, and this new facility provided a dedicated space for his collection, expanding the museum to two locations

Tareq and Jehan published fifteen books, contributing significantly to the documentation and appreciation of Islamic art and Kuwait. In total, the museum published twenty-two books during their lifetimes. In the mid-2000s, Tareq briefly served as Kuwait's representative at UNESCO, but he resigned due to declining health. Despite facing constant health struggles during the last decade of his life, which eventually left him bedridden, Tareq continued to collect artefacts. Tareq passed away in 2016, one year after Jehan.

References

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Categories:

• Kuwaiti academics
• 1934 births
• 2016 deaths