Ahmad al Safi al Najafi

Ahmad al-Safi al-Najafi was a prominent Iraqi poet and activist who was born in Najaf in 1897. He wrote more than 1000 poems in Arabic and Persian languages, expressing his love for his homeland, his people, and his culture. He also wrote songs, plays, and stories for children. He was a pioneer in teaching Arabic language in Latin alphabets and promoting Arabic literature and culture. He was arrested by the British colonial authorities in 1941 and accused of being a separatist and a traitor. He was tortured and executed by hanging in 1977. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential Arabic poets of the 20th century.