Salima Murad

Born

1905-02-28

Died

1974-07-28

Birthplace

Baghdad, Iraq

Biography

Salima Murad, the Jewish singer and actress born in 1905 in Baghdad, showcased her talents not only in singing but also in acting. She made her cinematic debut in the 1948 film "Aliya and Issam," the first Iraqi movie directed by André Chotin. Despite the challenges faced by the Jewish community in Iraq, Salima continued her career. In collaboration with her husband, singer Nazim al-Ghazali, she established a nightclub where she performed her classic songs. However, tragedy struck when her husband was killed under mysterious circumstances, leading to accusations against Salima. Despite the challenges, she earned the title "Basha" from the Prime Minister and received praise from Umm Kulthum. Salima Murad passed away in 1974 in a Baghdad hospital, leaving behind a legacy of musical and cinematic contributions.