Baghdad: The acting Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, Sarwa Abdul Wahid, expressed sorrow over the death of renowned Iraqi musician and composer, Farouk Hilal. The Ministry released a statement highlighting the impact of Hilal’s contributions to the Iraqi and Arab cultural landscape.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the ministry’s press release emphasized the importance of Hilal’s work, noting that his artistic career was filled with significant contributions and creativity. Farouk Hilal was celebrated as one of the foundational figures of modern Iraqi music, and his passing marks a significant loss to the cultural and artistic community. His artistic legacy is expected to endure in the cultural memory of both Iraq and the broader Arab world.

The statement from the ministry further stressed that Hilal’s works were instrumental in shaping the Iraqi musical identity, enriching the national artistic narrative, and that his absence would leave a notable void in the cultural and artistic scene of Iraq.