Draft:Tareq Al-Sayid Rajab

Tareq Al-Sayid Rajab
Tareq Al-Sayid Rajab in the 1980s
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.

Born into the harsh realities of old Kuwait, Tareq grew up in the scholarly household of his grandfather, Sayid Omar Asim, one of Kuwait's earliest scholars and the first headmaster of its first school, Al-Mubarakiya (1911). In 1948, at the age of 14, he travelled to Baghdad alone and collected his first manuscripts. He won an art competition at his school in 1952 and in turn, won a scholarship to study art in England, becoming the first Kuwaiti to be sent abroad to study art in England and later, archaeology. After returning to Kuwait, he joined the Department of Antiquities and Museums, a branch of the Ministry of Education and became its first Director. During his time as Director, he established Kuwait's first National Museum in the old palace of Sheikh Khaz'al, and oversaw the excavations on Failaka Island during the 1960s. He also opened both the archaeological and ethnographic museums on the island.

After growing increasingly frustrated with Kuwait's unwillingness to preserve its history in the face of rapid modernisation, he eventually resigned from the Department of Antiquities and founded the New English School in 1969, which was the first school in Kuwait to offer a British secondary education. He passionately collected Islamic art throughout these years and by 1980, opened the Tareq Rajab Museum, which was the first Islamic art museum in the region. By 1986, he also founded a school in Jordan, the New English School, Amman. Tareq also briefly served as Kuwait's representative to UNESCO during the mid 2000's.

Tareq Al-Sayid Rajab passed away in 2016, 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.

Early Life & Childhood

Tareq (centre) with His Brother and Sister (1930's)

Tareq Rajab Self Portrait (1940s)

Tareq Al-Sayid Rajab was born in Hayy al Wasat, a neighbourhood in Kuwait that borders Sharq and Qibla, opposite Seif Palace. Official birth records were not maintained at that time, but his mother, Aisha, reported that he was born in 1934, known locally as Sanat Al Haddamah (the year of destruction), when torrential rains caused significant destruction to the old town of Kuwait. Tareq’s father, Sayid Fakhri, was a businessman and agent for Singer sewing machines in Kuwait and Iraq. Unfortunately, Sayid Fakhri passed away when Tareq was only five years old. Consequently, Tareq was raised by his mother and grandfather, retaining only vague memories of his father. Tareq’s grandfather, Sayid Omar Asim, was a well-known figure in old Kuwait and served as the headmaster of Kuwait’s first school, Al-Mubarakiya. He played a significant role in Tareq's upbringing, keeping a watchful eye over him. Additionally, Tareq’s brother, Hashem Al-Sayid Rajab, and his two older half-brothers, Ibrahim and Farhan Al-Farhan, acted as his guardians and supported him throughout his childhood.

Growing up in a scholarly household, Tareq was surrounded by books, largely due to his grandfather's influence. 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 play outside with other children. Instead, he spent much of his time indoors, immersed in his grandfather’s books.

While attending Al-Mubarakiya School, Tareq discovered a deep interest in history and geography. He often spent hours in the school library and the town library, the only one of its kind in Kuwait at the 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 once finished. Tareq was also fortunate to be mentored by three well-known Kuwaiti scholars: Sheikh Ali Al-Jassar, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Jarrah, and Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Duaij. These scholars took a particular interest in his upbringing and education, serving as major role models during his formative years. At thirteen, Tareq developed a keen interest in religion and decided to move into the mosque near his house for a period. During this time, the three scholars encouraged his learning, helping him to memorise the Quran and study Islamic history.

Journey to Baghdad

Encouraged by Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Duaij, Tareq planned a visit to Baghdad, the historic capital of the Abbasid Empire, to seek out old books and manuscripts. With a sum of 100 rupees provided by Sheikh Abdulrahman and further encouragement from Sheikh Ali Al-Jassar and Sheikh Mohammed Al-Jarrah, Tareq embarked on this journey at just fourteen years old. During that period, travellers 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. He often recounted his amazement at seeing thousands of trees and river water for the first time in his life.

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. However, he was met with amused looks, as 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 passion for collecting.

After spending some time in Baghdad, Tareq decided to return to Kuwait via the sea, inspired by the stories of Sinbad the Sailor and the great tales of Ibn Battuta. Returning to Basra by train, he found that securing passage on a boat was more challenging than he had 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 cared for 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 awakened early and taken to a small boat that ferried him to a larger vessel, approximately 10 metres 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 & a Scholarship to England

Tareq in England (1950s)

In 1952-53, Tareq Rajab completed his final year at Al-Mubarakiya Secondary School. His artistic talent had been recognised 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. This particular school year featured a national art exhibition, and Tareq was invited to participate. This competition was a significant milestone 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 set off 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 run by an Englishman named Andrew Jackson.

