Shaalan Abu al Jun

Shaalan Abu al-Jun was the head of Al-Zawalem tribe, one of the tribes of the city of Al-Rumaitha in southern Iraq. He was a prominent poet and activist who 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 1941. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential Arabic poets of the 20th century.