Tareq as an Art Student in the early 1950s

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 was surrounded by 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, inspired by 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 a deep admiration for his work. His mentor at this time was Professor Robert Glyn Faithful, known as the 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 renowned tutors such as Robert Tavener, a famous printmaker who introduced Tareq to printmaking and lithography. Although he studied primarily Western art, it was through Tavener that Tareq first discovered the high arts of the Islamic world.

Tareq in England (1950s)

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. 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 talent 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 museum, began to take over his life, and he gradually stopped painting. He felt that if he could not dedicate significant time to painting, it was better not to pursue it at all.

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 returned to Kuwait, a country undergoing significant economic, social, and developmental transformations. Kuwait was transitioning from a traditional maritime nation to a modern oil-producing state. Before leaving England, Kuwait’s 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 extremely 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. This role allowed Tareq to channel his passion for art and antiquities into preserving and promoting Kuwait’s cultural heritage.

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. The museum was a beautiful building, and 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.

Tareq as Director of Antiquities

Excavations on Failaka Island

From 1959 to 1967, Tareq and Jehan spent considerable time on Failaka Island, participating in excavation seasons and living on the island with their children. This period was a golden era for the couple. For Jehan, it was the first time she could work, free from the social norms of the mainland that restricted women’s activities. Failaka became her favourite place, where she enjoyed simple pleasures like walking and working alongside the excavation team. For Tareq, the island offered an ideal setting for his passion for archaeology. He thrived on uncovering treasures and unravelling the island's mysteries. One of the most significant discoveries during this time was the famous Failaka stele, which confirmed the existence of a Greek colony on the island from the 4th century BC. This discovery attracted global media attention. Around this time, in 1962, their third child, Nader, was born at the American Mission Hospital, now the Amricani Cultural Centre.

Tareq and Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jabir on Failaka (1960s)

During the excavations on Failaka Island, Tareq Rajab formed close relationships with renowned Danish and British archaeologists, Professor Peter Glob and Geoffrey Bibby. In 1960, Tareq was sent to Aarhus, Denmark, with his family 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 artefacts 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.

Tareq and Dame Violet Dickson on Failaka (1960s)

Life on Failaka Island

The family travelled from the harbour by Seif Palace on a boat belonging to the Ministry of Education, during which sailors prepared lunch. The bustling harbour was filled with dhows from across the Gulf and the Indian Ocean. During this eight-year period, Tareq constructed the archaeological museum on Failaka, with the help of his colleagues and the islanders, using their bare hands. This museum displayed Bronze Age and Greek finds from the excavations. He also 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 artefacts 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, a fond memory for the entire family.

Professional Challenges and Resignation

By the late 1960s, Tareq 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 their 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 was the final straw for Tareq, leading to his 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

New English School's First Building (1969)

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, employing 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 an Anglophile, and he wanted to provide Kuwaitis with the opportunity to receive a British education. At the time, Kuwait had a few British primary schools catering 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 was also working at the American school, adding to their interest in establishing a new educational institution.

Tareq at New English School (1969)

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.

Tareq Meeting Margaret Thatcher (1970s)

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

Tareq & Jehan Outisde the Museum (1980)

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 drawn to 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. At the time, 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 often purchased artefacts directly from them. In the 1960s, Istanbul had not yet become the tourist hub it is today. This allowed Tareq and Jehan to discover many unique items for sale, especially ethnic artefacts 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 commercialised 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

Tareq and Jehan Inside the Museum (1980)

The idea to build a museum of Islamic Art emerged during Rajab'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, Rajab 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.

Rajab'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)

Jehan Packing Away Objects in The Museum (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.

Front of the Museum during the Invasion (1991)

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, Nasser, 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.

The French Foreign Legion at the New English School (1991)

Tareq Opens the Museum After Liberation (1991)

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 & Legacy

Tareq Meeting King Charles (1990s)

After the Iraqi invasion, Tareq Rajab 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 never lost his passion for Islamic art. He continued to collect artefacts, with crates of new acquisitions arriving until the very end. Tareq passed away in 2016, one year after Jehan, leaving a profound impact on Kuwait, his family, and the students of the New English School.

Today, Tareq Al-Sayid Rajab's legacy endures through the museum, the school, and the rich cultural heritage he and Jehan preserved and shared with the world. Their contributions continue to inspire and educate future generations, ensuring that the beauty and history of Islamic art remain accessible to all.